High adventure on the seas, the legends and myths of the Maori, the storytelling fantasy of Margaret Mahy…. all of these traditions, expectations, and perspectives are a part of the rich array of New Zealand’s contributions to the growing body of quality international literature for young people.

This course will focus on children’s and young adult literature from New Zealand, which has a long history of award winning international authors in this field. Students will explore the connections between New Zealand culture/society and its representations in literature. As well, in the sense of global education, we will explore issues around social justice and peace both within the ethos of New Zealand culture and society and within the field of children’s and young adult literature.

We will have many opportunities to talk about the books we’re reading while experiencing the aspects of New Zealand that create the rich themes found in this literature. We will be based in Auckland for the majority of our stay so we will have access to museums, the maritime experience, libraries, universities, bookstores, and other resources to help us explore our understanding of the texts we’ll be reading. We will also arrange visits with authors, storytellers, illustrators, and publishers, as well as with librarians, teachers, children, and parents, to talk about the rich literary heritage in which children’s and adolescent literature is based.

The course will begin in Christchurch on the South Island where we will meet with local authors/illustrators and various experts in children's and adolescent literature including bookshop owners and the director of the Margaret Mahy Collection in the Canterbury Public Library. We will find various ways to interact with the 'power of place' via train trips, nature explorations, tramping trips, and other experiences. The trip will continue via train along the South East coast toward Wellington, where we will visit the National Museum (Te Papa) and the Naitional Library, again connecting with a variety of folks connected to children's and adolescent literature . A train trip through the length of the North Island will take us to Auckland, where you will have the opportunity to plan your own opportunities to experience the 'power of place'. A trip to Rotorua, the heart of the Maori culture, will be included as a culmination to our experiences."

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