What is SLIDING?

Mission

To share children’s literature, media and culture-related content from a critical, democratic and inclusive perspective.

Vision

Building community inspired by childlike curiosity. 

SLIDING is created as an effort to open academic discussions about children’s and young adult literature and media to the general public. We firmly believe in the democratisation of knowledge, as well as the enrichment of the discipline through the inclusion of different perspectives from all members of society. Our platform is open to scholars, teachers, parents, literature lovers and young people from all around the world to share their experiences, specific interests and creative works. We aim to be a safe and inclusive community where curiosity leads the way in exploring the vastness of childhood and children’s culture. 

Our name recalls Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s metaphorical framework of windows, mirrors and sliding doors in Children’s Literature Studies: we look through windows to explore other realities; we face mirrors to see ourselves reflected; and we cross sliding doors to act in a complex world that defies us every day. At SLIDING we advocate for the development of relevant, novel, interesting, and varied content, always with young people at the centre, to contribute (even if it is a pinch of pixie dust!) in contemporary society. 

Values

As SLIDING we are:

👉🏻 Diverse: we explore a variety of topics on children’s media from different perspectives, informed by our diverse cultural backgrounds and interests.

👉🏻 Democratic: we believe in the power of sharing knowledge and creating a participatory culture in community, considering all our differences as enriching and powerful to broaden the current discourses in children’s cultural studies. 

👉🏻 Curious: we enjoy exploring the world and learning through and about children’s media!