Scholars in English and Irish literature, most working in Ireland, examine how various texts read by children since the 18th century reflect concepts of Irish national or imperial identity and
how they resist the empire; they also look at how non-Irish readers receive Irish children's books. Some authors and works considered include Maria Edgeworth's writing for children, Arthur
Mee's Children's Encyclopedia, the propaganda of Na Fianna �ireann, and the representation of Gaelic authenticity in the popular culture of the Irish Free State. C.S. Lewis and Narnia, Irish
and European echoes in Oscar Wilde's fairy tales, and Irish children's literature in translation are some other subjects examined. Thompson is affiliated with the Irish Society for the Study of
Children's Literature. The book is distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 穢2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
