Children’s Literature
Explore the artistry of literature for children and young adults
Simmons University’s Master of Arts in Children’s Literature was the first graduate degree in the world to center works created for readers ages 0–18. Since 1977, we have welcomed students from a wide range of backgrounds, united by a deep and unapologetic passion to read, write, discuss, and better understand the artistry, boundary-breaking, and innovation in literature for young people.
Our program explores the social, cultural, scholarly, and professional perspectives that shape children’s and young adult literature. As a student, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to create, analyze, and publish books for now and for the future.
Our interdisciplinary curriculum draws upon literature, art, history, education, sociology, psychology, and media studies. Children's Literature coursework includes topics such as book publishing, positionality, and literary theory. You’ll consider how literature constructs and responds to ideas of childhood. Throughout the program, you’ll problematize what it means to be an adult reader and critic of works not intended for you.
You’ll study genres including:
- Picturebooks
- Verse novels
- Informational texts
- Speculative fiction and fantasy
- Realism
- Graphic Novels
- Metafiction
- Folk and Fairy Tales
Our faculty come from both academic and professional fields. Each student works closely with a faculty advisor to tailor their program to their specific interests and career goals. You’ll develop critical inquiry and writing skills, communicate your passion for young people’s literature, and explore possible career paths.
Faculty will challenge you to “hold the child in respectful abeyance” as you deepen your engagement with texts. Through deep dives into our own reading experiences, we bring rich, complex interpretations to young readers.
Our program brings theory to bear on practice and explores how our reading practices shape the texts themselves. Together, our community strives to make a difference — book by book, reader by reader.
Why get an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons?
This degree offers rigorous, specialized study for those involved in — or planning to enter — fields such as education, library work, publishing, creative writing, academic research, and even work in museums.
In our program, you will:
- Develop your critical reading and writing skills through academic study in children’s and young adult literature.
- Reflect on the past, present, and future of texts for young readers as cultural products that reflect and innovate.
- Examine how children’s literature raises questions of social justice, power, and constructions of childhood.
- Engage in cross-disciplinary and cross-professional conversations that center on multiple traditions and practices.
- Join a community that reads widely, thinks deeply, and shares your passion to make a difference through literature.
What distinguishes our program:
- Small, interactive classes: Capped at 15 students to foster animated seminar discussions and meaningful relationships among peers and faculty
- Outstanding faculty: Committed to teaching, relational pedagogy, and keeping pace with publishing trends and inclusive texts
- Personal advising: Work closely with faculty on your academic interests and career goals
- Special events: Participate in programs like the Children’s Literature Summer Institute and attend talks by today’s artists, writers, and leading professionals
- Partnerships: Collaborate with institutions such as The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
- The BookNook: Access to more than 4,000 newly published titles each year
- A strong alumni network: Connect with graduates working in education, librarianship, publishing, and doctoral study
What can you do with an MA in Children’s Literature?
Our program prepares you to create, analyze, and publish books for children and young adults. You’ll have access to career exploration and internship opportunities in Boston and Amherst.
Students have interned with:
- Publishers: Candlewick, Charlesbridge, Barefoot Books, Penguin Random House
- Literary agencies: Including Aevitas Creative Management
- Libraries: Boston Public Library, Cambridge Public Library, and more
The Children’s Literature graduate programs provide you with access to networks of editors, authors, illustrators, critics, reviewers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and doctoral programs
Our other partnerships include The Horn Book, Inc.; Boston Book Festival; and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Our graduates have secured roles at:
- The Sheldon Fogelman Agency
- Scholastic Books
- Candlewick Press
- Roaring Brook Press
- Lee & Low Books
- Charlesbridge
Our graduates pursue doctoral studies at:
- Boston University
- Brandeis University
- Tufts University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Southern Mississippi
Also, many hold leadership roles, including the founder of the Boston Book Festival and the recent children’s book editor of Kirkus Reviews. Others have published bestselling and award-winning books. Some teach in schools and universities or work in youth services at institutions like the Boston Public Library.
Our graduates have published:
- Wicked, Gregory Maguire
- Lessons from a Dead Girl, Jo Knowles
- The Graceling Realm, Kristin Cashore
Alumnae/i have served on prestigious children’s book award committees, including the Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Awards. Also, our alumnae/i include:
- Editor of a Newbery Medal-winning book
- Editor of a Caldecott Honor book
- Ezra Jack Keats Award for debut authors (two alumnae/i)
- Member of the BRAW, Bologna Ragazzi Prize
Children’s Literature Programs Highlight
96%
Graduates Employed in Publishing, Libraries, Education, or as Writers*
*Class of 2024, 100% knowledge rate of 27 graduates – MA, MFA, MA/MFA, MA/MS
Spotlight on Children's Literature Students and Alums
Alumna Combines Story and Techspressionist Moving Images
Karen LaFleur ’97MA, a graduate of the Simmons Master’s in Children’s Literature, is a “Techspressionist” artist and writer who incorporates moving images, text, music, and artistic renderings of nature and scientific discovery into her artwork. We spoke to LaFleur about how her studies at Simmons shaped the development of her art.
Editor-in-Chief Shares Insights into Her Time at Simmons
Elissa Gershowitz ’00MA received her master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons University and is currently Editor-in-Chief of The Horn Book literary magazine. The Horn Book is a central point for reviews of books from preschool through young adult selections. The Horn Book was also founded by Bertha Mahony Miller, a Simmons alumna, Class of 1906.
The Story Listener
Breanna J. McDaniel ’14MA is the author of four acclaimed picturebooks and the recipient of the 2025 Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award. On July 26, McDaniel will present a presentation with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison at the Summer Children's Literature Institute at Simmons University.
Gregory Maguire ’78MA Defying Gravity
Gregory Maguire '78MA, best-selling author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reflects on his time as one of the first graduates of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at Simmons, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Alumnae/i Receive Awards from American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) announced winners of the 2025 Youth Media Awards, including Breanna J. McDaniel ’14MA, Gabe Cole Novoa ’19MFA, Stephanie Seales ’09MA, and Sacha Lamb ’20MS/MA.
Blowing the Horn for Children’s Literature: One Hundred Years of The Horn Book Magazine
In October of 1924, the first issue of The Horn Book magazine appeared. It began as a newsletter from the Bookshop for Boys and Girls, one of the first children’s book shops in the United States, established in 1916 by the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union. Bertha E. Mahony (later Bertha Mahony Miller), who graduated from Simmons School of Secretarial Studies in 1906, helmed both the shop and the magazine.
Children’s Literature Alumna Receives Mentor Award at 2024 Carle Honors
On September 26, Elissa Gershowitz ’00MA, Editor-in-Chief of The Horn Book, received a Mentor Award at the Carle Honors ceremony in New York City. Bestowed by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art these annual awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have elevated the art of children’s picture-book making.
Simmons Children’s Lit Alum on Judging the Horn Book Awards
Rodney Fierce ’12MA, a Humanities Teacher at Sonoma Academy, shares what led him to study children’s literature, his work at the Academy, and his recent experience on the Horn Book Awards Committee.
Our Faculty
Cathryn Mercier
Professor and Graduate Program Director of Children's Literature
Amy Pattee
Professor
Anita Silvey
Adjunct Faculty