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Children's Literature: Writing for Children

Children's Literature: Writing for Children

Students in our Children's Literature: Writing for Children (MFA) program nurture their creativity with engaged critical study and analysis of literature for children and young adults.

Dare to imagine

Transformative works from folklore, fantasy, nonfiction, poetry, and realism set rich contexts to your developing vision and voice. Small group critiques, individualized mentorships, and grounding in the publishing industry fortify your developing career as a writer.

Explore genre and audience. Engage with picturebooks, young adult realism, beginning and middle-grade readers, graphic novels. Dare to discover new audiences and forms all your own.

Learn from colleagues from across professions. Core classes will include teachers, librarians, editors, illustrators, academics. Join experienced authors and illustrators in unique events such as the summer institute at the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons, Horn Book at Simmons Symposium, and Boston's annual literary events. From P.E.N. New England Discovery Night to the Boston Book Festival, participate in today’s literary heritage as you create tomorrow’s.

Scholarships, Discounts, Fellowship and Teaching Assistantship Opportunities

All applicants are considered for a range of university scholarships, including endowed and departmental awards; new and returning students may apply for selective fellowships to help fund their degrees. Students who have completed at least eight credits are eligible to apply for teaching assistantships to gain experience in the classroom and help finance their degree. Additionally, Simmons is proud to offer teachers, librarians, affiliates of partner organizations, and Simmons alumnae/i reduced tuition and other benefits.

Learn more about scholarships, fellowships, professional and partner discounts, and other funding sources.

Degree Requirements

Credits

Degree Requirements (32 credits)

Full-time graduate students in the MFA (Writing for Children) degree program typically carry between eight and ten credits in the fall, spring, and summer semesters after an initial semester of eight credits. Students considering registering for more than ten credits per term must consult with the graduate program director.

MFA Required Courses (24 credits)

CHL401	Criticism of Literature for Children	4
CHL403	The Picturebook	4
CHL430	Writing for Children I	4
CHL431	Writing for Children II	4
CHL441	MFA Mentorship I	4
CHL442	MFA Mentorship II	4

MFA Elective Requirements (8 credits)

CHL 4XX

History elective/s

Coursework in the history

of children's literature,

selected from course with

a chronological focus.

To total 4 credits

CHL 4XX

Genre elective/s

Coursework in children's

literary genres.

To total 4 credits

Customize Your Program

Our students work with two mentors to advance their creative work toward publication. Authors, literary agents, and editors serve as mentors. Recent mentors have come from:

Candlewick Press
Charlesbridge Books
Scholastic Books
Tu Books
Walden Media
Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency

Alumni of our MFA program have served as Boston Public Library Children’s Writers-in-Residence and St Botolph Club Emerging Artists. Recent M.F.A. alumni have been contracted by Simon and Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and HarperCollins. Two May 2014 graduates received the P.E.N. New England Children’s Book Caucus Discovery Award.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Programs at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

All Children’s Literature degree and dual degree programs are offered on the Boston campus. In addition, the MA in Children’s Literature, MFA in Writing for Children, the dual degree MA/MFA are also offered at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. Students can complete the MA in Children’s Literature/MS in Library Science with MA courses at the Carle and LIS courses on the Greenfield Community College campus. Founded by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Carle is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

In collaboration with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Simmons offers all four graduate programs in Children's Literature onsite at The Carle. This includes our M.A. in Children's Literature, M.F.A. in Writing for Children, M.A. in Children's Literature/M.F.A. dual degree, and M.A. in Children's Literature/M.S. in Library Science dual degree offered in collaboration with Simmons's School of Library and Information Science program at Greenfield Community College. Founded in part by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art. The Carle is located in Amherst, in the heart of the Five Colleges area of Western Massachusetts. Learn more about the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Scholarships, Fellowships, Discounts and Additional Benefits

Learn more about Children's Literature scholarships, fellowships, professional and partner discounts, and other funding sources.

An overview of the Children's Literature program at Simmons University

Children's Literature at Simmons University

From picture books to young adult literature, classic works to contemporary prize-winners, you will explore the artistry of literature for children and young adults. Dare to discover new audiences and stories all your own.

Diverse Voices in Storytelling

Genielysse Reyes '20MFA is adding her diverse voice to storytelling. Learn more about her experience in the Children's Literature program.

Our Faculty

Cathryn Mercier

Professor and Graduate Program Director of Children's Literature

Kelly Hager

Associate Provost, Curriculum, Assessment, and Accreditation

Amy Pattee

Professor

Lauren Rizzuto

Adjunct Faculty

Anita Silvey

Adjunct Faculty

Spotlight on Children's Literature: Writing for Children Students and Alums

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Ally Russell sitting on a chair. Photo credit: Jamie Tan

Children’s Lit Alum Finds Folkloric Inspiration for Spooky Debut Novel

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Literature Program at Simmons, we caught up with Ally Russell ’15MFA about her role of Marketing Manager at independent publisher Nosy Crow, and the release of her debut novel.

Careers and Internships

An aerial photo of the labyrinth on the Simmons University campus

Children’s Literature Alumna Named among Rising Star Women of Education

Janet Daniels ’10MFA, the Assistant Director of the Student Center at Harvard University’s Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, was recently recognized as one of the Rising Star Women of Education for 2024.

Photo of Ariel Vanece - Adriana Arguijo Photography

Ariel Vanece MA '22 Imbues Children's Literature with Intergenerational Friendships

Ariel Vanece, who completed the dual Children's Literature MA and Writing for Children MFA program in 2022, recently secured a two-book deal with Penguin / Rocky Pond Books. They spoke with us about what motivates them to write and how...

Careers and Internships

Autumn Allen '18MA-MFA on Inclusivity Children’s Literature

What led you to study children's literature at Simmons? When I started homeschooling my kids, I let them have free access to all books. When I followed the standard recommended reading lists, the books people called "classics" often had a...

Careers and Internships

Adjunct Elaine Dimopoulos ’08MFA on Writing, Environmentalism, and How to Get Involved

Adjunct Elaine Dimopoulos ’08MFA is the author of Material Girls (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015). Her new novel, Turn the Tide (HarperCollins, 2022) is her middle grade debut, inspired by real life environmental activists.

Careers and Internships

Voices Heard, Stories Seen: Mackenzi Lee '14MFA on her #MeToo Essay and New Book

Mackenzi Lee ’14MFA may be most wellknown for her New York Times best-selling young adult series that follows the spirited Montague siblings, but her recently published essay tackles a more serious topic, the #MeToo movement.

Careers and Internships

Autumn Allen '18MA, '18MFA Selected as Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence

Allen will read an excerpt from her young adult historical novel “All You Have to Do” during a virtual reception hosted by the Associates of the Boston Public Library on October 8.

Awards and Honors

Luisana Duarte Armendáriz '18MA, '18MFA Receives New Vision Award

A new voice in children's literature, Luisana tells us about the inspiration behind her novel. Children's literature MFA graduate, Luisana Duarte Armendáriz '18MA/MFA received a New Vision Award from Lee & Low Books. Her middle grade novel The Regent Enigma...