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Year of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MFA: Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating
Directing Professor
Hillary Homzie
Abstract
This M.F.A. thesis project includes three illustrated picture book manuscripts and a scholarly essay about hope and wonder found within children’s literature. Within this essay, it expands on the need for hope in children’s literature contrasted against the modern backdrop of global war and climate change. The stories and essay reflects on artistic and creative process from ideas developed around these specific themes and also includes illustrated artwork. While writing on the need for hope and wonder as literary themes, the backdrop of writing on societal disruption was found within mentor texts, Dear Milli by Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Maurice Sendak and The Golem by David Wisniewski. For an example of wonder, also included is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margary Williams. For mentor texts involving creative non-fiction climate change stories, “Our Planet! There’s no Place like Earth” by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield is explored. Within this essay, wonder as a means to develop hope and resilience is explored, and an examination of essays by fantasy writers, J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. It delves into how hope builds resilience, which includes research on children’s literature about the Shoah, Blitz fiction and other war related stories. The author / illustrator also discusses her own three manuscripts, Little Dove, Flowers of the Etz Chayim and River in the Sky: Journey of an Atmospheric River and what inspired them. A discussion of experiencing climate change related storms in California as inspiration for a creative-nonfiction story is also included. For the other two stories, there is an emphasis on Jewish folk and fairy tales containing elements of wonder, the tree of life and hope for peace within the land of Israel. The essay also includes illustrated examples of how war, climate change and pogroms from the mentor texts have been previously portrayed within children’s literature and the author/illustrator’s own illustrations of hope within this context.
Recommended Citation
Mullins, Alixandra L., "Hope and Wonder in Children's Literature" (2025). Children's Book Writing and Illustrating (MFA) Theses, Hollins University. 17.
https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/childrensmfa/17
Contact Information
alix@alixart.net
Purpose Statement
The purpose of preserving this thesis document is to provide a definitive record of student progress upon completion of the degree. This text will not reflect any revisions to the manuscript made after degree completion. For the most current version of the work, please contact its author.