2026: The Pleasures and Problems of Pooh
This year’s hundredth anniversary of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh, published in 1926, provides a springboard for reflection on the role of classic children’s literature.
“Here–we–are…all–of–us, and then, suddenly, we wake up one morning and, what do we find? We find a Strange Animal among us. An animal of whom we have never heard before! An animal who carries her family about with her in her pocket!” — Rabbit
Invited keynoters include:
- Lara Saguisag, Associate Professor and Georgiou Chair in Children’s Literature and Literacy at New York University and President of the Children’s Literature Association
- A Pooh Panel with Jennifer Harrison, editor of Positioning Pooh: Edward Bear after 100 Years; volume contributor and Millersville University professor Sarah E. Jackson; and distinguished East Carolina University emeritus professor C.W. Sullivan III.
Conference dates: Friday – Sunday, July 10-12, 2026
Location: Zoom
SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
This online symposium seeks presentation proposals from authors, illustrators, librarians, publishers, educators, and scholars in any field. Submit proposals of 500 words to Symposium-Abstract-Submissions by May 1, 2026. Submit Symposium Abstracts online
ART CHALLENGE
Illustrators are invited to submit images of your own creations related to Pooh and Pooh adjacent or influenced subjects. The symposium will include a digital art show and panel discussion session. Please submit artwork as JPGs or PNGs, no larger than 1000 pixels wide or no larger than 5mb. Submit online
GIRLS LITERATURE DISCUSSION GROUP
The final session of the symposium will be a meeting of the Hollins Girls’ Literature Discussion Group, for which we’ll be reading Tuck Everlasting upon its 50th anniversary of publication.