Prof. Hanna Dymel-Trzebiatowska. Niflheim and Muspelheim Children’s Literature of the North and of

The title of my presentation is inspired by Norse mythology, in which Niflheim and Muspelheim represent, respectively, the realms of ice and fire. As a scholar specializing in Scandinavian studies, I have devoted a significant amount of time to studying Nordic children's literature. Thus, the first part of my presentation, entitled "Niflheim," focuses on my recent research on the Moomin books (1945-1970) authored by Tove Jansson. Specifically, my analysis centers on the double address, a narrative strategy employed in the series to appeal not only to children but also to adults through the inclusion of philosophical intertexts. I also provide insight into the Polish translations of the Moomin books, with a particular focus on the criteria for addressing one or multiple audiences. Furthermore, I present the latest findings of my research that highlight the unexpected relevance of the Moomin books in the context of contemporary global issues such as ecology, ageism, and equality. The second part of my presentation, entitled "Muspelheim," centers on my observations of children's literature in South Africa, which I gathered during my recent research trip to Zimbabwe (January-March 2023). During my fieldwork, I collected data on picturebooks with the aim of comparing them to Nordic standards.