Here be stories: exploring maps in children’s books with medieval cultural treasures and The Stone Feather lighting the way

Abstract

Through my creative practice in writing the children’s novel The Stone Feather,
inspired by Domesday Book; the creation of my own artworks, including maps of the
fictional world I have created; and my research into medieval ‘cultural treasures’ – in
particular manuscripts and mappae mundi – I have discovered a fresh lens through
which to explore and illuminate the presence and purpose of maps in children’s books. I
focus on interlace as a ‘perceptual mode’¹ and ideas around the ‘meditative
engagement’² that interlace design encourages, in relation to the roles that literary maps
play, as well as its impact on my own process as a writer.

My thesis is presented within the context of contemporary publishing and the
need for children to develop a high level of visual literacy in a world dominated by
visual images. My critical commentary includes a review of children’s books that
feature maps and ‘cultural treasures’ as an integral part of imaginative world building
and explores the notion of the ‘author as curator’.
As an adventure story for 8-12 year olds with an ethical heart, The Stone Feather
offers children the opportunity to reflect on different models of masculinity, compassion
and strength – aspects of this original work that are valuable and timely.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Katharine, Rowena Lee: orcid.org/0000-0003-1631-658X

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