The Journey to Hogwarts: Women writing for children, 1750-2000
3 October 2000 to 17 March 2001
Most children and many adults have enjoyed the adventures of Harry Potter at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, reached by magic train from King's Cross platform 9¾ . Their author, J.K. Rowling, is part of a long tradition: female writers have always played a leading role in children's literature, although relatively few have achieved lasting fame.
This exhibition travelled through time to look at fiction by British women, from the first children's novel to the present day, stopping along the way to visit animal stories, moral tales and problem novels, fairy tales and fantasy, adventure and school stories. Forgotten authors shared a compartment with household names like Blyton and Rowling, with much of the scenery provided by female artists such as Kate Greenaway, Beatrix Potter and Babette Cole.
Whatever your age, you are sure to meet some familiar friends on this journey.
Under-16s who visited the exhibition could take part in a quiz to win a copy of the exhibition poster and a book supplied by our sponsors, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Two prizes were awarded each month from October to March.