Elva Sophronia Smith (1871-1965) was an American librarian, author of children's books and was also considered an authority in cataloguing children's literature. She started her career as a teacher in California public schools, and then in 1899 she attained a certificate from the Los Angeles Public Library training class. In 1903, after graduation, she started teaching different subjects including cataloguing, children's library work, book selection, bibliography, storytelling, and even the history of children's literature. Throughout her career she published professional articles for librarians. She also wrote short stories and poems for children. Her works include: Christmas in Legend and Story: A Book for Boys and Girls (with Alice I. Hazeltine) (1915), Subject Headings for Children's Books in Public Libraries and in Libraries in Elementary and Junior High Schools (1933) and The History of Children's Literature (1937).

The contributors to this collection of essays address children's literature as an art form, rather than an educational instrument, as has been the traditional approach. Scholars from 10 different countries present a variety of approaches to the history of children's literature, including views on sociological, semiotic, and intertextual models of its evolution. Other issues explored include influence and interaction between stories and their countries of origin. This strong presentation of international perspectives on children's literature will be a valuable resource for scholars of children's and comparative literature.