Philip Nel

(he/him)

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Philip Nel is University Distinguished Professor of English at Kansas State University. He is the author or co-editor of thirteen books, including: "Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books" (Oxford UP, 2017), four volumes of Crockett Johnson’s "Barnaby" (co-edited with Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020), a double biography of Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss (UP Mississippi, 2012), "Keywords for Children’s Literature" (2nd edition co-edited with Lissa Paul and Nina Christensen, NYU P, 2021), and "Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature" (co-edited with Julia Mickenberg, NYU P, 2008).

His forthcoming book, "How to Draw the World: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Making of a Children's Classic," will be published in November 2024 by Oxford University Press.

The fifth and final volume of Crockett Johnson's "Barnaby" will be published in February 2025 by Fantagraphics Books.

Experience

  • 2013–present
    University Distinguished Professor of English, Kansas State University
  • 2008–2013
    Professor of English, Kansas State University
  • 2005–2008
    Associate Professor of English, Kansas State University
  • 2000–2005
    Assistant Professor of English, Kansas State University

Education

  • 1997 
    Vanderbilt University, Ph.D. in English
  • 1993 
    Vanderbilt University, M.A. in English
  • 1992 
    University of Rochester, B.A. in English and Psychology

Publications

  • 2024
    How to Draw the World: Harold and the Purple Crayon, and the Making of a Children’s Classic, Oxford UP
  • 2021
    Keywords for Children’s Literature, Second Edition. Co-edited with Lissa Paul and Nina Christensen, NYU Press
  • 2020
    Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby, Volume Four: 1948-1949. Co-edited with Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
  • 2017
    Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books, Oxford UP
  • 2016
    Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby, Volume Three: 1946-1947. Co-edited with Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
  • 2014
    Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby, Volume Two: 1944-1945. Co-edited with Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
  • 2013
    Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby, Volume One: 1942-1943. Co-edited with Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
  • 2012
    Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children’s Literature, UP Mississippi
  • 2011
    Keywords for Children’s Literature. Co-edited with Lissa Paul., NYU Press
  • 2008
    Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature. Co-edited with Julia Mickenberg, NYU Press
  • 2007
    The Annotated Cat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats, Random House
  • 2004
    Dr. Seuss: American Icon, Bloomsbury
  • 2002
    The Avant-Garde and American Postmodernity: Small Incisive Shocks, UP Mississippi

Contact Philip for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision