Cathryn Mercier

Cathryn Mercier is Professor and Graduate Program Director of Children's Literature at Simmons University's Gwen Ifill College. She holds a PhD from Boston University and directs the Center for the Study of Children's Literature, developing programs including the MFA in Writing for Children.

Research examines contemporary picturebooks, young adult realism, and critical approaches to children's literature. Her work analyzes narrative strategies, visual-textual relationships, and cultural representation in literature for young people, with special attention to multicultural perspectives and award systems.

Mercier has chaired major literary awards including the Caldecott, Newbery, Sibert, and Boston Globe-Horn Book committees. Recent honors include the McGrath Global Research Fund and Carven Fellowship. Her publications include critical studies of authors Russell Freedman, Avi, and Zibby Oneal.