Launch of the "LITTERNATURE" exhibition, which explores biodiversity in children's literature

Emile Zola Central Media Library – 218 International Airport Boulevard – 34000 Montpellier.
1st and 2nd floors – Children’s section.

The LITTERNATURE exhibition on insects and plants will be on display at the Émile Zola Media Library in Montpellier from September 20 to October 16, 2022.

Two highlights will feature in this exhibition:

• a guided and interactive tour on September 21 at 4 p.m.;
• Biblionaturalist workshops on October 12 at 4 p.m. as part of Science Festival.

LITTERNATURE is a comprehensive exploration of nature in children’s literature.

The project aims to create a participatory inventory, in collaboration with young people, of the plants and insects hidden within children’s books of all genres. The project includes a traveling exhibition and educational workshops.

Launched in 2019 with support from the European Union and the Occitanie Region, the LITTERNATURE project is a science education program designed to explore biodiversity and methods of classifying living organisms through children’s literature. Its goal: to create a collaborative inventory, in partnership with stakeholders in the literary world (bookstores, media libraries, authors, etc.) and their young audiences, of the biodiversity depicted in children’s books.

LITTERNATURE features a traveling exhibition, literary and nature workshops, training sessions for librarians, and a website serving as the hub for the participatory inventory…

The exhibition features a wide variety of items drawn from numerous laboratories in Montpellier (CIRAD, ISEM, UM, etc.) and collections (the UM herbarium, the UM paleontology collections, SHHNH, etc.). It aims to showcase insects and plants in all their diversity, drawing on stories of new species discoveries, classification, surprising anecdotes, and current scientific developments, while always connecting these themes to children’s literature.

Comprising about ten panels, five display cases, multimedia content, and other museum exhibits, it is free to visit, designed for upper-grade elementary school students, but enjoyable for people of all ages.

The University of Montpellier and the project partners also offer a wide range of nature and literature workshops designed to explore bibliodiversity.

Practical information:

Exhibition opening: Tuesday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. – Closing: Sunday, October 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Guided tours and activities: Wednesday, September 21, and Wednesday, October 12, at 4:00 p.m.

Location: Emile Zola Media Library, 218 International Airport Boulevard, 34000 Montpellier (1st and 2nd floors, children’s section).

Hours: Tuesday and Friday (12:00 PM–7:00 PM), Wednesday (10:00 AM–7:00 PM), Thursday (12:00 PM–9:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM–6:30 PM), Sunday (starting October 2, 2:30 PM–6:00 PM).

• Learn more

• Inventory website