LIFE AND WORK OF ZLATA PIRNAT COGNARD AND CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

This study examines the life and literary legacy of Zlata Pirnat Cognard, a remarkable luminary in the field of children's literature. It meticulously traces her life from her birth in Trsat, Croatia, in 1912 to her later migration to Ljubljana and France, where she studied history, sociology and her deep interest in children's literature. Cognard's academic work was characterized by extensive research on Yugoslav women writers, which resulted in seminal works such as the Bibliography of Slovene Women Writers (1936) and her doctoral thesis completed at Sorbonne in 1975. Her meticulous compilation of bibliographies and her astute critical analyses serve to illuminate the literary output of Slovene and Croatian women writers and thus secure them a place in academic discourse. Outside of academia, Cognard works as a journalist and writer, contributing to the literary landscape with original works and translations. In addition, her interaction with prominent figures emphasizes her important role as a catalyst for cultural exchange. This contribution emphasizes the value of Cognard's literary archive, which is kept in the National and University Library of Ljubljana, and makes it an indispensable resource for future research. Through a careful examination of her lasting legacy and its impact on Slovenian, Croatian and French literature, this study seeks to shed light on Cognard's lasting influence on children's literature and academic research.