A concise introduction to the world of literature for infants, children, and adolescents, this popular text taps the work of well-known scholars to provide its foundation in genre theory while clearly relating the books it recommends to practical teaching applications. After first defining literature and literacy, and examining relevant aspects of children's development, the author explores each of the traditional literature genres in turn; and provides a firm structure for evaluation that will serve future teachers well as they approach any form of literature. Each chapter asks the student for reflections, opinions, and participation through suggested projects and activities.

• NEW - Chapter 5, Picture Books for the Very Young —Thoroughly addresses this trend in children's literature with a list of new books, an evaluation scheme, and promotion of reading to babies and toddlers.

  • Keeps students up-to-date on this burgeoning genre; reflects current surge in picture books at this level; offers satisfying targets for analysis due to these books inherent charm and visual appeal.

• NEW - Four literature-based units: two for young readers and two for intermediate/middle school readers—Includes defined text sets.

  • Makes “ready to-go” units future teachers can take right into their first classroom, or use as a springboard for creating their own.

• NEW - Updated booklists and book discussions—Updated website listings in Appendix A include: Orbis Pictus award winning and honor books in Chapter 12, Scott O'Dell award winners in Chapter 10, Rowlings Harry Potter series, Pullman's His Dark Materials series.

  • Ensures students are abreast of the most recent entries in the annals of children's literature.

• NEW - Open-ended response and four point evaluation rubric for each genre—Expands evaluative coverage and better pinpoints criteria for each genre.

  • Extends students' repertoire of evaluative markers and encourages a view of evaluation as a multi-criteria task.

• NEW - Reorganized Chapter 12 on informational texts—Better matches the structure of most school curricula; includes specific teaching suggestions.

  • Prepares students for likely standards of their first classrooms; groups non-fiction as it is in most school syllabi.

• NEW - Companion CD database—Includes annotated material on 1,000 titles in the text. Includes award-winning text titles.

  • Provides students with a valuable resource for using and adding to their own children's literature database.

• Books for children with special needs and multicultural works—Highlighted throughout the text; specific multicultural bibliographies appear in Chapters 7, 9, 10, and 11.

  • Provides future teachers' knowledge of the diversity of children's literature, helping them to create classrooms that reflect the diversity of today's children.

• Compact size and reasonable price—Ideal for use with a Language Arts text in a block course.

  • Provides core information on reviewing and evaluating children's literature without overwhelming students as anthologies sometimes do.

• Chapter 5, Picture Books for the Very Young —Thoroughly addresses this trend in children's literature with a list of new books, an evaluation scheme, and promotion of reading to babies and toddlers.

  • Keeps students up-to-date on this burgeoning genre; reflects current surge in picture books at this level; offers satisfying targets for analysis due to these books inherent charm and visual appeal.

• Four literature-based units: two for young readers and two for intermediate/middle school readers—Includes defined text sets.

  • Makes “ready to-go” units future teachers can take right into their first classroom, or use as a springboard for creating their own.

• Updated booklists and book discussions—Updated website listings in Appendix A include: Orbis Pictus award winning and honor books in Chapter 12, Scott O'Dell award winners in Chapter 10, Rowlings Harry Potter series, Pullman's His Dark Materials series.

  • Ensures students are abreast of the most recent entries in the annals of children's literature.

• Open-ended response and four point evaluation rubric for each genre—Expands evaluative coverage and better pinpoints criteria for each genre.

  • Extends students' repertoire of evaluative markers and encourages a view of evaluation as a multi-criteria task.

• Reorganized Chapter 12 on informational texts—Better matches the structure of most school curricula; includes specific teaching suggestions.

  • Prepares students for likely standards of their first classrooms; groups non-fiction as it is in most school syllabi.

• Companion CD database—Includes annotated material on 1,000 titles in the text. Includes award-winning text titles.

  • Provides students with a valuable resource for using and adding to their own children's literature database.

 1. The Child, the Book, and Literacy.


 2. Childhood, Children, and History.


 3. Evaluating Children's Books.


 4. Once Upon a Time…and Tradition Continues.


 5. Picture Books for the Very Young.


 6. Picture Books for All.


 7. The Pleasure and Power of Poetry.


 8. Imaginary Worlds of Fantasy.


 9. Realism in the Here and Now.


10. Realism in the Past.


11. Biography: The Story of a Life.


12. Books of Information.


Appendix A: Children's Book Awards.


Appendix B: Internet Addresses and Additional Resources.


Glossary.


About the Author.


Author and Title Index.


Subject Index.

Children's Literature / Methods  [BRIEF / ESSENTIALS]   (Reading & Literacy)

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