Children's books in children's hands

• Preface

• Part One
• Understanding Literature and the Child Reader

• 1
• Children's Books in Children's Hands

• What Are Good Books for Children?

• What Is Children's Literature

• Issue to Consider: Even Comic Books?

• Qualities of Children's Literature

• Qualities of Outstanding Children's Literature

• Ask the Critic: Betsy Hearne

• Children's Books and Childhood

• Children in the Middle Ages

• Children in Puritan Times

• Children in the Enlightenment

• The "Golden Age of Children's Literature"

• Contemporary Children's Books

• Children's Development and Responses to Literature

• Experiencing Books in Early Childhood

• Experiencing Books in the Preschool and Early Primary School Years

• Learning to Read

• Experiencing Books in the Primary Grades

• Becoming Prolific Readers

• Issue to Consider: Should We Consider Reading a "Skill"?

• Ask the Critic: Leonard Marcus

• Experiencing Books in the Upper Elementary and Middle Grades

• Reading at This Age

• Censorship and Children's Literature

• Resources for Children's Books

• Bringing Children and Books Together

• Experiences for Further Learning

• References

• 2
• Literary Elements in Works for Children

• The Artistry of Literary Elements

• Genre: the "Rules of the Game"

• The Genres of Children's Literature

• Settings: How Do Authors Create Times and Places?

• Ask the Editor: Richard W. Jackson

• Settings in Folktales and Fairy Tales

• Settings in Realistic Fiction

• Settings as Important Features in Themselves

• Characterization: How Do People Emerge from the Page?

• Characters Are Developed through Their Actions

• Characters Are Developed through Their Relations with Others

• Characters Are Developed through Their Sense of Themselves

• Characters Are Developed through the Roles They Play in the Plot

• Characters Are Displayed through the Author's Description

• Round Characters and Flat Characters

• Rounded Characters Undergo Changes

• Plots: How Do Stories Happen?

• Plots and Conflicts

• Plot Structures

• Recurring Plots

• Episodes: Stories with Stories

• The "Real" Story versus the Story as Revealed

• Themes: How Do Stories Convey Meaning?

• Explicit and Implicit Themes

• Reading against the Grain

• Issue to Consider: Are Themes Really There?

• The Stance of the Implied Reader

• Identifying with Characters

• Taking the Intended Moral Stance

• Filling in the Gaps

• Point of View

• Stories in the First Person

• Stories in the Third Person

• Issue to Consider: Do Children Need to Know Formal Literary Terms?

• Style

• Words

• Images

• Metaphors

• Sounds

• Voice

• Visual Literacy

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 3
• Picture Books

• What are Picture Books?

• The Evolution of Picture Books

• The Development of the Concept of the Picture Book

• Changes in Printing Technology

• Authors and Illustrators Who Have Defined the Field

• Categories of Picture Books

• Early Childhood Books

• Wordless Books

• Picture Books with Minimal Text

• Beginning Readers' Books

• Picture Storybooks

• Visual Literacy

• Elements of Design

• Appreciating the Artistic Craft of the Picture Book

• Artistic Media

• Artistic Style

• How Picture Storybooks Work

• Picture Book Design

• Characterization

• Perspective

• Backgrounds

• Color

• Picture/Text Relationships

• Criteria for Evaluating Picture Books

• Awards for Picture Books

• Issue to Consider: Should Teachers Take the Time to Teach Students How to Interpret and "Read" the Illustrations in Picture Books?

• Creators of Picture Books

• Eric Carle

• Leo and Diane Dillon

• Lois Ehlert

• Kevin Henkes

• Jerry Pinkney

• Maurice Sendak

• William Steig

• Chris Van Allsburg

• Ask the Author and Illustrator: Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

• Rosemary Wells

• David Wiesner

• Ed Young

• Issue to Consider: Are Picture Books Being Designed More for Adult Buyers Than for Child Readers?

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 4
• Literature Representing Diverse Perspectives

• Diverse Perspectives in the United States

• The Role of Schools in Presenting Multiple Perspectives

• Literature's Role for Influencing the Reader's Perspective

• What is Multicultural Literature?

• The Value of Multicultural Literature

• Identifying Multicultural Books

• Culturally Generic Books

• Culturally Specific Books

• Evolution of Multicultural Literature

• Issues Related to Multicultural Literature

• Cultural Authenticity

• Perspective: Insider or Outsider

• Stereotyping and Other Unacceptable Depictions of Cultural Groups

• Identification of Cultural Groups

• Criteria for Evaluating and Selecting Multicultural Literature

• Do the Author and Illustrator Present Authentic Perspectives?

• Is the Culture Portrayed Multidimensionally?

• Issue to Consider: How Much Artistic License Should Be Given to Illustrators as They Create Images of a Culture?

• Are Cultural Details Naturally Integrated?

• Are Details Accurate and Is the Interpretation Current?

• Is Language Used Authentically?

• Is the Collection Balanced?

• Awards for Multicultural Literature

• The Coretta Scott King Award

• The Pura Belprÿ Award

• Tomàs Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

• The Amÿricas Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature

• The Asian Pacific American Literary Award

• The American Indian Youth Literature Award

• The Jane Addams Children's Book Award

• Major Authors and Illustrators of Multicultural Literature

• Alma Flor Ada

• Ask the Author: Alma Flor Ada

• Joseph Bruchac

• Ashley Bryan

• Virginia Hamilton

• Ask the Author: Julius Lester

• Walter Dean Myers

• Allen Say

• Gary Soto

• Laurence Yep

• Literature Portraying Other Diverse Perspectives

• Literature Portraying Gender Equity and Gender Roles

• Same-Sex Partners and Families with Same-Sex Parents

• Literature Portraying Social Diversity

• Literature about People with Exceptionalities

• Educators' Roles in Presenting Multiple and Diverse Perspectives

• Understanding Diverse Perspectives through Adult Literature

• Understanding Diverse Perspectives through Professional Literature

• Helping Children Gain Diverse Perspectives

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 5
• International Literature

• What is International Literature?

• Literature That Originates Outside of the United States

• Literature about Other Countries, Written and Published in the United States

• Evolution of International Literature

• Issues Related to International Literature

• Criteria for Evaluating International Literature

• Intended Audience

• Translation

• Awards for International Literature

• The Hans Christian Andersen Award

• Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

• Mildred Batchelder Award

• The White Ravens Awards

• Other International Book Awards

• Outstanding International Books for Children

• Major Authors and Illustrators of International Literature

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Ask the Author: Beverley Naidoo

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• Part Two
• Exploring the Genres of Children's Literature

• 6
• Poetry for Children

• What Is Poetry?

• Issue to Consider: Should We Distinguish between "Poems" and Rhymes"?

• Categories of Poetry for Children

• Mother Goose Rhymes and Other Rhymes of the Nursery

• Why Do We Call Them "Mother Goose" Rhymes?

• Jump-Rope and Counting-Out Rhymes

• Folk Songs Popular among Children

• Lyric or Expressive Poems

• Narrative Poems

• Nonsense Verse

• Form Poems: Limericks

• Form Poems: Haiku

• Dialogue Poems

• Free Verse

• Poetry Collections

• Novels in Verse

• The Evolution of Children's Poetry

• Early Poetry for Children

• More Sympathetic Voices

• Contemporary Poetry for Children

• The Many Voices of Children's Poetry

• Elements of Poetry

• Sounds

• Images

• Comparisons

• Forms

• Insight

• Children's Preferences in Poetry

• How Can We Expand Children's Taste in Poetry?

• Issue to Consider: How Do We Keep Children's Liking for Poetry Alive?

• Major Children's Poets and Their Works

• Nikki Grimes

• Ask the Poet: Nikki Grimes

• Naomi Shihab Nye

• Ask the Poet: Naomi Shihab Nye

• Paul Janeczko

• Janet Wong

• Douglas Florian

• Jack Prelutsky

• Shel Silverstein

• Lee Bennett Hopkins

• The National Council of Teachers of English Award for Poetry for Children

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 7
• Traditional Literature

• What is Traditional Literature?

• The Value of Traditional Literature

• How Traditional Literature Works

• Settings in Traditional Literature

• Characters in Traditional Literature

• Contrasts in Folk Tales

• Plots in Traditional Literature

• Motifs

• The Role of the Reader in Traditional Literature

• Visual Depictions of Traditional Literature

• The Evolution of Traditional Literature

• The Oral Tradition

• Stories and Culture: Mythos and Logos

• Retellers of National Folk Tales

• Ask the Librarian: Margaret Read MacDonald

• Charles Perrault

• The Brothers Grimm

• Joseph Jacobs

• Hans Christian Andersen

• Folklore and Folk Tales in America

• Types of Folk Literature

• Cumulative Tales

• Animal Tales and Trickster Tales

• Humorous Tales

• Tall Tales

• Ghost Stories

• Fairy Tales

• Issue to Consider: Are Tales of Stereotyped Strong Men and Wilting Women Still Worth Sharing with Today's Children?

• Realistic Tales

• Legends

• Epics and Ballads

• Fables

• Myths

• Pour Quoi Tales

• Religious Stories

• Literary Tales

• Traditional Literature from Many Cultures

• Classical Myths from Greece and Rome

• Traditional Tales from the British Isles

• German Traditional Tales

• Jewish Folktales

• Scandinavian Traditional Tales

• French Traditional Tales

• Russian Folktales

• Folklore from North America

• Ask the Author: Joseph Bruchac

• Ask the Author: Patricia C. McKissack

• Hispanic Folklore

• Middle Eastern Folklore

• African Folklore

• Asian Folklore

• Folklore across Cultures

• Derivative Folk Literature

• Criteria for Evaluating Traditional Literature

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 8
• Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction

• Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction Defined

• Definition of Modern Fantasy

• Definition of Science Fiction

• Distinction between Fantasy and Science Fiction

• The Evolution of Modern Fantasy

• Categories of Modern Fantasy

• Personified Animals

• Personified Toys

• Outlandish Characters and Situations

• Magical Powers

• Embellished Fairy Tales

• Extraordinary Worlds

• Supernatural Elements

• Time Slips

• High Fantasy

• How Fantasy Works

• Setting

• Character

• Plot

• Theme

• Issue to Consider: Can Reading Fantasy Be Inappropriate for Children?

• Criteria for Evaluating Modern Fantasy

• Major Writers of Fantasy and Their Works

• Lloyd Alexander

• Susan Cooper

• Bruce Coville

• Ask the Author: Bruce Coville

• Roald Dahl

• Cornelia Funke

• Brian Jacques

• Diana Wynne Jones

• Philip Pullman

• J. K. Rowling

• Jane Yolen

• Ask the Author: Jane Yolen

• Other Notable Writers of Modern Fantasy

• The Evolution of Science Fiction

• Categories of Science Fiction

• Projecting Scientific Principles

• Utopian and Dystopian Societies

• Surviving Environmental Catastrophes

• Science Fantasies

• How Science Fiction Works

• Criteria for Evaluating Science Fiction

• Awards for Fantasy and Science Fiction

• Major Writers of Science Fiction and Their Works

• Peter Dickinson

• Robert A. Heinlein

• Madeleine L'Engle

• William Sleator

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books: Fantasy

• Recommended Books: Science Fiction

• Resources

• References

• 9
• Contemporary Realistic Fiction

• What Is Contemporary Realistic Fiction?

• The Value of Contemporary Realistic Fiction

• The Evolution of Realistic Fiction

• The Nineteenth Century

• The Twentieth Century

• From New Realism to Diverse Perspectives

• Issue to Consider: Are Contemporary Books Too Realistic?

• Categories of Realistic Fiction

• Books about Self-Discovery and Growing Up

• Books about Families and Family Diversity

• Books about Interpersonal Relations

• Books about School

• Books about Sports

• Books about Nature and Animals

• Books about Adventure and Survival

• Books about Romance and Sexuality

• Books about Mental, Physical, Emotional, and Other Challenges

• Books about Moral Dilemmas and Moral Responsibility

• Books about Social Diversity and Society

• Books about Aging, Death, and Dying

• Mystery and Suspense Books

• Humorous Books

• Series Books

• Books with Multicultural and International Themes

• Books That Are Magical Realism

• How Contemporary Realistic Fiction Works

• Setting

• Plot

• Theme

• Character

• Point of View

• Criteria for Evaluating Realistic Fiction

• Major Writers of Realistic Fiction and Their Works

• Avi

• Judy Blume

• Beverly Cleary

• Ask the Author: Sharon Creech

• E. L. Konigsburg

• Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

• Katherine Paterson

• Gary Paulson

• Cynthia Rylant

• Cynthia Voigt

• Vera Williams

• Jacqueline Woodson

• Charlotte Zolotow

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 10
• Historical Fiction

• What is Historical Fiction?

• Time Periods Emphasized in Historical Fiction

• Value of Historical Fiction

• Issue to Consider: Does Historical Fiction Have a Place in the Study of History?

• The Evolution of Historical Fiction

• Style

• Historical Perspective

• Subject Matter

• Picture Books

• Ask the Author: Richard Peck

• Historical Fiction Series

• Categories of Historical Fiction

• Fictionalized Memoirs

• Fictionalized Family History

• Fiction Based on Research

• How Historical Fiction Works

• Setting

• Plot

• Characters

• Ask the Author: Katherine Paterson

• Theme

• Criteria for Evaluating Historical Fiction

• Major Writers of Historical Fiction and Their Works

• Christopher Paul Curtis

• Karen Cushman

• Karen Hesse

• Uri Orlev

• Linda Sue Park

• Richard Peck

• Mildred Taylor

• Awards for Historical Fiction

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 11
• Informational Books and Biography by Evelyn B. Freeman

• What Are Informational Books?

• The Evolution of Informational Books

• Issue to Consider: Is It Acceptable to Fictionalize Informational Books?

• Categories of Informational Books

• Concept Books

• History

• Understanding Peoples and Cultures

• Nature

• The Arts

• Discovering How Things Work

• Sports, Recreation, and How-to Books

• Series Books

• How Informational Books Work

• Major Writers of Informational Books and Their Works

• George Ancona

• Joanna Cole

• Gail Gibbons

• James Cross Giblin

• Steve Jenkins

• Kathryn Lasky

• Patricia Lauber

• Ask the Author: James Cross Giblin

• Milton Meltzer

• Jim Murphy

• Laurence Pringle

• Seymour Simon

• Criteria for Evaluating Informational Books

• What is Biography?

• The Evolution of Biography

• Categories of Biography

• Partial Biographies

• Complete Biographies

• Collective Biographies

• Autobiographies and Memoirs

• Picture Book Biographies

• Biographies: the Lives of All Kinds of People

• How Biographies Work

• Major Writers of Biographies and Their Works

• David Adler

• Russell Freedman

• Jean Fritz

• Diane Stanley

• Criteria for Evaluating Biographies

• Awards for Informational Books and Biographies

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• Part Three
• Creating the Literature-Based Classroom

• 12
• Literary Meaning-Making and Children's Responses to Literature

• Response to Literature

• A Model of Literary Meaning-Making

• Research on Children's Responses to Literature

• Diverse Perspectives on Reader Response

• Developmental Perspective on Reader Response

• Social Perspective on Reader Response

• Cultural Perspective on Reader Response

• Ask the Author: Pat Mora

• Textual Perspective on Reader Response

• Issue to Consider: Should Teachers Encourage Students to Focus on Author's Craft during Literature Discussion?

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 13
• Inviting Children into Literature: Classroom Libraries, Read-Alouds, and Storytelling

• The Classroom Library

• Designing the Classroom Library Center

• Stocking the Classroom Library with Books

• Issue to Consider: Do Computerized Reading Management Systems Have a Place in a Literacy Program?

• Reading Aloud to Children

• Teacher-Librarian Partnership: Information Literacy Standards

• Research on Read-Aloud Programs

• The Read-Aloud Experience

• Stories and Storytelling

• Storytelling: the Tenacious Art

• Ask the Author: Jim Aylesworth

• Common Story Types: Personal Tales to Tall Tales

• Learning Stories to Tell

• Ask the Author: W. Nikola-Lisa

• Other Dimensions of the Literature-Rich Classroom

• DEAR Time

• Author Visits

• Teaching Ideas

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 14
• Encouraging Response to Literature

• Talking in Response to Literature

• Issue to Consider: Should the Teacher Participate in Children's Literature Circle Conversations?

• Creating an Opportunity for "Grand Conversations"

• Organizing Literature Circles

• Ask the Educator: Pat Scharer

• Teacher-Librarian Partnership: the Nuts and Bolts

• Roles of the Teacher in Literary Discussions

• Ask the Educator: Roxanne Henkin

• Instructional Strategies to Foster Grand Conversations

• Writing in Response to Literature

• Free Response Journals

• Prompted Response Journals

• Literary Journals

• Dialogue Journals

• Fostering Response through Visual Sign Systems

• Invitations to Respond through Art

• Promoting Response through Graphic Organizers

• Responding through Drama

• Story Theater

• Readers Theater

• Creative Dramatics

• Responding to Poetry

• Making Songs and Poems a Part of the School Day

• Encouraging Responses to Poetry

• Choral Reading and Reciting

• Inviting Children to Write Poetry

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References

• 15
• Literary and Content Units

• Literary Units

• The Power of Literary Units

• Ask the Educator: Nancy Roser

• Developing Different Types of Literary Units

• Organizing Literary Units

• Literature Across the Curriculum

• Need for Children's Literature in the Content Areas

• Issue to Consider: Should Historical Fiction Have a Place in Social Studies Instruction?

• Organizing Literature-Based Content Units

• Teacher-Librarian Partnership: Partnerships for Literacy

• Experiences for Further Learning

• Recommended Books

• Resources

• References