Children's Literature : Engaging Teachers and Children in Good Books

by Darigan, Daniel L.; Tunnell, Michael O.; Jacobs, James S.

• ISBN13: 9780130813558
• ISBN10: 0130813559
• Edition: CD
• Format: Hardcover w/CD
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

Children's Literature: Engaging Teachers and Children in good Books is based on a two-part philosophy... bull; bull; a passion for children's books is contagious. To get students passionate about reading, teachers need to be passionate about children's literature. bull; text sets are the cornerstone for literature-based reading. Each chapter opens with a suggested text set and an authentic student response; alternative text sets appear within each chapter. Children's Literature: Engaging Teachers and Children in good Books has several key, unique features... bull; bull; Original interviews with 21 children's book authors/illustrators bull; Integrated technology features including Internet teaching strategies, an accompanying free CD database, and guidance for using the Companion Website bull; Teaching Tips that share practical K-8 teaching strategies and

Table of Contents

I. ENGAGING READERS IN GOOD BOOKS.

1. Why We Read.
2. What Is a Good Book?

II. THE GOOD BOOKS THEMSELVES.

3. Picture Books.
4. Poetry.
5. Traditional Fantasy.
6. Modern Fantasy.
7. Contemporary Realistic Fiction.
8. Historical Fiction.
9. Multicultural and International Children's Books.
10. Informational Books.
11. Biography.

III. USING GOOD BOOKS IN THE CLASSROOM.

12. Motivating Children to Read.
13. Teaching Reading Using Children's Literature.
14. Evaluation and Assessment.
15. Teaching across the Curriculum with Children's Literature.
Appendix A: Book Selection Aids.
Appendix B: Children's Book Awards.
Appendix C: Publishers' Addresses.

Excerpts

Special Thanks To Caldecott winner David Wisniewski, for the inspirational cover art he created specifically for this text. We have always loved his work and are so thrilled with his contribution! With crisp, clean lines, David has captured both the beauty and excitement we feel every time we open a good book. We are also grateful to acclaimed children's book writer and illustrator Steven Kellogg for providing original art to accompany many of the text's features. Steven's paintings have graced over 100 books, and we are privileged to have all of his little critters and characters accent our text. What Makes This Book Different? We believe a big key to successful reading instruction is bringing children and books so closely together that children respond in much the same way we adults do when we are lost in a great novel. All sense of space, place, and time dissolves and we become one with the book. We call this ratified state "engaged reading" and firmly believe that if we, as parents and teachers, help create the proper "fit" between reader and text, we will see real, purposeful reading like this take place. Engaging Readers In this book we describe that state of engaged reading in detail, discuss ways you can nurture it in your classroom, then offer you thousands of books across nine major genres ready to present to your students. Finally, we spend a great deal of time discussing how to teach most effectively using children's literature. Visual Literacy Visual Literacy We believe the art involved in children's trade books is fascinating, often breathtaking, and well worth study. That's why the art contributed by David Wisniewski and Steven Kellogg means so much to us. That's also why we have included numerous full-color book covers and inside art throughout the text, including a special, in-depth look at picture book art in Chapter 2. Highlighting Exceptional Literature Because our purpose in writing this text is to engage our readers in the world of children's literature and to pass on our passion for this literature, we feature many trade book covers throughout the chapters. Booksellers and librarians tell us that the sure way to "sell" a book is to have it displayed on the shelf face out. So, we did the same on the pages of this book. We believe that by seeing books presented this way in this text, our readers will develop a real interest in seeking out the books we discuss. We also think we will make it easier for our readers to recognize these books in libraries, in bookstores, or on line. In keeping with this philosophy, all the children's literature titles we discuss are highlighted in bold and italic for easy access. We think that it makes it easier on your eye as it moves down the page. At a glance you will be able to pick up titles you want to reference as you return to the text on subsequent readings. We have also painstakingly included as many up-to-date titles as possible without forsaking the classics. Coverage of the best titles from multicultural and international literature is included, not just in its own chapter, but throughout the book. This reflects our belief that multicultural and international literature should not be segregated to its own study, but should be a constant part of a balanced literature program. Organization of This Book Unit 1, Engaging Readers in Good Books,begins with a proactive approach to reading. We investigate first what books hold for us and what it means to become anengagedreader. We then look at criteria for judging a book, noting both the text and the pictures as major considerations. Unit 2, The Good Books Themselves,deals with the specific genres in children's literature. Within each chapter we provide genre-specific criteria for evaluating books. We begin, as a new parent might, by discussing Picture Books and follow it with a