From a well-known, well-respected author team—a concise resource for successfully teaching reading to children.

With a goal of reawakening pre- and in-service teachers to the joy of reading, this widely popular book focuses on teaching reading to children through today’s rich array of available trade books. The book includes the most important knowledge about teaching literature to children and it does so clearly, concisely, and directly using recommended book lists, examples, figures, and tables in combination with narrative and prose.

The 9th Edition of Essentials of Children's Literature features new information on connecting to the Common Core Standards; a new chapter on illustration and visual elements (Chapter 11); addition of graphic novels to the chapter on picturebooks (Chapter 5); reorganization of Chapter 10, “Historical Fiction;” and updating throughout, including a new section on book-related apps, additional useful resources integrated into each genre chapter; updated book lists and trends; and more.

Kathy G. Short teaches graduate courses in children’s literature, inquiry, and curriculum at the University of Arizona and taught elementary school in Indiana and Ohio. Her books include Teaching Globally: Reading the World through Literature, Critical Content Analysis of Children’s and Young Adult Literature, Creating Classrooms for Authors and Inquirers, and Stories Matter: The Complexity of Cultural Authenticity. She is director of Worlds of Words (www.wowlit.org), an initiative to build bridges across global cultures through literature. She has served on numerous book award committees, including the Caldecott, and is the Past President of NCTE.

Carol Lynch-Brown taught graduate and undergraduate courses in children’s and young adult literature, reading, and language arts education at Florida State University. She was a teacher in elementary school and middle school in St. Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools, and taught English in French Public Schools. She co-authored with Carl M. Tomlinson Essentials of Young Adult Literature, 2nd Edition, published by Pearson in 2010 and is a former editor of The Reading Teacher, a journal of the International Reading Association.

Carl M. Tomlinson taught graduate and undergraduate courses in children's literature and language arts at Northern Illinois University. He was an elementary and middle school teacher in Thomasville, Georgia, public schools, and taught classes in English in Norway. He co-authored with Carol Lynch-Brown Essentials of Young Adult Literature, 2nd Edition, published by Pearson in 2010, and is the editor of Children's Books from Other Countries, published by USBBY and Scarecrow Press in 1998.

Brief Table of Contents

Part One: Children and Literature

1. Learning about Story and Literature

2. Learning about Children and Literature

3. Learning about Literature

4. Illustration and Visual Elements

Part Two: Categories of Literature

5. Picturebooks and Graphic Novels

6. Poetry

7. Traditional Literature

8. Fantasy and Science Fiction

9. Realistic Fiction

10. Historical Fiction

11. Nonfiction: Biography and Informational Books

12. Literature for a Diverse Society

Part Three: Bringing Children and Books Together

13. Literature in the Curriculum

14. Engaging with Literature

Detailed Table of Contents

Part One: Children and Literature

1. Learning about Story and Literature

Definition of Children’s Literature

Content

Quality

The Value of Story in Making Meaning of Our Lives

The Value of Literature in Children’s Lives

Enjoyment

Personal and Cultural Identity

Imagination and Transformation

Knowledge and Insights

Understanding and Empathy

Literary and Artistic Preferences

The Value of Literature for Children’s Learning

Reading and Writing

Literature across the Curriculum

Appreciation and Visual Culture

So Why Is the Reading of Literature at Risk in Our Society?

2. Learning about Children and Literature

Connecting Children with Books: Know the Child

Considering the Age-Level Characteristics of Children

Ages 0–2

Ages 2–4

Ages 4–7

Ages 7–9

Ages 9–14

Considering Research on Children’s Reading Interests

Discovering Reading Interests of Individual Children

Evaluating Text Complexity

Connecting Children with Books: Know the Books

Balance and Variety in Book Selections

Book Awards

Review Journals

Professional Associations and Websites

Connecting Resistant Readers with Books: Know the Books and the Readers

3. Learning about Literature

Approaches to Studying and Interpreting Literature

Elements of Fiction

Plot

Characters

Setting

Theme

Style

4. Illustration and Visual Elements

Visual Elements

Line and Shape

Color and Light

Space and Perspective

Texture

Composition

Artistic Media

Artistic Styles

Book Design

Observing the Role of Illustrations in Books

Part Two: Categories of Literature

5. Picturebooks and Graphic Novels

Definition and Description

Evaluation and Selection of Picturebooks and Graphic Novels

Historical Overview of Picturebooks and Graphic Novels

Types of Picturebooks

Baby Books

Interactive Books

Engineered Books

Wordless Books

Alphabet Books

Counting Books

Concept Books

Picture Storybooks

Predictable Books and Word Play

Easy-to-Read Books

Transitional Books

Picturebooks for Older Readers

Postmodern Picturebooks

Graphic Novels

6. Poetry

Definition and Description

Types of Poetry Books

Mother Goose, Nursery Rhymes, and Songs

Anthologies of Poetry

Themed Poetry Anthologies and Poet Collections

Single Illustrated Poems

Evaluation and Selection of Poetry

Children’s Poetry Preferences

The Significance of Style and Word Choice in Poetry

Historical Overview of Poetry

Poetry Types and Forms

Reader Connections: Poetry in the Classroom

Reading Poetry Aloud

Choral Poetry

Reading and Writing Poems with Children

Learning to Read Poetry

Learning to Write Poetry

7. Traditional Literature

Definition and Description

Evaluation and Selection of Traditional Literature

The Significance of Plot in Traditional Literature

Historical Overview of Traditional Literature

Types of Traditional Literature

Myths

Epics and Legends

Folktales

Cumulative

Humorous

Beast

Magic

Pourquoi

Tall Tales

Realistic

Fables

Religious Stories

Reader Connections: Storytelling in the Classroom

Selection of a Story

Preparation for Telling

8. Fantasy and Science Fiction

Definition and Description

Evaluation and Selection of Fantasy

The Significance of Theme in Fantasy

Historical Overview of Fantasy and Science Fiction

Types of Fantasy

Fantasy Based in Folklore and Mythology

Animal Fantasy

Miniature Worlds

Unusual Characters and Strange Situations

Suspense and the Supernatural

Historical Fantasy

Quests and Imagined Worlds

Science Fiction

Reader Connection: Journey Maps

9. Realistic Fiction

Definition and Description

Evaluation and Selection of Realistic Fiction

The Significance of Character in Realistic Fiction

Historical Overview of Realistic Fiction

Topics in Realistic Fiction

Relationships within Families

Peer Friendships and Bullies

Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Behavioral Challenges

Life within Local and Global Communities

Interactions with Animals

The Thrill of Sports, Mystery, and Adventure

Gender and Sexuality

Difficult Life Decisions and Coming of Age

Reader Connections: Paired Character Trait Books

10. Historical Fiction

Definition and Description of Historical Fiction

Evaluation and Selection of Historical Fiction

The Significance of Setting and Point of View in Historical Fiction

Historical Overview of Historical Fiction

Themes in Historical Fiction

Mystery and Adventure

Forced Journeys of Transformation

Fear and Intolerance

Resistance and Challenges to Injustice

Facing Adversity through Relationships

Ingenuity and Innovation

Reader Connections: Understanding Historical Contexts

11. Nonfiction: Biography and Informational Books

Definition and Description of Biography

Evaluation and Selection of Biography

The Significance of Point of View in Biography

Historical Overview of Biography

Definition and Description of Informational Books

Types of Informational Books

Evaluation and Selection of Informational Books

The Significance of Style in Informational Books

Historical Overview of Informational Literature

Topics of Informational Books

Biological Science

Physical Science

Applied Science

Social Science

Humanities

Reader Connections: Pairing Fact and Fiction

12. Literature for a Diverse Society

Culturally Responsive Curriculum

Culturally Expansive Curriculum

Culturally Critical Curriculum

Definitions and Descriptions

The Value of Multicultural and International Literature

Evaluation and Selection of Multicultural and International Literature

Multicultural Literature

Historical Overview of Multicultural Literature

Types of Multicultural Literature

African American Literature

American Indian Literature

Arab American and Persian American Literature

Asian/Pacific American Literature

Latino Literature

Religious Cultures Literature

Bilingual Literature

International Literature

Historical Overview of International Literature

International Literature by World Regions

Part Three: Bringing Children and Books Together

13. Literature in the Curriculum

The Politics of Literacy and Literature

Common Core State Standards

Planning a Literature Curriculum

Genres

Themes or Topics

Authors or Illustrators

Literary and Visual Elements

Notable Books

Developing Literature Units

Webs

Lesson Plans

Integrating Literature into a Literacy Curriculum

Basal Reading Program Supplemented by Children’s Literature

Reading Incentive Programs

Literature-Based Reading

Resources for a Literature-Based Curriculum

Responding to Censorship Challenges

Teaching the First Amendment

Dealing with Censorship Attempts

Evaluating the Literature Program

Observation and Assessment of Learning

Observation and Assessment of Teacher Effectiveness

Checklist for Classroom and Library Environments

Checklist for Teaching Activities

14. Engaging with Literature

Reading Widely for Personal Purposes

Reading Aloud by Teachers and Librarians

Book Selection

Preparation

Reading Picturebooks Aloud Effectively

Reading Chapter Books Aloud Effectively

Sharing Literature from Oral Traditions through Storytelling

Independent Reading by Children

Booktalks

Shared Reading

Readers’ Theatre

Experiencing Literature as Multimodal Texts

Reading Critically to Inquire about the World

Literature Discussion

Literature Response Engagements

Drama as Response

Literature across the Curriculum

Reading Strategically to Learn about Literacy

Appendix A. Children’s Book Awards

Appendix B. Professional Resources

Appendix C. Children’s Magazines

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Essentials of Children's Literature

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

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