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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.
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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