Book Description

Since this book's debut, LITERATURE AND THE CHILD has become a popular choice in the children's literature market. The book covers the two major topical areas of children's literature-genres of children's literature (e.g., picture books, folklore, etc.) and the use of children's literature in the classroom. The book is beautifully written and illustrated to reflect the tone and feel of children's books. Extensive booklists are provided for the student to use as an ongoing resource. This book now comes with a four-month subscription to InfoTrac College Edition to introduce related children's literature journals. A new CD-ROM linked to a powerful Web site includes many valuable resources, such as continually updated booklists and access to an online community of instructors and students where you can share teaching ideas, lesson plans, book reviews, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

not the best
This book was the required text for my Children's Lit class. I found it to be very dull and boring to read. Very little coverage is given to the different kinds of awards. Series books are shunned by Galda and Cullinan. The sections on the various genres do a very poor job of explaining each genre in a concise way. The section on Historical fiction is the worst of the lot. The lists at the end of the book have a tendency to be somewhat confusing, and the milestones section left off way too many good books. I also felt that the authors paid to much attention to Harry Potter and not enough attention to other children's literature. The authors need to realize that not all children want to read classics. Overall, this is a boring, dry textbook that spends to much quality time on Harry Potter. The authors need to broaden thier horizons. ... Read more

Book Description

This classic text shows readers how children’s literature can capture the attention of K-8 students and foster a lifelong love of reading. The standard text in the field, it covers learning about children’s literature, understanding children’s responses to literature, the history of children’s literature, beginning books, picture books, the genres of children's literature, planning the literature program, and extending and evaluating children’s understanding of literature. The eighth edition’s cover illustration and interior details were created specifically for this text by children’s book illustrator Karen Barbour. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding summary and reference book for Kid Lit.
I have used the past four editions for a children's lit course for several years. The first five chapters provide an overvierw of approaching kid lit and a history of the field and its illustrators. The remainder has summaries of some 2000 books in various genres, areas and age ranges. The greatest aspect, and terrific for teaching or discussion, are the highlighted/boxed commentaries by various authors and experts. The appendices have lists of awards as well as short discussions on other media, getting kids and books together and censorship (boo, hiss.) A great text and invaluable resource. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a concise, straightforward presentation of literature and sharing literature with children. The two chapters in Part One cover current trends and the introductory material parents and teachers need in order to begin selecting, reading, and evaluating children's trade books. Part Two defines and describes specific genres of literature and discusses the types of books that fall within the categories. The last two chapters comprising Part Three present curriculum and teaching strategies. For teachers and parents of children in grades K-6. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Actively Helpful
I bought this book my final semester in college for a Children's Literature course. I signed up for the class as an elective, and found it so enlightening that I ended keeping the textbook (the ONLY one that I kept after a class ended!) The book has literally HUNDREDS of examples of each genre of children's literature, along with authors, award winners, and publication information.The format made it so easy for me to locate children's books for reports or projects I was working on.But mostly, the text facilitated my learning of the types of literature.Chapters and subchapters are divided into different branches of lit, and each has so many examples that the reader quickly learns to categorize different works. Additionally, now that I work in the printing and publishing world (writing and editing), I use this book as a great tool to gauge what appeals to children at different ages. I highly recommend this book to anyone in elementary education or creative writing.

Great Resource
This book is a wonderful children's literature resource. I absolutely love this book. It has so resources listed as well as information about picking up appropriate literature. Also has information about the history ofchildren's literature and planning literature curriculum. This book wouldis my main resource for children's literature. ... Read more

Book Description

Unlike an anthology of children's literature, which includes only chapters or summaries, this outstanding seventh edition teaches how to make appropriate judgments about what constitutes quality children's literature. Using the critical standards for all literature, explanations are supplemented by special issues in judging books for children. Taking readers through the definitions of literary terms by reviewing plot, character, theme, setting, point of view, style, and tone, and including special sections on censorship and the importance of reading aloud, Lukens provides sound criteria for assessing the merit of children's books. The book also includes chapters on rhymes, poetry, biography, and informational books. Emphasis is placed on multicultural literature, making it a book intended for use with a wide variety of children's books. For anyone interested in children's literature, education, language arts, and/or educational media. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Literary Guide to Childrens Books...
I have to echo to previous reviewers sentiment. This book in question, i.e., A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature
by Rebecca J. Lukens is an awesome guide to childrens books and authors. The font is easy on the eye and the index is very well developed. The introduction is also very well written and is not dry or dull. Highly Recommended.

SUCCINCT; EXCELLENT OVERVIEW OF THE ELEMENTS OF CHILDREN'S L
EXCELLENT. PROVIDES A SYNOPSIS OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN. EXAMPLES FROM E.B. WHITE'S CHARLOTTE'S WEB HELPS MAKE CONNECTIONS FOR THE READER/STUDENT/LEARNER. SUCCINCT. SUGGESTION FOR UPDATE: INCLUDE CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES AND DIVERSITY, WITH APPLICATIONS/EXTENDING ACTIVITIES. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than 450 years, children's literature has delighted, fascinated, and powerfully influenced readers and listeners of all ages. Now the groundbreaking Norton Anthology of Children's Literature invites readers to discover four centuries of literature for children. Beginning in 1659 and ending at the turn of the twenty-first century, the Norton Anthology includes the work of 170 authors and illustrators representing such familiar genres as fairy tales, picture books, nursery verse, and fantasy, as well as less familiar genres such as alphabets, chapbooks, and comics. More than 90 works are included in their entirety, from The New England Primer to Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses to the contemporary classic Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. Richly illustrated, the volume includes 45 images in full color and 375 in black and white and makes widely available for the first time facsimile images of works available only in rare-book libraries. Norton Anthology introductions, headnotes, annotations, and selected bibliographies help readers understand and enjoy the works. ... Read more

Book Description

J. M. Barrie, novelist, playwright, and author of Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, led a life almost as magical and interesting as his famous creation. Childless in his marriage, Barrie grew close to the five young boys of the Llewelyn Davies family, ultimately becoming their guardian and devoted surrogate father when they were orphaned. Andrew Birkin draws extensively on a vast range of material by and about Barrie, including notebooks, memoirs, and hours of recorded interviews with the Llewelyn Davies family and their circle, to describe Barrie’s life and the wonderful world he created for the boys. Originally published in 1979, this enchanting and richly illustrated account is reissued with a new preface to mark the release of Neverland, the film of Barrie’s life, and the upcoming centenary of Peter Pan. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Lost Boys Return
I read this book when it was first released and then had to go to a dealer selling used books to track down a copy to buy.
It's a beautifully written book and a haunting real life story.
The icing on the cake of the reissue of the book would be the release of the BBC miniseries on video or better yet, DVD.

Sad and Beautiful Story
Wonderful news ... this new edition makes available a book that's been out-of print for much too long.
Birkin completed the book when adapting the story of J M Barrie for a BBC mini-series, The Lost Boys. As well as writing Peter Pan, Barrie was in his time, regarded as a playwright the equal of George Bernard Shaw. That his work quickly fell out of favour may be due to its pathos and close relation to Barrie's own life.
I stumbled across this book over ten years ago, and its poignancy, honestly and power have been with me ever since.
It centres around the Llewelyn Davies family, which became the inspiration for Peter Pan, but went on to have an even more profound impact upon the life of the melancholic Scottish playwright.
As one of the protagonists later wrote, the masses of photographs (extensively reproduced in the book) seem to foretell the whole sad story. Indeed, Birkin's strength is allowing the story to unfold through letters, images and quotation from Barrie's surprisingly autobiographical work. What emerges is the finest of biographies. Peter Pan acquires a whole new sad significance in the light of this book, and it captures the fading Edwardian twighlight exquisitely.
Upon the death of the last of the Llewelyn Davies boys (after first publication), the majority of the material used in the book was bequeathed to Birkin, a ringing endorsement of his sensitive and perceptive retelling of the story.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.

Sad and beautiful story
Wonderful news ... this new edition will make a classic available to new readers.
Birkin completed the book when adapting the story of J M Barrie for a BBC mini-series, The Lost Boys. As well as writing Peter Pan, Barrie was in his time, regarded as a playwright the equal of George Bernard Shaw. That his work quickly fell out of favour may be due to its pathos and close relation to Barrie's own life.
I stumbled across this book over ten years ago, and its poignancy, honestly and power have been with me ever since.
It centres around the Llewelyn Davies family, which became the inspiration for Peter Pan, but went on to have an even more profound impact upon the life of the melancholic Scottish playwright.
As one of the protagonists later wrote, the masses of photographs (extensively reproduced in the book) seem to foretell the whole sad story. Indeed, Birkin's strength is allowing the story to unfold through letters, images and quotation from Barrie's surprisingly autobiographical work. What emerges is the finest of biographies. Peter Pan acquires a whole new sad significance in the light of this book, and it captures the fading Edwardian twighlight exquisitely.
Upon the death of the last of the Llewelyn Davies boys (after first publication), the majority of the material used in the book was bequeathed to Birkin, a ringing endorsement of his sensitive and perceptive retelling of the story.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.

Absolutely Haunting -- Stranger and More Moving than Fiction
I first read this book roughly ten years ago. It is still one of my all-time favorites. The beautiful and tragic lives of the Llewellyn-Davies family, and their beauty caught in intimate pictures, reminds one of the Romanovs. This book is a very loving, close portrait of the relationship between JM Barrie--the playwright of Peter Pan (and numerous other plays and books)and an Edwardian family composed of five charming, beautiful, intelligent boys. The boys' parents (one of whom is the daughter of George du Maurier [author of Trilby] -- the boys' cousin is Daphne du Maurier) both die young, leaving them orphans in the care of JM Barrie. The book contains astonishingly beautiful photographs, diary entries, letters, etc. The truth of the story gives it a charm and tragedy mere fiction lacks. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The Lost Man-Boy
Barrie must be one of the 20th C's most under-rated and misinterpreted writers. This beautiful and haunting book helps interpret his writing, especially that maudlin classic of hopeless nostalgia Peter Pan. Look in this book beyond the fragile elegance of the Edwardian world, and the beautiful children frozen forever in time by Barrie's camera and there's tragedy. Everyone, Arthur, Michael, Jack and especially Barrie himself comes to a sticky end. It well illustrates that old morality tale: be very careful about what you wish for -it may come true. I agree it's a tragedy this book has slipped out of print. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a fresh, new edition of one of the most widely-respected sources for introducing future teachers to the wealth of literature available to children. The sixth edition is replete with expanded coverage of key topics, numerous new features, and an enhanced focus on multicultural literature. Its unique two-part genre chapters—one part content, one part methods—once again provide everything instructors need in order to teach the core concepts and knowledge of children's literature content supported by methods to teach it.This book covers what constitutes good use of literature in the classroom and offers readers access to additional material on children's literature and teaching about literature. It covers what to look for in good literature and how to identify the best among what's available.For professionals in the field of teaching or anyoneinterested in children's literature. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Thorough course in literature for children
I just got finished using this book for a course in Children's Literature, and it was extremely informative.

Since I am interested in children's literature (to read, and possibly to write), it was great to find out about all the different facets of literature for children, from historical children's lit, to multicultural lit, to award-winning literature.

If you are a teacher and haven't taken a course on children's literature, this book is a must-read (it even includes helps for the classroom at the end of each chapter). If you want to write for children, check this out -- it's a veritable goldmine of information to get your book noticed & published.

Great resource for children's literature
This book covers a wide range of genres of children's literature. It is written in an easy to read style, and covers everything a teacher or media specialist would need to begin working with children's literature. It was outstanding! The addition of the CD-ROM gives even more resources. I think it is a wonderful book.

The very best teacher's reference for children's literature.
Norton has once again done the impossible-- making her best-selling text on children's literature even better. The newest edition provides concise yet helpful summaries of the finest in children's books, and offers an updated CD-ROM tool to help teachers search and discover just right books. I heartily recommend it to all elementary teachers! ... Read more

Book Description

Written in a personable tone, this book is filled with classroom applications and teaching strategies for teachers and parents of preschool and elementary children. Organized around genres, this book presents the basics of children's literature.Each genre chapter contains extensive up-to-date bibliographies-most with annotations-of books in print, and a few exceptional out-of-print books, and for each genre, there is a list of evaluation criteria. This book not only includes books about minorities in each chapter but it also features works by minority authors and illustrators. The author offers instructional and curriculum tie-ins to books throughout. For teachers and parents of children in preschool and elementary school. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Must have for teachers and parents
This is not only full of interesting facts and details about the genres of children's literature, it is fun to read!Parents and teachers will enjoy using this book as a reference for hundreds of current book titles available for children.There are several activities to excite children about reading as well as fascinating facts about many different chidren's books authors.The review of deciphering the dewey decimal system to locate books is beneficial for quick reference in the library. Its simply the best resource for children's literature, its a must have for all teachers and parents!

Exceptional book
This book has great value for parents who want their children to be strong readers and excel in school.

A Note from the Author:
Following are some features of this book that are not found in any other literature texts.
1.It is relevant to both teachers and parents.
2.It has an exclusive chapter on Animal Fantasy.
3.It features works -by- minority authors and illustrators (rather than just books about minorities).
4.The Dewey decimal system of classification is explained.
5.There is a chapter on teaching reading through literature.
6.Picture books as well as juvenile novels and chapter books are featured throughout.
7.There is an annotated bibliography of literature-related websites, and direct links are provided(...) ... Read more

Book Description

This compact and conversationally-written book focuses on children's literature genres. Excellent for those encouraging young readers, it includes four highly personal booklists for each genre chapter. An accompanying CD-ROM with user-friendly programming lists more than 15,000 titles searchable by author, title, illustrator, publisher, copyright, grade level, genre, topics, description, awards, or user comments. This exceptional resource for choosing children's literature allows readers to create their own library of children's book titles. The 4-color illustration guide gives readers a variety of illustrative styles, and helpful appendices provide additional resources for exploring magazines and audiovisuals.This book highlights the authors' “best picks,” letting readers know what literature children particularly enjoy. It comprehensively covers books and their content, describing the meaning of a “good” book, categories of children's literature, fantasy, fiction, biography, informational books, picture books, poetry, multicultural and international books, and controversial books. In section three, the classroom is explored; it shows the best ways to build a children's library.An excellent resource for educators of young children, this book can also serve as a personal guide for parents who wish to build a child-friendly collection of books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It's a keeper.
The over 10,000 title database on the CD included with this book is alone well worth the price of the text. It is a welcome time saving tool for busy teachers. Not only can you perform searches to find books to match different topics, you can organize and enter information about your existing library, whether or not all of your titles are included in the database. You can add your own comments to the information stored for each title.

The book covers the different genres chapter by chapter. At the end of each chapter, the authors have compiled a very useful bibliography, including their ten favorite books in each genre. I'm glad I found this book--it's one I'll use for years to come. It won't be gathering dust on the shelf as some of my professional books have. ... Read more

Book Description

Every child can become an avid reader, and this beloved, classic guide shows how to make it happen. Jim Trelease explains:

• How reading aloud awakens children's imaginations and improves their language skills
• How to begin reading aloud and which books to choose
• How to create reader-friendly homes, classrooms, and libraries
• How to lure children away from the television and video games

Jim Trelease has made reading aloud a special pleasure for millions of people. With this revised edition he offers a new generation of parents, teachers, grand-

parents, and siblings the chance to discover the rewards-and the importance-of reading aloud to children. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

This book is the best gift you can give a parent or child.
I received this book as a gift when my son, now 6, was born. It's BY FAR, the BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED. I have since bought the latest edition to update myself on the latest read-aloud treasury, and the updated information on how we can inspire reading in our children. I have relied on the treasury in the book to guide me through the morass of children's books available, and my children have come to love many of the books, and authors listed. (When I asked my six-year old what books he wanted to get at the library the other day, he told me "Maybe something by Shel Silverstein".)

Jim Trelease's words have inspired me to share my read-aloud experiences with my friends, and I have bought many of them copies of their own. His common sense approach to how we can garner interest in reading in our schools should be required reading by educators. I agree with another reviewer who said she wishes she had money to buy every teacher in her school this book (I've started with the Principal in my son's school.)

A must have for any parent. If most of these reviews read like the testimonials of people involved in a cult, it's because we really believe in Jim Trelease's ideas, because we've seen the results in our own families. If this book doesn't inspire you to remember your own favorite books, the joy you felt when your parents read to you, and to spend time reading with your children, nothing will.

You'll finish reading, grab a kid, and read to them!
That's how potent the message is in this book. It has inspired me to join my public library friends program. Not only does the book compel you to want to read aloud to your children, it also offers a great reading list. More than just a simple list of books, this list provides suggestions for age range, a description of its topic, and even some slight comments on how to edit for read aloud. Also shifts a lot of the "what is wrong with our public schools" question right back in the laps of those who can do something to fix it--caregivers (be they parents, grandparents, or babysitters!!)

A Must Read for All New Parents or Adults who Love A Child
I was thrilled to see another revision of this beloved classic. Jim Trelease has done a LOT for the world of busy parent's, wanting to give the love of books and reading to their children.

It is another way to learn and apply lessons in Child Development while actively sharing a love for excellent books with your child from birth to... the next generation of children in your life and beyond.

Among the cherished wisdom you will receive within the pages... Mr. Trelease recommends you welcome your toddler to your world as a host of a huge party with your child as the guest of honor! Treat him or her as such by introducing the love of reading by modeling your joy for reading not ONLY the books on your list... start reading the books recommended here as well, even when your child is NOT sitting on your lap listening.

Also exceptional are the sections on Oprah, Harry Potter and "Series" child readers devour. In the Oprah section, Trelease discusses what she has done to increase active readers in our adult population and how to do the same for the children you reach (talk about books animatedly, passionately, and discuss a bit and then bring it back into the discussion again and again and again... always animatedly and with passion).

This title honors children and parents... and I find myself revisiting the treasury of books over and over and over and will purchase the recommended books. Each time I do, I know I will not be disappointed.

Received as a Baby Shower Gift -- Best Gift Ever!
I was thrilled to see another revision of this beloved classic. Jim Trelease has done a LOT for the world of busy parent's, wanting to give the love of books and reading to their children.

It is another way to learn and apply lessons in Child Development while actively sharing a love for excellent books with your child from birth to... the next generation of children in your life and beyond.

Among the cherished wisdom you will receive within the pages... Mr. Trelease recommends you welcome your toddler to your world as a host of a huge party with your child as the guest of honor! Treat him or her as such by introducing the love of reading by modeling your joy for reading not ONLY the books on your list... start reading the books recommended here as well, even when your child is NOT sitting on your lap listening.

Also exceptional are the sections on Oprah, Harry Potter and "Series" child readers devour. In the Oprah section, Trelease discusses what she has done to increase active readers in our adult population and how to do the same for the children you reach (talk about books animatedly, passionately, and discuss a bit and then bring it back into the discussion again and again and again... always animatedly and with passion).

This title honors children and parents... and I find myself revisiting the treasury of books over and over and over and will purchase the recommended books. Each time I do, I know I will not be disappointed.

The read-aloud handbook
This is a wonderful book. Would recommend to anyone with children and all teacher. ... Read more

Book Description

Children's Literature: An Invitation to the World is written and organized in a manner that engages the readers and that will instill confidence in teachers when selecting and using literature in their teaching. Readers are asked to take a world view of literature-what it is; how to recognize one's own; how to recognize an author's-and encouraged to see children's literature through a lens that includes people not like themselves. The book tackles tough issues such as gender and racial bias and how they can be insidiously promoted in literature. No other book on the market engages readers more than this one. Rather than just presenting topics, the book asks "What can we learn from them?" In addition, the first-person narrative involves readers in the discussion, rather than simply presenting content to them.Elementary and middle school teachers, curriculum developers and anyone interested in children's literature. ... Read more

Book Description

In the tradition of The Tao of Pooh, a noted therapist shows how the wisdom of a children's classic can lead to a life of love, fulfillment and purpose.

Botox parties. Extreme Makeovers. "Reality” TV. These are just some examples of how we have lost sight of something so basic yet so essential to true happiness: On our way to becoming status-seeking super-humans, we forgot how to be Real.

This charming gift book guides readers down a simple path to reclaiming joy, fulfillment and individuality, using an unconventional source-the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit. By sharing the timeless insights and poignant quotes from the popular children's book, the author identifies 10 keys to becoming Real, with the promise that when you become Real you will love and be loved with all your strengths, weakness, faults and gifts. As the Skin Horse explains to the Velveteen Rabbit:

"Real isn't how you are made . . . It's a thing that happens to you. . . . Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes droop and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But those things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”

Destined to be a classic in its own right, The Velveteen Principles delivers a simple yet profound message for the ages.

Book Description

This classic text shows readers how childrens literature can capture the attention of K-8 students and foster a lifelong love of reading. It is the standard work in the field. The text covers learning about childrens literature, understanding childrens responses to literature, the history of childrens literature, picture books and all the genres (beginning books, fantasy, poetry, realistic fiction, historical fiction, biography, and informational books), planning the literature program, and extending and evaluating childrens understandings of literature. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Children's Literature book personal review
I was required to purchase this book for a college course. I am very thankful that my instructer choose this book. It is full of wonderful examples of appropriate literature for children. I sat down one evening and read two chapters for the sheer joy of it. The only thing that I was unhappy with was that there was a lack of children's activities in regards to the poetry section. All and all, this is a exceptional book for anyone interested in children's literature. ... Read more

Book Description

This succinct yet comprehensive introduction to children's literature focuses on genres and concepts rather than on particular authors. This text is unique from others on the market because it is flexible for use in both English and Education departments.It focuses on the traditional genres of children's literature, and the discussions within the chapters are organized according to themes.Children's Literature. ... Read more

Book Description

This one-of-a-kind collection reminds weary adults not to lose sight of the values and virtues they learned as kids. Here are over three hundred quotations from over two hundred well-loved children's books, such as Charlotte's Web, Peter Pan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Eloise, Sounder, Number the Stars, and Goodnight Moon, organized by topic, among them Acceptance, Goodness, Family Woes, and Growing Old. On Silence: "I assure you that you can pick up more information when you are listening than when you are talking."--E. B.White, The Trumpet of the Swan. On Reverence: "Dying's part of the wheel, right there next to being born. . . . Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing."--Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting.

With clever illustrations from Pierre Le-Tan, here is a book to share with a friend or keep by your own bedside. It's the perfect gift for your sister, your mother, your brother, your nephew, your kid's teacher, your daughter away at college, your son in the Navy, your mailman, your priest, for the old lady next door, or for the baby just born. Most importantly, give it to yourself. It will help you remember why you loved reading in the first place. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Nice Little Book
A good concept & a nice little book. I'd like to see this idea expanded into a larger work, with more children's books used as sources, & with subject & title indices. It'd be even better then!

Wonderful, Charming Book
I just happened upon this book in my local bookstore, and I feel lucky really. It's a gem. Filled with wonderfully witty and wise quotations from childrens books through the ages. The quotations brought back lovely memories of my own childhood and my own childhood reading. They also reminded me of how beautiful and eloquent and wise the simple thoughts are from great children's literature. Thank you, Amy Gash, for putting together such a thoughtful and moving collection. I plan to buy many as gifts for friends and for my own children's teachers. There's a lot to learn from children's literature--wisdom and perspective and, perhaps most of all, a sense humor. I can't think of a better introduction to the world of children's literature--and what it has to offer to grown ups too--than What The Dormouse Said.

misleading
this book offers no "brilliant insight" - it is just a list of quotes the author found interesting. The organization is loose and reading even a couple pages of it is choppy at best.

a fun read for all
my wife and i really enjoyed this book. so many of these quotes apply in day-to-day situations we couldn't stop saying to each other: "this one is SO true!"

good for older kids and adults.

A very enjoyable collection
This is a delightful collection of quotations that anyone who loves children's books will enjoy. Sources range from Alice in Wonderland to Winnie-the-Pooh to Narnia to Harry Potter. The book is divided into chapters, including Imagination and Adventure; Animals; Character and Individuality; Greed, Envy, Pride, and Sloth; Songs and Stories. There's an index of titles so you can look up your favorites. Here are a couple of my favorites: "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ("The Wind in the Willows"); "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." ("The Hobbit"). ... Read more

Book Description

A concise introduction to the world of literature for infants, children, and adolescents, this popular book 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.For elementary and high school teachers of English and Language Arts. ... Read more