Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi
Theme poem: This Book Joyce Sidman xiii
1 An Introduction to Children and Their Literature 1
Becoming Literate 2
Literacy Development 5
Emergent Literacy 8
Schools and Reading 10
Reading Aloud 12
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) 12
Readers' Advisory 13
Selecting and Reviewing Children's Books 14
Awards in Children's Literature 17
Other Major Awards 18
Best Lists 21
What Books? 23
Learning about Authors, Illustrators, and Poets 25
Literature in Action: Launching Literature and Literacy Celebrations 30
Ongoing Professional Development 32
Conclusion 32
Professional Resources for Children's Literature 33
Standards in Action: ALSC Competencies 34
Assignments in Action: Getting Started 35
2 Picture Books 37
Introduction 37
Definitions 40
Types of Picture Books 42
Major Authors and Illustrators of Picture Books 48
Children's Picture Book Illustration 53
Evaluation Criteria 57
Awards for Picture Books and Illustration 63
Literature in Action: Sharing Picture Books Aloud 67
Sharing Picture Books 69
Conclusion 75
Professional Resources on the Art of Picture Books 75
Standards in Action: Common Core State Standards 76
Assignments in Action: Looking into Picture Books 77
3 Traditional Tales 79
Introduction 79
Definitions 82
Types of Traditional Tales 85
Major Retellers of Traditional Tales 90
Evaluation Criteria 96
Awards for Traditional Tales 100
Literature in Action: Featuring Folktale Variants 101
Sharing Traditional Tales 106
Conclusion 109
Professional Resources for Traditional Literature 109
Standards in Action: National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries 110
Assignments in Action: Celebrating Traditional Tales 111
4 Poetry for Children 113
Introduction 113
Definitions 116
Types of Poetry Books for Children 118
Major Poets 123
Evaluation Criteria 130
Awards for Poetry 134
Literature in Action: Leading Choral Reading and Poetry Performance 137
Sharing Poetry 139
Conclusion 143
Professional Resources in Children's Poetry 144
Standards in Action: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English Language Arts and Reading 145
Assignments in Action: Exploring Poetry Possibilities 147
5 Contemporary Realistic Fiction 149
Introduction 149
Definitions 152
Types of Contemporary Realistic Fiction 154
Controversy and Contemporary Realism 161
Major Authors of Contemporary Realistic Fiction 164
Evaluation Criteria 169
Awards for Contemporary Realistic Fiction 174
Literature in Action: Guiding Responses 177
Sharing Contemporary Realistic Fiction 181
Conclusion 184
Professional Resources in Contemporary Realistic Fiction 185
Standards in Action: NCTE/ILA Standards for the English Language Arts 185
Assignments in Action: Checking Out Contemporary Realistic Fiction 187
6 Historical Fiction 189
Introduction 189
Definitions 191
Types of Historical Fiction 193
Major Authors of Historical Fiction 199
Evaluation Criteria 205
Awards for Historical Fiction 209
Literature in Action: Using Community Resources 210
Sharing Historical Fiction 212
Conclusion 214
Professional Resources for Historical Fiction 214
Standards in Action: National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies 215
Assignments in Action: Digging Deeper into Historical Fiction 216
7 Fantasy 219
Introduction 219
Definitions 221
Types of Fantasy 225
Controversy 229
Major Authors of Fantasy 230
Evaluation Criteria 235
Awards for Fantasy 238
Literature in Action: Expanding Reading with Audiobooks 239
Sharing Fantasy 242
Conclusion 246
Professional Resources in Fantasy Literature 247
Standards in Action: YALSA Competencies 248
Assignments in Action: Delving into Fantasy 249
8 Nonfiction and Informational Books 251
Introduction 252
Definitions 254
Types of Informational Books 256
Major Authors of Informational Books 266
Evaluation Criteria 274
Awards for Nonfiction and Informational Books 277
Literature in Action: Introducing Text Features 279
Sharing Informational Books 281
Conclusion 284
Professional Resources in Nonfiction 285
Standards in Action: Common Core and Nonfiction 285
Assignments in Action: Investigating Informational Books 286
References 289
Bibliography of Children's Books Cited 305
Copyright Acknowledgments and Permissions 327
Index 329
