Essentials of children's literature

Part 1: Children and literature. Learning about story and literature. Definition of children's literature ; The value of story in making meaning of our lives ; The value of literature in children's lives ; The value of literature for children's learning ; So why are literature and reading at risk in our society? Learning about children and literature. Connecting children with books : know the child ; Connecting children with books : know the books ; Connecting resistant readers with books : know the books and the readers Learning about literature. Approaches to studying and interpreting literature ; Elements of fiction ; Building your knowledge of literature as a discipline ; The organization of this text Part 2: Categories of literature. Picture books and illustration. Definition and description ; Evaluation and selection of picture books ; Visual elements ; Artistic media ; Artistic styles ; Book design ; Observing the role of illustrations in picture books ; Historical overview of picture books ; Types of picture books Poetry. Definition and description ; Types of poetry books ; Evaluation and selection of poetry ; Historical overview of poetry ; Poetry types and forms ; Reader connections : poetry in the classroom Traditional literature. Definition and description ; Evaluation and selection of traditional literature ; Historical overview of traditional literature ; Types of traditional literature ; Reader connections : storytelling in the classroom

Modern fantasy. Definition and description ; Evaluation and selection of modern fantasy ; Historical overview of modern fantasy ; Types of modern fantasy ; Reader connection : censorship and the First Amendment

Realistic fiction. Definition and description ; Evaluation and selection of realistic fiction ; Historical overview of realistic fiction ; Topics in realistic fiction ; Reader connections : paired character trait books

Historical fiction and biography. Definition and description of historical fiction ; Evaluation and selection of historical fiction ; Historical overview of historical fiction ; Definition and description of biography ; Evaluation and selection of biography ; Historical overview of biography ; Topics in historical fiction and biography ; Reader connections : understanding historical contexts

Informational books. Definition and description ; Types of informational books ; Evaluation and selection of informational books ; Historical overview of informational literature ; Topics of informational books ; Reader connections : pairing fact and fiction

Literature for a diverse society. Section 1: An education that is multicultural and intercultural. Culturally responsive curriculum ; Culturally expansive curriculum ; Culturally critical curriculum

Section 2: Multicultural and international literature. Definitions and descriptions ; The value of multicultural and international literature for children ; Evaluation and selection of multicultural and international literature ; Multicultural literature ; International literature

Part 3: Literature in the school. Literature in the curriculum. The politics of literacy and literature ; Planning a literature curriculum ; Integrating literature into a literacy curriculum ; Evaluating the literature program

Engaging children with literature. Reading widely for personal purposes ; Reading critically to inquire about the world ; Reading strategically to learn about literacy

Appendix A. Children's book awards ; Appendix B. Professional resources ; Appendix C. Children's magazines.