Offering future school librarians, teachers, and working librarians an alternative to lengthier textbooks on children’s literature, this engaging book introduces readers to the most important genres and current conversations in the field while leaving them time to read children’s literature directly.
As school librarian and teacher certification programs become more abridged, students require succinct textbooks that still provide a valuable introduction to the field. Working librarians need reference books that allow them to make good selections for their collections. Students and professionals will appreciate The Children’s Literature Selection Handbook, K–8 because it offers a needed overview of the field while allowing for plenty of time to read children’s literature. Author Christie Kaaland’s conversational tone speaks directly to readers, and the book offers students a pathway to engage with literature directly and effectively scaffold their learning.
Beginning with an introduction to standard literary fiction genres, including a discussion of literature trends and children’s reading interests and needs, the chapters turn to the most important genres: fiction, biography, folk literature, picture books, informational texts, poetry, and graphic novels. A focus on book series, a deep discussion of graphic novels, the inclusion of global literature and review sources for selection, and information on publishers and the publishing industry set this timely book apart from others in the field. Reader voices add perspective and charm.
This compact and engaging book is the perfect companion to the vast wealth of children’s literature that future teachers and school librarians will read during their professional preparation and share with children and youth as working librarians.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Genres of Fiction
Children’s Classics
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Animal Realism
Contemporary Realism
Romance Novels
The Coming-of-Age or Problem Novel
Fantasy
High Fantasy
Speculative Fiction
Dystopian Novels
Science Fiction
Adventure and Survival Stories
Animal Fiction
Horror
Humor
Mysteries
Sports Stories
Genre-Blending, Genre-Bending
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 2 Illustrated Picture Books
Story Books
Literary Themes in Storybook Picture Books
Humorous Storybook Picture Books
Concept Books
Alphabet Books
Counting Books
Predictable Books
Participation Books
Circle Stories
Cumulative Tales
Wordless Picture Books
Picture Books for Older Readers
Metafiction
Illustrations: The Art of the Picture Books
Visual Elements
Color
Visual Perspective
Line and Shape
Texture
Illustrators’ Media
Drawing Media: Charcoal, Chalk, Pen and Ink, Pastel Oils, Colored Pencils, Markers
Watercolor and Gouache
Acrylics
Oil Paintings
Woodcutting
Collage
Photography
Mixed Media
Digital Art
Border Art
A Final Note
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 3 Nonfiction
Selection Considerations for Nonfiction
Organization
Text Structure: Design and Layout Features
Accuracy
Cultural Authenticity
The Author’s Voice: Style, Tone, and Authority
Nonfiction Text Features
Awards for Nonfiction
Types of Nonfiction
Concept Books
Survey Nonfiction
Activity Books
Trivia of Fact Books
Narrative Nonfiction
Reference Books
The Steward and Correia Model: The Five Types of Nonfiction
A Final Note
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 4 Biography
Autobiographies: An Author’s Life
Collective Biographies
Biography and the Curriculum
Selecting Biography Books
Biographies of Whom?
Picture Book Biography’s Golden Age
Biography Back Matter
Outstanding Picture Book Biographies
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 5 Traditional Folk Tales
Everyone’s Stories
Determining Authenticity of Folk Literature
The Value of Reading Traditional Tales
Types of Traditional Folk Literature
Ballads
Cumulative Tales
Fables
Fairy Tales
Legends
Myths and Mythology
Pourquoi Stories
Tall Tales
Trickster Tales
Nursery Rhymes and Mother Goose
Additional Folktales
A Final Note
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 6 Poetry
Getting Kids to Love Poetry
Jason Reynolds
Kwame Alexander
Humorous Poetry
Formats of Poetry Books
Anthologies
A Single Illustrated Poem
Poems Presented Thematically
Poems Presented in Unique Formats
Bilingual Poetry
Song Lyrics
Novels in Verse
Curriculum Connections
Forms and Types of Poems
A Final Thought
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 7 Graphic Novels
There’s Value in Reading Graphic Novels
The Historic Context of Comics and Graphic Novels
Today’s Popular Graphic Novels
Adaptations
Graphic Novel Series
Graphic Memoirs
Nonfiction
Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Graphic Novels for All Reader Types
English Language Learners
International Titles
Literary Themes and Motifs in Graphic Novels
Illustration Styles
Cartoon (or “Toon”) Style
Western or Superhero Style
Manga’s Anime Style
Manga
Graphic Novels Are Here to Stay
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 8 Series
“Is There Another Book Like This?”
Additional Value of Series
Fiction Series
Nonfiction Series
Read On!
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 9 Beyond Genres
Learning to Read: Literary Forms, Types, and Formats for Emerging Readers
Books for Beginning Readers
Early Readers
Reading Independence: Early Reader Series
Identifying, Labeling, and Finding Early Readers
Controlled Vocabulary Books, Transitional Fiction, Beginning Chapter Books
Controlled Vocabulary
Transitional Fiction, Beginning Chapter Books
Engineered Books
If You Want to Raise a Reader, Be a Reader
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 10 International Children’s Literature, Books in Translation, and Bilingual Books
Types of International Children’s Literature
Sharing Global Children’s Literature with Students
International Literature Offers Global Perspectives
ELL and Students of an Immigrant-Refugee Experience
Bilingual Books
Selecting Non-English Books
A Final Word
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 11 The Influence of Publishers and the Publishing Industry
How a Book Becomes a Book
The Agent
The Publisher and the Editor
The Production Team
The Publishing Industry
Diversity in Publishing
Children’s Literature References
Chapter 12 Connecting with Authors and Illustrators
Inspiring Readership: Book Trailers, Blogs, Infographics, Websites, and Author Visits
Author or Illustrator Visits
Virtual Visits
Field Trips
Author Websites
Blogs
Book Trailers
Reader Advisory
Book Clubs
A Final Reminder
A Final Word
Children’s Literature References
Appendix: Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards
Professional References
Index
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