Essentials of Children's Literature, 9th edition
Published by Pearson (March 24, 2017) © 2018
- Kathy G. Short University of Arizona
- Carol M. Lynch-Brown Florida State University
- Carl M. Tomlinson Northern Illinois University
- Hardcover, paperback or looseleaf edition
- Affordable rental option for select titles
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- NEW! Multicultural and global literature are integrated throughout the genre chapters and book lists.
- NEW! Connections for librarians features have been added throughout all chapters.
- UPDATED! All special features (Recommended Book Lists, Milestones, Excellent Books to Read Aloud, Notable Authors and Illustrators, and Invitations for Further Investigation) have been updated to include the newest titles, creators, and trends and issues related to the field.
- NEW! Includes expanded coverage of graphic novels. (Chapter 5)
- NEW! A separate chapter on Illustration and Visual Elements highlights the increasingly significant role of these elements across all genres and formats.Â
- Features strategies to engage readers in close reading, and astronger focus on reader response (for example, see Reader Connections sections at the end of each genre chapter.)
- UPDATED! Stronger connections and alignment with Common Core Standards appear throughout the book, including:
- An updated discussion on the influence of standards on the use of literature in classrooms and libraries (Chapter 13);
- Updated research on reading interests and evaluation of text complexity (Chapter 2); and
- Stronger focus on the features of expository texts as it relates to informational literature (Chapter 11).
- NEW! A new section on book-related apps shows the great expansion of apps available to children.
- UPDATED! Historical Fiction (Chapter 10) is now organized around major themes that cut across the genre, while still including the time period information.
- UPDATED! The discussion of censorship has moved to Literature in the Curriculum (Chapter 13).
- UPDATED! Charts of landmark studies, and studies related to children’s literature, reading, and writing, help support the use of literature with readers in classrooms and libraries. In addition, instructors can use the charts to involve students in professional reading (Chapters 1 & 13).
- Multicultural and global literature are integrated throughout the genre chapters and book lists.
- Connections for librarians have been added throughout all chapters.
- All special features (Recommended Book Lists, Milestones, Excellent Books to Read Aloud, Notable Authors and Illustrators, and Invitations for Further Investigation) have been updated to include the newest titles, creators, and trends and issues related to the field.
- Features expanded coverage of graphic novels (Chapter 5).
- Stronger connections and alignment with Common Core Standards appear throughout the book, including:
- Updated discussion on the influence of standards on the use of literature in classrooms and libraries (Chapter 13);
- Updated research on reading interests and evaluation of text complexity (Chapter 2); and
- Stronger focus on the features of expository texts as it relates to informational literature (Chapter 11).
- A separate chapter on Illustration and Visual Elements highlights the increasingly significant role of these elements across all genres and formats (Chapter 4).Â
- The chapter on Historical Fiction (Chapter 10) has been reorganized according to major themes that cut across historical fiction.
- A new section on book-related apps shows the great expansion in apps available to children.
- The discussion of censorship has moved to Chapter 13–Literature in the Curriculum.
- Charts of landmark studies and studies related to children’s literature and reading and writing help support the use of literature with readers in classrooms and libraries. In addition, instructors can use the charts to involve students in professional reading (Chapters 1 & 13).
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
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Detailed Table of Contents
Part One: Children and Literature
1. Learning about Story and Literature
Definition of Children’s LiteratureÂ
ContentÂ
QualityÂ
The Value of Story in Making Meaning of Our LivesÂ
The Value of Literature in Children’s LivesÂ
EnjoymentÂ
Personal and Cultural IdentityÂ
Imagination and TransformationÂ
Knowledge and Insights
Understanding and EmpathyÂ
Literary and Artistic PreferencesÂ
The Value of Literature for Children’s LearningÂ
Reading and WritingÂ
Literature across the CurriculumÂ
Appreciation and Visual CultureÂ
So Why Is the Reading of Literature at Risk in Our Society?
2. Learning about Children and Literature
Connecting Children with Books: Know the ChildÂ
Considering the Age-Level Characteristics of ChildrenÂ
Ages 0–2Â
Ages 2–4Â
Ages 4–7Â
Ages 7–9Â
Ages 9–14Â
Considering Research on Children’s Reading InterestsÂ
Discovering Reading Interests of Individual ChildrenÂ
Evaluating Text ComplexityÂ
Connecting Children with Books: Know the BooksÂ
Balance and Variety in Book SelectionsÂ
Book AwardsÂ
Review JournalsÂ
Professional Associations and WebsitesÂ
Connecting Resistant Readers with Books: Know the Books and the ReadersÂ
3. Learning about Literature
Approaches to Studying and Interpreting LiteratureÂ
Elements of FictionÂ
PlotÂ
CharactersÂ
SettingÂ
ThemeÂ
StyleÂ
4. Illustration and Visual Elements
Visual ElementsÂ
Line and ShapeÂ
Color and LightÂ
Space and PerspectiveÂ
TextureÂ
CompositionÂ
Artistic MediaÂ
Artistic StylesÂ
Book DesignÂ
Observing the Role of Illustrations in BooksÂ
Part Two: Categories of Literature
5. Picturebooks and Graphic Novels
Definition and DescriptionÂ
Evaluation and Selection of Picturebooks and Graphic NovelsÂ
Historical Overview of Picturebooks and Graphic NovelsÂ
Types of PicturebooksÂ
Baby BooksÂ
Interactive BooksÂ
Engineered BooksÂ
Wordless BooksÂ
Alphabet BooksÂ
Counting BooksÂ
Concept BooksÂ
Picture StorybooksÂ
Predictable Books and Word PlayÂ
Easy-to-Read BooksÂ
Transitional BooksÂ
Picturebooks for Older ReadersÂ
Postmodern PicturebooksÂ
Graphic NovelsÂ
6. Poetry
Definition and DescriptionÂ
Types of Poetry BooksÂ
Mother Goose, Nursery Rhymes, and SongsÂ
Anthologies of PoetryÂ
Themed Poetry Anthologies and Poet CollectionsÂ
Single Illustrated PoemsÂ
Evaluation and Selection of PoetryÂ
Children’s Poetry PreferencesÂ
The Significance of Style and Word Choice in PoetryÂ
Historical Overview of PoetryÂ
Poetry Types and FormsÂ
Reader Connections: Poetry in the ClassroomÂ
Reading Poetry AloudÂ
Choral PoetryÂ
Reading and Writing Poems with ChildrenÂ
Learning to Read PoetryÂ
Learning to Write Poetry
7. Traditional Literature
Definition and DescriptionÂ
Evaluation and Selection of Traditional LiteratureÂ
The Significance of Plot in Traditional LiteratureÂ
Historical Overview of Traditional LiteratureÂ
Types of Traditional LiteratureÂ
MythsÂ
Epics and LegendsÂ
FolktalesÂ
CumulativeÂ
HumorousÂ
BeastÂ
MagicÂ
PourquoiÂ
Tall TalesÂ
RealisticÂ
FablesÂ
Religious StoriesÂ
Reader Connections: Storytelling in the ClassroomÂ
Selection of a StoryÂ
Preparation for TellingÂ
8. Fantasy and Science Fiction
Definition and DescriptionÂ
Evaluation and Selection of FantasyÂ
The Significance of Theme in FantasyÂ
Historical Overview of Fantasy and Science FictionÂ
Types of FantasyÂ
Fantasy Based in Folklore and MythologyÂ
Animal FantasyÂ
Miniature WorldsÂ
Unusual Characters and Strange SituationsÂ
Suspense and the SupernaturalÂ
Historical FantasyÂ
Quests and Imagined WorldsÂ
Science FictionÂ
Reader Connection: Journey MapsÂ
9. Realistic Fiction
Definition and DescriptionÂ
Evaluation and Selection of Realistic FictionÂ
The Significance of Character in Realistic FictionÂ
Historical Overview of Realistic FictionÂ
Topics in Realistic FictionÂ
Relationships within FamiliesÂ
Peer Friendships and BulliesÂ
Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Behavioral ChallengesÂ
Life within Local and Global CommunitiesÂ
Interactions with AnimalsÂ
The Thrill of Sports, Mystery, and AdventureÂ
Gender and SexualityÂ
Difficult Life Decisions and Coming of AgeÂ
Reader Connections: Paired Character Trait BooksÂ
10. Historical Fiction
Definition and Description of Historical FictionÂ
Evaluation and Selection of Historical FictionÂ
The Significance of Setting and Point of View in Historical FictionÂ
Historical Overview of Historical FictionÂ
Themes in Historical FictionÂ
Mystery and AdventureÂ
Forced Journeys of TransformationÂ
Fear and IntoleranceÂ
Resistance and Challenges to InjusticeÂ
Facing Adversity through RelationshipsÂ
Ingenuity and InnovationÂ
Reader Connections: Understanding Historical ContextsÂ
11. Nonfiction: Biography and Informational Books
Definition and Description of BiographyÂ
Evaluation and Selection of BiographyÂ
The Significance of Point of View in BiographyÂ
Historical Overview of BiographyÂ
Definition and Description of Informational BooksÂ
Types of Informational BooksÂ
Evaluation and Selection of Informational BooksÂ
The Significance of Style in Informational BooksÂ
Historical Overview of Informational LiteratureÂ
Topics of Informational BooksÂ
Biological ScienceÂ
Physical ScienceÂ
Applied ScienceÂ
Social ScienceÂ
Humanities
Reader Connections: Pairing Fact and FictionÂ
12. Literature for a Diverse Society
Culturally Responsive CurriculumÂ
Culturally Expansive CurriculumÂ
Culturally Critical CurriculumÂ
Definitions and DescriptionsÂ
The Value of Multicultural and International Literature
Evaluation and Selection of Multicultural and International LiteratureÂ
Multicultural LiteratureÂ
Historical Overview of Multicultural LiteratureÂ
Types of Multicultural LiteratureÂ
African American LiteratureÂ
American Indian LiteratureÂ
Arab American and Persian American LiteratureÂ
Asian/Pacific American LiteratureÂ
Latino LiteratureÂ
Religious Cultures LiteratureÂ
Bilingual LiteratureÂ
International LiteratureÂ
Historical Overview of International LiteratureÂ
International Literature by World RegionsÂ
Part Three: Bringing Children and Books Together
13. Literature in the Curriculum
The Politics of Literacy and LiteratureÂ
Common Core State StandardsÂ
Planning a Literature CurriculumÂ
GenresÂ
Themes or TopicsÂ
Authors or IllustratorsÂ
Literary and Visual ElementsÂ
Notable BooksÂ
Developing Literature UnitsÂ
WebsÂ
Lesson PlansÂ
Integrating Literature into a Literacy CurriculumÂ
Basal Reading Program Supplemented by Children’s LiteratureÂ
Reading Incentive ProgramsÂ
Literature-Based ReadingÂ
Resources for a Literature-Based CurriculumÂ
Responding to Censorship ChallengesÂ
Teaching the First AmendmentÂ
Dealing with Censorship AttemptsÂ
Evaluating the Literature ProgramÂ
Observation and Assessment of LearningÂ
Observation and Assessment of Teacher EffectivenessÂ
Checklist for Classroom and Library EnvironmentsÂ
Checklist for Teaching ActivitiesÂ
14. Engaging with Literature
Reading Widely for Personal PurposesÂ
Reading Aloud by Teachers and LibrariansÂ
Book SelectionÂ
PreparationÂ
Reading Picturebooks Aloud EffectivelyÂ
Reading Chapter Books Aloud EffectivelyÂ
Sharing Literature from Oral Traditions through StorytellingÂ
Independent Reading by ChildrenÂ
BooktalksÂ
Shared ReadingÂ
Readers’ TheatreÂ
Experiencing Literature as Multimodal TextsÂ
Reading Critically to Inquire about the WorldÂ
Literature DiscussionÂ
Literature Response EngagementsÂ
Drama as ResponseÂ
Literature across the CurriculumÂ
Reading Strategically to Learn about LiteracyÂ
Appendix A. Children’s Book AwardsÂ
Appendix B. Professional ResourcesÂ
Appendix C. Children’s MagazinesÂ
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.
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