The Early Reader in Children’s Literature and Culture


Book Description

This is the first volume to consider the popular literary category of Early Readers – books written and designed for children who are just beginning to read independently. It argues that Early Readers deserve more scholarly attention and careful thought because they are, for many younger readers, their first opportunity to engage with a work of literature on their own, to feel a sense of mastery over a text, and to experience pleasure from the act of reading independently. Using interdisciplinary approaches that draw upon and synthesize research being done in education, child psychology, sociology, cultural studies, and children’s literature, the volume visits Early Readers from a variety of angles: as teaching tools; as cultural artifacts that shape cultural and individual subjectivity; as mass produced products sold to a niche market of parents, educators, and young children; and as aesthetic objects, works of literature and art with specific conventions. Examining the reasons such books are so popular with young readers, as well as the reasons that some adults challenge and censor them, the volume considers the ways Early Readers contribute to the construction of younger children as readers, thinkers, consumers, and as gendered, raced, classed subjects. It also addresses children’s texts that have been translated and sold around the globe, examining them as part of an increasingly transnational children’s media culture that may add to or supplant regional, ethnic, and national children’s literatures and cultures. While this collection focuses mostly on books written in English and often aimed at children living in the US, it is important to acknowledge that these Early Readers are a major US cultural export, influencing the reading habits and development of children across the globe.




Children's Literature


Book Description

This chronological guide to the developmental stages, and corresponding literary needs and preferences, of early childhood is hte unique result of combinging the expertise of educational professionals with that of a children's librarian. Each chapter describes a developmental stage of childhood and presents appropriate books for that reading level, providing expert guidance in today's crowded children's book market.




A Parent/Teacher Guide to Children's Books on Peace and Tolerance


Book Description

How do you teach children to value peace and appreciate diversity? One way is to provide them with books with themes that promote these ideas. The Parent / Teacher Guide to Children's Books on Peace and Tolerance offers readers a wide variety of award-winning titles along with annotations and grade level recommendations. The book is divided into the following sections: Preschool - grade three Grades 4 - 6 Middle school, and High school. Each section has over 100 listings. Topics include civil rights, the Holocaust, slavery, Native Americans, bullying, war, child abuse, bigotry, cooperation, acceptance, apartheid, family relationships, Arab/Israeli conflict, controlling anger, the Civil War, the Vietnam War, WWII, gays and lesbians, and other social issues. Many of these books are the recipients of the following awards and honors: Newbery Award, School Library Journal (starred review), Caldecott Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Award, American Library Association Notable Book, Jane Addams Children's Book Award, American Bookseller - Pick of the List, Kirkus Reviews (starred review), Publishers Weekly (starred review), Booklist (starred review), Coretta Scott King Award, VOYA Top Picks, National Book Award, and the Michael L. Printz Award. This guide is an excellent resource for parents who would like their children to become peace-loving, accepting adults. Teachers who are looking for books to supplement their curriculum will find the suggested titles to be among the best written works in the designated areas. For example, one would be hard pressed to find a better written book on the Holocaust for middle and high school students than I Have Lived One Thousand Years. The author has done a great service by providing parents and teachers with a list of books that cannot be found anywhere else.




Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2025


Book Description

Foreword by Alice Oseman, creator of the million-copy bestselling Heartstopper books. 'This is not a book, it is a sky filled with possibility, so let its wisdom lift you and soar!' Joseph Coelho, Children's Laureate Celebrating its 21st edition, this indispensable Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook provides everything you need to know to get your work noticed. With thousands of up-to-date contacts and inspiring articles from dozens of successful writers, illustrators and industry insiders, it is the ultimate resource on writing and publishing for children of all ages. Packed with insights and practical tips, it provides expert advice on: - submitting to agents and publishers - writing non-fiction and fiction across genres and formats - poetry, plays, broadcast media and illustration - self-publishing - copyright, finances and contracts - marketing, prizes and festivals - and much, much more ... New content in this edition include articles on Your Author Brand by Tom Palmer, Getting Published by Hannah Gold, Writing with empathy by Camilla Chester, What an indie bookshop can offer authors by Carrie & Tim Morris. 'Between the covers of this book is everything you need to know to get published.' Julia Donaldson




Children’s Literature and Childhood Discourses


Book Description

Children's literature shapes what children learn about the world. It reflects social values, norms, and stereotypes. This book offers fresh insights into some of the key issues in fiction for children, from the representation of gender to embodied cognition and the translation of children's literature. Connecting classic children's texts such as Alice in Wonderland with contemporary fiction including Murder Most Unladylike, the book innovatively brings together perspectives from corpus linguistics, stylistics, cognitive linguistics, literary and cultural studies, and human geography. It explores approaches to experiencing fiction, as well as methods for the study of literary texts. Childhood discourses are investigated through the materiality of texts, the spaces that literature takes up in libraries, the cultural history of fiction moulded through performances, as well as reading environments that shape childhood experiences, such as fashion and urban spaces. Children's Literature and Childhood Discourses emphasizes the crucial link between fictional stories and real life.




Children's Literature for All God's Children


Book Description

The themes, words, and concepts in children's literature speak to the whole Christian community. Virginia Thomas and Betty Miller have examined children's literature and designed an extensive annotated list of children's stories, poems, folk tales, and fiction that express faith, belief, theology, and Christian principles. This unique resource/reference handbook gives the church the opportunity to function as a united community of believers. Children and adults have the chance to study and learn together -- grow as a whole community.Thomas and Miller offer a practical approach to children's literature that gives background and theory, an evaluation of techniques, "how-to" guidelines, suggestions for use, lists of books, two annotated bibliographies, and indices: subject and themes, genre, and book awards. Explains: why children's literature is a good resource for Christians where to find good stories how significant themes are adapted for different age levels how to evaluate stories how to use them Parents, teachers, and ministers will delight with children in this new approach to sharing, learning, teaching, and worship. The bibliography of books for all ages is a treasure-house of information. Features basic book information, summary, and themes values. This is an educational tool that provides a new avenue to understanding our faith.




Creating the National Mosaic


Book Description

Preliminary Material -- National Identity-Formation -- The Canadian Situation -- Canadian Cultural Policy with Regard to Children's Culture and Literature -- The Immigrant Experience as Depicted in Anglo-Canadian Youth Fiction 1950-1994 -- The Development of Canadian Multicultural Children's Literature Conclusion and Outlook for the Future -- Bibliography -- Index.




Young Readers and Their Books


Book Description

First Published in 2000. This book offers teachers a useful and very readable text to help them select stories, poetry and non-fiction material for the primary classroom, with ideas on how to teach them. Appropriate selection criteria are discussed and suggestions are given about keeping up with a range of available texts. There is a comprehensive guide to the whole range of books appropriate for use in the Literacy Hour. Part 2 gives practical approaches, tried and tested in primary classrooms, which reflect the guidance contained in The National Curriculum Programmes of Study for English and The National Literacy Strategy. Gervase Phinn has rare gifts as a teacher, speaker, storyteller and writer, all of which skills comes together in the authoring of this book.




The Ultimate Guide to Classroom Publishing


Book Description

"Exciting ideas for teaching writing, editing, illustration and design. This practical resource also features author studies, a guide to author visits, fun ways to celebrate books and more" Cf. Our choice, 2000.