Essentials of children's literature / Kathy G. Short, University of Arizona ; Carol Lynch-Brown, Florida State University ; Carl M. Tomlinson, Northern Illinois University.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

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.

In the new edition of this widely popular resource, the well-known, highly respected author team presents a brief compendium of information about and resources for helping future and new teachers share literature with children. Essentials of Children's Literature, 8/e is designed to awaken and motivate readers to the joy of reading. It presents a rich array of available trade books that can be used effectively to teach children's literature, while also ensuring coverage of the most important knowledge about literature and about teaching literature to children. Clear, concise, and direct, the book uses recommended book lists, examples, figures, and tables in combination with narrative and prose to empower teachers to free classroom time to involve children with literature. -Publisher description.