A core text that offers a comprehensive and cutting-edge survey of children's literature. Twelve chapters survey the history of childhood and children's literature, examine key genres (from fairy tales and picture books to domesticity and adventure to works of nonfiction, history, realism and fantasy) and explore topics of current and lasting interest (race and ethnicity, genders and sexualities, censorship and selection).
A complete resource for working with the literature during — and after — the course. Extensive editorial apparatus helps students read, discuss, write about, research, and teach children's literature.
- Unique sections model close critical reading, showing students how to read, think, and respond to an important work of children's literature within the context of each chapter's topic. For instance, Chapter 10 on Race, Ethnicity, and Culture includes a close reading of The Snowy Day by author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats.
- End-of-chapter material helps students understand, respond, and explore further with questions for discussion and writing, and suggested activities. An annotated list of suggested works offers ideas for further reading and study.
- Practical options for future teachers include "Approaches to Teaching" sections at the very end of each chapter with sample lesson plans that focus on teaching an essential work of children's literature through the lens of the chapter's topic.
A rich art program features unique contributions by an eminent illustrator and designer of children's books. In addition to the nearly 100 images (many in full color insert) throughout the book that remind readers how vital illustrations are to works written for children, the craft of children's book illustration is explored further with Scott McKowen, famous for his work on the Sterling Classics series of literary reprints. McKowen not only designed Reading Children's Literature and created original illustrations for the cover and chapter numerals, he also discusses his illustration process in an exclusive interview.