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Essentials of Children's Literature
From a well-known, well-respected author team―a concise resource for successfully teaching reading to children.
With a goal of reawakening pre- and in-service teachers to the joy of reading, this widely popular book focuses on teaching reading to children through today’s rich array of available trade books. The book includes the most important knowledge about teaching literature to children and it does so clearly, concisely, and directly using recommended book lists, examples, figures, and tables in combination with narrative and prose.
The 9th Edition of Essentials of Children's Literature features new information on connecting to the Common Core Standards; a new chapter on illustration and visual elements (Chapter 11); addition of graphic novels to the chapter on picturebooks (Chapter 5); reorganization of Chapter 10, “Historical Fiction;” and updating throughout, including a new section on book-related apps, additional useful resources integrated into each genre chapter; updated book lists and trends; and more.
With a goal of reawakening pre- and in-service teachers to the joy of reading, this widely popular book focuses on teaching reading to children through today’s rich array of available trade books. The book includes the most important knowledge about teaching literature to children and it does so clearly, concisely, and directly using recommended book lists, examples, figures, and tables in combination with narrative and prose.
The 9th Edition of Essentials of Children's Literature features new information on connecting to the Common Core Standards; a new chapter on illustration and visual elements (Chapter 11); addition of graphic novels to the chapter on picturebooks (Chapter 5); reorganization of Chapter 10, “Historical Fiction;” and updating throughout, including a new section on book-related apps, additional useful resources integrated into each genre chapter; updated book lists and trends; and more.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2013
12 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 16, 2020
The textbook industry is quickly becoming anachronistic; do we really need all of this information compiled between two covers and sold to debt-straddled students at outlandish prices? There is, I shit you not, an Appendix listing all of the awards given to YA books, information that can be Googled in 5 seconds.
My main issue is that the authors of textbooks are really just assembling information from elsewhere, which anyone with an internet connection can do on their own. This goes for textbooks in secondary schools as well. Let's read more primary source documents, original research, and rhetorical essays, and fewer expository tomes that are seemingly just a cash cow for publishers and authors.
Two stars because _Essentials_ is readable and the subject matter is inherently engaging. There is some good stuff about choice and lit circles towards the end, as well as other instructional strategies. If this was the focus of the book I would have rated it higher.
My main issue is that the authors of textbooks are really just assembling information from elsewhere, which anyone with an internet connection can do on their own. This goes for textbooks in secondary schools as well. Let's read more primary source documents, original research, and rhetorical essays, and fewer expository tomes that are seemingly just a cash cow for publishers and authors.
Two stars because _Essentials_ is readable and the subject matter is inherently engaging. There is some good stuff about choice and lit circles towards the end, as well as other instructional strategies. If this was the focus of the book I would have rated it higher.
March 18, 2021
Early on in the semester, I considered giving this a protest rating. Textbooks are expensive, but if one costs almost $100, it should not be a flimsy paperback with ultra-thin pages that reek of vinyl. However, even though the book itself is clearly a cost-cutting cash grab, the material within is well-written, educational, and mostly up-to-date. Also, even though the book sometimes seemed overly pedantic to me, I am so immersed in children's literature that I can't have a real sense of other students' knowledge bases. People who haven't consistently read children's literature in years or decades will need the level of detail that this book covers.
This book educates readers about various elements of children's literature, includes detailed lists of book recommendations for different subjects and genres, gives pertinent examples from diverse and varied voices, and includes lots of information about illustrations, text, book evaluation, library collections, classroom use, etc. I especially appreciate the perspective on how important it is to allow children to self-select reading materials and read for pleasure, instead of being constantly graded and assessed on their reading, and the textbook authors handle the school elements gracefully, challenging skewed research studies and problematic Common Core practices without being antagonistic.
If this textbook had cost a reasonable amount, I might keep it as an ongoing reference, but I am going to take note of especially helpful ideas and book recommendations, and then resell it for as much as I can. Now that I have read this book, I appreciate it and won't give a protest rating, but the amount that it sells for is unacceptable, considering the poor quality of the materials. It also wastes resources through unnecessary appendices, such as lengthy awards lists that anyone with an Internet connection can find online in seconds. If this book were selling on true supply and demand terms, instead of being compulsory, the publisher would have to reassess and redesign it significantly to satisfy potential buyers.
This book educates readers about various elements of children's literature, includes detailed lists of book recommendations for different subjects and genres, gives pertinent examples from diverse and varied voices, and includes lots of information about illustrations, text, book evaluation, library collections, classroom use, etc. I especially appreciate the perspective on how important it is to allow children to self-select reading materials and read for pleasure, instead of being constantly graded and assessed on their reading, and the textbook authors handle the school elements gracefully, challenging skewed research studies and problematic Common Core practices without being antagonistic.
If this textbook had cost a reasonable amount, I might keep it as an ongoing reference, but I am going to take note of especially helpful ideas and book recommendations, and then resell it for as much as I can. Now that I have read this book, I appreciate it and won't give a protest rating, but the amount that it sells for is unacceptable, considering the poor quality of the materials. It also wastes resources through unnecessary appendices, such as lengthy awards lists that anyone with an Internet connection can find online in seconds. If this book were selling on true supply and demand terms, instead of being compulsory, the publisher would have to reassess and redesign it significantly to satisfy potential buyers.
Currently reading
February 8, 2017This book is required reading for my MLIS class, "Literature and Materials for Young Adults." It is the newest edition, and I can see how the changing nature of popular genres and the rapidly expanding availability of digital media will necessitate further revisions.
The chapters provide an interesting overview into the young adult mind and how literature can appeal to as well as inform readers about the explosive transition from childhood to adulthood.
interesting quotes:
"A social construct view of adolescence supports more complex, contradictory, and multiple portrayals of teens that address the influences of race, gender, social class, and sexuality. In addition, adolescence as a socially constructed life stage recognizes that the concept of adolescence grew out of economic conditions, rather than biological forces, during the Great Depression when teens were pushed out of the workforce and into schools to keep them under control." (p. 3)
"Young adult literature is not a genre or category of literature, but includes all of the traditional genres from realistic fiction to poetry. It is a body of literature appropriate for individuals at a certain time of life." (p. 3)
"Literature is not written to teach something, but to illuminate what it means to be human and to make accessible the most fundamental experiences of life - love, hope, loneliness, despair, fear, and belonging." (p. 8)
"As adolescents enter a world through stories that differ from their present, they develop imagination and are inspired to overcome obstacles, consider different perspectives, and formulate personal goals." (p. 9)
"Literature encourages understanding and empathy through gaining an appreciation of the universality of human needs across history and culture, which makes it possible for adolescents to understand what connects us as human beings as well as what makes each of us unique. Living someone else's life through a story can encourage a sense of social justice and a greater capacity to empathize with others." (p. 9)
"Students reading independently usually fare best with materials that are at or slightly below their reading ability, but keen interest in a topic enables them to read and understand difficult materials." (p. 12)
"Newspaper headlines put a spotlight on illiteracy, the number of people who cannot read and write at the levels needed to function in our society, when the much bigger problem is aliteracy, the number of people who can read and choose not to." (p. 19)
The chapters provide an interesting overview into the young adult mind and how literature can appeal to as well as inform readers about the explosive transition from childhood to adulthood.
interesting quotes:
"A social construct view of adolescence supports more complex, contradictory, and multiple portrayals of teens that address the influences of race, gender, social class, and sexuality. In addition, adolescence as a socially constructed life stage recognizes that the concept of adolescence grew out of economic conditions, rather than biological forces, during the Great Depression when teens were pushed out of the workforce and into schools to keep them under control." (p. 3)
"Young adult literature is not a genre or category of literature, but includes all of the traditional genres from realistic fiction to poetry. It is a body of literature appropriate for individuals at a certain time of life." (p. 3)
"Literature is not written to teach something, but to illuminate what it means to be human and to make accessible the most fundamental experiences of life - love, hope, loneliness, despair, fear, and belonging." (p. 8)
"As adolescents enter a world through stories that differ from their present, they develop imagination and are inspired to overcome obstacles, consider different perspectives, and formulate personal goals." (p. 9)
"Literature encourages understanding and empathy through gaining an appreciation of the universality of human needs across history and culture, which makes it possible for adolescents to understand what connects us as human beings as well as what makes each of us unique. Living someone else's life through a story can encourage a sense of social justice and a greater capacity to empathize with others." (p. 9)
"Students reading independently usually fare best with materials that are at or slightly below their reading ability, but keen interest in a topic enables them to read and understand difficult materials." (p. 12)
"Newspaper headlines put a spotlight on illiteracy, the number of people who cannot read and write at the levels needed to function in our society, when the much bigger problem is aliteracy, the number of people who can read and choose not to." (p. 19)
April 21, 2015
An overview of young adult literature in a slim volume organized by genre: realistic fiction, fantasy & science fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction, poetry & plays, multicultural & international literature. Suggestions for teaching strategies using literature in language arts classrooms and across content areas are helpful. A large chunk of its pages are given to lists of title recommendations in each genre. The strength of this is also its main weakness: it features current titles, requiring a new edition in a year or so.
August 19, 2017
This book has a great deal of information about young adult literature: what it is, how to select it, genre information, recommendations, etc. Overall, it was informative; I don't really have any complaints about the information in the book per se.
But, this was a textbook for one of my grad school classes. It was incredibly overpriced (like many textbooks are, amirite?). It is a very slender 300 pages, not-very-sturdy paperback, and much of the information in the book--the recommened book lists--will be outdated in a few years (probably by design, thanks textbook publishers!).
But, this was a textbook for one of my grad school classes. It was incredibly overpriced (like many textbooks are, amirite?). It is a very slender 300 pages, not-very-sturdy paperback, and much of the information in the book--the recommened book lists--will be outdated in a few years (probably by design, thanks textbook publishers!).
December 1, 2019
One of the best textbooks I’ve ever read. It’s easy to read and understand. It’s relevant to those in the fields of education, English, literature, and/or library science. The textbook also has super long lists of recommended books which is so helpful!
May 25, 2018
Excellent reference for teachers and parents. This book provides almost-endless lists of books suitable for kids and with different genres.
June 9, 2018
Didn't even read the whole thing, but I get it well enough.
December 12, 2019
Well organized, clear and succinct, and provided a lot of good recommendations and resources for children's librarians and teachers.
January 10, 2022
3.5 stars
This was the textbook for the children's lit class I took.
This was the textbook for the children's lit class I took.
November 18, 2023
I learned a lot about children's literature by reading this book. I love how the chapters are divided by genre. This will be a great resource for teaching in the future.
January 9, 2019
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: None
Audience: College
A.The topic is Children’s Literature; including an overview of the history of children’s literature, children’s development, literary elements, and an in-depth look at each genre of children’s literature.
B.The concept is presented using age-appropriate language for college-age students. The text begins with an overview to provide readers with background knowledge necessary before delving into each genre. References, such as book lists, research, and websites, are provided for further exploration students may use based on their need according to their major/career plans. Few visuals are necessary for this age group, but charts are used throughout. The text is accessible for students majoring in education, child and family studies, English, library sciences, speech and language, social work and any others with an interest in using quality literature with children.
C.Aids used include; table of contents, tables, diagrams, example resources, pictures, headings, sub-headings, book lists, index. The aids increase readers’ understandings of children’s literature elements and genres, as well as, help readers to locate important information and book lists.
D.This book could be used in a Children’s Literature course with education students and those studying related fields such as child and family studies, English, library sciences, speech and language, social work, etc. It should be used in conjunction with discussion, wide-reading of children’s literature, and practical experiences reading text to and with young children.
Awards: None
Audience: College
A.The topic is Children’s Literature; including an overview of the history of children’s literature, children’s development, literary elements, and an in-depth look at each genre of children’s literature.
B.The concept is presented using age-appropriate language for college-age students. The text begins with an overview to provide readers with background knowledge necessary before delving into each genre. References, such as book lists, research, and websites, are provided for further exploration students may use based on their need according to their major/career plans. Few visuals are necessary for this age group, but charts are used throughout. The text is accessible for students majoring in education, child and family studies, English, library sciences, speech and language, social work and any others with an interest in using quality literature with children.
C.Aids used include; table of contents, tables, diagrams, example resources, pictures, headings, sub-headings, book lists, index. The aids increase readers’ understandings of children’s literature elements and genres, as well as, help readers to locate important information and book lists.
D.This book could be used in a Children’s Literature course with education students and those studying related fields such as child and family studies, English, library sciences, speech and language, social work, etc. It should be used in conjunction with discussion, wide-reading of children’s literature, and practical experiences reading text to and with young children.
December 7, 2016
The title says it all...this is essential reading for children's librarians.
October 3, 2020
Brugt til speciale om Young Adult-litteratur (2017)
April 27, 2017
This a most helpful textbook which I used in my Children's Literature course. It offers clear, concise summaries, suggestions, and statements all relevant to my research. Also, it lists types of art, distinct time periods, and different genres which can define literature in general.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews