Children’s Literature By Amy Borders Borders2946FinalProject

Children’s Literature There are many kinds of literature: Picture books Traditional Nursery rhymes Poetry Biography/Autobiography Realistic/Historical/Multicultural

Picture Books Definition: Books in which images and ideas join to form a unique whole Illustrations in books should enhance the text, text may not even be necessary

Picture Books Awards are given each year to the best picture book, this is known as The Caldecott Medal Award. The first award was given in 1938 to Dorothy Lathrop for Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book.

Traditional Literature A folktale is a term used to identify many different types of literature. A folktale is a traditional, sometimes oral narrative. Folktale is a general term as well as a specific type.

Traditional Literature Types: Folktale Fairytale Myth Animal tale Legend Tall Tale Trickster

Characteristics of a… Folktale are: Good vs. bad Anytime, anywhere setting Often interchangeable with a fairytale Cultural A problem needs to be solved

Characteristics of a… Fairytale: No fairies Set in the past, “Once upon a time..” Contains magic or fantasy Good vs. bad Happy endings

Characteristics of a… Myth: Ancient stories Often “why” stories (Pourquoi) Often Greek or Roman based

Characteristics of a… Fable or animal story: Most common are Aesop’s Fables Have a moral or lesson to be learned

Characteristics of a… Legend: Based on an actual historical figure Embellished tales

Characteristics of a… Tall Tale: Tales of historical people often larger than life

Characteristics of a… Tricktster or noodlehead tale: Contain likeable fools Cunning and stupid characters Often rabbits or ravens

Nursery Rhymes Often times nursery rhymes are linked to real events from the past. Most have a melody and a rhythm.

Poetry There are many kinds of poetry. Haikus Cinquains Couplets Limericks, etc.

Poetry Most poems have rhythm, imagery and form

Biography/Autobiography Biographies and autobiographies can often bridge the gap between the past and the present. Can also help transition a reader from fiction to non-fiction.

Realistic, Historical and Multicultural Realistic writings tell of true life. Children can identify with the characters.

Realistic, Historical and Multicultural Historical books tell of the past. In order to be considered historical the book must have been written at least 50 years ago.

Realistic, Historical and Multicultural Multicultural books are any that contain a protagonist that is a different race, religion, or who speaks a different language than a typical Euro-American individual.

Children’s Literature The many different types of literature for children is amazing. Children can learn through many different avenues. They can explore different places and meet new people by opening a book or by listening to a story or by hearing a poem.

Children’s Literature All information in this presentation was gathered from the notes and presentations given for this course.