1. Evaluating and Selecting Literature for Children
Guiding Questions:
How do teachers select literature for children?
How does the author’s use of literary elements influence these selections?
How do teachers select multicultural literature?
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Standards for Evaluating Books: Questions Teachers Ask
How effective is the use of literary elements? (literary concerns)
How effective are the illustrations and the illustrator’s techniques? (artistic concerns)
How accurate and logical is the material? (pragmatic concerns)
Will the book enrich a reader’s life? (philosophical concerns)
Does the book appeal to me? (personal concerns)
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Literary Elements Plot Setting Characters Theme Style Point of view
Is this a good story?
Could it really happen?
Do I believe it?
Setting
Accurate for time and place?
Do the characters fit this setting?
Do I feel like I’m in another time and place?
Characters
Do they seem real?
Do they grow?
Do they have both strengths and weaknesses?
Does the language sound natural?
Theme
Why did the author want to tell me this story?
Style
Point of view
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Why Teachers Use Multicultural Literature
The goal is for children to…
Understand and respect each child’s cultural group
Gain respect for and tolerance of cultural differences
Understand and respect universal human rights and freedoms
Be prepared for responsible life in a free society
Learn perspective taking and conflict management
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Standards for Evaluating Multicultural Literature
Characters portrayed as individuals, not as representing a group
Transcends stereotypes
Portrays physical diversity
Culture portrayed accurately
Nonwhite characters shown as equal, capable of solving problems without whites
Authentic dialect used for legitimate purposes
An awareness of the changed status of female characters
No offensive or degrading language
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Other Factors to Consider When Selecting Children’s Literature
Accessibility
Readability
Interest
Reader response
Award winning books
Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature, 7th Edition. ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.