1. OVERVIEW: Understanding Children’s Literature

2. What is Children’s Literature?  What is literature in general?  Imaginative shaping of life and thinking into language  Revelation of the human condition (feelings, thoughts, insights)  Connection between the material and the reader  What is children’s literature?

3.  Child’s book read by child, book read by adult to child—before 19 th century only a few books written for children!  Children today exposed to violence through mass media—children’s literature is limited by the experience and understanding of the child.  Children’s literature must have the child’s ‘eye’ at center—no cynicism or despair.

4. Value of Children’s Literature

5. Personal Values  Provides enjoyment  Develops imagination  Reinforces the narrative form  Develops insight into human behavior  Gives vicarious experiences  Shows the universality of experience

6. Educational Values  Language development  Reading skills ( story sense, fluency)  Writing  Literary heritage

7. Evaluating Children’s Literature

8. Areas to Examine  Plot (plan of action: credible; original; linear)  Setting (specific/universal; authentic; sets mood)  Theme (reveals purpose, meaning)  Characterization (growth gradual & convincing)  Style (action & conversation; reflects mood)  Point of View (usually 3 rd person, omniscient or limited)  Format (size, shape, design, typography, quality of paper, book jacket—all important!)

9. Criteria for Evaluating Children’s Books  Positive images?  Accurate, well-written information?  Meaningful story (range of cultural values & lifestyles)?  Attractive graphics?  Shows people caring for and enjoying each other, working together, respecting each other?

10. Awards (partial list) NEWBERY MEDAL Awarded annually, candidate must be citizen/resident of U.S. Established in 1922; named for John Newbery, 18 th centure British publisher & bookseller (first to introduce idea of publishing books expressly for children) Awarded to author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published the preceding year

11. Newbery Medal

12. CALDECOTT MEDAL Same residency requirement as Newbery Medal Established in 1938; named for Randolp Caldecott, 19 th century British illustrator Awarded to the most distinguished picture book published the preceding year; text should be worthy of illustrations, but award mostly for artwork (type of artwork, medium, age appeal, subject matter variety)

13. Caldecott Medal

14. OTHER AWARDS Newbery and Caldecott Honor Medals Hans Christian Andersen Medal Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Coretta Scott King Author & Illustrator Awards

16. Reading is Fun!