An up-to-date source of information about childrens' literature.

Upon publication, Anita Silvey’s comprehensive survey of contemporary children’s literature, Children’s Books and Their Creators, garnered unanimous praise from librarians, educators, and specialists interested in the world of writing for children. Now The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators assembles the best of that volume in one handy, affordable reference, geared specifically to parents, educators, and students. This new volume introduces readers to the wealth of children’s literature by focusing on the essentials — the best books for children, the ones that inform, impress, and, most important, excite young readers. Updated to include newcomers such as J. K. Rowling and Lemony Snicket and to cover the very latest on publishing and educational trends, this edition features more than 475 entries on the best-loved children’s authors and illustrators, numerous essays on social and historical issues, thirty personal glimpses into craft by well-known writers, illustrators, and critics, and invaluable reading lists by category. The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators summarizes the canon of contemporary children’s literature, in a practical guide essential for anyone choosing a book for or working with children.

"Betsy Hearne, a children's librarian and children's book review editor, discusses children's literature and its uses, surveying everything from picture books, popup books, classics, and books for beginning readers to young adult titles, poetry, folktales, and factual books. An annotated list of recommended titles accompanies each chapter."--BOOK JACKET. "Undergirded by Hearne's own passion for inspiring a love for reading in children, Choosing Books for Children offers sensible advice not only on selecting titles but also on using books to strengthen relations between parent and child."--BOOK JACKET.

Unique in its coverage of contemporary American children's literature, this timely, single-volume reference covers the books our children are--or should be--reading now, from board books to young adult novels. Enriched with dozens of color illustrations and the voices of authors and illustrators themselves, it is a cornucopia of delight. 23 color, 153 b&w illustrations.

A love for reading is one of the most precious gifts that we can give children. It nurtures their imagination and creativity, lets them explore other worlds, and opens their minds to new truths and knowledge in appealing, inspiring ways. But how can we sort through thousands of children's books to discover the really worthwhile ones? Elizabeth Wilson offers us a newly revised, comprehensive guide to the very best in children's literature. Just as in the original volume, she comments on the tone and content of excellently written, captivating books in over two dozen subject areas. Hundreds of new titles have been added while retaining timeless classics and modern favorites-all of which respect traditional values. So that no matter what the children's ages are or whether they love fact or fiction, you can trust these books to share things that you can believe in and kids will delight in.

With more than 1,000 titles represented, this book comes complete with developmentally appropriate recommendations and an extensive subject index that enable children, parents, caregivers, or educators to help find the books that are appropriate for the level of skill and the interest of the individual.

Are you looking for a brief introduction to children's literature genres that leaves time to read actual works of children's literature? This new, significantly revised, and streamlined edition of Children's Literature, Briefly introduces the reader to the essential foundations of each children's literature genre, supported by practical features and tools to suggest quality books and activities to advance literacy in the classroom. As new teachers build their classroom libraries, the brevity of this affordable new edition ensures that readers have the resources to purchase and time to read actual children's literature. New! Briefer chapters provide essential information on genres, text quality, and censorship, ensuring that new teachers are prepared to teach and read children's literature. Learn to address issues of children's motivation through the use of children's literature in the classroom in Chapter 17. Read descriptions of how children's literature can be used to advance literacy in the classroom in Chapter 18. A unique, colorful illustration guide identifies the visual elements children's literature illustrators use and explains how to evaluate a book by its pictures. Top 10 Favorites as end-of-chapter features provide new teachers with the latest in quick-reference booklists that name the best of the best in children's literature. Notable authors and illustrators features help new teachers get a head start on choosing quality literature. New! Searchable database of 20,000 children's literature titles has been reprogrammed for faster search capabilities, including: Searching for a specific book, Customized searching for award winners or for books by grade level, Tailoring a booklist for a specific child or classroom activity. New! A CD tutorial supports readers in the use of the CD database for the first time. Tech Notes throughout the text suggest where and when to engage the use of the searchable database in coursework and in the classroom. Book jacket.

This chronological guide to the developmental stages, and corresponding literary needs and preferences, of early childhood is hte unique result of combinging the expertise of educational professionals with that of a children's librarian. Each chapter describes a developmental stage of childhood and presents appropriate books for that reading level, providing expert guidance in today's crowded children's book market.

Includes indexes.

"Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature continues to be the classic, comprehensive text for those involved in all aspects of the evaluation and selection of children's literature for preK through middle- school readers. Like no other book, it not only provides the classroom teacher, librarian, administrator, and parent with a thorough understanding of children's literature, but it also-like no other book-reflects the passion for children's literature that resonated with Charlotte Huck. A true pioneer in the field, it was apparent that Charlotte's goal was not for readers to simply learn the history, concepts, and evaluation criteria necessary to understand and select children's literature-but to jump headfirst into the joy and excitement that the literature of childhood can bring, and in turn to share this enthusiasm with the children they teach. As we continue with the tenets originated by Charlotte, who passed away in 2005, we keep that goal of passion and enthusiasm at the forefront of our writing"--