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.

Our families help shape who we are-what we look like, what we like to eat, even what our strengths and abilities are. So when a parent is a renowned children's book author or illustrator, creative ability may be part of an amazing legacy. Leonard S. Marcus introduces readers to five best-selling and award-winning families with talent that spans the generations. By opening up these family albums-sharing personal memories, scrapbooks, book dummies, model shots, and final art, Marcus chronicles the way books come into being, the way artists are nurtured and grown, and the way where we come from influences who and what we become. Includes in depth interviews and extensive histories of five famous multi-generational families of children's book creators: Jerry Pinkney and his son Brian Pinkney Anne and Harlow Rockwell and their daughter Lizzy Donald Crews and Ann Jonas, and their daughter Nina Crews Walter Dean Myers and his son Christopher Myers Edith and Clement Hurd and their son Thacher Hurd

Farmer Greenstalk and his family have the darnedest luck. Broken-down tractors, kites stuck in trees—they're always having problems! It's a good thing they have such helpful farm animals on hand. This time around, the pigs want to pitch in, and boy, do they ever! The Greenstalks soon find, though, that life might just be a little easier without their help... Pigs to the Rescue is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Wiener offers practical advice on how to help children make their way through the maze of assignments and exercises related to classroom reading.