The Children’s Literature Selection Handbook, K–8

Offering future school librarians, teachers, and working librarians an alternative to lengthier textbooks on children’s literature, this engaging book introduces readers to the most important genres and current conversations in the field while leaving them time to read children’s literature directly. As school librarian and teacher certification programs become more abridged, students require succinct textbooks that still provide a valuable introduction to the field. Working librarians need reference books that allow them to make good selections for their collections. Students and professionals will appreciate The Children’s Literature Selection Handbook, K–8 because it offers a needed overview of the field while allowing for plenty of time to read children’s literature. Author Christie Kaaland’s conversational tone speaks directly to readers, and the book offers students a pathway to engage with literature directly and effectively scaffold their learning. Beginning with an introduction to standard literary fiction genres, including a discussion of literature trends and children’s reading interests and needs, the chapters turn to the most important genres: fiction, biography, folk literature, picture books, informational texts, poetry, and graphic novels. A focus on book series, a deep discussion of graphic novels, the inclusion of global literature and review sources for selection, and information on publishers and the publishing industry set this timely book apart from others in the field. Reader voices add perspective and charm. This compact and engaging book is the perfect companion to the vast wealth of children’s literature that future teachers and school librarians will read during their professional preparation and share with children and youth as working librarians.

Table of Contents:
Contents Introduction Chapter 1 Genres of Fiction Children’s Classics Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Animal Realism Contemporary Realism Romance Novels The Coming-of-Age or Problem Novel Fantasy High Fantasy Speculative Fiction Dystopian Novels Science Fiction Adventure and Survival Stories Animal Fiction Horror Humor Mysteries Sports Stories Genre-Blending, Genre-Bending Children’s Literature References Chapter 2 Illustrated Picture Books Story Books Literary Themes in Storybook Picture Books Humorous Storybook Picture Books Concept Books Alphabet Books Counting Books Predictable Books Participation Books Circle Stories Cumulative Tales Wordless Picture Books Picture Books for Older Readers Metafiction Illustrations: The Art of the Picture Books Visual Elements Color Visual Perspective Line and Shape Texture Illustrators’ Media Drawing Media: Charcoal, Chalk, Pen and Ink, Pastel Oils, Colored Pencils, Markers Watercolor and Gouache Acrylics Oil Paintings Woodcutting Collage Photography Mixed Media Digital Art Border Art A Final Note Children’s Literature References Chapter 3 Nonfiction Selection Considerations for Nonfiction Organization Text Structure: Design and Layout Features Accuracy Cultural Authenticity The Author’s Voice: Style, Tone, and Authority Nonfiction Text Features Awards for Nonfiction Types of Nonfiction Concept Books Survey Nonfiction Activity Books Trivia of Fact Books Narrative Nonfiction Reference Books The Steward and Correia Model: The Five Types of Nonfiction A Final Note Children’s Literature References Chapter 4 Biography Autobiographies: An Author’s Life Collective Biographies Biography and the Curriculum Selecting Biography Books Biographies of Whom? Picture Book Biography’s Golden Age Biography Back Matter Outstanding Picture Book Biographies Children’s Literature References Chapter 5 Traditional Folk Tales Everyone’s Stories Determining Authenticity of Folk Literature The Value of Reading Traditional Tales Types of Traditional Folk Literature Ballads Cumulative Tales Fables Fairy Tales Legends Myths and Mythology Pourquoi Stories Tall Tales Trickster Tales Nursery Rhymes and Mother Goose Additional Folktales A Final Note Children’s Literature References Chapter 6 Poetry Getting Kids to Love Poetry Jason Reynolds Kwame Alexander Humorous Poetry Formats of Poetry Books Anthologies A Single Illustrated Poem Poems Presented Thematically Poems Presented in Unique Formats Bilingual Poetry Song Lyrics Novels in Verse Curriculum Connections Forms and Types of Poems A Final Thought Children’s Literature References Chapter 7 Graphic Novels There’s Value in Reading Graphic Novels The Historic Context of Comics and Graphic Novels Today’s Popular Graphic Novels Adaptations Graphic Novel Series Graphic Memoirs Nonfiction Fantasy and Sci-Fi Graphic Novels for All Reader Types English Language Learners International Titles Literary Themes and Motifs in Graphic Novels Illustration Styles Cartoon (or “Toon”) Style Western or Superhero Style Manga’s Anime Style Manga Graphic Novels Are Here to Stay Children’s Literature References Chapter 8 Series “Is There Another Book Like This?” Additional Value of Series Fiction Series Nonfiction Series Read On! Children’s Literature References Chapter 9 Beyond Genres Learning to Read: Literary Forms, Types, and Formats for Emerging Readers Books for Beginning Readers Early Readers Reading Independence: Early Reader Series Identifying, Labeling, and Finding Early Readers Controlled Vocabulary Books, Transitional Fiction, Beginning Chapter Books Controlled Vocabulary Transitional Fiction, Beginning Chapter Books Engineered Books If You Want to Raise a Reader, Be a Reader Children’s Literature References Chapter 10 International Children’s Literature, Books in Translation, and Bilingual Books Types of International Children’s Literature Sharing Global Children’s Literature with Students International Literature Offers Global Perspectives ELL and Students of an Immigrant-Refugee Experience Bilingual Books Selecting Non-English Books A Final Word Children’s Literature References Chapter 11 The Influence of Publishers and the Publishing Industry How a Book Becomes a Book The Agent The Publisher and the Editor The Production Team The Publishing Industry Diversity in Publishing Children’s Literature References Chapter 12 Connecting with Authors and Illustrators Inspiring Readership: Book Trailers, Blogs, Infographics, Websites, and Author Visits Author or Illustrator Visits Virtual Visits Field Trips Author Websites Blogs Book Trailers Reader Advisory Book Clubs A Final Reminder A Final Word Children’s Literature References Appendix: Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards Professional References Index

About the Author :
Christie Kaaland, EdD, is Core Faculty in the School of Education at Antioch University Seattle, USA.

Review :
Kaaland draws us into the magical and transformative power of children’s literature with this thought-provoking, practical, and, yes, joyous handbook for K–8 educators. Kaaland invites us to explore the amazingly diverse genres and formats of children’s books and inspires us with her recommended lists of titles that children will actually want to read. If you care about motivating children to become lifelong readers, you will want to read this book. This book thoughtfully and systematically explores all the nuances of children’s literature in a straightforward manner; perfect for school librarians and instructors of children’s literature alike! For the school library supervisor—purchase one for every school librarian in your district. For a school librarian—use with your teachers to increase student interest in books and reading. For school librarians and teachers—create materials to send home for parents and caregivers about books and reading with their children. For school librarians who need to answer the question, "How can I get my wonderful story published?"—the answer is here.