Children’s LiteratureBy Amy BordersBorders2946FinalProject

Children’s LiteratureThere are many kinds of

literature:◦Picture books◦Traditional◦Nursery rhymes◦Poetry◦Biography/Autobiography◦Realistic/Historical/Multicultural

Picture BooksDefinition: Books in which images

and ideas join to form a unique whole

Illustrations in books should enhance the text, text may not even be necessary

Picture BooksAwards are given each year to

the best picture book, this is known as The Caldecott Medal Award.

The first award was given in 1938 to Dorothy Lathrop for Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book.

Traditional LiteratureA folktale is a term used to

identify many different types of literature.

A folktale is a traditional, sometimes oral narrative.

Folktale is a general term as well as a specific type.

Traditional LiteratureTypes:

◦ Folktale◦ Fairytale◦ Myth◦ Animal tale◦ Legend◦ Tall Tale◦ Trickster

Characteristics of a…Folktale are:

◦Good vs. bad◦Anytime, anywhere setting◦Often interchangeable with a

fairytale◦Cultural◦A problem needs to be solved

Characteristics of a…Fairytale:

◦No fairies ◦Set in the past, “Once upon a time..”◦Contains magic or fantasy◦Good vs. bad◦Happy endings

Characteristics of a…Myth:

◦Ancient stories◦Often “why” stories (Pourquoi)◦Often Greek or Roman based

Characteristics of a…Fable or animal story:

◦Most common are Aesop’s Fables◦Have a moral or lesson to be learned

Characteristics of a…Legend:

◦Based on an actual historical figure◦Embellished tales

Characteristics of a…Tall Tale:

◦Tales of historical people often larger than life

Characteristics of a…Tricktster or noodlehead tale:

◦Contain likeable fools◦Cunning and stupid characters◦Often rabbits or ravens

Nursery RhymesOften times nursery rhymes are

linked to real events from the past.

Most have a melody and a rhythm.

PoetryThere are many kinds of poetry.

◦Haikus◦ Cinquains ◦ Couplets ◦ Limericks, etc.

PoetryMost poems have rhythm,

imagery and form

Biography/AutobiographyBiographies and autobiographies

can often bridge the gap between the past and the present.

Can also help transition a reader from fiction to non-fiction.

Realistic, Historical and MulticulturalRealistic writings tell of true life. Children can identify with the

characters.

Realistic, Historical and MulticulturalHistorical books tell of the past.In order to be considered

historical the book must have been written at least 50 years ago.

Realistic, Historical and MulticulturalMulticultural books are any that

contain a protagonist that is a different race, religion, or who speaks a different language than a typical Euro-American individual.

Children’s Literature The many different types of

literature for children is amazing.Children can learn through many

different avenues. They can explore different places and meet new people by opening a book or by listening to a story or by hearing a poem.

Children’s LiteratureAll information in this

presentation was gathered from the notes and presentations given for this course.