OVERVIEW: Understandi

ng Children’s Literature

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?

Child’s book read by child, book read by adult to child—before 19th 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.

Value of Children’s Literature

Personal Values

Provides enjoyment

Develops imagination

Reinforces the narrative form

Develops insight into human behavior

Gives vicarious experiences

Shows the universality of experience

Educational Values

Language development

Reading skills ( story sense, fluency)

Writing

Literary heritage

Evaluating Children’s Literature

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 3rd person, omniscient or limited)

Format (size, shape, design, typography, quality of paper, book jacket—all important!)

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?

Awards (partial list)

NEWBERY MEDAL

• Awarded annually, candidate must be citizen/resident of U.S.

• Established in 1922; named for John Newbery, 18th 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

Newbery Medal

CALDECOTT MEDAL

• Same residency requirement as Newbery Medal

• Established in 1938; named for Randolp Caldecott, 19th 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)

Caldecott Medal

OTHER AWARDS

• Newbery and Caldecott Honor Medals

• Hans Christian Andersen Medal

• Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

• Coretta Scott King Author & Illustrator Awards

Reading is Fun!