The six authors of this monograph draw from their experience in elementary education in proposing practical techniques for using literature to teach a variety of literacy skills to children. The following topics are developed individually: reading for learning about the nature of language, picture books for reading vocabulary, the trade book as an instructional tool-strategies in approaching literature, book illustration as a key to visual and verbal literacy, reading as leading to writing, and enhancing reading comprehension through creative dramatics. The topics are linked together by the authors' common philosophy regarding the use of the books with children and by the use of headnotes that relate each article to the preceding one. Lists of appropriate children's books are included in several of the articles and a complete bibliography accompanies each topic. (MAI)