This article presents findings from the first year of a multiyear investigation of the implementation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) book distribution program as part of one community's long-term initiative to improve early literacy skills. The authors describe (a) the study's logic model and associated theory of change, (b)…

Reported is a listing of popular books among children based upon circulation figures analyzed by Dr. Ena Wilson, Supervisor of School Libraries in Detroit, Michigan. (MM)

The preparation for a lifetime of reading enjoyment makes children's literature that special something.'' (Author/CB)

Discusses G. K. Chesterton's views on children's literature and the importance of children reading for enjoyment. (AEA)

Annotates books selected by children from across the United States as their favorites from among more than 700 trade books published in 1981. The books are categorized as beginning independent reading books; books for younger, for middle grade, and for older readers; informational books; poetry; and jokes and riddles. (FL)

Annotates books selected by children from across the United States as their favorites from among 500 children's trade books published in 1979. Books are categorized as beginning independent reading books; books for younger, for middle grade, and for older readers; and informational books. One regional choice (a book popular with Missouri children)…

Notes that educators must provide time for children to read books of their choosing. Features books themed around what might be referred to as "the culture of childhood," focusing on categories such as childhood curiosity, sports and games, familiar stories and tales, shared and vicarious experiences, and children's victories. Presents a list of…

Specialists in the field of children's literature, who publish research and decide on awards for individual books, should give serious study to what children themselves choose to read. Among the children's books that were not originally awarded top honors by critics but that have proved extremely popular with children are the Oz books by L. Frank…

Most criticisms directed at basal reader stories concern the unreal characters which tend to depict only middle-class families and use unreal language patterns. However, such criticisms do not get to the core of the problem. A comparison of stories from basal readers with some famous folk tales illustrates how the here-and-now stories from basal…

This study was prompted by the lack of consistency in defining the interests, both general and in the area of reading, of children in the primary grades. Analysis of more than 15 introductory texts used to teach reading indicated that interest measurement is based on certain unquestioned theoretical assumptions. Students in 27 first- through…

This book is a collection of commentaries by Nebraskans about books that have been memorable for them from childhood through adulthood. The book is a record of life-long learning dedicated to Nebraska's youngest readers in the Year of the Young Reader, 1989--a common ground for intergenerational dialogue made possible by the world of books. The…

This study surveyed children's expressed reading interests and attempted to determine whether these were related to grade level, sex, race, and socioeconomic level. A total of 784 children in grades four through eight in four elementary schools of Fairfield, Alabama, answered a questionnaire composed of 120 annotated fictitious titles representing…

Reports findings of a survey in which approximately 800 fifth and sixth grade students chose their favorite children's "classics." (FL)

In order to determine the variables which influence children's choice of books, 52 second-grade students from one elementary school were selected and interviewed. Twenty books, which circulated most frequently among second-grade children, were designated "high preference"; another 20, randomly selected from 634 books which were borrowed only once,…

To determine parents' perceptions of their children's behaviors toward their favorite books, 15 parents of 4- and 5-year-old children were interviewed about behaviors that occur when they share a favorite book with their children, why they think the book is special to their children, and the pool of available books from which the favorite was…