Since the early 2010s, there has been a proliferation of new platforms for children's stories (e.g. storybook apps or iBooks), but not necessarily greater diversity of story content or children's greater interest in reading. This article argues for a new approach to address the apparent paradox of a wider availability of children's literature…

In the last twenty years, the teaching of reading in Britain has moved away from an interest in how children take delight in, and make meaning of, their literature to a preoccupation with a mechanistic approach to literacy which breaks down texts into bite-sized chunks and fragments reading into a series of isolated skills. Although an expensive,…

Teachers have the privilege and responsibility of helping children discover the joy of reading. This principle underlies the mission of The Children's Literature Assembly (CLA) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Unfortunately, as teachers and librarians in this country face the demands of the "No Child Left Behind…

Intended as a survey of the children's short story and aimed especially at parents and education professionals, this anthology provides insight into the historical development of the short story for children, showing how the perception of childhood and changing attitudes have influenced writers of different periods. The anthology is…

Discusses the importance of making nonfiction a pleasure to read. (EL)

In this article, the author presents a profile of Nikki Grimes, award-winning poet and author of children's books. Grimes spent much of her childhood in and out of foster homes, where she discovered that reading provided a much-needed escape. This love of reading eventually led also to a love of writing. Having no formal training as a poet, Grimes…

Identifies the qualities in DeJong's children's books that make them equal to adult books in the depth of emotion they cover. (CRH)

This book offers assistance to those wishing to introduce children to the best literature, for it highlights memorable works and their creators and, as an added bonus, provides glimpses into the history and eponymous figures behind the Newbery and Caldecott Awards. The book uses a calendar arrangement of more than 1,000 "fun facts" as it…

This special subject volume on "Authors" was especially created to appeal to young readers in a format they can enjoy reading and readily understand. Each volume contains alphabetically arranged sketches. Each entry provides at least one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead the reader to information on birth,…

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

Updating and augmenting a first edition published in 1983, this book provides a comprehensive guide to awards granted in English-speaking countries for excellence in children's literature. Included in the book are awards presented to an author or illustrator for his or her body of work, awards presented for a particular title, and awards presented…

This farewell column reviews the form of fiction that dominates children's literature--the short story. Explains why the column's author is giving it up to pursue his own writing. (CRH)

Children learn to love reading by sharing quality books. Intended for children's librarians, media specialists, teachers, day care providers, and parents, this book will make it easy and fun to conduct book club meetings with little preparation time. Everything needed to start a weekly book club at school or at the library is included--detailed…

Describes how the innovative children's librarian, Katherine Watson, of the Denver (CO) Public Library surveyed famous American men and women in 1929-1930 about their favorite children's books to inspire young readers. Discusses Watson's idea that became children's book week, a book talk with local children's authors, a traveling collection of…