Identifies easily recognized and popular books possessing "biblio-power" (invisible influences) that might be used to develop positive attitudes and values about reading and writing. (HOD)

Discusses ERIC resources that examine the values of reading aloud to children, that outline ways to involve parents in reading to their children, and that suggest specific materials to read aloud. (ET)

Examined the influence of CD-ROM storybooks on reading comprehension and attitudes toward reading of 37 matched pairs of third graders. Found that comprehension was higher after reading CD-ROM storybooks than print versions if measured by story retelling, but was no different if measured by open-ended questions. There were no differences in…

Argues that the use of literature in elementary schools has been shown to promote achievement in reading, positive attitudes toward reading, social understanding, and content area learning. Describes five literature-based classroom reading programs which differentially arrange the organizational variables of whole-class, small-group, and…

Reviews 7 picture books and 15 chapter books that should appeal to readers in the intermediate grades. Discusses how the skills and interests of readers of this age are changing. (MG)

Compares the characteristics of children's books that received critical acclaim from adults and were "Children's Choices" to books that received critical acclaim only. Finds that the stylistic and structural differences between the two groups of books are more apparent than variations in themes. (RS)

A study investigated the literary experiences and understanding of elementary school students by focusing on the literature children encounter in school and at home, literary instruction, and the differences between good and poor readers. Teachers and researchers traced the reading habits of eight second-grade students from two classrooms from…

Discusses the problem of the nonreading student, presents a list of 20 books (two at each level for grades 3 through 12) for use by teachers in encouraging such students to read, and justifies each selection on the list. (FL)

Describes how a simulated bedtime story experience in which an adult shares a book with a child can be used in classrooms to teach beginning readers. Points out the importance of using authentic children's literature in the approach. (EL)

In the mystery genre, the one characteristic that the enduring figures of Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, and Encyclopedia Brown have in common is a rational mind. The source of their strength is their ability to think and think well. A study examined some typical examples of the mystery genre in young adult literature and surveyed children and…

The dichotomy a teacher educator experienced as a child between reading library books and "store-bought" books at home and reading the textbooks in school turned out to fuel major debates in the teaching of reading. She always believed that she had learned to read with books--she simply endured the school readers to get through school.…

Summarizes a study that investigated teachers' three favorite books as a child and what they felt to be the three best and the three most popular children's books now. Compares the results to a similar study conducted in 1949. (HTH)

Discusses benefits of booktalks, including encouraging children to read good literature, guiding students' reading selections, and increasing library circulation; and offers suggestions for successful booktalks, including techniques to calm young children. (LRW)

Describes how the introduction of a literature-based reading program in a special education classroom helped students learn to read better and promoted their desire to read. Describes the program which was implemented along with evidence of its effectiveness. (MG)

Follows the reading and writing development of a young boy from first through third grade. Shares how, through storytelling, he defined a sense of himself that retained a strong connection to his primary-years personality while reaching out confidently toward the world of upper elementary classrooms that he would now be facing. (MG)