In order to learn who determines what is available for children to read, in addition to textbooks, a study was conducted in which authors, book editors, public librarians, school librarians, teachers, parents, and children were interviewed. This booklet contains the results of the interviews and presents the author's overall conclusions, including…

Annotates the 97 titles chosen by more than 2,500 children as the best of the trade books published in 1982. Arranges the titles into categories according to reading level and offers suggestions for using the books in and out of the classroom. (FL)

Argues that reading materials should fit the criteria of relevance, interest, and usefulness if children are to get maximum benefits from reading instruction. (FL)

Presents brief annotations of 40 children's books originating or published in countries around the world, some of them traditional tales, and all of them dealing with universals of childhood, such as delights, friendship, fantasy, individual identity, and contemporary living. (SR)

Reviews ERIC materials pertaining to the reading interests of children. (FL)

This publication recounts the childhood experiences of one boy at the Tennessee School for the Blind and his use of braille and talking book library services. It also describes his frustration at the rationing of braille reading materials at the school, and how his enormous appetite for reading material led him to "beat" the school's…

Argues that children have much to gain and little to lose from an increase in the number of female main characters in stories, from increased portrayal of nonstereotyped role models in stories, and from the use of female-inclusive language in reading materials. (Author/MP)

Concludes that many third- and fifth-grade students in Oklahoma have not read many of the Newbery Award-winning books. (FL)

Examines the social perspectives presented by a sample of the Children's Choices books to determine if the protagonists' behavior is primarily individualistic or shows concern for the group or community. Concludes that the books tended to espouse the self as the focus for activity. (FL)

Notes that F.H. Anstey's children's novel "Vice Versa" is unusual for its day (1882) because it attacks Victorian fathers and insensitive boarding school teachers, and points out how cruel children can be to one another when maintaining their own power structures. (JC)

Reveals (1) some sex differences in children's reading preferences, but indicates some overlap; (2) that minority and nonminority children differed to some extent in their preferences, but had more similarities than differences; and (3) that children's reading interests have changed little in two decades. (FL)

Suggests that the figure of the bear (and animals in general) in children's literature is a pleasing one to children, and helps them learn to love their instinctive, natural selves. (JC)

Explains how read-aloud sessions can be developed in ways that help children deal with common concerns. Offers an example. (FL)

Suggests that both boys and girls are interested in sports and recreation. Describes activities which utilize the topic of sports to highlight diverse vocabulary terms, encourage playing with language, and develop listening and writing skills. Provides an annotated bibliography of sports books for children. (ARH)