Presents an interview with Chris Raschka that explores his creative process. Notes he is the author of over 20 picture books. Focuses on controversial children's books. (SG)

Notes that the selections in this cluster of books, intended for students in the intermediate and middle school grades, portray youth as they courageously take strands for environmental protection or against societal injustice. Summarizes 10 titles including nonfiction, fiction, and picture books. (SG)

Reviews 46 children's books which offer an introduction to the world of visual art as well as the verbal art form. (MG)

Describes three books which depict family structures in which children are parented by lesbians and gay males. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of these books and suggests that teachers must seek out this type of book and then advocate that libraries purchase them. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of 21 picture books that address cultural diversity while offering language that supports beginning readers. Includes a chart noting which language features that support beginning readers are part of each book. (SR)

Argues that librarians, teachers, and parents can and should become book critics, since all perform acts of criticism when they select picture books to read aloud or to recommend to children. Discusses limitations of book criticism, skills or sensibilities needed, and the steps involved. Outlines four activities that help develop analytical…

The Reading Challenge project was designed to help students make the transition from picture books to reading and choosing age-appropriate chapter books for recreational reading. This project was conducted throughout the school year with students rotating through different chapter books, usually completing 2 books and related activities each…

Educators have a particular interest in multicultural education and the use of literature as an avenue for the exploration and celebration of diversity within Canada. There is a need to understand the interdependence of all people in a global culture and an urgent need for peace and understanding. Five works of children's literature "Very…

This document encourages parents to find greater enjoyment in using the children's library and to become reading partners with their children. The pamphlet suggests ways for parents and children to use the library creatively to explore wordless story books. A list of 25 suggested wordless picture books is included. (RS)

Fifty picture storybooks found on the 1979 Classroom Choices list (a compilation of children's favorite titles) were analyzed to find out what structural characteristics children preferred. A taxonomy developed by Gayle Palmer and Jadzia Nakonechny was used to categorize the books. The analysis reveals the following children's preferences: books…

In this 13th edition of "Adventuring with Books," teachers and librarians will find descriptions of more than 850 texts (published between 1999 and 2001) suitable for student use in background research, unit study, or pleasure reading, and children will find books that delight, amuse, and entertain. The texts described in the book are…

Intended to increase the choices available for teachers and children in the classroom, this book helps teachers deal with the ever burgeoning field of children's books. The first section of the book presents studies of more than 40 authors and illustrators whose major contributions have been to young children's literature. The studies in this…

Surveys and analyzes preschoolers' and kindergartners' picture book choices by genre, familiarity, and four book attributes. Demonstrates that emergent readers appear to demonstrate genre preferences. Finds that children select familiar books more often and select books with a simple text. Counters previously held assumptions that emergent readers…

Considers how in the past 30 years almost a dozen picture books for children have made motifs of rape and death their subjects, as they appear in the story of Demeter and Persephone. Discusses why this particular story is so popular and what variations exist among these retellings. (SG)

Focuses on picture books that feature African Americans and ways the books can be used in the social studies classroom. Suggests that using such material will increase all learners' understanding of African American culture, while enabling African American learners to find themselves in the texts. (RS)