Reviews five established features of traditional picture books. Discusses new artistic conventions that have emerged in newer picture books, including: complexity of visual image, increase in multiple viewing perspectives, disintegrating the surface plane, a change in concept of the page, and a loss of narrative linearity. Provides selection…

Offers brief descriptions of 20 outstanding nonfiction for children, including the 1999 Orbis Pictus Award winner, and four Orbis Pictus honor books as well as a number of other outstanding nonfiction titles dealing mainly with history and biography. (SR)

Contends that historical fiction is popular with young readers and has much to offer them. Provides frameworks for selecting and teaching such novels and for linking them to classics from the same historical period. (RS)

Presents brief annotations of 39 children's books organized around the theme of "impressions": images, illusions (tenuous lines between fantasy and reality), close-ups (in-depth looks at a topic), landscapes (the natural world and settings tied to the land), tintypes (historical settings), and portraits. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of six original collections of poetry and seven poetry anthologies that make poetry come alive and that teachers will want on their bookshelves. (SR)

Recognizes that there are many complex factors that influence a book's appropriateness for a particular reader. Lists 28 books giving a general age level recommendation for each. Notes books that are about special days at school, learning and growing through school experiences, and peer and teacher interactions in the school community. (SG)

Points out the rich variety of poetry for teenagers available today, and suggests reasons why teenagers might have a difficult time finding it. Appends a list of more than 120 collections of poetry, arranged in categories. (SR)

Presents brief annotations of 46 illustrated children's books on cycles: daily cycles, seasonal cycles, life cycles, generations, and cycles in text. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of 38 children's books that offer promises for a new tomorrow, reveal fantastic dreams, resound with the individual voices of characters, encourage readers' own personal voices to be heard, and portray people who followed their dreams. (SR)

Presents brief annotations of 39 children's books, for children ages 3 to 10 and up, which all invite conversation. (SR)

Presents brief descriptions of 32 children's books (published in 1999) that promote discussion of compelling characters, concerns of children, familiar stories, text and illustration with others, and tough choices. (SR)

Presents brief descriptions of the eight books for young adults on the 1999 Honor List annually compiled the authors. Offers descriptions of the eight books. (SR)

Discusses five books that deal with selecting and sharing books with children, books which are useful to parents, teachers, media specialists, and librarians. Addresses: nonfiction, young adult literature, using folktales with young adults, choosing books for children, selecting books for elementary school libraries, and choosing books for…

Argues for the use of literature about characters with disabilities in introductory education/special education courses. Provides a 91-item list of such works. (RS)

Details guidelines for selecting books for young children in child care settings. Describes categories of children's books, including ABC books, counting books, and wordless picture books. Provides suggestions for preparing books for use by young children, and delineates steps for planning book experiences with young children and teaching children…