What is childrens literature?

Books, stories, folklore, riddles, poems, etc

From birth through age 18?
Are there books for different age groups?
Discuss.
a significant truth expressed in appropriate
elements and memorable language (Lukens,
pp. 9, 2007).
Literature is more than a piece of writing that
clarifies or explains. It delights and reveals
(Anderson, 2006).

What differentiates between

children and adult literature
Children
Simpler expression of ideas.
Simple vocabulary
Attention span
Stories are told more directly with r/ship among
characters shown clearly.
Children more open to experimenting with more
forms of literature than adults.
Children find spontaneous pleasure in rhymes &
jokes, cartoons, comics, etc.
Adults tend to stick to one type of literature.

Read, read, read. Read

everything- william
Faulkner

Different genres of childrens

literature
A genre is a kind or type of literature that
has a common set of characteristics.
A genre is a grouping of books with similar
style, form, or content. The same term is
used for movies, music, plays, TV shows,
artwork, etc.
They often overlap, especially those of
Early childhood.

Genres of childrens literature

(according to Anderson, 2006)
Childrens Literature
Concept books
Alphabet books
Counting books
Pattern picture books
Wordless picture books
Fiction
Fantasy
Animal fantasy
Contemporary fiction
Historical fiction
Science fiction

Traditional Literature
Myths
Fables
Folk songs
Legends
Tall tales
Fairy tales
Traditional rhymes
Biography & autobiography
Informational books
Poetry & verse.

Book format- another form of

classification
Book format refers to the way a book is put

together or looks.
Wordless picture books,
Easy-to-read books.
Illustrated books
Chapter books
Hardcover books
Paperback books
Grocery store books
Series books

History of Childrens literature

Up until the 19th century books written for
children were entirely religious,
instructional, or for the improvement of
their morals and manners.
What do you know about how children
were viewed prior to the inception of child
development as a discipline? The views
about children then influenced nature of lit.

History (contd)
In 1865 Alice in Wonderland was written,
the first book that was written for mere
enjoyment. & that marked the beginning of
childrens literature

Differences between childrens

books now and then
More experimentations with genres- from teaching

values to fantasy, fiction, etc

Blurring age boundaries- picture bks for everyone.
Changing topics, eg., technology, terrorism
Technology & commercialization, bks on audio and
videotapes.: eg. Harry Potter.
Increasing diversity melting pot vs salad bowl.
International literature.
Building on the past, looking into the future.
Question: should we change the style of books to meet
needs of American audience?

 Students to go to lib & categorize bks.

Students to work in gps to talk about what
bks for which children.