1. Children’s Literature Unit

2. What is Children’s Literature? Children’s literature is a deep expression of human emotions, desires, and beliefs. Children’s Literature is a form of human expression and emotion for people to connect with each other and also serves as a message intended to shape those who read it. Children’s literature is also a form of entertainment.

3. Children Book Awards In the United States, the major awards are given by the American Library Association Association for Library Service to Children. Some of the major awards include: Newbery Medal is an award given for writing Caldecott Medal is awarded for illustration Coretta Scott King Award is awarded for work by an African-American writer

4. Children’s Literature Literary Elements

5. Story Elements Character - the people or animals who take part in the action of the story Setting – when and where the story takes place Theme – the main idea or message of the story Mood – the feeling created by the story Symbolism- the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities Multiple layers of meaning- interpreting the authors' meaning and intention of his or her work. The multiple layers of meaning can be literal, figurative, and/or symbolic.

6. Story Elements * Point of View – the perspective from which the story is told * Narrator – the person telling the story * 1 st person – the narrator’s voice when the narrator IS a character in the story * 3 rd person – the narrator’s voice when the narrator is NOT a character in the story

7. Introduction to Elements of Plot and Types of Conflict

8. Plot Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

9. Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads Plot Components

10. Plot: Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

11. Plot: Types of Conflict Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs SelfCharacter vs Character

12. Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human. “The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him. Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

13. Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist. It´s a Truffula Seed. It´s the last one of all! You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs. Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

14. Plot: Character vs. Society Conflict This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc. “I’m tired of living in a hole,” said Jenny. “Let’s fight for freedom!” cried Bouncer. “We’ll be soldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! I’ll be the general and commander-in-chief!” The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg

15. Plot: Character vs. Self Conflict In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Finally, Sam’s father said, “Go to bed now. But before you go to sleep, Sam, tell yourself the difference between REAL and MOONSHINE.” Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness

16. Character Traits Physical – What the character looks like Mental – How or what the character thinks Emotional – How the character feels

17. Character Traits (continued) Spiritual – What the character believes in Behavioral - How the character acts or reacts Relational – How the character relates to others

18. Reflecting on what we’ve learned….. Three facts I learned today: * One question I still have about today: *

19. Think, Write, and Share In your writer’s notebook, write about your favorite children's story. What made this story become your favorite? Who is your favorite children’s author? What lessons are found in children’s stories?

20. Let’s Begin our Quest…. Let us re-discover the wonders and treasures of children’s literature