1. What is children’s 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).

2. What differentiates between children and adult literature
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.

3. “Read, read, read. Read everything”- william Faulkner

4. Different genres of children’s 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.

5. Genres of children’s literature (according to Anderson, 2006)
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.

6. 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

7. History of Children’s 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.

8. History (cont’d)
In 1865 Alice in Wonderland” was written, the first book that was written for mere enjoyment. & that marked the beginning of children’s literature

9. Differences between children’s 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?

10. Students to go to lib & categorize bks.
Students to work in gps to talk about what bks for which children.