literature

I chose this book for a children's literature class that I lead based mostly on cost. The other recommended texts in this area are very expensive and I wanted my students to be able to purchase quality trade books as well. I need to supplement the reading a great deal because of the cursory nature of the chapters regarding various genres. For the money, it's a fine text but be aware that it leaves out a great deal that that other books - such as Norton's Through the Eyes of a Child from the same publisher - cover in greater depth.

Marjorie Hancock introduces teachers to some of the best titles in Children's Literature. Going beyond mere introductions, she suggests methods for implementing various response methods and for integrating Children's Literature into the classroom. She has taken the effort to include titles for both elementary and middle school classrooms in one volume, so that teachers are able to become acquainted with a wide variety of genres as well as titles. An especially impressive section is her chapter on poetry, where she not only defines the various forms, but provides examples of each style. This is a concise volume, and it does lack the pictures that many other texts have. The references to children's literature websites, and authors' homepages are a valuable resource tool and help integrate modern technology with the printed page -- a skill that is sorely needed as we enter the new millenium.