Giving teachers who are developing a literature-based program a place to start, this book provides a range of techniques, ideas, and strategies for the classroom. The book is intended for all teachers and parents interested in the role that literature can play in learning to read. The book addresses three main topics: the power of literature in promoting literacy, criteria for selecting books for young readers, and ways to use books effectively with children. After an introduction, chapters in the book are: (1) Encouraging Children's Reading Independence through Good Books; (2) How to Choose Books for Emergent and Beginning Readers; (3) Using Literature to Teach Emergent and Beginning Readers; (4) The Teacher's Role in a Literature-Based Classroom; (5) Working with Parents; (6) Literacy Stories; and (7) Suggested Children's Books. In chapter 7, the suggested books are grouped by genre--fiction, nonfiction, humor, and poetry--and by author, title, and level. Contains a 37-item bibliography. (RS)