This book, a collection of essays on teaching, first explains the theoretical foundations of a collaborative, integrated, literature-based curriculum, and then links the theory to real-life accounts in individual chapters. The book shows how to put theory into practice by selecting appropriate books, creating an interactive classroom environment, and planning engaging instructional units around all genres of quality children's literature. Chapters in the book are: (1) "Making the Connections" (Bette Bosma and Nancy DeVries Guth); (2) "A First-Grade Literature-Based Science Program" (Bette Bosma and Marilyn Brower); (3) "Reading and Rembrandt: An Integrated Study of Artists and Their Works" (Jane Steffen Kolakowski); (4) "PicLit: Using Picture Literature To Integrate Language Arts and Content Instruction" (Carole Geiger); (5) "A Schoolwide Study of Stars and Skies" (Bette Bosma); (6) "A Second Chance: At-Risk Students Experience Success under a Specialist's Guidance" (Nancy DeVries Guth); (7) "Using Real Literature in a Multi-Age Setting: How To Survive Spring" (Marilyn Thompson); (8) "Building Bridges" (Norma Boehm); and (9) "A Sense of Balance: A First-Grade Literary Community" (Janice V. Kristo and Mary H. Giard). (Each chapter contains references and suggested children's books.) (NKA)