Reports on an interview with Angela Johnson, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award, whose work centers on the themes of family love and the connections between generations, especially in African American families. Suggests activities related to her books and includes a selected bibliography. (LRW)

Considers how children's books change with the culture around them. Notes how students need concrete and specific information about the special features and organization of postmodern picture books to enhance appreciation and comprehension. Investigates these specific features and demonstrates ways to teach this new story grammar. (SG)

Many young adults enjoy graphic novels because the genre differs so dramatically from the books that educators traditionally have encouraged adolescents to read. Growing up with television and video games, contemporary young adults look for print media that contain the same visual impact and pared-down writing style and contribute to their…

When literature in the form of picture books was introduced to the social studies curriculum in the author's classroom, she wondered what her second-grade students would learn from it. She decided to investigate and ascertain whether the children learned geographic concepts when they were taught through a literature-based approach. Given the…

The cultural authenticity of picture books, for both literary and art quality, is examined. In a study done by the Council on Interracial Books for Children (CIBC) in 1976 "How the Children's Books Distort the Asian American Image," 66 children's books published from 1945 through 1976 were examined and problems of serious stereotypes…

This annotated bibliography provides a comprehensive list of fiction dealing with mixed ethnic heritage for children and young adults. A few nonfiction items of quality are included. The bibliography is divided into four sections to match frequently used public library divisions: (1) picture books (early childhood) (22 books); (2) juvenile and…

The Reading Challenge project was designed to help students make the transition from picture books to reading and choosing age-appropriate chapter books for recreational reading. This project was conducted throughout the school year with students rotating through different chapter books, usually completing 2 books and related activities each…

Pablita Velarde, renowned artist and lecturer, recalls some of the Tewa legends handed down orally through the generations. She heard her grandfather and great-grandfather relate these tales on cold winter evenings at Santa Clara Pueblo when she was a child. The six stories told by Old Father Story Teller are "The Stars," which ties the…

Designed to supplement the actual reading of children's books, this book provides an introduction to children's literature. It focuses on general trends and patterns rather than plot summaries. The two-part organization of the third edition explores first the foundations and contexts, then the various genres of children's literature. Discussion…

Educators have a particular interest in multicultural education and the use of literature as an avenue for the exploration and celebration of diversity within Canada. There is a need to understand the interdependence of all people in a global culture and an urgent need for peace and understanding. Five works of children's literature "Very…

Upper-level elementary classroom teachers can integrate wordless picture books (usually used only in the lower elementary grades) with the Jigsaw approach to cooperative learning. Students are first assigned to heterogeneously-balanced "home teams." Members of the home team write a story to accompany a picture book, usually in about 15…

This bibliography lists works by authors in the Asian-American population. It covers literature by authors of Chinese, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, East Indian, and other Asian ancestry who are or were U.S. citizens or long-term residents. It is made up of fiction and non-fiction books drawn from standard reviewing documents and other…

Big books, magnified or enlarged versions of children's books, are recommended for use in the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom. The big book approach is based on the idea that shared reading and enlarged texts support joint adult-child participation in the reading process and emphasizes reading for meaning and enjoyment rather than…

Three short articles about foreign language braille are presented for braille transcribers and teachers of the visually handicapped. Because dictionaries of languages other than English rarely show syllable division, the first article provides guidelines to the syllabication of Latin. The guidelines give specific rules concerning the division of…

This document encourages parents to find greater enjoyment in using the children's library and to become reading partners with their children. The pamphlet suggests ways for parents and children to use the library creatively to explore wordless story books. A list of 25 suggested wordless picture books is included. (RS)