We all have favorite books that we want to share with our students, however, not all of us know what purpose such books serve educationally. Before I took Media for Children last semester the difference between and purposes of different types of literature in the classroom was unclear to me. Here is a break down of different types of literature, some examples of each, reasons for using such literature some ways to attain them (selection aids etc), and various children's book awards.
Picture Book- Pictures and text are equally important (to be read to the child)
Chapter Book- Images are created primarily by text- pictures, if any, have secondary importance (to be read by the child)
Contemporary Fiction- (modern- since 1950) deals with characters who live contemporaneously with the author and the author’s initial readers. Today’s contemporary fiction had relevant themes for today’s young readers, as well as realistic plots, characters, settings, and dialogue which may include the latest slang.
Example- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was contemporary fiction for Alcott’s readers: the events and the language and concerns of the characters were familiar to her readers.
Historical Fiction- Historical fiction is set by the author in a past time. Usually the author has to do research in order to create an authentic setting, with concerns and language which fit the characters of the era depicted. The themes explored in historical fiction are often universal and may deal with the quest for personal identity or deal with questions of honor, loyalty, friendship, and death.
Example- Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was historical fiction when it first appeared because Twain set the story thirty years in the past.
Why should children read realistic fiction?
~ Children can try on different roles. Most often the roles they like to try on are those they expect to take on in just a few years, hence the popularity of books which present heroes who are a few years older than the reader.
~ Children learn to understand others (walk in another’s shoes)
~ Children learn about how people deal with life
~ Fiction makes other places/ eras/ historical personages vivid for the reader
Fantasy- Imaginative literature which sets aside the limitations of the natural world to introduce characters, situations, or entire worlds governed by rules of logic imposed by the author. Fantasy may introduce toys or animals that act like humans (Winnie the Pooh). Sometimes the authors may even create entire worlds (often referred to as secondary worlds) where humans interact in a completely different environment with completely different creatures than those encountered in the world as we know it.
Modern Fantasy- Modern fantasy is the work of known authors and is a relatively new genre. (Tuck Everlasting)
Example- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
~ Written for children’s enjoyment rather than instruction
~ The point of view is that of a child
~ The hero is an ordinary girl, much like the reader
~ An adventure in self discovery
~ Mild spoof if Carroll’s own society
Epics- Epics are cycles of long narrative poems relating the exploits of a human hero whose actions serve to help his/her people and who is an embodiment of that culture’s ideals. The epic is told and received as a historic account. Their purpose is to praise and give legitimacy to a people’s leaders and help give focus to a people’s loyalties.
Example- Homer’s epics- The Iliad and The Odyssey are two of the best-known epics in Western cultures.
Legends- Legends are folkloric in nature. Legends are told about the lives of saints, and other religious figures, about princes, hunters, and pioneers. Stories that may or may not have really occurred become attached to the legendary hero. Legends may involve brave acts during a historic crisis.
Example- King Arthur & Robin Hood
Why use epic/hero tales in school- Children need ideals and role models and epic/legendary heroes can provide some of these ideals.
Biography- Biographies are accounts of real, not fictional lives. Today’s biographies tend to include no fictional characters and tend to stick to only verifiable information, including only documented, rather than imagined speeches. Today’s biographies tend to be very candid, “warts and all” biographies. These biographies do more to present believable heroes for children that did the idealized biographies of earlier times.
Why use biographies- Extend children’s understanding about a specific person, present role models, and provide models of writing.
Outstanding Writers of Children’s Biographies-
~ David Adler- Bios of Martin Luther King, Helen Keller, Jesse Owens
~ Natalie Bober- Bios of Jefferson, Abigail Adams
~ Gilda Berger
~ Jerri Ferris
Beginning Informational Books- Alphabet, Counting, and Concept Books
Outstanding Informational Book Writers for Children-
~ Caroline Arnold- books dealing with plants and animals
~ Barbara Bash- her books help children become more observant of animals
~ Marc Brown- cartoon style informational books
~ Melvin Berger- physical sciences like electricity and sound waves
A FEW CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
Newbery Award- Given by the American Library Association for the best written children’s book by a U.S. illustrator- named after publisher John Newbery.
Caldecott Medal- Given by the America Library Association for the best illustrated picture book by a U.S. illustrator.
Coretta Scott King Award- Given by the America Library Association for the author of the best written book by an African American writer & for the illustrator of best picture book by an African American.
Pura Belpre Award- Given by the America Library Association for a latino/a author & illustrator
SELECTION AIDS
~ Adventuring with Books- A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6
~ Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6
~ Children’s Catalog
~Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database
MAGAZINES ~ Highlights
~ National Geographic Kids
~ Ranger Rick
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