3rd Edition
Teaching Children's Literature It's Critical!
Now in its third edition, this indispensable text offers a critical perspective on how to integrate children’s literature into the curriculum in effective, purposeful ways. Structured around three "mantras" that build on each other—Enjoy; Dig deeply; Take action—the book is rich with real examples of teachers implementing critical pedagogy and tools to support students’ development as enthusiastic readers and thinkers. The materials and practical strategies focus on issues that impact children’s lives, building from students’ personal experiences and cultural knowledge by using language to question the everyday world, analyze popular culture and media, understand how power relationships are socially constructed, and consider actions that can be taken to promote social justice.
Each chapter features classroom vignettes showcasing the use of literature and inviting conversation; three key principles elaborating the main theme of the chapter and connecting theory with practice; and related research on the topics and their importance for curriculum. Thoroughly revised, the third edition includes new recommendations for teaching with a critical edge and exploring alternative approaches to standardized assessment.
With more attention to culturally and linguistically diverse learners and addressing new topics such as censorship and controversial texts, the new edition is essential for courses on teaching children’s literature and English Language Arts methods, and for every preservice elementary and middle school English teacher.
A companion website to enrich and extend the text includes an annotated bibliography of literature selections, suggested text sets, resources by chapter, ideas for professional development, and recommendations for further reading.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Introduction: Our Mantra-- Enjoy! Dig Deeply! Take Action!
Chapter 2: Why Reading Aloud Is Crucial
Chapter 3: Teaching Reading with Literature
Chapter 4: Choosing Books: Diversity Counts
Chapter 5: Language Study: Lingering in Text
Chapter 6: Supporting Literature Discussions
Chapter 7: Books Across the Curriculum: Focused, Author, Illustrator, and Genre Studies
Chapter 8: Responding to Literature through the Arts
Chapter 9: Challenging the Challengers
Chapter 10: Literature Response Strategies
About the Authors
Biography
Christine H. Leland is Professor Emerita in the Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education in the Indiana University School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA.
Mitzi Lewison is Professor Emerita in the Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at Indiana University, USA.
Jerome C. Harste is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at Indiana University, USA.
"If you are searching for a children’s literature text that speaks to issues beyond what is effective literature, this is the text that you should include in your teaching. Leland, Lewison, and Harste have created a text that is practical and relies on sound research to provide a pathway to building connections with literature."
--Kevin Cordi, Ohio Northern University, USA
"This text celebrates the potential of children’s literature to encourage readers to engage in the reading process, to think critically, to sort through ideas, and to act on them. Theory and practice are grounded in pedagogy that puts the reader at the center of the process, enjoying the adventure with high-quality literature across the curriculum."
--Denise H. Stuart, The University of Akron, USA
"Teaching Children’s Literature: It’s Critical! is a must read. The authors cleverly combine research, theory, and strategies that support classrooms filled with students who love reading, read critically, and use knowledge to advocate for equity."
--Lunetta Williams, University of North Florida, USA
