A critical handbook of children's literature / Rebecca J. Lukens.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lukens, Rebecca J., 1922-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Children's literature--History and criticism.

Children's literature.

Physical Description:

xxv, 358 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Edition:

Seventh edition.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Allyn and Bacon, [2003]

Summary:

"Unlike an anthology of children's literature, which includes only chapters or summaries, this outstanding seventh edition teaches how to make appropriate judgments about what constitutes quality children's literature. Using the critical standards for all literature, explanations are supplemented by special issues in judging books for children." Taking readers through the definitions of literary terms by reviewing plot, character, theme, setting, point of view, style, and tone, and including special sections on censorship and the importance of reading aloud, Lukens provides sound criteria for assessing the merit of children's books. The book also includes chapters on rhymes, poetry, biography, and informational books. Emphasis is placed on multicultural literature, making it a book intended for use with a wide variety of children's books." For anyone interested in children's literature, education, language arts, and/or educational media.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Literature: What Is It? 3

Literature for Children 8

Chapter 2 Genre in Children's Literature 13

Realism 14

Realistic Stories 15

Animal Realism 16

Historical Realism 16

Sports Stories 17

Formula Fiction 18

Mysteries and Thrillers 18

Romantic Stories 19

Series Books 19

Fantasy 20

Fantastic Stories 20

High Fantasy 21

Science Fiction 22

Traditional Literature 24

Fables 24

Folktales 24

Myths 26

Legends and Hero Tales 27

Folk Epics 27

Poetry 28

Informational Books 28

Across Genre Lines 29

Classics 29

Table 2.1 Genre in Children's Literature 30

Chapter 3 Picture Books 39

The Illustrative Elements of the Picture Book 41

Designing the Book 41

Picturing Figurative Language 44

Amplifying the Text 44

Changing the Story 46

The Literary Elements of the Picture Book 48

Character 49

Plot 50

Theme 54

Setting 56

Point of View 57

Style 58

Rhythm 59

Tone 60

Lasting Favorites 62

Wordless Picture Books 66

Chapter 4 Character 75

Revelation of Character 76

By Actions 77

By Speech 77

By Appearance 78

By Others' Comments 78

By Author's Comments 78

Unity of Character and Action 78

Types of Characters 81

Flat Characters 82

Round Characters 83

Change in Character 84

Special Issues of Character in Children's Literature 89

Traditional Literature 90

Animal Realism 91

Science Fiction 91

Classics 93

Chapter 5 Plot 97

Types of Narrative Order 98

Chronological Order 98

Flashbacks 99

Types of Conflict 99

Person-Against-Self 100

Person-Against-Person 102

Person-Against-Society 103

Person-Against-Nature 104

Patterns of Action 106

Suspense 108

The Cliff-hanger 111

Foreshadowing 112

Sensationalism 114

The Climax 114

Denouement 116

Inevitability 117

Types of Plots 118

Special Issues of Plot in Children's Literature 120

Coincidence 120

Sentimentality 121

Lack of Conflict 123

Chapter 6 Theme 129

Theme or Unifying Truth 129

Types of Themes 130

Explicit Theme 130

Implicit Theme 131

Multiple and Secondary Themes 133

Special Issues of Theme in Children's Literature 135

Traditional Literature 135

Didacticism 137

Nonsense 139

Mature Themes in Children's Stories 139

Chapter 7 Setting 147

Types of Settings 148

Integral Setting 149

Backdrop Setting 150

Setting in Charlotte's Web 151

Functions of Setting 153

Setting That Clarifies Conflict 153

Setting as Antagonist 156

Setting That Illuminates Character 157

Setting and Mood 158

Setting as Symbol 159

Special Issues of Setting in Children's Literature 160

Traditional Literature 161

Fantasy and Science Fiction 162

Chapter 8 Point of View 167

Types of Point of View 168

First-Person Point of View 168

Omniscient Point of View 172

Limited Omniscient Point of View 173

Objective (Dramatic) Point of View 175

Special Issues of Point of View in Children's Literature 176

Maturity of the Reader 177

Animal Realism 178

Fantasy 180

Stories of Various Cultures 181

Chapter 9 Style 185

Devices of Style 187

Connotation 187

Imagery 188

Figurative Language 189

Hyperbole 190

Understatement 191

Allusion 191

Symbol 192

Puns and Wordplay 192

Devices of Sound 193

Onomatopoeia 193

Alliteration 193

Assonance 193

Consonance 193

Rhythm 193

Special Issues of Style in Children's Literature 194

Trite Versus Fresh Style 194

Retellings and Translations 197

Stories of Other Periods and Places 199

High Fantasy 201

Chapter 10 Tone 205

Tone in Charlotte's Web 206

Humor 208

Parody 212

Differing Tastes in Tone 213

Tone Related to the Author's Choice of Materials 214

Special Issues of Tone in Children's Literature 218

Condescension 218

Sentimentality 220

Sensationalism 222

Didacticism 223

Changing Values 224

Variety of Tone 225

Chapter 11 From Rhyme to Poetry 231

Nursery Rhymes 231

Literary Elements 232

Style 232

Nonsense 235

Rhythm and Sound 236

Compactness and Surprise 236

Poetry 238

Prose and Poetry 238

Verse and Poetry 240

Kinds of Poetry 242

Rhythm 243

Sound Patterns 246

Figurativeness 247

Compactness 252

Emotional Intensity 254

Negative Qualities in Poetry 256

Books Containing Poems Cited in This Chapter 259

Chapter 12 Biography 261

Biography Defined 261

The Writer's Obligations 262

Biography and Fiction 264

Tone and Style 265

Concepts and Didacticism 270

Chapter 13 Informational Books 277

Nonfiction Defined 278

Wonder as Motivation 279

Informational Books 280

Organization and Scope 280

Narrative Form 283

Style 286

Special Issues in Nonfiction in Children's Literature 290

Tone 290

Didacticism and Propaganda 293

Recent Publishing Trends 296

Appendix A Children's Book Awards 301

Appendix B Selected Children's Magazines 337

Appendix C Selected Reviewing Media for Children's Books 339

Appendix D Selected Websites about Children's Literature 341.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0205360130

OCLC:

49853475