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.

Children--Books and reading.

Children.

Physical Description:

xxviii, 372 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Edition:

Eighth edition.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Pearson Allyn and Bacon, [2007]

Summary:

Now in its Eighth Edition, this highly regarded book helps teachers, librarians, and other media specialists select quality children's literature. Unlike an anthology, which includes only selected chapters and text summaries, A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature uses examples of children's books to explain critical principles and standards, as well as special issues in evaluating books for children.

Taking readers through the definitions of literary terms such as plot, character, theme, setting, point of view, style, and tone, Rebecca Lukens provides sound criteria for assessing the merit of children's books. Throughout the book, Lukens addresses a variety of issues in children's literature.

Thoroughly updated with new examples of literature from all genres, A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature continues to be the best resource available for helping anyone who works with children select the best children's literature for the classroom, library, or home.

Contents:

To the Instructor xi

A Lifetime of Reading xxiii

Chapter 1 Literature: What Is It? 3

Literature for Children 9

Recommended Books Cited in This Chapter 10

Chapter 2 Genre in Children's Literature 13

Realism 15

Realistic Stories 15

Animal Realism 16

Historical Realism 17

Sports Stories 18

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 23

Fables 24

Folktales 24

Myths 26

Legends and Hero Tales 27

Folk Epics 27

Poetry 27

Informational Books 28

Across Genre Lines 29

Classics 29

Table 2.1 Genre in Children's Literature 30

Recommended Books Cited in This Chapter 36

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 45

The Literary Elements of the Picture Book 48

Character 49

Plot 50

Theme 53

Setting 56

Point of View 57

Style 58

Tone 59

Lasting Favorites 62

Wordless Picture Books 66

Recommended Books Cited in This Chapter 70

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 82

Flat Characters 82

Round Characters 84

Change in Character 85

Special Issues of Character in Children's Literature 89

Traditional Literature 90

Animal Realism 91

Science Fiction 92

Classics 94

Recommended Books Cited in This Chapter 96

Chapter 5 Plot 99

Types of Narrative Order 100

Chronological Order 100

Variations in Narrative Order 100

Flashbacks 102

Types of Conflict 103

Person-Against-Self 103

Person-Against-Person 105

Person-Against-Society 106

Person-Against-Nature 108

Patterns of Action 109

Suspense 111

The Cliff-hanger 114

Foreshadowing 114

Sensationalism 116

The Climax 116

Denouement 118

Inevitability 120

Types of Plots 120

Special Issues of Plot in Children's Literature 122

Coincidence 122

Sentimentality 123

Lack of Conflict 126

Recommended Books Cited in This Chapter 127

Chapter 6 Theme 131

Theme or Unifying Truth 131

Types of Themes 132

Explicit Theme 132

Implicit Theme 133

Multiple and Secondary Themes 135

Special Issues of Theme in Children's Literature 136

Traditional Literature 136

Didacticism 138

Nonsense 141

Mature Themes in Children's Stories 142

Chapter 7 Setting 149

Types of Settings 150

Integral Setting 151

Backdrop Setting 152

Setting in Charlott'e Web 153

Functions of Setting 155

Setting That Clarifies Conflict 155

Setting as Antagonist 157

Setting That Illuminates Character 158

Setting and Mood 160

Setting as Symbol 161

Special Issues of Setting in Children's Literature 162

Traditional Literature 163

Fantasy and Science Fiction 164

Chapter 8 Point of View 169

Types of Point of View 170

First-Person Point of View 170

Omniscient Point of View 175

Limited Omniscient Point of View 176

Objective (Dramatic) Point of View 178

Variations in Point of View 179

Special Issues of Point of View in Children's Literature 180

Maturity of the Reader 181

Animal Realism 181

Fantasy 183

Stories of Various Cultures 184

Chapter 9 Style 189

Devices of Style 191

Connotation 191

Imagery 192

Figurative Language 193

Hyperbole 194

Understatement 195

Allusion 196

Symbol 197

Puns and Wordplay 197

Devices of Sound 198

Onomatopoeia 198

Alliteration 198

Assonance 198

Consonance 198

Rhythm 199

Special Issues of Style in Children's Literature 200

Trite Versus Fresh Style 200

Retellings and Translations 202

Stories of Other Periods and Places 205

High Fantasy 207

Chapter 10 Tone 211

Tone in Charlotte's Web 213

Humor 214

Parody 219

Differing Tastes in Tone 219

Tone Related to the Author's Choice of Materials 221

Special Issues of Tone in Children's Literature 225

Condescension 225

Sentimentality 226

Sensationalism 229

Didacticism 230

Changing Values 231

Variety of Tone 232

Chapter 11 From Rhyme to Poetry 239

Nursery Rhymes 239

Literary Elements 240

Style 241

Nonsense 243

Rhythm and Sound 244

Compactness and Surprise 244

Poetry 246

Prose and Poetry 247

Verse and Poetry 248

Kinds of Poetry 250

Rhythm 252

Sound Patterns 255

Figurativeness 256

Compactness 261

Emotional Intensity 263

Negative Qualities in Poetry 264

Chapter 12 Biography 271

Biography Defined 271

The Writer's Obligations 272

Biography and Fiction 275

Tone and Style 276

Concepts and Didacticism 280

Chapter 13 Informational Books 287

Nonfiction Defined 288

Wonder as Motivation 289

Informational Books 290

Organization and Scope 290

Narrative Form 293

Style 296

Special Issues in Nonfiction in Children's Literature 300

Tone 300

Didacticism and Propaganda 304

Publishing Trends 306

Appendix A Children's Book Awards 311

Appendix B Selected Children's Magazines 349

Appendix C Selected Reviewing Media for Children's Books 351

Appendix D Selected Websites about Children's Literature 353.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0205492185

OCLC:

63164996