Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American fiction    3. Best books    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Children's stories, American    6. Dictionaries    7. General    8. Juvenile Literature    9. Literary Criticism    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature   

Reviews (4)

Just OK
While this book is much better than some Harry Potter books out there, because the articles are scholarly and well-informed, I didn't like it. Most of the articles are written from a sociological or "cultural studies" perspective. If you like that kind of thing, then you will like this volume. If you like psychological, allegorical or symbolic readings, then its not the right book for you. Most of the essays are on broad issues and don't go into the books in great detail. I found the academic scholarship to be very repetitive and predictable at times, with many people expounding the same ideas of what "postmodern" is. But some essays in it are great (Peter Appelbaum's for instance) and its worth getting, if you know what to expect.

But it's just a book for children...
That was often the comment I received when I wrote my senior thesis last fall about the Harry Potter series.Specifically, I wrote a feminist criticism of the series exploring the ways in which Hermione resists and reaffirms gender stereotypes--"Miss Smarty Pants," "The Damsel in Distress," etc.Although I am a huge fan of this series (even my dog's name is Muggle), I couldn't believe that I was the only adult concerned about issues of gender, class, and so forth in the books.So imagine my delight upon finding this book...until I realized it wouldn't be published until January 2003, and I was presenting my thesis on December 13, 2002.Not only is this a well-presented and organized collection of essays from a variety of perspectives, but it is also edited by the outstanding & very generous Dr. Heilman.I wrote personally to her about my paper (and dilemma), and she provided to me the working & yet unpublished copy of her essay dealing with gender issues.Luckily, the book was released ahead of schedule so I was able to cite from her published version.My own experience with this book aside, I highly recommend it to Harry fans who would enjoy thoughtful academic discourse on the series.

Good resource for academics
I joined the Harry Potter phenomenon late in the game.Book four had already been in circulation for over two years and at 25, I considered myself well above the normal reader age.However, once I picked up the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I was (no pun intended), spellbound.I spent the rest of that long summer weekend reading the remaining books. Since then, I have read each book in the series at least 20 times apiece.Somewhere in the middle of all the reading, I began to jot down notes, questions and observations I made- little items that I wanted to ponder afterwards.Questions such as: Why did Professor Dumbledore so prize the individual merits of courage and "sheer nerve"?Did Hermione and other female students ever experience gender discrimination at Hogwarts?What defined the social structure of the wizard world (surely one exists as is evident by the influence of the well-to-do Malfoy family)? What is it about the Harry Potter books that have such universal appeal?And most importantly, what lessons can be learned?Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's stories, English    5. Criticism and interpretation    6. Education    7. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    8. English-speaking countries    9. Fantasy fiction, English    10. History and criticism    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Rowling, J. K    13. Science Fiction & Fantasy    14. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    15. British Isles    16. English    17. Literary studies: from c 1900 -    18. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (4)

Great Resource and Springboard
We started a mother-daughter book club last year with 7 4th grade families. We used this book for creative ideas for book meetings, as a springboard for discussion, and as a reference for choosing our books.The moms and the daughters enjoy club every month.The girls especially like having the power to pick what their mother (and other mothers) will be reading too! This book was really helpful and continues to be.The book list has a variety of books for ages 3rd grade through high school. A great resource.

Sometimes girls need encouragement to read!
Because of the success of the mother-daughter book club, author Shireen Dodson was prompted to write a book titled "The Mother-Daughter Book Club." But here, she compiled a great number of suggested readings for young girls.And, included are questions to provide discussion,analyze characters motives, actions, etc. helpful aid in mother-daughter discussion group
We started our mother-daughter book discussion group 1 year ago and have found this recent publication to be extremely helpful.We pass the book amoung the members to aid in the next month's selection.The discussionquestions are great and the activities help us get a start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Bibliographies Of Juvenile Literature    3. Bibliography    4. Books & Reading    5. Books And Reading    6. Child Care/Parenting    7. Children's stories    8. Education    9. Elementary Education    10. Examinations, questions, etc    11. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    12. Parenting - General    13. Reference    14. Sociology Of Children    15. Stories, plots, etc    16. Stories, plots, etc.    17. Young adult fiction    18. Young adult fiction, American    19. Children's literature studies: general    20. Family & Relationships / Parenting    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (2)

A wonderful book for those who work with children.
Children NEED to hear stories, and not just from books.They especially need their parents to spend time with them, and storytelling is a wonderful way to do this. Excellent source book for anyone interested in storytelling
As a resource for families, teachers, and librarians, this book is readable and reliable.The stories and suggestions about how to tell stories are especially useful. I have used the book for over 8 years in my work as a storyteller in the classroom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature    4. Sociolinguistics    5. Children's Literature - Storytelling    6. Folklore & Mythology - Storytelling    7. Literary Criticism & Collections    8. Storytelling    9. Study and teaching   

Reviews (2)

A treasure for any who love old-fashioned children's books
Amy Weinstein's Once Upon A Time: Illustrations From Fairytales, Fables, Primers, Pop-Ups And Other Children's Books is based upon an art exhibition of the same name and uses colorful images from Victorian-era illustrated books by Ellen Liman and her husband Arthur to provide a review of striking art objects and the rise of children's literature. Exquisite full-page color plates - some on double-page spreads - liberally accent descriptions which include story plot summaries and commentary. A treasure for any who love old-fashioned children's books.

illustrated overview of Victorian children's books
Novels, history books, Christmas books, and cautionary tales are other genres included not noted in the subtitle. American and English children's books are grouped by genre in this largely visual overview of mostly Victorian-era children's books with the colorful illustrations which made them so popular with mothers and children in their day and also of continuing interest to contemporary collectors. The illustrations are reproduced to retain their distinctive 19th-century tones and textures, most of these as chromolithographs. The varied, fetching illustrations are accompanied by Weinsteins's informative annotations containing remarks on the illustrations, characters, story, etc. of the particular book and its place in the field of Victorian children's literature. In brief introductions to each of the main genres, she refers to its influences, conventions, and aims; e. g., the moral tone of the cautionary tales and many other children's books was influenced by the 18th-century French philosopher Rousseau, "who theorized that children were imbued with an innate virtue" that could be fostered for exemplary obedience, a love of nature, and respect for reason. McLoughlin Brothers, the publisher of many of the most sought-after collectible children's books began by concentrating on small religious works for children as well as adults. The noticeable influence of German fairy tales on the American and English children's literature is cited too. Weinstein is a curator at the New York Historical Society who has done an exhibition of toys for the Museum of the City of New York. "Once Upon A Time" is an illustrated overview of the popular English-language Victorian children's books with fundamental factual information on the field. With its categorization of the different types of literature and plentiful representative illustrations, it's a good start for someone wanting to get filled in on the basics of this field. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Commercial - Illustration    7. Graphic Arts - General    8. Illustrated books    9. Illustrated children's books    10. Illustration Of Books    11. Private collections    12. United States    13. Architecture / Design & Drafting    14. Art / General    15. Children's literature    16. Exhibition catalogues and specific collections    17. Illustration    18. Kinderbuchillustration   

Editorial Review

Imagine hundreds and hundreds of books just for you! For African American girls, this dream can come true with Read more

Reviews (1)

Reference
I found this book to be extremely helpful in allowing me to readily access book titles that my students might enjoy reading and the book also went the extra step to identify books by reading level, which is extremely helpful in guiding my reluctant readers to quality reading material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American authors    2. African American girls    3. African Americans    4. American literature    5. Bibliography    6. Books & Reading    7. Books and reading    8. Children's Literature - General    9. Children: Grades 3-4    10. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Literature - Classics / Criticism    14. People & Places - United States - African-American    15. Readers - Chapter Books    16. Advice on parenting    17. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    18. Black studies    19. Children's literature studies: general    20. English    21. Family & Relationships / General    22. USA   

Reviews (2)

Great Resource for Language Arts Pre K to Grade 1!
This book is a great resource for language arts Pre K to Grade 1. The authors have selected 40 titles in children's literature many of them Caldecott winners/nominees to be read aloud which incorporate activities such as poetry, songs, fingerplays, art, thinking skills, narration, vocabulary, drama, and cooking. There are also 500 storybooks referenced so you can expand on a particular story if you would like to. Dr. Ruth Beechick noted educational authority has commented on "Peak with Books": "I think this book is topnotch. Any parent who used these lesson plans for awhile would be getting a good education in using books with children and building upon them to expand vocabulary, experiences and thoughts. For people who want to do the "living books" thing that Susan Macaulay has popularized, here is the kindergarten program all worked out for them." This edition is the 3rd and has been rewritten to accomidate children from ages Pre-Kto Grade 1. This volume is a great companion to Dr. Ruth Beechick's "Language and Thinking for Young Children."

An excellent preschool/K curriculum!
Peak with Books provides wonderful guidance for introducing young children to literature.We have especially enjoyed the inclusion of songs, poems, and art.The book selections include timeless classics and new favorites.The step-by-step instructions are a great help to the new teacher orhomeschooler.Highly recommended by Ruth Beechick and others, thiswell-rounded program is a great place to start with your preschool andkindergarten aged children! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. Language    8. Parent participation    9. Preschool & Kindergarten    10. Reading    11. Study and teaching (Early chil    12. Study and teaching (Early childhood)    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    14. United States    15. Education / Elementary    16. Literary reference works    17. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic Guide for the Reading Teacher
Once again Jerry Johns puts out something practical and "user-friendly" for the reading specialist and the grade level teacher.We use his book with Informal Reading Inventories school-wide.The assessments offer great insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the reader. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Ability testing    3. CHILDREN_BOOKS AND READING    4. LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES_STUDY AND TEACHING    5. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature    6. READING    7. Reading (Elementary)    8. Reading (Secondary)   

Reviews (4)

Getting dated.
This is the second edition, published in 1997, of the original Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, also by Iona and Peter Opie, which appeared in 1951.The Preface to the Second Edition explains that the authors gathered many new references over the intervening four decades, and thanks several correspondents for still further additions and corrections.There is, consequently, much more information in the apparatus of the newer edition.However, the revisions are not thorough enough; I still get the sense that I am reading a book put together in the years after World War II. Simply wonderfull!
It's simply wonderfull! More than 500 nursery rhymes, lullabies and riddles with great and interesting notices about origin.

Simply wonderfull!
It's simply wonderfull! More than 500 nursery rhymes, lullabies, riddles with intresting notices about origin. A real treasure for me and for my site: www.filastrocche.it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's poetry    4. Juvenile Literature    5. Literary Criticism    6. Nursery rhymes    7. Poetry - Nursery Rhymes    8. Folklore    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Nursery Rhymes    10. Literature/English | Mythology & Folklore   

Reviews (2)

Picture Storybooks in the Classroom
Susan Hall defines literary devices clearly and gives examples. The real power of this book however, is the resources listed and the easy to use layout. Teachers who are teaching at any grade level can find short, easy to read books that can teach hard to explain literary devices in a single class period. This is great for teaching youngsters, or a great introduction for older students who will be encountering a particular device in a longer book. Picture storybooks are wonderful literature these days and should be encouraged at all levels. This book should be in every school's professional library. I'd love to see a follow-up with more recent titles, and a resource of popular children's chapter books that could be used in conjunction with picture storybooks.

Disappointment
Although this is a great guide, most of the books are no longer in print. Had I known I couldn't buy the books I would have gotten volume II instead. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Bibliography    3. Books and reading    4. Children    5. Children's Literature - General    6. Children's stories, English    7. Children: Grades 1-2    8. Figures of speech    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Literature - Classics / Criticism    11. Readers - Chapter Books    12. Children's literature studies: general    13. Educational resources & technology    14. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature    15. Teaching skills & techniques   

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's literature, English    4. Cognition In Children    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. General    8. History and criticism    9. Juvenile Literature    10. Learning    11. United States    12. Child & developmental psychology    13. Children's literature studies: general    14. Cognition & cognitive psychology    15. Education / General    16. Primary / junior schools   

Reviews (1)

A MUST for every family...and every library
This whole series of books is fantastic. The reviews (usually a paragraph or so) are concise, insightful, and obviously written by people who have actually read and used the books with children. They're grouped according to reading level, and neatly cross-referenced by title, author, illustrator and topic, so you can quickly find what you need. In addition to the reviews (400 in this book alone) there is other useful information, like a complete list of Coretta Scott King Award titles and interesting web sites. Besides being a great (and inexpensive) reference book, it's also great fun to read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American authors    2. African Americans    3. African Americans in literature    4. American - African American & Black    5. American literature    6. Bibliography    7. Books & Reading    8. Children's Literature - General    9. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    10. Juvenile literature    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    15. Children's literature studies: general    16. Family & Relationships / General    17. Literary reference works    18. USA   

Editorial Review

Ursula Nordstrom, editorial director of Harper's Department of Books for Boys and Girls from 1940 to 1973 and a formidable creative force in 20th-century children's book publishing, was responsible for polishing and shepherding countless dog-eared classics from Read more

Reviews (6)

"We have no taboos, within the limits of good taste".
No matter how tastefully collected or carefully presented, no book of letters exists without offering its readers the forbidden thrill of dabbling in someone else's mail.All the better if that mail comes from a single amusing and informative source like legendary Harper children's editor Ursula Nordstrom, eh?I am young and untrained in the world of children's literature.As such, it seemed a very good idea to find out as much as I possibly could about the field.There are certain texts out there that are prerequisites to knowing ANYTHING about kiddie lit and the first and foremost amongst these is, "Dear Genius".Being a person far more used to a 150 page children's book than a 406 page tome of adult correspondence, I was tentative to begin.For those of you who are like me, I come to reassure you that as companions go, you couldn't ask for a better source of solace, bullying, and undeniably funny jokes than Nordstrom herself.From her discovery of Maurice Sendak to the betrayal of Meindert DeJong to her own children's book imprint, and finally an uncommon adulation by artists and authors everywhere.... well the book packs a wallop.Editor Leonard Marcus has taken the most delicate clippings and applied the most exquisite cuts to these letters.The result is a book that says a lot about what the relationship between children's authors and their editors used to be, and speaks brilliantly of Nordstrom's own innate abilities without becoming gossip-laden or tawdry.
Fascinating Look at Publishing's Heyday
In "Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom," biographer Leonard S. Marcus allows his subject to speak for herself. By doing so Marcus mirrors the woman he profiles and the symmetry between biographer and subject sets the dynamic tone for this book. A WISE, HAPPY MENTOR
She wascajoler, enabler, champion, critic, and friend.She was Ursula Nordstrom, Director of Harper's Department of Books for Boys and Girls from 1940 to 1973 - a one of-a-kind editor who took 20th century children's literature by the scruff of the neck and gave it a good shake. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Book editors    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Children's literature    6. Correspondence    7. History    8. Juvenile Literature    9. Language Arts & Disciplines    10. Literary    11. Literary Criticism    12. Nordstrom, Ursula    13. Publishers and publishing    14. Publishing    15. Publishing Industry And Trade    16. United States    17. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works    18. Publishing industry    19. USA   

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Bibliographies Of Juvenile Literature    3. Bibliography    4. Books and reading    5. Children    6. Children's Literature    7. Children's Literature - General    8. Literary Criticism    9. Oral reading    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    13. Children's literature studies: general    14. Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science   

Reviews (2)

One of the best I've reviewed
As a professor of children's lit, I am frequently frustrated at the poor choices of textbooks available in the field.This one is pretty good -- I especially like its frequent mention of various contemporary texts as well as classics and award winners. It covers the basics of most of the genres within children's lit and unlike a lot of books in the field, isn't patronizing or saccharine about childhood or children's lit.
not the best
This book was the required text for my Children's Lit class.I found it to be very dull and boring to read. Very little coverage is given to the different kinds of awards. Series books are shunned by Galda and Cullinan.The sections on the various genres do a very poor job of explaining each genre in a concise way.The section on Historical fiction is the worst of the lot.The lists at the end of the book have a tendency to be somewhat confusing, and the milestones section left off way too many good books.I also felt that the authors paid to much attention to Harry Potter and not enough attention to other children's literature.The authors need to realize that not all children want to read classics.Overall, this is a boring, dry textbook that spends to much quality time on Harry Potter. The authors need to broaden thier horizons. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Books and reading    3. Children    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Children's literature    6. Children's literature, English    7. Education    8. Education / Teaching    9. General    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    11. United States    12. Education / General    13. Literature: Texts   

Subjects:  1. 1832-1888    2. 19th century    3. Alcott, Louisa May,    4. Books and reading    5. Children    6. Children's Literature - General    7. Children's stories, American    8. Essays    9. Feminism & Feminist Theory    10. Feminism and literature    11. General    12. History    13. History and criticism    14. Literary Criticism    15. Literature - Classics / Criticism    16. Little women    17. New England    18. United States    19. Alcott, Louisa May    20. American English    21. Children's literature studies: general    22. English    23. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    24. Novels, other prose & writers: 19th century    25. USA    26. Views on feminism    27. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Best books    2. Bibliographies & Indexes    3. Bibliography    4. Books and reading    5. Children's Literature - General    6. Children's literature    7. Education Of Gifted Students    8. Gifted children    9. Library Services For Children    10. Literary Criticism    11. Reference    12. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science   

Reviews (1)

ways of being male that you never even thought of!
This book is not for the faint-hearted, it's full of fascinating theories and views of different types of masculinity from hegemonic male to sensitive new male.An absolute must if you are researching for your thesis.Stephens has come up trumps again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's literature    4. General    5. History and criticism    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Literary Criticism    8. Young adult literature    9. Young adults    10. English    11. Literary Collections / General    12. Literary theory    13. Men's studies   

Reviews (2)

Essential and Inspirational
"Meet the Authors and the Illustrators, Volume One" is both a mental and a physical tool for young readers because it has the potential to either spark or further encourage their interest in books. Photocopyingindividual worksheets is not prohibited, as noted in the copyrightinformation, and would be instrumental as a classroom reference for everychild. Suggested activities proposed by the featured professionals, coupledwith the insight each has volunteered in their previously presentedinterview, foster an atmosphere of literary acceptance. A definition ofwriting styles, solutions for writer's block, the importance of researchingand rewriting, as well as the source of an author's ideas are presentedwith each profile in a transcriptual style, answering the intuitivereader's silent questions. Favorite childhood authors, such as Dr. Seuss,produce juvenile memories, while more advanced novels invite the reader toexplore for himself. One of the most valuable assets of this collaborationis its tangible insistence that authors and illustrators are indeedordinary people, coping with the challenges of creativity in the same waysas young people. Photographs, biographical synopsis, and bibliographicalsummaries also provide familiarity, reinforcing the concept of averagepeople with extraordinary talent. If an open book is an open mind,"Meet the Authors and the Illustrators" is an essentialintroduction to the halls of literature.

I met them~
This is a terrific resource book!As a public library children's librarian, I am so often asked if I know anything about the kids' favorite authors.Now I have a reference book that helps me answer those questions!Many of our favorite authors are included, such asTomie dePaola,StevenKellogg , Chris Van Allsburg, and my personal favorite,Jean Fritz."Meet the Authors and Illustrators vol I" has a wonderful, uniquefeature.The book is divided into two sections: Picture book authors, andIntermediate authors.Sixty authors are included!I can't wait to getVolume II! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bio-bibliography    2. Books and reading    3. Children    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Children's literature, America    6. Children's literature, American    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Education / Teaching    9. General    10. History and criticism    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    12. United States    13. Fiction   

Reviews (3)

Too Short A Stroll
"Storybook Culture" makes for a dismayingly short stroll down memory lane.While the book contains a whopping thirty examples of cover art from the Tom Swift books, too many other staples of kid lit are completely ignored.Some of these ommisions are shocking.They include Wesley Dennis' beautiful illustrations for "King Of The Wind" and other of Marguerite Henry's famous horse books, Tasha Tudor's art for "A Little Princess" and "The Secret Garden," Maurice Sendak's "Where The Wild Things Are" and Pauline Baynes' memorable drawings for Lewis' Chronicles Of Narnia.
A great disappointment
This book is a companion to Pulp Culture, which I enjoyed thoroughly. This book, however, was a singular disappointment. The book's subtitle "the art of popular children's books". First, it's important to be clear that Storybook Culture doesn't cover all children's books but focuses on 'series books for the under-16': Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Rick Brant, X-Bar-X, Chip Hilton, Cherry Ames, etc.. Not a problem for me as that's an area that I'm keenly interested in. The authors' championing of the Judy Bolton and Rick Brant series is welcome.
A treasure trove timeless art and visual memories
The collaborative effort of Joseph Homme and Cheryl Homme, Storybook Culture: The Art Of Popular Children's Books is a gorgeous coffee-table artwork filled from cover to cover with full-color photographs showcasing the cover art of a wide variety of classic and vintage children's books and magazines. Storybook Culture is enhanced with a few cogent essays about these classic and popular books (and their inspirational cover art), but the majority of this enchanting tome is dedicated to the cover illustrations themselves, each with an informative caption about the book's author, illustrator, and publisher. A treasure trove timeless art and visual memories, Storybook Culture is especially recommended as a school or community library Memorial Fund acquisition selection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Commercial - Illustration    7. Illustrated children's books    8. Illustration of books    9. United States