Acknowledgments Introduction Theme poem: This Book by Joyce Sidman 1--An Introduction to Children and Their Literature Becoming Literate Literacy Development Emergent Literacy Schools and Reading Reading Aloud Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) Readers'' Advisory Selecting and Reviewing Children''s Books Awards in Children''s Literature Other Major Awards Best Lists What Books? Learning about Authors, Illustrators, and Poets Literature in Action : Launching Literature and Literacy Celebrations Ongoing Professional Development Conclusion Professional Resources for Children''s Literature Standards in Action : ALSC Competencies Assignments in Action : Getting Started 2--Picture Books Introduction Definitions Types of Picture Books Major Authors and Illustrators of Picture Books Children''s Picture Book Illustration Evaluation Criteria Awards for Picture Books and Illustration Literature in Action : Sharing Picture Books Aloud Sharing Picture Books Conclusion Professional Resources on the Art of Picture Books Standards in Action : Common Core State Standards Assignments in Action : Looking into Picture Books 3--Traditional Tales Introduction Definitions Types of Traditional Tales Major Retellers of Traditional Tales Evaluation Criteria Awards for Traditional Tales Literature in Action : Featuring Folktale Variants Sharing Traditional Tales Conclusion Professional Resources for Traditional Literature Standards in Action : National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries Assignments in Action : Celebrating Traditional Tales 4--Poetry for Children Introduction Definitions Types of Poetry Books for Children Major Poets Evaluation Criteria Awards for Poetry Literature in Action : Leading Choral Reading and Poetry Performance Sharing Poetry Conclusion Professional Resources in Children''s Poetry Standards in Action : Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English Language Arts and Reading Assignments in Action : Exploring Poetry Possibilities 5--Contemporary Realistic Fiction Introduction Definitions Types of Contemporary Realistic Fiction Controversy and Contemporary Realism Major Authors of Contemporary Realistic Fiction Evaluation Criteria Awards for Contemporary Realistic Fiction Literature in Action : Guiding Responses Sharing Contemporary Realistic Fiction Conclusion Professional Resources in Contemporary Realistic Fiction Standards in Action : NCTE/ILA Standards for the English Language Arts Assignments in Action : Checking Out Contemporary Realistic Fiction 6--Historical Fiction Introduction Definitions Types of Historical Fiction Major Authors of Historical Fiction Evaluation Criteria Awards for Historical Fiction Literature in Action : Using Community Resources Sharing Historical Fiction Conclusion Professional Resources for Historical Fiction Standards in Action : National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies Assignments in Action : Digging Deeper into Historical Fiction 7--Fantasy Introduction Definitions Types of Fantasy Controversy Major Authors of Fantasy Evaluation Criteria Awards for Fantasy Literature in Action : Expanding Reading with Audiobooks Sharing Fantasy Conclusion Professional Resources in Fantasy Literature Standards in Action : YALSA Competencies Assignments in Action : Delving into Fantasy 8--Nonfiction and Informational Books Introduction Definitions Types of Informational Books Major Authors of Informational Books Evaluation Criteria Awards for Nonfiction and Informational Books Literature in Action : Introducing Text Features Sharing Informational Books Conclusion Professional Resources in Nonfiction Standards in Action : Common Core and Nonfiction Assignments in Action : Investigating Informational Books References Bibliography of Children''s Books Cited Copyright Acknowledgments and Permissions Index.