Table Of Content2
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Teaching Children’s Literature
“If you are searching for a children’s literature text that speaks to issues beyond what is eff ective 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
Inviting multiple ways of critically engaging with literature, this text off ers a fresh perspective on how to
integrate children’s literature into and across the curriculum in eff ective, 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. The materials and practical strategies focus on issues that impact
children’s lives, building from students’ personal experiences and cultural knowledge to 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.
Written for teachers and teacher educators, each chapter opens with three elements that are closely linked:
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. Other chapter features include key issues in implementation, suggestions for
working with linguistically and culturally diverse students, alternative approaches to assessment, and
suggestions for further reading. A companion website to enrich and extend the text includes an annotated
bibliography of literature selections, suggested text sets, resources by chapter, and ideas for professional
development.
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Changes in the Second Edition:
• Voices from the Field vignettes include examples from inspiring educators who use trade books to promote
critical thinking and diversity
• Updated chapters include information on new technology and electronic resources
• New references in the principles sections and new resources for further study
• New children’s books added throughout the chapters as well as to the companion website
Christine H. Leland is Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at Indiana University–Purdue
University, Indianapolis, USA.
Mitzi Lewison is Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at Indiana University,
Bloomington, USA.
Jerome C. Harste is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Language, Literacy, and Culture at Indiana
University, Bloomington, USA.
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Teaching Children’s
Literature
It’s Critical!
Second Edition
Christine H. Leland and Mitzi Lewison
With Jerome C. Harste
6
Instructors: please visit the companion website at
www.routledge.com/cw/leland
Second edition published 2018
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2018 Taylor & Francis
The right of Christine H. Leland and Mitzi Lewison with Jerome C. Harste to be identified as authors of this
work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 2012
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Leland, Christine, author. | Lewison, Mitzi, author. | Harste, Jerome C.
(Jerome Charles) author.
Title: Teaching children’s literature : it’s critical! / Christine H. Leland and Mitzi Lewison,
with Jerome C. Harste.
Description: Second Edition. | New York : Routledge, 2018. | Includes bibliographical
references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017027281 | ISBN 9781138284258 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781138284265 (paperback) | ISBN 9781315269627 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Children’s literature—Study and teaching (Elementary)—United States. |
Literature—Study and teaching (Elementary)—United States.
Classification: LCC LB1575.5.U5 L45 2018 | DDC 372.64/044—dc23
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LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017027281
ISBN: 978-1-138-28425-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-28426-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-26962-7 (ebk)
Typeset in Minion and Gill Sans
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
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Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction: Enjoy! Dig Deeply! Take Action!
Why Trade Books Matter
A Purist Approach vs. a Critical Approach
Our Conceptual Framework
Turning Children and Young People on to Reading: The Basics
Why We Wrote This Book
What Makes This Book Special
Why This Book and Your Beliefs Are Important
Children’s and Adolescent Literature
Professional Publications
2 Why Reading Aloud Is Crucial
Principle #1: Good Books Lead to Good Conversations
Principle #2: Reading Aloud Supports a “Readerly Identity”
Principle #3: Don’t Apologize for Having Fun
Key Issues in Implementation
Working With Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
Technology Extensions and Electronic Resources
Assessment
Voices from the Field
Children’s and Adolescent Literature
Professional Publications
3 Teaching Reading with Literature
Principle #1: Not All Emergent Literacy Practices Are Equal
Principle #2: A Critical Transactional Model Explains How Reading Works
Principle #3: Reading and Writing Go Together
Key Issues in Implementation
Working With Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
Technology Extensions and Electronic Resources
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Assessment
Voices from the Field
Children’s and Adolescent Literature
Professional Publications
4 Choosing Books: Diversity Counts
Principle #1: Books About Social and Political Issues Open Up New Curricular Spaces
Principle #2: Authentic Multicultural Literature Matters
Principle #3: Using International Literature Matters
Key Issues in Implementation
Working With Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
Technology Extensions and Electronic Resources
Assessment
Voices from the Field
Children’s and Adolescent Literature
Professional Publications
5 Language Study: Lingering in Text
Principle #1: There Is Always Another Perspective
Principle #2: Critical Readers Recognize Frames and Stereotypes
Principle #3: Language Study Helps Readers Unpack Texts
Key Issues in Implementation
Working With Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
Technology Extensions and Electronic Resources
Assessment
Voices from the Field
Children’s and Adolescent Literature
Professional Publications
6 Supporting Literature Discussions
Principle #1: Literature Discussion Groups Support Reading as a Social Event
Principle #2: Text Sets Support Powerful Conversations
Principle #3: There Are Multiple Goals and Multiple Strategies for Literature Study
Key Issues in Implementation
Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students
Technology Extensions and Electronic Resources
Assessment
Six-Box Literature Response Strategy
Voices from the Field
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