Teaching Children's Literature: It's Critical! 3rd Edition

Now in its third edition, this indispensable text offers a  critical perspective on how to integrate children’s literature into the  curriculum in effective, 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 and tools to support students’ development as enthusiastic  readers and thinkers. The materials and practical strategies focus on  issues that impact children’s lives, building from students’ personal  experiences and cultural knowledge by 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. 

Each chapter  features 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. Thoroughly revised,  the third edition includes new recommendations for teaching with a  critical edge and exploring alternative approaches to standardized  assessment.

With more attention to culturally and  linguistically diverse learners and addressing new topics such as  censorship and controversial texts, the new edition is essential for  courses on teaching children’s literature and English Language Arts  methods, and for every preservice elementary and middle school English  teacher.