Having a good working knowledge of children′s literature is vital for primary teachers; the best way to develop switched-on young readers is to ensure they get access to high-quality age-appropriate material that engages and inspires them. This book explores the rich and varied world of children′s literature and how it can be used in teaching to promote reading for pleasure and create lifelong readers. This new edition has been completely updated to include:
– 5 brand new chapters covering Knowledge & skills, Classics, Illustrated fiction & graphic novels, Non-fiction, and Humour
– New expert voice features providing commentaries from educators, literary experts and authors such as Lucy Worsley
– Up to date book lists featuring recent and more diverse literature and authors
– New practical activities and case studies show casing children′s books and how to use them in the classroom
– Further reading links to take students further
Table of Content
Part 1: Children′s Literature and Reading: What Counts as Knowledge?
Chapter 1: Knowledge and Skills: The Contested Space
Chapter 2: Reading Teachers
Chapter 3: Patterns of Children′s Reading
Part 2: Knowing Children′s Literature
Chapter 4: Narrative and Story
Chapter 5: Aspects of Fiction
Chapter 6: Traditional Stories and Fairy Tales
Chapter 7: Fantasy
Chapter 8: Realism
Chapter 9: Back in Time: Revisiting the Past through Children’s Literature
Chapter 10: Classic Children′s Books
Chapter 11: Picturebooks
Chapter 12: Illustrated Fiction, Comics and Graphic Novels
Chapter 13: Non-fiction
Chapter 14: The Pleasure of Poetry
Chapter 15: Humour: A Serious Business
Part 3: Into Practice
Chapter 16: The Reading School: Developing a Reading Culture
Chapter 17: The Reading Classroom
About the author
Nikki Gamble is Director of Just Imagine, an organisation which seeks to promote literacy using high-quality children’s literature. Formerly a university lecturer and teacher, Nikki has worked in education for 40 years. She continues to work in schools on research and development projects. Nikki is co-author of the awards winning Guiding Readers: layers of meaning (UKLA Academic Book of the Year 2017).