Literature of Children and Young Adults

Catalog description

This course will introduce the genres, history, themes, uses, and trends of children’s literature and its role in a child’s cultural socialization. Students will study children’s literature from diverse cultures and classic works through exploration of illustrations, traditional literature, modern and animal fantasy, bibliotherapy, fiction and non-fiction works, poetry, informational text, and literary merit. Those who teach children’s literature will benefit from this study of style, technique, and methods for introducing the young to the pleasures of literature and elements of literary quality. A focus on selecting appropriate, high-quality books for individuals and groups of children, as well as a discussion of ways to enhance a child’s enjoyment of literature, will engage those who interact with children in the classroom, family, or community.