This succinct yet comprehensive introduction to children's literature focuses on genres and concepts rather than on particular authors.

This completely updated edition provides students with a clear literary perspective for understanding the foundations and contexts of literature, including the various genres of children's literature, from picture to informational books.

The Fifth Edition continues to be approachable and inviting with its clear and logical organization and its simple and direct prose. Arguing that students need to love literature, appreciate its beauty, explore its complexity, and enjoy its magic, the Fifth Edition stresses the need for students to first appreciate literature in order to later use it in the classroom. Well known for its booklists, this text will prepare students for using and evaluating literature in any classroom. This text is unique from others on the market because it is flexible for use in both English and Education departments. It focuses on the traditional genres of children's literature, and the discussions within the chapters are organized according to themes.