Exploring Genres and Text Formats in Children¢s Literature

This childrenâs literature textbook is based on the textual response framework which recognizes that, while readersâ personal experiences and knowledge shape their understanding of literature, readersâ knowledge of format and genre conventions is equally important in reading literature.

Historically, childrenâs literature textbooks have focused largely on introducing readers to quality literature (and criteria for evaluating literature) and building readersâ knowledge of different genres of childrenâs literature. These are important goals that this textbook will also address. However, we recognize that textual knowledge includes more than genre knowledge; it also includes knowledge of what is distinctive about different formats of literature. In particular, this book helps preservice teachers understand the distinctive features of picturebooks, chapter books, novels in verse, and graphic novels, and what these distinctive features mean for engaging and supporting students as they read different formats. The book:

·introduces preservice teachers to quality literature, including the rich array of diverse literature that is being published for children

·provides preservice teachers with knowledge of major genres of childrenâs literatureâ"fiction, nonfiction, and poetry

·provides preservice teachers with knowledge of different formats of childrenâs literature including picturebooks, chapter books, novels in verse, and graphic novels

·offers preservice teachers strategies for using textual knowledge (both genre and format) to support readersâ engagement with and understanding of literature.