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EDEL 442 Children's Literature for Teaching English

This research guide will help you find and use children's literature for the teaching of English to K-8th graders.

Finding Children's Literature at CSULB

Find books using the advanced search feature of OneSearch and select Books & Media (CSULB), then enter "CSULB children's collection", and then enter your keywords in the second box and click search:

 

Onesearch screen with arrows to "CSULB Books and Media", box to write "csulb childrens books," empty box for keywords and the Search button

This will limit your search to the books found in our Children's Collection.

Also, search DAWCL or ALSC Awards Shelf for award winning children's book titles and then use our OneSearch to see if we have them:

Evaluating Children's Books

  • Find a book, using OneSearch.  Award winners are good place to start.
  • Age/ability appropriate?
  • Content Standards, can this book promote learning?
  • Accurate information?
  • Illustrations? Appealing techniques and colors are used? do they connect to the text?
  • Representation/diversity? Are different cultures reflected in a positive way? Is it culturally responsive and affirming?
  • Anti-bias? Are biases and stereotypes avoided?

Banned and Challenged Books

  • Challenges are increasing exponentially, generally from politicians and religious groups or extremist groups like Moms for Liberty
  • Top reasons for challenges are for LGBTQ+ and/or racial/ethnic content.
  • Book removal harms children who need to see themselves represented.
Would you add "And Tango Makes Three" to your classroom?
Yes: 11 votes (78.57%)
Maybe: 2 votes (14.29%)
No: 1 votes (7.14%)
Total Votes: 14
Would you add "Milo Imagines the World" to your classroom?
Yes: 8 votes (80%)
Maybe: 2 votes (20%)
No: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 10
Would you add "No, David!" to your classroom?
Yes: 8 votes (72.73%)
Maybe: 2 votes (18.18%)
No: 1 votes (9.09%)
Total Votes: 11

Cultural Responsivity

Finding and using books that reflect your students and the world is necessary.

Books are... from Incidental Comics

from Incidental Comics 

Visit the Children's Collection!