Below is a list a of resources to consult when looking for excellent examples of children's literature, how to look for and evaluate that literature, and how to use the literature in the classroom.
Book Lists of Interest:
Notable Children's Books
A list of the most notable books for children as appointed by the Association of Library Service to Children. The site divides reading suggestions up by age levels.
100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know
A link to the New York Public Library that covers what are arguably the 100 best picture books that readers show know. Not necessarily a list that will cover everything, but a great way to explore some classics and to get your feet wet.
Annual List of Books Selected by Teachers
This link provides readers with information on various selections made by teachers.
Scholastic 90th Anniversary Timeline
Browse 90 years of children's books that have most influenced young people and inspired them to read. Users can browse by decade or year by year.
Book Awards and Medal Winners:
National Book Award
The national Book Award is presented to literature in several different categories, including literature for young people. The goal of the National Book Award is to celebrate the best American literature and to promote the reading of it in our culture. You can search their site for present and past winners.
Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards
The Horn Book award is presented to books for young people. Awards are handed out to picture books, fiction and poetry, and nonfiction. The site lets you browse present and past winners. A great place to browse for some quality literature.
Caldecott Medal Winners
The Caldecott Medal is awarded to picture books with outstanding illustrations. This list will provide users with information on present and past winners of this award.
Newbery Medal Winners and Honors
The Newbery Medal is awarded to the author who has contributed the most distinguished piece of American literature for children. This list will provide users with information on present and past winners of this award.
Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The Corretta Scott King Award is presented to the most distinguished work by a black author and by a black illustrator that promote the understanding and appreciation of the American Dream. This link will take you to a list of winners from the past and present, as well as honor books.
Scott O'Dell Award
The Scott O'Dell Award is given to authors who compose and publish an exemplary piece of historical fiction. This is a link to present and past winners, as well as information on each of these texts.
Carnegie Medal
A link to information on the Carnegie Medal and its winners. The Carnegie Medal is awarded to those books that are considered exemplary pieces of British literature for young people.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Scholastic Book Wizard allows users to locate books for all ages, grades, and reading levels. The site also provides some teaching activities and discussion resources for teachers to use with selected texts.
America's Children's and Young Adult Literature Award/Commended List
This award is given to works in both English and Spanish that authentically portray people of Latin America, the Caribbean, and or Latinos in the United States. The website provides links to these winners past and present.
Where to Search:
ALA Homepage
A link to the ALA homepage where users can browse and search for award-winning books.
ALSC Homepage
Using the ALSC homepage, users can locate many of the award lists that are already posted in this resource section. You will also find other information pertinent to quality literature for children.
Chippewa Public Library
The Chippewa Falls Public Library has several lists and recommendations for new children's literature underneath the "Children's" section of their website. There is also a link to the MORE system on the website that allows users to locate these titles across the Indianhead Federation Consortium.
Titlewave
Titlewave provides users with a way to search various books for children. The site provides reviews on children's literature selections and a recommendation for the reading and grade level for selections.
Junior Library Guild
The Junior Library Guild website provides information to users on various titles in children's literature. While a membership is needed for the site, there is no charge to browse the various lists that they have compiled. Lists range from medal winners to themed lists organized for teachers and librarians.
Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature
This database allows users to search for children's literature in several different ways. Some options are by setting, historical period, age level, gender, etc. Very handy for searching titles when you know exactly what you know the context or criteria you are looking for.
Tips for Selecting Books:
ITLC Online
ITLC Online provides some clear-cut suggestions for selecting books for emergent readers, including what to look for in terms of text and pictures.
K12Reader
K12Reader provides a nice discussion on selecting multicultural books for children. Tells readers what to look for and what to avoid.
Resources for Teachers:
International Children's Digital Library
A site aimed at passing on the stories of various cultures that may be lost as people migrate and their homelands are left behind. While you won't find "quality" children's literature here, it is an interesting place to look to garner some information about the traditional literature in other countries. You can then use this information to expand your search to finding the same titles more professionally published. It's also possible to read some of the titles listed here in the original language, which may help with learners of different languages.
Teaching Books
This is an excellent resource for not only locating various titles in children's literature, but there are also guides on how to teach and read specific selections. These guides can be downloaded for free. Finally, the site also has discussions of certain works by the authors themselves.
Tikatok
Not necessarily a resource to aid in one's exploration of children's literature; however, it does allow users to browse stories written by children. It is also possible for users to upload their own stories. An excellent site for encouraging students to read and write their own work after showing them some excellent examples you find for them. The site is powered by Barnes and Noble.
