This article summarizes some of the problems of and perspectives on biography for children. The major categories include: "Predominant Defects in Biographies for Younger Children," which discusses unprobed statements, oversimplified explanations leading to false ideas, the omission of "necessary" violence, the infallibility of the hero, the need…

A computer program has been designed to analyze the reading difficulty of English text. It is, essentially, an automation of the widely used Dale-Chall formula for the estimation of reading difficulty. Text samples of up to 5000 words are input, with only minor punctuation restrictions being applied. Output from the program consists of sample…

Questionnaires were sent to 244 English department chairmen in the public high schools of Michigan's six largest cities in this study, which (1) describes the content of the various book selection and book complaint policies used by the departments; (2) compares the effects these policies have on the inhibition or resolution of censorship; and (3)…

This report, Vol. II of three interpretive manuscripts, presents Information For The Teacher, a review of literature on preschool reading instruction, along with suggestions and materials for teaching preschool reading. A skills checklist is provided and the educational television program, Sesame Street, is evaluated, since the effectiveness of…

This report answers questions that parents are likely to ask about preschool reading instruction. It discusses the origins, curriculum change, new concepts of intelligence and the various teaching methods such as Montessori and the British Infant School. Unlike previous generations, today's child is exposed to visual and auditory stimulation, and…

Teachers can share the wealth of literature through the art of storytelling.

This article points out the importance of pleasure and enjoyment in increasing children's motivation to read and offers suggestions on books that are interesting and exciting and also well written and fine literature. (JD)

The author gives suggestions for using literature to supplement content area study, particularly in social studies and science. Emphasis is on literature for grades five through eight. (CH)

Attempts to justify the place of real books in the beginning reading curriculum, and to suggest teaching strategies for the development of a multi-cue approach to reading. (RS)

Speeches given at the 1986 ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children) Charlemae Rollins President's Program on the nature of productive analysis of children's books are presented in three articles. The need to select books that are challenging and exciting to read is discussed, and literary and extraliterary criteria for evaluating books…

Examines the findings of effective schools research and reading research that support the view that (1) more time should be devoted to reading children's literature and (2) more than basal materials is necessary for effective instruction. Shows how teaching children's literature can improve teacher effectiveness. (SKC)

Speculates on the future of children's books in the United Kingdom. (SRT)

Research on two exposure techniques--book displays and book lists--supports the idea that browsers need, want, and will use some type of guidance to narrow their book selection. Two reasons for this are given: these techniques require little patron effort and reach large numbers of browsers at one time. (Author/EM)

Examines and reviews adolescent fiction with stepfamily themes as a good medium for exposing children to the complexities of stepfamily living, for reducing stereotypes, and for providing role models. Suggests that by providing titles of recommended stepfamily literature, teachers or helping professionals can facilitate an adolescent's adjustment…

Poses the question of why coming-of-age stories about girls are usually published as juveniles while those about boys originate on adult book lists. Challenges the conventional wisdom on how best to market young adult literature. (FL)