"[A] beautifully written how-to manual, which also manages to present a treatise on what is best in children's literature and why. . . . An excellent resource." — Booklist This revised edition of From Cover to Cover offers a fresh, up-to-date look at some of the best examples of children's literature and also includes practical advice on how to write clearly articulated, reasoned opinions so that others can learn about books they have not yet read. An updated introduction explains how children's books evolve from manuscripts into bound books and the importance of the many different parts of a book (jacket flaps, title page, copyright, etc.) and changes in the children's book industry, such as the creation of two new major genre awards. In addition, the author demonstrates how to think about and critically evaluate several different genres of children's books. Included are sections about books of information; traditional literature (myths, legends, tall tales, folktales); poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs; picture books; easy readers and traditional books; and fiction and graphic novels. There is also a concluding chapter on how to write reviews that are both descriptive and analytical, including a segment on children's literature blogs. Updated material includes: •Information on the many changes in the children's book industry •A section on genres •A section on children's literature blogs •An introduction of two new major genre awards: the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award •And more than 90% of the books cited have been updated from the first edition to more recent publications! "[A] very complete resource that will continue to be the venerable reference tool." — School Library Journal "An excellent guide." — ALA Booklist

When a family brings home chicks from a local farm, they must do everything they can to make sure their feathered friends thrive in their new environment. With the help of their knowledgeable parents, the children provide the baby chicks with food, water, warmth, and proper shelter. Young readers will chirp along happily page after page, learning to read as they watch the fuzzy little chicks grow into downy adult chickens, who will eventually lay eggs of their own! Step 1 readers have big type and easy words, rhyme and rhythm, and picture clues, for children who know the alphabet and are ready to read.

Addressing basic writing not only as a practical problem and humane responsibility, but also as a challenging area for research and theorizing, this book reviews, interprets, and applies the growing body of work in second language acquisition. Chapter 1 presents 6 hypotheses constituting an attempt to develop a cohesive theory of writing acquisition that incorporates the redundancy of language and facilitates the process of language acquisition. The following chapters explore this theory in detail to serve as a basis for experimental confirmation. Chapters 2 and 3, on spoken and written language and redundancy, provide the theoretical basis for the argument that academic discourse is a separate linguistic system characterized by particular psycholinguistic features. Chapters 4 and 5 present a detailed analysis of the behavior of basic writers with respect to written form, reviewing both pertinent second language theory about learners' errors and a case study of one writer. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss the relevant affective factors analyzed in second language acquisition theory and detail Stephen Krashen's recent proposals for a comprehensive theory of second language acquisition. The final chapter reviews the entire theory, summarizes the evidence, and outlines the agenda for further research. (JD)

They say talking to seeds helps them to grow into beautiful flowers. Valerie takes this to heart as she tells her seed all about God in Poppy. In a delightful story of how God can take something and make it grow into a beautiful creation, author Lauren Horning gives great perspective for all ages on the beautiful reasons to share Christ, even with a flower. Lauren Horning resides in southern California with her loving husband, four beautiful children, a yellow labrador named Barley, and two cats, Ash and Opal.

From Cover to Cover has been considered the definitive guide to reading, reviewing, and critically evaluating children's books since its original publication in 1997. Now revised and updated, it remains an invaluable resource offering a fresh, up-to-date look at a fast-changing field. All-new material includes: An updated introduction that reflects the many changes in the children's book industry A section on genres, including a discussion of graphic novels A section on children's literature blogs An introduction of two new major genre awards—the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award And more than 90 percent of the books cited have been updated to more recent publications!

In the late sixteenth century, the English started expanding westward, establishing control over parts of neighboring Ireland as well as exploring and later colonizing distant North America. Audrey Horning deftly examines the relationship between British colonization efforts in both locales, depicting their close interconnection as fields for colonial experimentation. Focusing on the Ulster Plantation in the north of Ireland and the Jamestown settlement in the Chesapeake, she challenges the notion that Ireland merely served as a testing ground for British expansion into North America. Horning instead analyzes the people, financial networks, and information that circulated through and connected English plantations on either side of the Atlantic. In addition, Horning explores English colonialism from the perspective of the Gaelic Irish and Algonquian societies and traces the political and material impact of contact. The focus on the material culture of both locales yields a textured specificity to the complex relationships between natives and newcomers while exposing the lack of a determining vision or organization in early English colonial projects.

The latest edition of the "Newbery and Caldecott Awards" guide covers the most distinguished American children's literature and illustration. Featured in this edition are: a comprehensive, annotated awards listing; Kathleen T. Horning's new essay exploring the topic of new editions and bibliographic citations for updated works; notes indicating those Caldecott Medal winners and Honor Books that have been revised and republished with new art; Bette J. Peltola's essay explaining terms and definitions associated with both awards; information on media used in the award-winning books; and a glimpse at criteria used to select the awards.