The Genres that Make Up the Children's Literature Landscape

Traditional Fantasy:

Defined as literature whose origin is in our oral tradition with no known author Is part of the fabric of its culture,

characters are archetypes, plots are simple, time is past, human themes

Types of Traditional Fantasy: folktales, tall tale, myths, epics, religious torie Valuable since it creates the capacity to believe, hope, and imagine

Cautions May be violent or frightening but also liberating

Quality Examples will provide rich and textured insight into our past and our imaginations

Modern Fantasy:

Defined as stories whic violate the known physical and natural laws; known author

Characteristics include miraculous elements, talking animals Six basic Fantasy motifs--magic, other worlds, good vs. evil, heroism, special characters, fantastic objexts

Science fiction is similar to modern fantasy but it suggest real scientific imaginings about the future. Fantasy acts as a metaphor which speeds undertanding

Contemporary Realistic Fiction:

Defined as books about how I live or might live--stories that could happen Connects to the community it describes, creates a realistic world, reflects society

Cautions about using books as bibliotherapy Categories of Contemorary Realistic Fiction are becoming ones own person, coping with problems in the human condition, living in a diverse world.

Historical Fiction:

Defined as books which present history as our living past Can create link to life then as a vital and meaningful reality. Good historical ficition should not be sugar-coated, should be accurate, must breathe life into the historical period, reveals history through the eyes of a fictional character.

Biography:

The story of someonešslife Biographies should be authentic and accurate but written with the young readeršs ideas in mind. They should present a balanced and realistic view of the subject.

Informational Books:

They present current and accurate knowledge about some part of the universe. Good informational books willhave atrractive format and design, compelling details, quotations,anecdotes, little-known facts, unusual subjects and viewpoints. They will give a new perspective on the subject. Types of informational books are activity books, concept books, journals and interviews, photo essays, pop-ups, reference books, social histories and surveys.

Picture Books:

(see lesson 4 for discussion) Types of picture books include ABC books, counting books, concept books, participation books, wordless books, pattern books and engineered books.

Poetry Books:

See definition above Forms of poetry include narrative poems, lyric poems, limericks, haiku, concrete poetry, a nd free verse

Multicultural Books:

Books which reflect the culture of origin or give insights to that culture These books can foster an understanding of diverse cultures, present a positive representation, introducee readers to the literary traditions of a diverse world.

Controversial Books:

These are books of all genres which have offended one group of people while being appreciated by another.