Children’s LiteratureUnit
What is Children’sLiterature?
Children’s literature is a deep expression of humanemotions, desires, and beliefs.
Children’s Literature is a form of human expressionand emotion for people to connect with each otherand also serves as a message intended to shape thosewho read it .
Children’s literature is also a form of entertainment .
Children Book Awards
In the United States, the major awards are given bythe American Library Association Association forLibrary Service to Children. Some of the majorawards include:
Newbery Medal is an award given for writing
Caldecott Medal is awarded for illustration
Coretta Scott King Award is awarded for work byan African-American writer
Children’s LiteratureLiterary Elements
Story Elements
Character - the people or animals who take part in the action ofthe storyCharacter - the people or animals who take part in the action ofthe story
Setting – when and where the story takes placeSetting – when and where the story takes place
Theme – the main idea or message of the storyTheme – the main idea or message of the story
Mood – the feeling created by the storyMood – the feeling created by the story
Symbolism- the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualitiesSymbolism- the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
Multiple layers of meaning- interpreting the authors' meaning andintention of his or her work. The multiple layers of meaning can beliteral, figurative, and/or symbolic.Multiple layers of meaning- interpreting the authors' meaning andintention of his or her work. The multiple layers of meaning can beliteral, figurative, and/or symbolic.
Story Elements
* Point of View – the perspective from whichthe story is told* Point of View – the perspective from whichthe story is told
* Narrator – the person telling the story* Narrator – the person telling the story
* 1st person – the narrator’s voice when thenarrator IS a character in the story* 1st person – the narrator’s voice when thenarrator IS a character in the story
* 3rd person – the narrator’s voice when thenarrator is NOT a character in the story* 3rd person – the narrator’s voice when thenarrator is NOT a character in the story
Introduction toElements of PlotandTypes of Conflict
Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure ofa story. It shows arrangement of events and actionswithin a story.
Exposition: the start of the story,the situation before the actionstarts
Rising Action: theseries of conflictsand crisis in thestory that lead to theclimax
Climax: the turning point, the mostintense moment—either mentallyor in action
Falling Action: all ofthe action whichfollows the climax
Resolution: theconclusion, the tyingtogether of all of thethreads
Plot Components
Plot: Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic strugglebetween two forces in a story.Without conflict, there is no plot.Conflict is the dramatic strugglebetween two forces in a story.Without conflict, there is no plot.
Plot: Types of Conflict
Character vs Nature
Character vs Society
Character vs Self
Character vs Character
Plot: Character vs. CharacterConflict
This type of conflict finds the main character inconflict with another character, human or not human.
“The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.”And the old swans bowed their heads before him.
Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he didnot know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He hadbeen persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heardthem say he was the most beautiful of all the birds.
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson
Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflictwith the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist.
It´s a Truffula Seed.
It´s the last one of all!
You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Plot: Character vs. SocietyConflict
This type of conflict has the main character in conflictwith a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc.
“I’m tired of living in a hole,” said Jenny.
“Let’s fight for freedom!” cried Bouncer. “We’ll besoldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! I’ll be the generaland commander-in-chief!”
The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg
Plot: Character vs. SelfConflict
In this type of conflict, the main character experiencessome kind of inner conflict.
Finally, Sam’s father said, “Go to bed now. But before yougo to sleep, Sam, tell yourself the difference between REALand MOONSHINE.”
Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness
Character Traits
Physical – What thecharacter looks likePhysical – What thecharacter looks like
Mental – How or whatthe character thinksMental – How or whatthe character thinks
Emotional – How thecharacter feelsEmotional – How thecharacter feels
Character Traits (continued)
Spiritual – What thecharacter believesinSpiritual – What thecharacter believesin
Behavioral - Howthe character actsor reactsBehavioral - Howthe character actsor reacts
Relational – Howthe characterrelates to othersRelational – Howthe characterrelates to others
Reflecting on what we’velearned…..
Three facts I learned today:
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One question I still have about today:
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Think, Write, and Share
In your writer’s notebook,write about your favoritechildren's story.In your writer’s notebook,write about your favoritechildren's story.
What made this storybecome your favorite?What made this storybecome your favorite?
Who is your favoritechildren’s author?Who is your favoritechildren’s author?
What lessons are found inchildren’s stories?What lessons are found inchildren’s stories?
Let’s Begin our Quest….Let us re-discover the wondersand treasures of children’sliterature
