Activity
Other

Database of Award Winning Children's Literature

For Students 4th - 9th
This is a phenomenal resource. It allows the user to create a reading list of quality children's literature based of choices such as reading level, type of book, genre, ethnicity, gender, etc. In addition, one can determine if a book won...
Article
Harold D. Underdown

Writing Young Adult and Children's Fiction and Fantasy

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A great article concerning writing children's literature, especially in the area of fantasy or science fiction. The author provides information concerning how to develop characters, creating literary elements, and discusses some pitfalls...
Website
Harold D. Underdown

Writing Mysteries for Children's Magazines

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource for anyone looking to write in the literary genre of mystery, especially for children. Includes helpful information and tips for writers on topics such as publishing and content.
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Resources About Agents for Writers

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive research guide for writers who are interested in finding an agent. Rich with information and helpful hints; site is suited for children's literature writers but can also apply to other genres.
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

An Agent's Advice on Selling/ Publishing Your Artwork

For Students 9th - 10th
An artist's representative presents basic steps and tips to selling or publishing your artwork as illustrations for books. Written primarily for children's literature, but may also apply to other genres as well.
Article
Harold D. Underdown

Are You a Writer Looking for Inspiration?

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A very helpful article for writers looking for inspiration. Presents advice about inspiration from the past, present, and future. Article written for children's literature but may also apply to other genres.
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

How to Find Words That Jump Off the Page

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An excellent resource for a writer struggling to come up with the exact words for which they are looking. Includes very helpful advice and information. Aimed at writers of children's literature, but can also apply to other genres.
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Getting It Out of the "Slush Pile"

For Students 9th - 10th
The "slush pile" is a publisher's sizeable reading stash, and this site is a great resource for attempting to get a publisher to get your manuscript OUT of the pile. Includes several pieces of advice concerning the story itself, your...
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Getting Out of the Art File: Tips for Book Illustrators

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource for illustrators to format their work in order to get the attention of a publisher. Intended for children's literature, but may also apply to other genres.
Handout
Harold D. Underdown

The Use of Visual Elements to Tell a Better Story

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Short article gives excellent tips concerning how to use visual elements to enhance a written story. Article was written specifically for children's literature, but can also apply to other genres as well.
Website
Other

Kit Pearson

For Students 3rd - 8th
Kit Pearson is a popular author of historical fiction for children, as well as other genres. Her site has descriptions of her books and biographical information.
Website
Other

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators homepage. A great starting point for new writers interested in exploring this genre.
Website
Harold D. Underdown

October 2005 Blog: Defining Historical Fiction

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A good resource for understanding the genre of historical fiction, especially when applied to the characteristics of children's literature. From The Purple Crayon: a website devoted to children's literature.
Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Write Descriptive Passages to Die For

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Provides excellent examples of descriptive writing for one needing inspiration. Site is written for those who write literature for children, but can also be applicable to other genres.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Fable and Trickster Tales Around the World

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
The lessons presented in this website "introduce children to folk tales" and how these folktales are changed and affected by generational and cultural values. Includes several links to further related information on folktales, fables,...
Professional Doc
AdLit

Ad lit.org: Blending Multiple Genres in Theme Baskets

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The theme-basket concept of literature instruction combines several approaches known to work with marginalized readers, students with learning disabilities, and ELLs: 1) a thematic approach to teaching literature, 2) the use of...
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: What's in a Mystery? Exploring and Identifying Mystery Elements

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Contains plans for seven lessons that teach students about the plot structure, character, and setting of the mystery genre. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the lessons as...
Handout
University of Victoria (Canada)

The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Fable

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of fables. Example included.
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Shhh! Bear's Sleeping: Learning About Nonfiction and Fiction

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students explore the distinction between the fiction story Bear Snores On and the nonfiction book Every Autumn Comes the Bear.
Lesson Plan
Writing Fix

Writing Fix: Suggestions for Writing Memoirs: Memoirs With Strong Word Choices

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Editor Amy Ehrlich compelled ten well-known children's authors to write narratives, and she compiled these memoirs in her book, When I Was Your Age. The collection of narratives varies, but an underlying theme is the way in which...
Website
Other

Book Page Interview: Gary Soto

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, part of the online version of the magazine BookPage, provides a 1998 interview with Gary Soto, in which he discusses the themes of some of his works, his background, and his use of different genres of writing.
Whiteboard
SMART Technologies

Smart: Tall Tales, Folk Tales, and Fables Review

For Teachers 3rd - 4th Standards
This is a review of 3 stories, then placing the attributes with the correct genre. Although others may not read the exact story, you could just replace the picture with another picture that represents the story you read.