A thorough resource on the wide-ranging topic of multicultural literature for children. Includes information about the current field of multiculturalism, opportunities for writers, finding a publisher, and looking toward the future of...

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...

As part of a unit on National Children's Book Week, this classroom activity suggests ways in which teachers can implement themes of the week into various lessons. The site also includes lesson plan ideas, web links, and additional texts.

Contains plans for eight lessons that ask young scholars to write their own children's picture book in order to review story structure and literary techniques. Students also write book reviews of each other's work. In addition to...

Contains plans for five 50-minute interdisciplinary lessons that ask students to write about math-related, informational books such as "Actual Size" (Jenkins, 2004) and "If You Hopped Like a Frog" (Schwartz, 1999). Students use books...

Excellent lesson plan that requires students to work collaboratively to select parts of poetry and "perform" poems for the class. Uses the book "Berenstein Bears," but any children's book could be acceptable for the lesson plan.

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.

Children go through certain phases of reading development from preschool through third grade- from exploration of books to independent reading. Find out what children at the first-grade phase should be able to do, and what teachers and...

This Bibliomania.com site a biography of the 19th century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). Discusses his parents, early youth, education, literary ambitions, years of travel and study, Harvard tenure, love for...

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...

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.

Using four popular children's books, "Corduroy", "Franklin in the Dark", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and "Chrysanthemum", the Word Wizard interactive game builds vocabulary with related words. Each 30-minute instructional activity...

This ReadWriteThink lesson features an opportunity for young scholars to respond to literature through writing journals about "Corduroy," by Don Freeman. This idea could be used with other books as well.

Critical thinking, comprehension and analysis skills are the focus of this physical activity. Good beginning to teaching different ways of looking at things.

Comparing and contrasting works and looking for underlying themes and messages are at the heart of this multicultural lesson plan. Provides links to several background resources, and suggestions for assessment.

This children's book about beavers was written and illustrated by 6th graders after extensive field research with experts in the field. The book is unique in that it offers a continuous fictional narrative at the top of each page, an...

This recipe book was created by 1st and 2nd graders at the Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., during as part of a Fitness and Nutrition Learning Expedition. Students created this kid-friendly cook book from their own...

Middle schoolers will increase reading and writing proficiency and heighten interest in reading through this Reading Buddy program. During this two-week unit each middle school student will use technology tools to create an original...

"The House of Dies Drear," is a powerful novel by Virginia Hamilton.

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.

High school students write and illustrate original fables for younger students and create bilingual children's books to encourage cultural awareness on the Big Island of Hawaii.

This brief article on the writing of Dr. Seuss introduces readers to such books as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "The Cat in the Hat." Written by students, this article provides "related links" for further reading.

Discovering the Genesee was created by third grade students in Rochester, New York, as part of a Learning Expedition on local history. Student work was guided by four questions, which became the chapters of their book: Who were the...

"In this project based lesson plan, students learn about various types of energy and the need to conserve energy, write a children's story about saving energy, and read their energy books to elementary students."