University of North Carolina
Literature Reviews
A literature review goes beyond simply giving a novel a thumbs up or thumbs down. In fact, it may not require an opinion at all. Using a handout on literature reviews, part of a larger series on specific writing assignments, writers...
University of North Carolina
Paragraph Development
There's no set length for a good paragraph, but the short block of text should contain key components. A handout on paragraphs, the 12th in a series of 24, outlines a five-step process for paragraph development. Additionally, the handout...
University of North Carolina
Reading to Write
Silly journal and essay prompts may be fun to write, but they don't model the kind of writing needed for college papers and standardized tests. The 15th part in a series of 24 covers the concept of reading to write—during and after...
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry
This site is on the book "Bird Watch" by Jane Yolen. It includes a review of the book, a listing of things to notice and talk about, activities related to the book, other related books, and links to other resources.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Libraries: Picturing Words: The Power of Book Illustration
This interactive site focuses on the power of illustration in books. It discusses illustrations that inspire, inform, influence, and show a process; it provides examples and book references that use each.
Royal Collection Trust (UK)
Royal Collection: Artist's Illustrations of Plants in English Gardens
From the Royal Collection in London, this is a short biography and selection of floral illustrations that made up part of the 154 plate "Flower Book" by the gentelmen gardener Alexander Marshal (c.1620-1682).
Other
Tasha Tudor and Family: Children's Book Illustrator
Beautiful illustrations of Tasha Tudor's children's books and pictures of her farm and crafts give you a feel for this artist.
University of Washington
University of Washington: Historical Book Arts
Learn about various aspects of the traditional art of bookmaking from the binding, printing and illustrations, to the papers used. These galleries and descriptions are a complete resource on this topic.
Harold D. Underdown
Review: Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures
A book review of "Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures for Publication," including critical contents and comments. Also provides information about who would benefit from reading this book review. A good resource for those...
Other
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Learn all about the role of the illustrator and picture books by visiting this museum site. Founded by and named for renowned author and illustrator Eric Carle, this site includes a variety of information for learners, teachers, and...
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Jumanji
This site on the book "Jumanji" by Chris Van Allsburg, includes a review of the book, a listing of things to notice and talk about, activities related to the book, other related books, and links to other resources.
Other
Illustrations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Find a complete catalog of the color plates of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by many different artists. Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" dominated the list of fantasy books in England in the 1800s.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Paul Laurence Dunbar
This site focuses on Paul Laurence Dunbar including a biography that includes a poem in dialect "Negro Love Song" illustrating how well the author used this format. It also includes links to eight of his books.
Harold D. Underdown
The Importance of Following Illustrating Guidelines
An excellent resource for understanding the specifications of submitting artwork to a publisher. Titled "The Specs on Specs," author Tugeau offers several crucial pieces of advice for illustrators looking to be published.
Library of Congress
Loc: A Video Selection of Illuminated Manuscripts
A video selection of various medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, including bibles and books of hours.
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets: Author Interviews: Henry Cole
Watch while noted children's book illustrator Henry Cole talks about how his teaching background and lifelong love of nature make illustrating his perfect job. Discover the process Cole follows to illustrate a picture book.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Activities: Dinosaur Picture Book
Learn who Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins was, and how his art contributed to our understanding of dinosaurs.
British Library
British Library: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Discovering Literature
Uncover 19th-century connections from Darwin to Jack the Ripper, play a Gothic genre word game, and examine how the novel has been depicted in illustrations, book covers and photographs. [PDF]
Other
Linda Hall Library of Science: The Grandeur of Life
Online exhibit of scientific illustrations from rare books of natural history. Earliest examples date from the fifteenth century.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Emily Dickinson
This biography of Emily Dickinson quotes three of her poems as illustrations.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Barbara Cooney
This site contains a biography of Barbara Cooney, and a summary of each of her picture books. Pictures of each of her books are provided.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Reading Guide
Learn the background of both the book and the author, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll; then click on the Readers Guide link to use the detailed study questions to spark discussion.
Daily Teaching Tools
Daily Teaching Tools: Caldecott Medal Winners for 2015 and the 25 Years Prior
This resource provides a list of Caldecott Medal-winning books. Caldecott Medal Winners from 1990 through 2015 are included on this list.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Mark Twain in His Times
This etext from the University of Virginia provides a detailed look at Twain's novel "Huckleberry Finn". Included is a complete text with annotations, original illustrations and background on the illustrator, early reviews of the work,...