In this chapter you will:

• Distinguish between literature for children and literature for adults.
• Find personal values that literature offers children.
• Note specific research studies that support the importance of literature for each of these areas of children's learning: language development, reading, and writing.
• Read about the classics of children's literature.
• Become familiar with guidelines for evaluating children's fiction.
• Become familiar with guidelines for evaluating literature of diversity.
• Note the distinguishing features of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards.
• Determine the value of giving awards for children's books.