RESEARCH GUIDE: CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

This is a guide to major print and online bibliographic resources for children's literature. While basic resources are included, there are many others that cannot be covered here because of length. For assistance in using these resources, or to find additional information, contact a Reference Librarian

Reference Sources | Resources for Teachers | Journal Articles | E-Journals/Book Reviews | Internet Sites

1. Reference Sources

• Best Books for Children - Reference A1G48 1990
• Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English - Reference PN1009.A1C36 2001
• International Companion Encyclopedia to Children’s Literature - Reference PN1008.5.I57 2004
• Multicultural and Ethnic Children’s Literature in the United States - Reference PN1009.A1G527 2000
• Oxford Companion to Children's Literature - Reference PN1008.5.C37 1984

2. Resources for Teachers

• Children’s Literature Resources for Teachers
  This website has a wealth of information and links to a number of great resources.
• Children’s Literature and Language Arts Resources Page
  Focuses on children's literature in education. Teachers, library media professionals, parents and students will find information on children's literature and associated language arts.

3. Journal Articles

• Academic Search Premier
  Academic Search Premier provides full text material from more than 3,600 publications in social sciences, humanities, general science, engineering, medical, education, multi-cultural, and other journals. In addition to the full text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for 4,500 journals.
• MLA International Bibliography
  MLA International Bibliography is an index of journal articles, books and dissertations. Produced by the Modern Language Association, the Bibliography dates back to 1926 and contains over 1.5 million citations from more than 4,400 journals and series and 1,000 book publishers. Coverage is international and subjects include literature, language and linguistics, folklore, literary theory and criticism and dramatic arts. Some articles are linked to full text.
• Project Muse
  Project Muse is a comprehensive selection of prestigious humanities, arts, and social sciences journals to support a core liberal arts curriculum at any academic institution.

4. E-Journals/Book Reviews

• Children's literature
• Horn Book Magazine
• Lion and the Unicorn
• Reading Time

5. Selected Internet Sites

• Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature
  Online collection of digitised children's books at the University of Florida libraries. Contains more than 100,000 volumes published in Great Britain and the United States from the early 1700s through the current year.
• Caldecott Medal
  Awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Includes current and past Caldecott Medal and Honor books.
• Children's Literature Web Guide
  An international guide to a variety of resources relating to books for children and young adults
• Coretta Scott King Book Award
  Awarded annually to an African American author and an African American illustrator for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution.
• Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature
  This database of award-winning children's literature can be searched by a number of useful categories, such as the gender of the protagonist, the age of the reader, and the book's setting or genre.
• Newbery Medal
  Awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Includes current and past Newbery Medal and Honor books.

Last updated January 11, 2010