Children's Literature
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
Level 1 Reference PN1008.5 .C66 2001
This book contains biographical entries on popular children's authors and illustrators, as well as articles on topics related to children's literature. The volume also features photographs of the authors covered, making it an excellent place to begin research for a biographical report. Entries are alphabetical, but there is also an index and table of contents included to aid in searching.
- Continuum Encyclopedia of Young Adult Literature
Level 1 Reference PN1008.5 .C67 2005
This book contains biographical entries on popular young adult authors, as well as articles on topics related to children's literature. The volume also features photographs of the authors covered, making it an excellent place to begin research for a biographical report. Entries are alphabetical, but there is also an index and table of contents included to aid in searching.
- Dictionary of American Children's Fiction
Level 1 Reference PS374.C454 H45
There are five books dedicated to award winning, imaginative Children's fiction of a specific time period. The time periods included in the titles are: 1859-1959, 1960-1984, 1985-1989, 1990-1994, and the last is 1995-1999. This Dictionary has information from 245 books by "192 Twentieth Century Authors". There are 759 alphabetical entries on different items such as: titles, authors, characters, and settings. Plot summaries and analysis of the text are provided for each title entry and information on the author's background are provided for the author entries. Memorable characters are also listed in the Dictionary with information about personality traits and physical traits. Names are also cross-referenced in the index.
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
Level 1 Reference PN1008.5 .O94 2006
This is a four volume children's literature reference resource with an international focus. A list of entries, including authors, characters, country information in relation to children's titles, and book review titles are found in the first Volume. Brief, yet descriptive paragraphs provide background information on each entry. The fourth volume has a bibliography, awards, collections of children's literature, and an index.
- The Young Reader's Companion
Level 1 Reference PN1008.5 .C373 1993
This encyclopedia is geared towards helping 10-18 year olds answer the question: What should I read next? Children's characters, authors, and mythological creatures are alphabetical and described in a way to encourage the reader to find other resources on a similar topic. Cross references, and some images of well known literary characters compliment the text. A Subject index, with different genres and authors located in the back of the book is thorough.
Authors and Illustrators
- 100 Most Popular Children's Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies
Level 1 Reference PS490 .M39 1999
This book contains biographical information about popular children's writers for elementary or middle school students. It is written for middle schoolers to help them choose other titles by the same author. Other articles on the author are also listed which are helpful.
- American Writers for Children Since 1960
Level 1 Reference PS221 .D5 v.61
This encyclopedic reference book is part of the Dictionary of Literary Biography Series. It includes authoritative information on Children's Poets, Illustrators, and Nonfiction Authors. It is organized by the author's last name and provides detailed information about the author's life and complete works. Photographs of well known book covers are useful. An afterward on "Children's Book Illustration in the 20th Century" and a list Children's Book Awards winners are listed at the end of the book.
- Black Authors & Illustrators of Children's Books
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 R63 1992
This 2nd edition provides information on a focused group of black children's authors and illustrators. Life history information and a list of titles created by each author or illustrator are provided for each entry. Awards and honors are listed at the end in Appendix I. Publisher contact information for series books is located in Appendix II. and Appendix III. has a thorough list of publishers that focus primarily on publishing Black authors and illustrators works. Appendix IV. lists bookstores and distributors and an index of book titles is at the end of the book.
- Major Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults
Level 1 Reference PN451 .M37 2002
This informative eight volume set of encyclopedias contain in-depth entries on authors and illustrators of children's and young adult literature. Each entry contains personal information, addresses, careers, memberships, awards, bibliographies, and research guides, making this an excellent research tool. Each volume also contains several indexes that allow readers to search for authors by name, nationality, or genre.
- Something About the Author
Level 1 Reference PN451 .S6
This historical multi-volume set was originally meant for children's use, but is now a staple for researching children's authors and literature. Information includes published writings of all types, illustration information, career details, and personal quotations.This is an essential series for those studying children's literature and children's librarianship.
- St. James Guide to Children's Writers
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 T9 1999
If you are searching for a great bibliographical reference of English language children's authors, this is the source. There is an entry for each author complete with biographical information, list of works, and a critical analysis on the author and their writing. A list of titles is located in the end of the book.
- St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers
Level 1 Reference PS490 .S7 1999
This book is a good source of basic information on well known authors of children's literature, from Richard Adams to Paul Zindel. Each entry contains a brief biography of the author, a complete list of their works, and a short critical analysis.
- Twentieth Century Children's Writers
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 T94 1995
A great source for information about children's writers from all over the world, from yesterday and today. The encyclopedic entries contain biographical information, title lists, and a brief critical examination. The appendices include a complete book title index, a section on writers whose works have not yet been translated into English,and lists of all the writers profiled in this work.
- Who's Who in Children's Books
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 F575
There are many resources that focus on children's book authors, but few that focus solely on characters. From Alice in Wonderland to Zephir the Monkey, this is a great source for finding information on nearly every classic children's book character, whether they are a main or a supporting. Each entry provides a brief character study, as well as information on the authors and the works that they can be found in. The book is illustrated throughout, and there are several full page color illustrations.
- Winning Authors: Profiles of the Newbery Medalists
Level 1 Reference PS490 .B67 2003
A great source to find out biographical information, other awards won, brief literary criticism, famous quotes, and near-complete lists of works, for Newbery award winning authors from 1922 to 2002. All entries are organized by year. This work also includes a cross referencing of other awards won by the authors, fun facts, and an extensive annotated bibliography for more information.
- Writers for Young Adults
Level 1 Reference PS490 .W75 2000
Created for those who are interested in learning about the biographical history of young adult authors, from the authors K.A Applegate and Jane Austen to Jacqueline Woodson. Each chapter is divided into topic areas such as the beginning of their careers, jobs before becoming a writer, and a section on why the books are popular. An index by the author's last name or title are in the back.
- Yesterday's Authors of Books for Children
Level 1 Reference PN451 .Y4
This two volume resource published in 1977 has honest "life sketch" information about timeless children's authors and illustrators born in the late 1700's and thereafter, and who have died since 1960. Biographical information (much of it in the author's own words from diaries) discuss "Personal life" "Career" "Writings, "Sidelights" and further resources. Photographs, movie stills, drawings and excerpts from books compliment the text.
Literary Criticism
- Characters in Children's Literature
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 J78 1997
This book features profiles of the characters from well known children's literature, including information about their appearance, their fictional history, their character development (or lack thereof) and their functional place in the narrative. A variety of genres are covered to produce the entries, meaning that the reader can find anyone from Boots O'Neal, to Princess Eilonwy, to Little Lord Fauntleroy. The entries are organized by author, then book, though a character index is also included at the back.
- The Children's and Young Adult Literature Handbook: A Research and Reference Guide
Level 1 Reference Z1037.A1 G475 2005
Intended as a collection development tool for librarians, this book is essentially an annotated bibliography of books, periodicals, awards and other useful resources.
- Children's Literature Review
Level 1 Reference PN1009.A1 C5139
Each volume of this series features a set of intense profiles of children's writers, including biographical and critical histories, as well as a long topical essay on some aspect of the field, (i.e. religion in children's literature, etc.) Make sure to use the index provided at the end of each volume in order to find a specific author, title, or topic as each volume features only a few entries.
- International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
Level 1 Reference PN1008.5 .I57 2004
Almost more of a textbook than an encyclopedia, this work features long, in depth entries on general topics like "psychoanalytical criticism," "children's book design," or "teaching children's literature in higher education." These books would work well as background or source material for a research paper, or for enhancing specific knowledge on any of the topics covered.
- The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism / edited by Michael Groden, Martin Kreiswirth, and Imre Szeman
Level 1 Reference PN81 .J554 2005
The format of this guide is a single, alphabetical list of entries that includes theorist, theories, schools of thought, and major areas of critical application. Entries are signed, cross-referenced, and some include citations for further reading.
- Lion and the Unicorn
Level G Periodicals PER PN1008.2 .L54 and Simmons Eresource
The Lion and the Unicorn is a peer reviewed journal that focuses on children's literature, and related issues like publishing, literary theory, illustration and culture. This journal makes an excellent resource for a research paper or other academic project.
Award-Winners
- ALSC Booklist and Awards Page
Free Online
The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), lists books that have won literary and related awards and also has a list of notable children's books. The Literary and Related Awards include the Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, Wilder, Carnegie, Batchelder, Belpré, Geisel, and Odyssey awards and the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The Children's Notable Lists recommend exemplary books, videos, recordings, and computer software for children. The Children's Notable Lists are compiled by the ALSC.
- Best Books for Young Adults
Free Online
The Best Books for Young Adults is a list compiled by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). It is a list of the "current year's books with proven or potential appeal to teens."
- Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards
Free Online
The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award is a prestigious award for children's and young adult literature published in the United States. The winners are selected in three categories: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction. The website includes video, audio and photos of the ceremony as well as past winners and submission guidelines.
- The Caldecott Medal Homepage
Free Online
The Caldecott Medal is an award given by the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. This web page provides a complete, free list of all of the Caldecott winners and honor books.
- Children's Notable Lists
Free Online
The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) selects "best of the best in children's books, recordings, videos, and computer software." The website lists the criteria used to determine what is "notable" in each medium. The description of each of the items on the list contain a useful one or two line summary.
- The Coretta Scott King Awards
Free Online
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards is "given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions." The award commemorates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and aims to honor titles that promote understanding and the realization of the American dream. This free web page provides a complete list of all the winning and honor books.
- Ethnic Book Awards: A Directory of Multicultural Literature for Young Readers
Level 1 Reference Z1037.A2 Y67 2005
This book awards book is perfect if you are creating lesson plans for culturally specific children's book awards. Part I describes the different awards and the Part II lists the book titles. A subject listing at the end of the book groups titles by themes such as nature, noise, sisters, and twins.
- Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
Free Online
Sponsored by Booklist, the Printz award is given annually to "a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature." This free web page lists all of the winner and honor books to date.
- The Newbery & Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books
Level 1 Reference Z1037.A2 N49 2007
This is an updated, complete guide to all of the Newbury and Caldecott winning and honor books and authors. Each book listed includes full bibliographic information and a plot summary. The book also lists award criteria, a history of the awards, and notes about the media and methods used in Caldecott picture books.
- Newbery Medal Award
Free Online
The Newbery Medal has been awarded annually by the American Library Association since for "the most distinguished American children's book published in English in the United States during the preceding year". It was the first children's book award in the world and is frequently cited as the best known and most often discussed. The Newbery Medal web site lists Newbery Medal and Honor recipients since its inception, as well as the names of committee members and the selection criteria.
- YALSA Booklist and Awards Page
Free Online
Books aren't the only things that win awards. From audio books to graphic novels, there are all kinds of different awards given to young adult materials. This free web page lists all of the awards given to young adult materials, such as the Odyssey Award for audio books, and links to the list of winners and honor books. Besides lists of awards and winners, this page also provides booklists for certain types of materials such as DVD's and graphic novels, as well as for a kind of audience, such as the college bound or the reluctant reader.
Finding Book Reviews
- Booklist
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z1035.A1.B65 and Simmons Eresource
Released about twice a month, this magazine from the American Library Association provides reviews of thousands of books and other materials a year, and often has special issues devoted entirely to children's and young adult materials.
- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z1037.A1 B85 and Simmons Eresource
Provides many brief reviews of current children's materials, and many of their reviews and special features are available for free on their web page. Besides from reviews, tgus hiyrabk also create specialized booklists, and helpful links for more information.
- Criticas Magazine
Free Online
Calling its self the "English speakers guide to the latest Spanish language titles," this free online journal provides access to articles and reviews about adult and children's materials printed in Spanish. You can either search for a specific review of a book or type of book, or browse the most recent reviews.
- Favorite Teenage Angst Books
Free online
Though this webpage hasn't been updated lately, it's a useful reader advisory/ review site for Young Adult novels that feature a heavy side helping of angst. The reviews are organized by appropriate categories like "fitting in" or "mixed up families," and the site also features helpful links to other reader advisory pages, author websites and zines.
- Five Owls
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z1037.A1 F58
If you're looking for in-depth, analytical reviews and criticism of children's books, this is a great source to start with. Besides from book reviews, Five Owls also provides thematic book lists and bibliographies. The Simmons Library owns print copies up until 2004, and the Five Owls web page (http://www.fiveowls.com) provides online versions of its most recent issues free of charge, (however, older issues require a paid subscription).
- Horn Book Guide
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z1037.A1 H68 and Simmons Eresource
Looking for a reputable children's and young adult literature book review? This periodical is published every six months and reviews the most recent hardcover trade books. Available online or in print, this resource is alphabetical by author's last name, and each book is rated by the editors on a scale of 1-6. A critical annotation, appropriate grade level of the book, number of pages, publisher, ISBN, price, reviewer, date of first issue, and whether or not there is an index, bibliography, and glossary are provided.
- Horn Book Magazine
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z1037.A1 H67 and Simmons Eresource
Created in 1924, this authoritative magazine focuses on quality childrens' and young adult books and is published six times a year. Sections include, an Editorial, Features (Caldecott winners, Newbury winners), Book Reviews, Columns, Letters to the Editor, and an Index of books reviewed.
- School Library Journal
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z675.S3 S45 and Simmons Eresource
Though this monthly journal is written with librarians in mind, it can be used by anybody who is interested in children's literature. Besides the detailed and thorough reviews, the journal also discusses many issues happening in children's book writing and publishing, and has a frequently updated web page with a great deal of free content.
- Voice of Youth Advocates
Level 1 Periodicals PER Z718.5 .V65 and Simmons Eresource
Unlike other review journals, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) is a bimonthly journal that focuses only on books and other materials for young adults. This is another journal that is geared mostly towards librarians, but it can be used by anyone with an interest in young adult materials or working with young adults. There are detailed, frank reviews about all kinds and genres of YA books, along with recommendation lists throughout the journal.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- Contemporary Authors
Simmons Eresource
Provides complete biographical and bibliographical information and references on approximately 120,000 U.S. and international authors. Full entries include citations for select reviews of authors' major works.
To find reviews:
- Enter author's name or title of the work in the appropriate search line.
- Select your author, if he or she appears, from the results list.
- Citations for reviews appear under the "Further Readings About the Author" section.
- LION: Literature Online
Simmons Eresource
Fully searchable library of English and American poetry, drama and prose, plus biographies, bibliographies and key secondary sources. Literature Online features an ever-growing collection of over 330,000 works of poetry, drama and prose, plus biographies, bibliographies and key criticism and reference sources. The primary texts in Literature Online include English poetry from 600 to the present, American and African-American poetry from 1603 to the present, The Faber Poetry Library, English fiction from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, English drama from 1280 to 1915, and American drama from 1762 to 1832. Secondary Sources include LIFT, a literary journal index with full text of many articles, Webster's Dictionary, the Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature, the King James Bible, links to other Web resources, bibliographies for over 400 authors, and biographies for over 1,000 of the most-studied authors.
- MLA Bibliography
Simmons Eresource
Provides some one million citations for items from over 4,000 journals and series published worldwide. It also indexes books, essay collections, working papers, proceedings, dissertations, and bibliographies. Each record contains a bibliographic citation for a journal article, book, or other item, and library holdings for the journal title, book, or other item.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- JSTOR
Simmons Eresource
JSTOR offers both multidisciplinary and discipline-specific collections. Provides full-text backfiles of many core scholarly journals, some dating back to the 1800s. However, JSTOR is not the database for current issues as it focuses on older journals.
- Project MUSE
Simmons Eresource
Offers nearly 250 quality journal titles from 40 scholarly publishers. As one of the academic community's primary electronic periodicals resources, Project MUSE covers the fields of literature and criticism, history, the visual and performing arts, cultural studies, education, political science, gender studies, economics, and many others. Project MUSE is setting the standard for scholarly electronic journals in the humanities and social science.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you to find information about Children's Literature on the free web. Use this Children's Literature Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Children's Literature Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
