The following guide is intended to assist in the location of materials in the Van Pelt Library on children's authors and about children's books, including recommended titles, award winning works, and the history of children publishing. The Van Pelt Library has a moderate number of childrens books. These works are located the PZ section of the stacks (3rd Floor, West side)a and as part of the Illman Carter Children's collection, located on the second floor. Search Franklin by titles for the location and call number.

Contents

• I. Book Catalogs: Franklin & Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
• II. Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
• III. Biographical Information about Children's Authors
• IV. Recommended Reading / Best Books
• V. Awards and Prizes
• VI. Bibliographies and Handbooks
• VII. Journal Article Databases
• VIII. Internet Sites

I. Book Catalogs: Franklin & Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

Franklin, the Penn Library's online catalog, lists more than two million books, journal titles, and other materials contained in campus libraries. You may search Franklin by author, title, journal title, subject, or call number, as well as several keyword options.

Notes about Subject Headings: Children's literature is used for collections of works published for children, including literary works, non-literary works, or both. Works on books for children considered as physical objects are entered under children's books. Works on the reading interests of children, and/or lists of books read by or recommended for children, are entered under Children--Books and reading. The subject subdivison juvenile literature is used under particular subjects. Try adding "juvenile literature" to keyword searches, or search the phrase alone. Collections of literary works or individual literary works written by children under 15 years of age are entered under Children's writings. Works on child authors and/or discussions of their works are entered under Children as authors.

Some useful subject headings are:

best books children's literature children's books children's literature childrens literature 20th century children's literature american children's literature english children's literature history and criticism children's plays children's poetry

children's stories illustrated books, children's fairy tales picture-books for children children's literature in series newberry medal books children's encyclopedias and dictionaries children's writings

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database contains cataloging records for children's books, video and audio recordings, and film strips. Also provides full-text reviews from independent review sources. Search by author, title, subject, or keyword. Limit by category (ficture or non-fiction) or qualifier (age, language, author/illustrator, publisher, or date) category. Review sources include: Review sources include: The Alan Review, Bulletin, Children's Literature, The Five Owls, and Kirkus Reviews, Media & Methods, Parent Council, Parent's Guide, Resource Links, Science Books & Films, and VOYA.

II. Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Bernice E. Cullinan and Diane G. Person, editors. New York : Continuum, 2001.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1008.5 .C66 2001]

Intended as a single volume work on the history and current trends in children's literature. Includes 97 topical articles and about 1,200 biographical entries on authors and illustrators.

Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English. [Edited by] Victor Watson. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2001.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .C36 2001]

International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's literature. Hunt, Peter, ed. London ; New York : Routledge, 1996.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1008.5 .I57 1996]

Carpenter, Humphrey.The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature. Oxford [Oxfordshire] ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1984.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1008.5 .C37 1984]

[Van Pelt Library Stacks: PN1008.5 .C37 1984]

III. Biographical Information about Children's Authors

Literary Index

Provided by the Gale Group publishers. Search my author name to find various Gale biographical sets that have entries on a particular author. Indexes many sets including Contemporary Authors and Something about the Author. Penn owns many of the titles indexed here; check Franklin for call number and location.

Something About the Author. Detroit : Gale Research, 1971-.

[Van Pelt Library Stacks: PN452 .S653], v. 1. -
This series covers more than 7,000 authors. Lengthy biographical entries offer personal information, descriptions of works, author sidelights, sometimes a portrait and illustrations from works. Entries are updates and obituaries offer references to earlier volumes.

American Writers for Children before 1900. Glenn E. Estes, ed. Detroit, MI : Gale Research Co., c1985.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .A44 1985]
Lengthy entries include detailed biographical information, lists of books authored, references, and information on the location of archival papers. See the two titles which follow for later years.

American Writers for Children, 1900-1960 John Cech, ed. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1983.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .A43 1983]

American Writers for Children since 1960. Poets, Illustrators, and Nonfiction Authors Glenn E. Estes, ed. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., c1987.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .A45 1987]

Authors of Books for Young People. Martha E. Ward. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press, 1990.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN497 .A97 1990]

Rollock, Barbara.Black Authors and Illustrators of Children's Books: a Biographical Dictionary. New York : Garland, 1988.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 R63 1988]

British Children's Writers, 1914-1960. Hettinga, Donald R. and Gary D. Schmidt. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1996.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .B75 1996]

British Children's Writers since 1960. First Series. Hunt, Caroline C., ed. Detroit : Gale Research, 1996.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .B753 1996]

British Children's Writers, 1880-1914. Laura M. Zaidman, ed. Detroit : Gale Research, c1994.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .B75 1994]

British Children's Writers, 1800-1880 . Khorana, Meena, ed. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1996.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .B747 1996]

Bravo-Villasante, Carmen. Diccionario de autores de la literatura infantil mundial. Madrid : Editorial Escuela Espaqola, [1985?]

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN497 .B73 1985]

Children's Books and their Creators. Anita Silvey, editor. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1995.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 C496 1995]
Concentrates on books for children over the last 100 years and particularly the last 50 years in the US. Includes biographical material and critical reviews, as well as overviews of history, issues, and genres. Detailed index.

St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers. 2nd ed. / with a preface by Richard Peck ; editors, Tom Pendergast & Sara Pendergast. Detroit : St. James Press, c1999.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .S7 1999]

Twentieth-century Children's Writers. D. L. Kirkpatrick, ed. 2nd edition. New York : St. Martin's Press, 1983.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 T9 1983]

Twentieth-century Children's Writers. Tracy Chevalier, ed. 3rd ed. Chicago : St.James Press, c1989.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 K55 1989]

Writers for Children: Critical Studies of Major Authors Since the Seventeenth Century. Jane M. Bingham, editor. New York : Scribner, 1988.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 W73 1988]
Guide to eighty-four authors of classical literature for children. Entries include biographical information, evaluataions, and bibliographic references.

Writers for Young Adults. Ted Hipple, editor. New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, c1997.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .W75 1997], v.1-3
Includes biographical entries, lists of works written, and additional references. The focus is on contemporary authors, although many classic authors are included.

McElmeel, Sharron L.100 Most Popular Children's Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies. Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1999.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .M39 1999]
Inclusion is based on a survey of students and teachers. Entries are biographical, with a selected book lists and more reading about the author.

IV. Recommended Reading / Best Books

Children's Literature Review. Detroit : Gale Research, 1976-

[Van Pelt Library Stacks: PN1009.A1 C5139], 1976 - , v. 1 -

Each volumes focuses an a selection of authors and illustrators. Includes biographical information, reception summary, awards, and principal works. This is followed by author commentary, general commentaries, and title specific commentaries.

Adventuring with Books: a Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6. Wendy K. Sutton, editor, and the Committee to Revise the Elementary School Booklist ; with a foreword by Patricia MacLachlan. 11th edition. Urbana, IL : National Council of Teachers of English, c1997.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 A284 1997] Intended to list books of literary quaily, artistic merit, and high interest by children. Entries are annotated.

Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6.. John T. Gillespie, editor. 7th edition. New Providence, NJ : R.R. Bowker, c2002.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: Z1037 .B547 2002]
Entries include one line descriptions and citations to book reviews. Indexes by author, illustrator, titles, subject, and grade level.

Sutherland, Zena. The best in Children's Books: the University of Chicago Guide to Children's Literature, 1985-1990. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, c1991.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 .S943 1991]

Sutherland, Zena. comp. The Best in Children's Books; the University of Chicago Guide to Children's Literature, 1979-84. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1986.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 S942 1986]

Sutherland, Zena.The Best in Children's Books; the University of Chicago Guide to Children's Literature, 1973-1978. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1980.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 S942]

Sutherland, Zena. comp. The best in Children's Books; the University of Chicago Guide to Children's Literature, 1966-1972. Chicago, University of Chicago Press [1973].

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 S94]

The World through Children's Books. Edited by Susan Stan. Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2002.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 .W954 2002]

Apseloff, Marilyn. They Wrote for Children too: an Annotated Bibliography of Children's Literature by Famous Writers for Adults. New York : Greenwood Press, 1989.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 A67 1989]
Identifies books for children written by well-known authors who wrote primarily for adults. Includes many formats including poetry, picture books, drama, biography, and fantasy. Arranged by time period, then by genre.

V. Awards and Prizes

Coretta Scott King Awards Book: from Vision to Reality. Henrietta M. Smith, editor; Coretta Scott King Task Force, Social Responsibilities Round Table. Chicago : American Library Association, 1994.

[Van Pelt Library Stacks: PN1009.A1 C664 1994]

Allen, RuthChildren's Book Prizes: an Evaluation and History of Major Awards for Children's Books in the English-Speaking World. Aldershot, Hants, England ; Brookfield, Vt. : Ashgate, c1998.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .A45 1998]

Smith, Laura J.Children's Book Awards International: a Directory of Awards and Winners, from Inception through 1990. Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., c1992.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 S45 1992]

Peterson, Linda Kauffman.Newbery and Caldecott Medal and Honor Books: an Annotated Bibliography. Boston, MA : G.K. Hall, 1982.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 P42 1982]

Newbery and Caldecott Medalists and Honor Book Winners: Bibliographies and Resource Material through 1977. Jim Roginski, compiler. Littleton, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1982.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 N488 1982]

VI. Bibliographies and Handbooks

Rand, Donna. Black Books Galore!: Guide to Great African American Children's Books New York : Wiley, c2001.

[Van Pelt Reference Stacks: E185 .R26 2001]

[Van Pelt Library Afro-American Studies Seminar (non-circ): E185 .R26 1998]

Denman-West, Margaret W. Children's Literature: a Guide to Information Sources Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1998.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 D4 1998]

Barker, Keith. Outstanding Books for Children and Young People: the LA guide to Carnegie/Greenaway Winners, 1937-1997 London : Library Association Publishing, 1998.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 B35 1998]

Allen, Marjorie N. One Hundred Years of Children's Books in America: Decade by Decade New York : Facts On File, 1996.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PS490 .A38 1996]
A chronological history of the children's book industry in the US. Each chapter is half text and half annotated bibliography.

Special Collections in Children's Literature: an International Directory. Association for Library Service to Children ; compiled and edited by Dolores Blythe Jones ; with the assistance of the National Planning for Special Collections Committee. 3rd edition. Chicago : American Library Association, 1995.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: Z688.C47 S63 1995]

Lees, Stella.Oxford Companion to Australian Children's Literature. Melbourne ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1993.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR9613.9 .L44 1993]

Carruth, Gorton.The Young Reader's Companion. New Providence, N.J. : R.R. Bowker, c1993.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1008.5 .C373 1993]

Miller-Lachmann, Lyn.Our Family, our Friends, our World: an Annotated Guide to Significant Multicultural Books for Children and Teenagers. New Providence, N.J. : R.R. Bowker, c1992.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 M56 1992]

Hendrickson, Linnea.Children's Literature, a Guide to the Criticism. Boston, Mass. : G.K. Hall, 1987.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PR990 .H46 1987]

Bingham, Jane. Fifteen Centuries of Children's Literature: an Annotated Chronology of British and American Works in Historical Context. West, Conn. : Greenwood Press, c1980.

[Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: PN1009.A1 B55]

VII. Journal Article Databases

The following indexes are used to locate journal articles, although some indexes cover additional types of works.

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center).

Covers 1966 to the present.

Provides indexing to almost eight hundred education and education-related journals, as well as research documents, speeches, and government publications. Focus is strongest on the United States. Online access to 80% of the ERIC Documents from 1996 to the present is available from EDRS via the ERIC database. In addition, the Van Pelt Library houses the ERIC document microfiche collection from 1985 to the present. For additional information about ERIC, please see About ERIC.

Some useful ERIC Subject Headings include:

adolescent literature authors artists awards beginning reading black literature children's literature cultural differences emergent literacy

illustrations language rhythm nursery rhymes picture books preschool education reading materials reading aloud to others reading material selection rhyme story telling

Some useful ERIC Identifiers (proper nouns, terms not yet Subject Headings) include:

african americans caldecott award

easy reading books historical fiction

Education Index.

Indexes over five hundred journals in education comprehensively. A good number of these titles have full-text for recent years. Covers 1983 to the present. The print version of Education Index is located at [Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks: L11 .E384], 1929-.

Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA).

Covers 1973 to the present.
Covers world's literature in linguistics, language acquisitions, language teaching.

MLA Bibliography.

Covers 1963 - present. The Modern Language Association's International Bibliography (MLA) covers literature, languages, linguistics, and folklore/folklife. Before 1970, however, the file is primarily limited to English language materials. Also in print: Van Pelt Reference: Z7006 .M64], 1956 - 1994.

VIII. Internet Sites

• The Children's Literature Web Guide - http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html
• Carol Hurst's Children's Literature - http://www.carolhurst.com/
  Includes book reviews, use of children's literature in the curriculum, and authors and illustrators.
• Bookhive: Your Guide to Children's Literature & Books - http://www.bookhive.org/
  Searchable site with recommendations provided by librarians at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg Co., NC.
• CHILDE - Children's Historical Literature Disseminated throughout Europe - http://www.bookchilde.org/
  Images from children's books from six collections in England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Most books published before 1890.
• Once Upon a Time...A Children's Literature Web site - http://nova.bsuvc.bsu.edu/~00mevancamp/ouat.htm
• Vandergrift's Children's Literature Page - http://scils.rutgers.edu/%7Ekvander/ChildrenLit/index.html
• Database of Award-winning Children's Literature - http://www2.wcoil.com/~ellerbee/childlit.html
  Search quality book titles via keyword or phrase, reading level, genre, language, historical period, gender of the protagonist, and ethnicity of the protagonist.
• Children's Book Council - http://www.cbcbooks.org/
• Children's Literature Association (ChLA) - http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/chla/
• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - http://www.scbwi.org/

Copyright © 1998-2002 University of Pennsylvania Library. All Rights Reserved.