Summary of the Theme
This series offers new and old classics of children’s literature, along with a brief history of how writing for children has evolved over time.

Book List

• The Classic Fairy Tales by Iona Opie and Pete Opie
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
• Dragonwings by Laurence Yep
• The Giver by Lois Lowry

Program Brochure
The humanities scholar's essay was written in 1984 by Elizabeth R. Baer. Dr. Baer is Associate Dean of Sweet Briar College in Virgina, where she also teaches women's literature and children's literature. The following consultants assisted in the title selection and design of the series:

Barbara Elleman, Coeditor, "Children's Books," Booklist.

Betsy Hearne, Coeditorr, "Children's Books," Booklist.

Ruth MacDonald, President, Children's Literature Asssociation; Assistant Professor of English, Northeastern University.

Jeanette Studley, Program Co-ordinator, Fairfax County Public Library, Virgina.

Jim Trelease, author, The Read-Aloud Handbook; formerly an award-winning artist and journalist for the Springfield (Mass.) Daily News.

To access these program materials, you will need Adobe Reader. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, click here for a free download.

   Scholar's essay, annotated book list, and supplementary texts (pdf)*

"How To" Discussion Programming Guide
Developed to aid participants in “The Millennium Project for Public Libraries,” this programming guide provides basic information about developing and promoting book discussion programs.

* The American Library Association is the copyright owner of this essay and annotations. The credit lines embedded in the program materials and/or sponsor and funder logos must remain on all published (print and web) materials derived from these materials.