Reading and Literature for Children.

Considering how literature for children provides more than just word recognition skills and thinking skills, this paper discusses several reasons why there should be a good children's literature curriculum in the school setting. It points out how children can experience life vicariously through good literature; how good literature can aid a child in making good choices in life; how children's literature provides avenues for relaxation and recreation; how reading children's literature can be a guidance resource; how children can become knowledgeable about different careers; how children's literature provides a springboard for creative thinking activities on the part of pupils; and how children's literature may be directly related to social studies, science, mathematics, the language arts, art, music, and physical education. It lists 10 guidelines for the teacher to assess his/her achievement in guiding optimal pupil achievement in children's literature. The paper discusses the evaluation of pupil progress in children's literature. It concludes by pointing out that pupils individually select and sequence their progress and achievement when choosing their own library books. (SC)