Units & Topics with Specific Suggestions for Curriculum & Instruction 651:
Literature for the Young Child
(This is a guide for how to assist the teachers and students of 651; Information for how to help other patrons can be found in the tab preceding this one)
Some of the topics on this page can be found on book lists which can be found on the main page of the Curriculum Library, or through this link.
Author / Illustrator Study
1. The usual request for this is 5 author/illustrators that are well represented in CCM. Pull 5 or 6 books for each.
2. This is usually requested one of the weeks that students are doing author/illustrator presentations in class; as such, there will be a list from each class of authors that they do not want to use for presentations. Collate both lists and pull authors who are not on either list for the cart.
3. When selecting examples, try to have at least one woman and one Aftro-American. There is also a preference for living artists and authors, but it is acceptable to include one that is no longer living--Maurice Sendak is a common choice for this, as we have many good examples of his work, only two of which students tend to know (Wild Things and In the Night Kitchen). For each creator, try to include both constantly used books and one or two less familiar titles.
4. Most recent selections for this were: Donald Crews, Tomie de Paola, Jerry Pinkney, Patricia Polacco, and Maurice Sendak.
Award Winners
(For individual student use, see the information on Award Winners in "Topics Often Requested." This subsection is on pulling books for the Class Cart.)
1. Newberrys: For Class Cart, use mainly reference copies of Medal books. However, since 651 concentrates on lower reading levels, it may be necessary to pull some circulating copies (where Ref. is not available), and, for some years (unless asked not to), pull Honor books instead of Medal books.
The usual request is for 1 or 2 books per class member, so not all Newberrys will be used, and not all years need to be represented, though there should be a good range.
2. Caldecotts: Since 651 concentrates on picture books, all the Caldecott Medal books are wanted if possible. Most semesters they are done in two parts--1930s-1970s in the first week, and 1980s-now in the next. Use Ref. copies as much as possible, circulating copies if there is no Reference, and (unless told otherwise) an Honor book for any year that does not have a Medal book available.
There should be a book for every year of the award on the Class Carts for the Caldecott weeks, regardless of class size.
3. Américas Collection: Most common requests for this are picture book type titles (which could be in other areas of the collection due to the nature of Américas books), bilingual books (mostly in the 460s, and will appear in the online catalog under bilingual), or bilingual poetry (861s, 460s, and other areas within poetry). Use the circulating copies for this unless it is checked out, in which case reference is approprate.
Depending on the instructor's choice, we can pull for Class Cart or for use in the CCM area.
Beginning or Easy Readers
1. For 651, exact titles do not matter as much as reading levels do. We include at least a few of the Seuss Geisel award winners and honor books, samples of the Seuss Random House readers (Cat in the Hat, etc), and 2 or 3 books each from various series with the yellow "Easy Reader" tags. Most of these are in the Fiction section, but there are some picture books and nonfiction that have the label and can also be used.
2. For other classes or individual user requests, refer to the Seuss Book list, which gives some specific titles, as well as an explanation and images of the "Easy Reader" stickers.
Bilingual Books
1. For 651, See the Américas section of Award Winners in the tab earlier. We can also supply Board or Big Books, since we have some bilingual selections in both areas. More Spanish/English texts besides Américas books are available in the 460s, and a few examples of bilingual works with languages besides Spanish can be found in the 400s.
2. For other classes or individual use, see the Bilingual section in "CCM Requests" in the tabs above.
Cinderella
1. Most semesters of 651 will include a session focused on different versions of Cinderella. Usually the instructor will want many ethnic or otherwise varied versions (gender, picture book, "fractured" or humorous, etc.) of the tale. Depending on class size, we provide 20 or more variations, along with a few "standard" Perrault versions for comparison.
2. Include the Caldecott Medal book from 1955 (preferably a circulating copy, though reference will suffice if necessary). We also have a Judy Sierra book in the Reference section which includes short, unillustrated versions of Cinderella stories - this should be pulled for the Class Cart as well.
3. Note that we have many other fairy tales with more than one rendition; Cinderella is often chosen for this assignment due to the wide variety of versions and alternatives we have for it (especially the ethnic versions which come from different cultures).
4. If requested by the instructor, other stories with multiple versions may be used instead of, or in addition to, the Cinderella books, but Cinderella is currently the best choice we have due to the many variations, ethnic and otherwise. Because of the large range of possibilities, there are enough for class work even if some are checked out.
Concept Books
1. This is not usually a major topic for 651, but it is part of a larger selection of books for very young children.
2. This is a category of primarily simpler picture books on topics such as colors, shapes, sizes, numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, months, animals, foods, weather, seasons, play activities, household objects, body parts, places, and others. Many good examples of this are in the Board Book section.
Content Area Learning
(With an emphasis on Easy Nonfiction)
1. Usually one of the last topics of the semester for 651, Content Area Learning coordinates mostly easy or very short nonfiction with specific subjects in the early curriculum. Picture books may be included if they present the subject in a factual style.
2. The main areas covered here are easy and beginner math, science, social studies (with some biography and a cross-section of Wisconsin materials), and, if requested, language arts (which would include types of word use and other books in the 428 area).
3. Wisconsin materials should include at least one issue of Badger History; these are old, but still useful, and contain short, specific, discussions of facts from the state's past.
Diversity and Multiculturalism
1. The main difference between these two areas is that Multiculturalism will usually be more about different racial and ethnic groups, such as holidays, religious observances, and other customs. Diversity is similar, but tends to include people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, different family groups, and other such situations.
2. If Multiculturalism is done as a separate topic, instructors may request inclusion of specific ethnic groups (Afro-American, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, etc). If nothing specific is requested, we try to provide a few titles each about a variety of groups, rather than a lot of examples from only one or two.
Folklore / Fairy Tales
1. Stories that are commonly referred to as "fairy tales" are mostly considered to be "folklore" and as such will primarily be found in the 398.2 to 398.46 sections of nonfiction. There are a few exceptions, such as Hans Christian Andersen, that are found in the Picture Books or fiction under the author's name. If a patron wants to browse the fairy tale selections, however, they should be directed to the 398 sections.
2. "Traditional literature" is a term some instructors for 651 will use to refer to folklore, but it is clear from the titles requested that they mean folklore.
3. If a specific story is wanted, search for different or shortened versions of the title, such as "red hen" or "three pigs."
4. If a specific ethnic background is requested, try alternatives like "folklore AND Poland" or "fairy tales AND Poland."
5. Common tales will often have several versions available; some which are often asked for are: Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, Emperor's New Clothes, Gingerbread Man, Hansel & Gretel, Jack & the Beanstalk, Little Red Hen, Princess & the Pea, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Stone Soup, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Pigs, Tortoise & the Hare, and the Ugly Duckling.
6. Catalog Searches will reveal versions of some tales in areas other than the 398s. Very simple versions and modernized or "fractured" versions may be found in the picture books.
7. Mother goose rhymes are mostly in 398.8, but some can be found in both board book and big book formats.
8. Instructors for 651 may provide a list of either specific titles/stories they want, or, more commonly, specific types of stories, such as "trickster tales." Although we always try to bring a few newer books into every class session for these groups, it is easier in this category than in some of the others to pull mostly titles that we have used in previous semesters (sample lists at the end of this section to be added later)
Genres
1. Since Picture Books rarely have subject headings for specific genres, searching by genre name may not be useful.
2. Particular genres (such as science fiction or fantasy) are not usually studied as individual categories in 651. If they are wanted, refer to the explanation of these topics in the general section.
3. Some genres (like folklore and poetry) have their own areas in the nonfiction. Anything in those areas can be considered as a part of that genre, regardless of actual subject headings.
4. Some 651 instructors use the term "genre" more broadly, to refer to categories that are not genres in the traditional sense, such as award winners or chapter books. Some of these will be best searched for via our lists (like the Caldecotts) or by browsing the shelves (like chapter books or easy nonfiction).
Historical Fiction
1. Historical Fiction is an actual genre subject heading, and is mostly used for chapter books and longer fiction, rather than picture books. For that level, it is necessary to use more specific keyword searches; "underground railroad" or "pioneer life," for example, will retrieve some picture books on those topics.
2. Historical fiction is also the topic of a book list on CCM's website; the current list (being revised soon) is not exhaustive, but is a good starting point.
Poetry
1. Most contemporary American poetry is found in or around the 811.54 nonfiction call number.
2. Older poetry or that from other cultures will be throughout the 800s.
3. Mother Goose and other nursery rhymes are primarily in the 398.8 area, and are considered part of folklore.
4. Foreign language or bilingual poetry is often in the 400s under the specific Dewey number for their language. Newer bilingual poetry can also be in the 800s.
5. "Stories in rhyme" is used as a subject heading for picture books and short fiction where the entire story is in rhyme. These are usually classified as picture books.
Positive Behavior
1. The term "Positive Behavior" is not a subject heading, and therefore does not work well as a keyword search. However, it is used as a category for the 651 class, focusing on examples and explanations of desirable, good, and/or problem-solving behavior.
2. Most wanted are Picture Books and Easy Fiction, but some simple Nonfiction may be included.
3. Useful search topics include, but are not limited to:
Bullies / Bullying / Cooperation / Emotions / Empathy / Feelings / Friends / Friendship /
Honesty / Kindness / Manners / Peace / Politeness / Sharing / Worries / Worrying
Realistic Fiction
1. This is usually asked for in picture books, or easy chapter books in the fiction section. There is no single keyword or subject heading for realistic fiction, so searching by that term is not helpful.
2. Books for this may usually be found by browsing in the picture book section. The best way to judge whether a book is realistic fiction is simple: realistic fiction contains only things that could exist in real life, in contemporary times (as historical fiction is oft considered its own category). Things which are not considered realistic fiction are: small children living on their own without adults, animals behaving like people, live dinosaurs on the playground, flying people, etc. Stories with imaginary elements, like make-believe friends, may work for this category, but are not ideal.
Sensitive Topics
1. This can also be called Special Subjects, or grouped together with diversity. Clarify with the instructor what specific topics they are looking for.
2. Useful search terms include, but are not limited to:
Adoption / Autism / Child Abuse / Death / Divorce / Down Syndrome / Glasses / Grief / Handicaps / Homelessness / Jail / Literacy /
Migrant Workers / New Baby / Poverty / Same-Sex Parents / Single Parents / Strangers / Stroke / Toilet Training / Transgender
Traditional Literature
1. This term usually refers to folklore/fairy tales (here).
2. In some cases, Traditional is used as a category for what are also called "Classics" of children's literature, such as Alice in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia, Winnie the Pooh, the Wizard of Oz, etc. While 651 instructors rarely use this definition, there may be exceptions - ask for clarification if you are unsure.
3. Just like the lower level classes, Folklore/Fairy Tales for 651 will primarily be in and around 398.2 and the areas following.