English 3420

English 3420: Literature for Young Children, 3 credit hours,
Instructor: Dr. Joel D. Rudinger
E-mail: jruding@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Course Description:
Reading and evaluation of books for children from birth through age 8; picture books, novels, folklore, informational literature, poetry, and bibliographical sources.

Prerequisite(s):
English 112

General description of course contents:

  1. A brief history of Children’s Literature
  2. Poetry for children (learning the music and power of words)
  3. Storytelling
  4. Multicultural Folktales
  5. Picture books, how pictures tell stories
    1. student sharing theme-related pix books
    2. study of individual books by instructor, art as message
    3. Field trip to Mazza Galleries, U. of Findlay. Unique illustration museum.
  6. One or more novels
  7. Hands-on projects
    1. to write a folktale-like story in the style of the Bros. Grimm
    2. to write and illustrate a children’s book (end result is free hard bound copy – Fall and Spring Semesters Only)
    3. create a “tunnel book” — Summer Session, possibly Fall and Spring semesters as time is available.

Texts:
Saltman, Judith – Riverside Anthology of Children’s Literature, 6th edition
White, E. B. – Charlotte’s Web
Russell, David L. – Literature for Children, 5th edition

Course objectives:
To foster an appreciation of literature for children and to emphasize the importance of literature in meeting the developmental emotional, intellectual, and recreational needs of children; to develop a critical ability to recognize quality children’s literature and to be able to express your analyses both in writing and verbally.

Attendance:
Attendance is taken daily.

Writing:
There are two writing projects in this class:

Writing a story based on selected folk motifs
Writing and illustrating a children’s book for publication

Grading:
Grading is A, B, C, D, and F

  • A midterm exam: 50 pts “more or less”
  • Impromptu quizzes variable pts
  • Share-a-book day… 1-5 points per book presentation (three are scheduled)
  • Project I: Write a folktale based on selected folk motifs…15 pts —
  • Project II: Writing and illustrating a children’s book…100 pts (half the final exam)
  • A final exam*

Extra credit opportunities:
(Extra credit is limited to 30 points for the semester.)

  1. Mazza Sunday field trip, 10 xcr pts. * (See: www.mazzamuseum.org for information on the Mazza galleries of original children’s illustrated book art.)
  2. Fall semester only, Mazza Weekend Institute (15 xcr pts)
  3. Attendance at relevant BG-Firelands public programs (5 xcr pts)