College of Information Studies
University of Maryland College Park
LBSC 748
Spring 2013
Instructor: Maria Salvadore
Office hours an hour before class and by appointment
msalvado@umd.edu
202-269-1060 home/office
Advanced Seminar in Children’s Literature
LBSC 748
Spring 2013
Course Objectives & Assignments
Course objectives:

Candidates will gain a broader understanding of children’s literature as they
examine it from various perspectives including those of book creators,
representatives of publishing/business, librarians and other professionals who use
children’s literature in specific programs and as members of various award juries.

These experiences will enhance and inform critical sensibilities as students read
children’s books and investigate in-depth specific aspects or areas in the field of
children’s literature. Results of research will be shared in class.
Course assignments & grading:

Written responses to guest speakers & topics presented in class.
Each short paper (2-3 pages unless otherwise noted during class) due the week
following guest presentations (approximately 5% for each guest speaker &/or
topic up to 35% of total grade).

Two (2) 20-page papers on different topics (using at least ten children’s books
plus professional readings to support and enhance presentation) or one 40 page
exploration on a specific topic (20 books minimum supported by professional
readings).
Preliminary paper/s due at time of presentation; final paper/s due by last class;
(approximately 50% of total grade for seminar), Candidates are expected to
prepare reading list and guide discussion for class in which they present.

Readings for each class and weekly participation (15%)
Course Outline
1 – 1/24/13
No in-person class. Please read & respond to the following:
Please read the following New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/education/young-latino-studentsdont-see-themselves-in-books.html and the responses in:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/opinion/the-diversity-inside-achildrens-book.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=1&
What does this suggest about children’s books, the industry, and the
business of publishing? Are all books evaluated in the same way? For
example, does a teacher examine books for children in the same way as a
librarian does? Does this approach to books necessarily coincide with
children’s responses to literature? In other words, where does the childas-reader response come in? How much does reader response matter?
What are some of the larger considerations when evaluating books for
children up to age 14?
Please respond to the NYT article and related letters, highlighting some of
the major issues it raises for you. Your response paper should not exceed
three (3) pages. It will be discussed in class.
2 – 1/31/13
Introduction to course, objectives and requirements
Discussion of NYT reading
Discussion of candidates’ early interests for exploration
3 – 2/7/13
The business and realities of publishing: Nancy Feresten [confirmed]
Read:
 Witches by Rosalyn Schanzer. (National Geographic, 2011)
 Wheels of Change by Sue Macy (National Geographic, 2011)
 National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with
Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! By J. Patrick Lewis
 Also read any title in the National Geographic Readers series and
one in the Weird But True series
Read: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrensindustry-news/article/55406-reading-rainbow-adds-digital-titles-fromnational-geographickids.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Children%27s+Bookshe
lf&utm_campaign=38def7cc30-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email
2
4 – 2/14/13
Writing, getting published & publicizing children’s books: Karen
Leggett [confirmed]
Read: Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books by
Karen Leggett Abouraya, illustrated by Susan L. Roth (Dial, 2012)
Visit: http://www.handsaroundthelibrary.com/ paying particular attention
to resources for teachers and librarians
5 – 2/21/13
Writing poetry, picture books, and novels: Mary Quattlebaum
[confirmed]
Read:
The Hungry Ghost of Rue Orleans illustrated by Patricia Castelao
(Random, 2011)
Grover G. Graham & Me (Delacorte, 2001)
Pirate Vs. Pirate (Hyperion, 2011)
Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond and Jo MacDonald Had a Garden (both Dawn,
2011 & 2012)
Others as available such as: Family Reunion (Erdmans, 2004), Winter
Friends (Doubleday, 2006) and more
Visit:
http://www.maryquattlebaum.com/Mary_Quattlebaum/Welcome.html
6 – 2/28/13
Writing for different ages – voice, perspective, humor & more: Erica
Perl [confirmed]
Read:
When Life Gives You O.J. (Knopf, 2011)
Vintage Veronica (Knopf, 2010)
Chicken Butt and Chicken Butt’s Back, both illustrated by Henry Cole
(both Abrams, 2009 & 2011)
Dotty illustrated by Julia Denos (Abrams, 2010)
Other titles as available (additional picture book titles are available at
public libraries)
Visit: http://www.ericaperl.com/ and http://blog.firstbook.org/tag/ericaperl/; also go to http://www.firstbook.org/ to ask about Erica’s other work
and where it intersects with her work as an author.
7 – 3/7/13
Illustration in picture books and other novel variations: Henry Cole
[CONFIRMED]
Read:
3
Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad (Scholastic, 2012)
A Nest for Celeste (HarperCollins, 2010)
Three Hens and a Peacock written by Lester L. Laminack (Peachtree;
2011); see also: http://www.cbcbooks.org/sub-news.php?id=357
Jack’s Garden (Greenwillow, 1995)
Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad written by Pamela
Duncan Edwards (Harper, 1998 reprint)
Others as available
Visit: http://www.henrycole.net/index.php?scrWidth=1024
8 – 3/14/13
Researching & verifying facts in illustration while presenting
information to engage the youngest reader: Susan Stockdale
[confirmed]
Read:
Bring On the Birds (Peachtree, 2011)
Fabulous Fishes (Peachtree, 2008); please compare the picture book
edition to the board book (Peachtree, 2012)
Others as available (many are available at libraries)
Visit: http://www.susanstockdale.com/
9 – 3/21/13
No Class – SPRING BREAK
10 – 3/28/13 Candidate Presentations
11 – 4/4/13
Candidate Presentations
12 – 4/11/13 Candidate Presentations
13 – 4/18/13 Candidate Presentations
14 – 4/25/13 Candidate Presentations
15 – 5/2/13
Candidate Presentations
16 – 5/9/13
Candidate Presentations - Last Class!
4
5