Children’s Literature in the Classroom

This professional development guide offers primary teachers a comprehensive framework for understanding and utilizing children's literature across all major genres, from fairy tales and nonfiction to picture books and digital texts. Zbaracki provides an in-depth examination of literary form, structure, and approach that helps educators recognize what makes outstanding children's books truly effective in classroom settings. The book serves as both a roadmap to quality literature and a practical resource for building literacy skills through meaningful text selection and implementation strategies.

What distinguishes this resource is its balanced focus on both literary appreciation and pedagogical application, making it particularly valuable for pre-service teachers developing their classroom libraries and literacy curriculum. The author's systematic analysis of different book types helps educators move beyond personal preference to make informed choices that support diverse learning needs and reading development. Teachers will finish this guide equipped with both the theoretical understanding and practical tools to create classrooms where children's literature becomes a powerful catalyst for lifelong reading engagement.