Surveys the history of children' literature, explores the child's response to literature, and explains how to evaluate and select literature for children. Features unique two-part genre chapters -- one part content and one part methods. Covers artists and their illustrations, picture books, traditional literature, modern fantasy, poetry, contemporary realistic fiction, historical fiction, multicultural literature, and nonfiction (biographies and informational books). Contains illustrations from favorite full-color children's books (in their original colors), and art from real children. Features guest editorials by authors and illustrators; flashbacks of historical events, works, and people; and a section on multicultural literature in every chapter. Provides a dual-platform CD-ROM with annotated reference information on the more than 3000 children's literature titles listed in the book.