Now in its Eighth Edition, this highly regarded book helps teachers, librarians, and other media specialists select quality children's literature. Unlike an anthology, which includes only selected chapters and text summaries, A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature uses examples of children's books to explain critical principles and standards, as well as special issues in evaluating books for children. Taking readers through the definitions of literary terms such as plot, character, theme, setting, point of view, style, and tone, Rebecca Lukens provides sound criteria for assessing the merit of children's books. Throughout the book, Lukens addresses a variety of issues in children's literature. Thoroughly updated with new examples of literature from all genres, A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature continues to be the best resource available for helping anyone who works with children select the best children's literature for the classroom, library, or home. - Back cover.