172 pages · 2026
Exploring Genres and Text Formats in Children’s Literature
Supporting Students’ Engagement and Understanding
By Miriam Martinez · Rebecca Stortz · Janis Harmon
- Published
- February 27, 2026
- Imprint
- Routledge
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- ISBN
- 9781003676799
Overview
About this book
This children’s literature textbook is based on the textual response framework which recognizes that, while readers’ personal experiences and knowledge shape their understanding of literature, readers’ knowledge of format and genre conventions is equally important in reading literature.
Historically, children’s literature textbooks have focused largely on introducing readers to quality literature (and criteria for evaluating literature) and building readers’ knowledge of different genres of children’s literature. These are important goals that this textbook will also address. However, we recognize that textual knowledge includes more than genre knowledge; it also includes knowledge of what is distinctive about different formats of literature. In particular, this book helps preservice teachers understand the distinctive features of picturebooks, chapter books, novels in verse, and graphic novels, and what these distinctive features mean for engaging and supporting students as they read different formats. The book:
·introduces preservice teachers to quality literature, including the rich array of diverse literature that is being published for children
·provides preservice teachers with knowledge of major genres of children’s literature—fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
·provides preservice teachers with knowledge of different formats of children’s literature including picturebooks, chapter books, novels in verse, and graphic novels
·offers preservice teachers strategies for using textual knowledge (both genre and format) to support readers’ engagement with and understanding of literature.
Subjects
Education, Language & Literature
Inside the book
Table of contents
Select a chapter to read its abstract.
Chapter 1Introduction
Pages: 10
In this chapter, we explore the nature of literary reading with a focus on both readers and texts. The rationale for this textbook's focus on genres and formats of literature is offered. Also included are criteria for selecting quality literature for children with a particular focus on diverse literature and book awards in the field.
Part IGenres of Children's Literature
Pages: 62
No chapter abstract available.
Chapter 2Fiction
Pages: 20
This chapter presents an in-depth discussion on literary elements—the building blocks of fiction, and the integrated way in which literary elements work together in quality literature. Discussion of the distinctive nature of literary elements in diverse genres of children's literature is also included.
Chapter 3Nonfiction
Pages: 21
This chapter explores both factual and interpretive nonfiction and the distinctive features of each. We look closely at how nonfiction children's books function as a genre and how the creators of these books present their material in engaging, informational, and often literary ways.
Chapter 4Poetry
Pages: 19
This chapter explores the distinctive nature of poetry in children's literature. In particular, we focus on different types of poetic works, the devices used by poets (e.g., imagery, figurative language), and how readers can move through and access poetry in meaningful ways.
Part IIFormats of Literature
Pages: 85
No chapter abstract available.
Chapter 5Picturebooks
Pages: 25
This chapter provides an overview of the types of picturebooks available for children of different ages. A discussion of various definitions of the picturebook is included as well as in-depth discussions of picturebook design and the tools used by illustrators to tell stories or convey information.
Chapter 6Chapter Books
Pages: 23
This chapter focuses on the distinctive features of the chapter book format with a particular focus on the complexity of literary elements in chapter books. Other distinctive features of chapter books such as peritext and the use of special graphic features are discussed.
Chapter 7Novels in Verse Format
Pages: 13
This chapter highlights the distinctive ways in which stories are told in the format of the novel in verse, with a particular focus on literary elements. Also discussed are the text conventions frequently used in the format verse and the distinctive poetic features found in the format.
Chapter 8Graphic Novels
Pages: 22
In this chapter, we draw attention to graphic novels, a format that has attained growing popularity with school age children in recent years. The chapter defines graphic novels in comparison to comics, outlines the benefits and challenges for instruction, describes distinguishing features of this format, and includes examples of quality graphic novels to use with children.