Abstract
This paper examines four children's stories concerning the theme of friendship and the cultures in which they were written. The cultures are France, Spain, England, and America.

Tags:friendship, children's, works

Abstract
This paper develops a perspective on the structural and reader response approaches to literature appreciation that is based upon empirical findings observed in research into the influence of storytelling on child development. To this end, this report first reviews the literature on how storytelling can influence the social, cognitive, and psycho-emotional development of children as well as its basic influence on learning. This examination of the effects of storytelling on child development is followed by an explication of both the structural and the reader response approaches to teaching literature appreciation. Based on the review of all of this material, the report discusses each theory in terms of the support or lack of support offered for it by the storytelling-child development literature. Where relevant, this discussion is used to modify, hone and refine theory into a new model of instruction (The Integrated Model) in literature appreciation, a model that focuses on storytelling as a mode of instruction and that incorporates elements and postulates of both the reader response model and the structural model.

From the Paper
"Effects of Storytelling on Social Development. There is a good bit of literature that supports the notion that storytelling can strongly contribute to both very young and older children's social and psychosocial development. For example, Pellowski (1990) reports that research has shown that stories inform children about the lives, the dreams, the hopes, the problems, the tensions and the conflicts of diverse social and ethnic groups. In this way, storytelling helps familiarize children with how groups of people, some of them which may be very different than the group children were raised in, perceive life and its events.

Simultaneously, while informing of group differences, storytelling serves the function of maintaining a sense of the human community by telling the story using universal themes common to all. In other words, storytelling operates to broaden children's view of the world and the diverse societies it while also emphasizing the social ties that bind communities and groups of people together."

Tags:California, Reading, Association, Ferdinand, de, Saussure

Abstract
This paper proposes a research study of adults who were child witnesses to domestic violence. The paper provides a brief literature review of the background of the effect of domestic violence upon children and explores and outlines the methodologies of the research study. The paper also reviews the ethical concerns of dealing with human subjects and the limitations of the proposed research survey.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
The Effects of Family Domestic Violence on Children
Introduction / Literature Review
Methods
Ethics Statement
Limitations of the Study

From the Paper
"The problem of domestic violence is multi-faceted. The literature review of the subject clearly demonstrates that there is no one cause and no single solution to the problem. The approach of removing the child witnesses of domestic violence and placing then in non-violent environments may not always be practical or helpful. The estimates of upwards of 10 million children annually whom are witnesses to domestic violence would create a strain of unimagined proportions upon the foster care programs across the country. The purpose of the study is to examine on possible solution to ending the generational cycle of domestic violence and reserving this solution to the most severe cases. It is unfortunately anticipated that this one measure will not be the cure-all of what is a national tragedy."

Tags:abuse, victim, witness

Abstract
This paper examines the incident and approach to the matter of prejudice in children's literature. The paper discuss how this has been accomplished in Terry Pratchett's "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" and Karen Levine's "Hana's Suitcase." The paper discusses the different ways in which these two authors approach prejudice and how difficult a topic it is to address in children's literature.

From the Paper
"Dealing with Prejudice in Children's Literature This paper examines the incident and approach to the matter of prejudice in children's literature. Because this can be a difficult subject at any age level, dealing with it in children's literature can be especially difficult. Below, I will discuss how this has been accomplished in Terry Pratchett's The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents and Karen Levine's Hana's Suitcase. Sometimes, addressing prejudice is done in a very straightforward fashion. Readers are never question the fact that prejudice is one of the primary themes of the work. This is the case in Hana's Suitcase. However, other writers approach the subject more subtly and less directly, preferring to dance around the matter with allusion and metaphor. This is Pratchett's approach in The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rats."

Tags:children, literature, prejudice

Abstract
This is a sociology paper on children's literature and gender roles. It includes comparing and contrasting two children's books about gender differences or observing girl and boys.

Tags:childrens, literature, gender

Abstract
This essay discusses how many children's books have been considered classics, but how they have also been challenged as having race and gender bias. Rudyard Kipling's "How The Leopard Got His Spots", Paula Fox's "The Slave Dancer", and Lynne Reid Banks' "The Indian in the Cupboard" are all examined in this context. The paper finds that they have a certain amount of racial bias.

Tags:childrens, literature

Abstract
Critical paper conveying how multiculturalism in children's literature often reflects an American and British theoretical foundation that does not suit the Canadian case. Introduction to a movement in education that deconstructs previous children's literature but that in its ideology may miss the point of what children's literature should endeavor to create in a positive curiosity concerning different cultures. Several theoretical pieces and examples from children's books on African-American, Chinese and Aboriginal themes to show several weaknesses in a much politicized campaign.

From the Paper
"In the last three decades, much has been made of the need to promote multiculturalism and also, the goals of anti-racism, by way of children's literature that should encourage the child's positive awareness of different cultures. This seems particularly important in the wildly multicultural environments offered by cities such as Toronto where children should be encouraged to acquire an interest in other cultures according to an ability to understand and appreciate what is different. "

Tags:children'slit, multiculturalism, ideology

Abstract
The paper discusses how children's literature not only provides entertainment for its readers, it can also help them understand complex personal relationships and how to successfully deal with the challenges that come from having those relationships. The paper asserts that sibling rivalry is a topic well-suited for children's literature because it is so commonly faced. This study analyzes three works of children's literature on sibling rivalry to determine for each the intended audience, the balance of humor and drama, and the reconciliation process the siblings ultimately experience.

From the Paper
"Children's literature often gives its audiences more than entertainment. It can also be a way for children to explore issues and feelings that are common parts of growing up. When they read about characters that experience the same goals, challenges, victories, and frustrations as them, it shows them their problems are not unique, and sometimes offers ways to deal with those problems. An excellent example of a common problem for readers of children's literature is sibling rivalry. First-born children suddenly have to share the attention and affection of parents and..."

Tags:sibling, rivalry, literature

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine one specific ideological construct formed in the heart of children's literature produced from one specific cultural group. Specifically, it argues that African-American children's literature portrays a focus on familial relationships and bonds, evident even amongst two artists in children's literature, John and Javaka Steptoe.

From the Paper
"Despite the juvenile nature of the audience for children's literature, the genre itself can be an incredibly rich mine of cultural imagery and ideologies. Children's literature cannot be dismissed as only for children - rather, it can teach us all by examining what we use to teach our children. The purpose of this study is to examine one specific ideological construct formed in the heart of children's literature produced from one specific cultural group. Specifically, I would argue that African American children's literature portrays a focus on familial relationships and bonds, evident even amongst two artists in children's literature, John and Javaka Steptoe. "

Tags:steptoe, family, children

Abstract
This paper makes the contention that the facts on cultural diversity in American children's literature belie a terrible misrepresentation of minorities in the small number of books written about them. The larger Caucasian society of authors, as well as minority authors, must be responsible to bring forth a true democratic social responsibility in not ignoring other cultures in this type of literature. Although there should be a greater emphasis on publishing more African-American or Hispanic children's literature, the issue of cross-cultural mixing should be the priority of both sides of this argument.

From the Paper
"By identifying aspects of minority culture in American society, one can realize how these books can help create racial diversity in a white hegemonic society. In essence, by understanding the problem with diversity in current children's literature, there should be a greater effort for authors and teachers to include other races and creeds in their creative writing projects and literature choices. The problem with racial diversity in children's literature is one that needs to be looked at with a rational point of view."

Tags:minority, children, book