Getting to know Childcraft
The best kind of learning is fun. Children have a natural curiosity
about themselves and their world, and they enjoy satisfying that
curiosity. Childcraft helps children find answers to their questions
and encourages them to explore further and find more questions to
answer. It is an exciting companion for an inquisitive child. In
addition, Childcraft is an ideal assistant for the parent or teacher
of any child, because it provides accurate information on a wide range
of topics in language that children themselves can understand.
Objectives of Childcraft
Childcraft is for children. These four words represent the purpose for
creating Childcraft. The goal of Childcraft is to explain ideas
clearly and interestingly to children, so as to challenge, stimulate,
and create an appetite for more.
The creators of Childcraft worked with both children and adults to
choose topics of high interest to children from preschool through
elementary school years. They chose stories and poems from folk
literature, the classics, and the best of today’s literature for
children. They researched and reported on topics in nature, the
sciences, the arts, and social studies—topics that large numbers of
children consider significant. Then they organized the material in
volumes centered around children’s interests and filled with simple,
direct writing and informative, exciting photography and art.
Childcraft and children’s interests
Childcraft is designed to satisfy both young children’s need to know
and their need to explore and understand the world of imagination and
feelings. Volumes 1, 2, and 3 nourish a child’s
imagination with the best of children’s stories and poems— selections
that help children become more aware and understanding of themselves and
others. Volumes 4-14 explore the outside world, developing basic
concepts with enough supporting information for children to understand
and enjoy. Each volume presents its particular topic in a way that
builds on the child’s knowledge and interests and points toward further
learning.
In Volumes 4-14, the writers of Childcraft have used a style that lets
children enjoy the language while learning the facts. The writing is
conversational and direct, with a natural rhythm. Unfamiliar words are
introduced where they are needed, and they are explained either in the
selection itself or in a glossary at the end of the volume.
The illustrations for both literature and factual material are colorful
and appealing. Children will find charts and diagrams that clarify and
add to the text, as well as illustrations and photogi’aphs that
stimulate emotional responses to the stories and poems.
Childcraft and developmental needs
Childcraft is designed both to satisfy the interests and needs of
children and to meet the needs of parents, teachers, and other
responsible and caring adults in a child’s life. Adults who use
Childcraft will find a wealth of information, literature, and
activities for a range of ages. This section of Guide to Childcraft
provides an overview of content, together with suggestions for
introducing and using specific volumes at home and in the classroom. Two
articles that follow, “Introducing Childcraft to Children” and
“Curriculum Enrichment Guides,” together with the tables of contents and
indexes of the individual volumes, will help you guide children to the
books and pages that are right for them.
The people behind Childcraft
Since its inception in 1934, the editors of Childcraft have sought the
assistance of distinguished educators and experts in child growth and
development. An Editorial Advisory Board evaluates existing content and
considers new material to meet the changing interests and needs of
children. This board is assisted by a Library Consultant Committee,
experienced professional librarians who are qualified authorities on
children’s reading needs. Both groups meet regularly with the editorial
staff, and programs are implemented by a close working relationship
between individual advisers and editors.
In addition, these special consultants provided technical assistance and
advice in the preparation of particular volumes:
Volume 5, About Animals Paul Bigelow Sears, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus
of
Conservation,
Yale University
Loren D. Potter, Ph.D. Professor of Biology, University of New Mexico
Volume 6, The Green
Kingdom
Paul Bigelow Sears, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Conservation,
Yale University
Volume 8, About Us
Fred R. Eggan, Ph.D. Professor of Anthropology, University of Chicago
Nancy Modiano, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education,
The Catholic University of America
Volume 12, How Things Work
Larry Small
Science Consultant, Schaumburg (Illinois) Public
Schools
Volume 13, Mathemagic Lola J. May, B.S., M.A.,
Ph.D.
Mathematics Consultant,
Winnetka (Illinois) Public Schools
Volume 14, About Me
Paul L. Doerring, Ph.D.
Psychological Institute of Hilton Head Island
Virginia Samter
Member, Association of Medical Illustrators
Award-Winning Authors and Illustrators in Childcraft
Included in Childcraft are works of many award-winning authors and
illustrators of children’s books. Eight major awards are described, with
names of winners who are in Childcraft. Listed below are winners of
these and other awards and where in Childcraft to find examples of
their work.
The Newbery Medal is given by the Association for Library Service to
Children (ALSO of the American Library Association for the most
distinguished contribution to American literature for children. It is
named for John Newbery (1713-1767), a London bookseller who first had
the idea of publishing books for children. Seven winners are represented
in Childcraft: Beverly Cleary, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Rachel Field,
Jean Craighead George, William H. Armstrong, Scott O’Dell, and Elizabeth
George Speare— the last three by excerpts from their winning books:
Sounder (Armstrong), Island of the Blue Dolphins (O’Dell), and The
Witch of Blackbird Pond (Speare).
The Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book
for children is also given by the ALSC. It is named for Randolph
Caldecott (1846-1886), an English illustrator of children’s books.
Winners in
Childcraft are Ezra Jack Keats, Arnold Lobel, Robert McCloskey, Uri
Shulevitz, Louis Slobodkin, and Lynd Ward.
The Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children is
given for a book by a Canadian citizen or resident. Winners in
Childcraft are Kay Hill, James Houston, and Dennis Lee.
The Vicky Metcalf Award for Children is given by the Canadian
Authors Association for the body of work of a Canadian author. Winners
in Childcraft are Kay Hill, James Houston, and Farley Mowat.
The Carnegie Medal is given by the Library Association (British). It
is the English equivalent of the Newbery Medal. Winners in Childcraft
are Eleanor Farjeon and Ivan Southall.
The Kate Greenaway Medal is given by the Library Association
(British) for distinguished work in the illustration of children’s books
first published in the United Kingdom. It is named for Kate Greenaway
(1846- 1901), an English illustrator. A winner in Childcraft is Helen
Oxenbury.
The Australian Children’s Book Awards are given by the Children’s
Book Council of Australia. Winners of the Book of the Year
award in Childcraft are Ivan Southall and K. Langloh Parker. The
latter is represented by a selection from her winning book. Ron Brooks,
who won the Picture Book of the Year award, is represented by his
winning pictures.
The Hans Christian Andersen International Children’s Book Medals are
given by
the International Board on Books for Young People to a living author and
illustrator whose complete works have made a distinguished contribution
to international literature for young people. Winners in Childcraft
are Eleanor Farjeon of the United Kingdom, Astrid Lindgren of Sweden,
and Scott O’Dell of the United States.
