Writing for kids can be fun and rewarding-- if you can break into the competitive world of children's book publishing. Learn how to write and promote a children's book that will impress any publisher.

Upon publication, Anita Silvey’s comprehensive survey of contemporary children’s literature, Children’s Books and Their Creators, garnered unanimous praise from librarians, educators, and specialists interested in the world of writing for children. Now The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators assembles the best of that volume in one handy, affordable reference, geared specifically to parents, educators, and students. This new volume introduces readers to the wealth of children’s literature by focusing on the essentials — the best books for children, the ones that inform, impress, and, most important, excite young readers. Updated to include newcomers such as J. K. Rowling and Lemony Snicket and to cover the very latest on publishing and educational trends, this edition features more than 475 entries on the best-loved children’s authors and illustrators, numerous essays on social and historical issues, thirty personal glimpses into craft by well-known writers, illustrators, and critics, and invaluable reading lists by category. The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators summarizes the canon of contemporary children’s literature, in a practical guide essential for anyone choosing a book for or working with children.

An Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild Here is everything the aspiring children's author needs to know about the five essential steps to publication: researching the current marketplace, developing story ideas, strengthening writing skills and improving work habits, submitting proposals and manuscripts to agents and publishers, and becoming part of the writing community. What's more, this revised and expanded edition contains updated reading lists and organizational references, as well as the latest information on word processing and illustrating with computers. There's also a new chapter on writing plays for children, and innovative suggestions for handling difficult contemporary issues such as AIDS. From character sketches to bound books, author/editor Barbara Seuling shows how to get involved and work toward success in today's world of children's literature.

Highlights baby books, preschool and picture books, poetry and anthologies, early readers, fiction, special needs, award winners, and titles appropriate for toddlers. A section on how to use the internet to look for children's books is also included.

Junie B. Jones's First Boxed Set Ever! Ta-daa! It's me! It's Junie B. Jones! And guess what? This attractive box has my first four books in it! I can't wait for you to read them!

Highlights baby books, preschool and picture books, poetry and anthologies, early readers, fiction, special needs, award winners, and titles appropriate for toddlers. A section on how to use the internet to look for children's books is also included.

Two kids plant mysterious seeds (all that?s pictured on the envelope is a blue top hat), and up grows a remarkable flowering vine, out of which emerges an even more remarkable big white bear. On his head is the top hat?a hat that allows him to work all kinds of magic that day. He pulls monkey after monkey from the hat, blows bubbles in amazing shapes, and transforms flowers into spectacular floating sea creatures. The two kids are wide-eyed with wonder, and you will be too. This is a dazzling debut?a vibrant, welcoming, strikingly original picture book.