This will be my last blog entry. This class has been great, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning all about children's literature. It has been incredibly nice to be told to read a book other than science texts.

I found a published paper that details the benefits of children's literature. The website says that children's books can help the children better understand themselves, others, and the world around them. The paper suggests that teachers can help their children through difficult times in their lives using children's literature. It suggests two different forms of therapy: bibliotherapy and critical literacy.

Bibliotherapy is a method by which adults find books relating to the specific problems a child is facing. This can help start a conversation, present understanding, or fill in gaps that they may not be able to explain.

Critical literacy is a method by which adults help children build critical thinking skills that enable students to consider all viewpoints, respect differences, and become more self-aware. This can be accomplished by having them read books that introduce other cultures or other ideologies.

The article is extremely interesting and would be very useful to anyone considering a job in the teaching field. The link to this article is http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/bibliotherapy0702.

I highly suggest that everyone read this article if they are interested in the many benefits children's literature can have on children above the simple pleasure of reading.