CLA Welcomes you!

The Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English advocates the centrality of literature for teaching children. We believe every teacher needs a wide and extensive knowledge base of books published for children and young adults. It is a teacher's privilege and responsibility to help students discover the joy of reading, while they also teach students how to internalize the skills and strategies of fluent reading. This occurs through teacher modeling, reading aloud quality literature to the class, recommending books to children based on their individual interests, and through incorporating literature into teaching lessons and learning activities across the curriculum. Developing and expanding this knowledge of books is an ongoing endeavor. The Children's Literature Assembly seeks the support of all entities engaged in the preparation and continuing education of teachers in the pursuit of this essential goal.

Children’s Literature Assembly Board President Evelyn B. Freeman, The Ohio State University-Mansfield President-Elect Nancy Roser, The University of Texas at Austin Secretary Lettie K. Albright, Texas Woman’s University Treasurer Lillian Webb, Worthington, OH Board Members Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University Barbara Kiefer,The Ohio State University Joan Kindig, James Madison University Janelle Mathis, University of North Texas Quinn White, Taylor University Ex-Officio Terrell A. Young, Past President, Washington State University T. Gail Pritchard, Membership, University of Alabama at Huntsville Cyndi Giorgis, Journal Co-Editor, University of Las Vegas April Whatley Bedford, Journal Co-Editor, University of New Orleans Amy McClure, Historian, Ohio Wesleyan University NCTE Liaison Millis Davis, Urbana, IL Publisher Representative Marjorie Naughton, Clarion Books 2008 Children’s Literature Standing Committee Chairs CLA Breakfast: Jonda McNair, Clemson University and Janelle Mathis, University of North Texas Fall Workshop: April Whatley Bedford, University of New Orleans and Lettie K. Albright, Texas Woman's University Publicity: Miriam Martinez, The University of Texas at San Antonio Master Class: Shirley Ernst, Willington, CT and Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Language Arts: Deanna Day, Washington State University Ways and Means: Deanna Day, Washington State University CLA Endowment: Patricia Scharer, The Ohio State University