Hi. I'm Jenifer Schneider. Welcome to Children's Literature. I'm here to talk with you about the class, and welcome you in joining me on this special journey through children's books from your past, and some from today, and hopefully, in your future. 

I'm a professor in Literacy Studies in the College of Education, and Children's Literature is situated a little bit in education, a little bit in library science, and a little bit in English. And so, across those fields, different people have different interests. 

And I come from an education background where I was an elementary teacher, so I used books to teach children how to read and how to understand the world. So global perspectives, science topics, everything can be taught through children's literature. But I also study literature for the quality of the creation, the artistic product, and the written product that is there. 

Children's literature can be as basic as a basic word book for a baby, with one word and pictures attached. Or it can be as complex, dealing with issues of race and historical events. In this class, I hope you will learn how to recognize quality in children's literature, and when you are choosing books, wherever you might be, that you'll understand that there are layers to the images, and the text, to the creative process, that are relevant to everyone, no matter whether you are from a background dealing with children, or in a field that is completely separate from children. 

So I got into children's literature because, as a child, I was an avid reader, and then when I became a teacher, it was a necessary tool. But I've always maintained my love for all of the books and the artistic process behind it. And so that's kind of where I come into children's literature, is through that background. 

So here's how we can all get along. You read every module. You just carefully follow it. Pay attention to deadlines. And I'll explain everything along the way. 

If you have any questions, you let me know through the discussion board. And we use that communal space so everyone can get the same answer from me, no matter what time of day, or no matter what day. And then that's a space where it can house all the information. So everything is going to be clear, everything will be organized. You just read and follow along. 

My syllabus is a little different, and I'll give you a hint that this class is a little different. I use images and short blurbs to kind of give you an overview of the class. And just like the field of children's literature is connected with text and illustration, some of your projects will be dealing with text and illustration. 

I like to use photography, and film, and multiple modes of learning. So I'd like people to kind of try those things out. I know this isn't an art class, I know it's not a technology class, but it is online. And I want to get to know you and I want you get to know me, so we have to use multiple modes in order to do that. So I look forward to working with you in this class. I'll see you soon.