Reading tasks

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 484.

Before you read

BOOK MARKET

THE PLACE OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE ON TODAY'S

CONVERSATION AND DISCUSSION

Do a library research and write a 200-word essay on your favourite work of literature, proving the idea that books can change lives by making people think.

Discuss these questions

1. What is the role of children's literature on today's book market? Is it successful or not? Give your reasons.

2. Who do you consider the most successful children's writer of today?

A. Understanding the main points

Answer these questions

1. What main problems did the children's literature face before 1997?

2. Were Madonna's books for children successful or not?

3. What celebrities do you know who penned a tale both in Russia and

abroad?

4. What exactly constitutes the Harry Potter phenomenon?

5. What is the most effective way to bring teenagers into the bookshops?

Understanding details

Say if these statements are T (true) or F (false) according to the information in the text.

1. The children's departments of publishing houses have never been quiet backwaters.

2. In the past twenty years the public perception of children's books has changed significantly

3. Publishers have suggested that they look at music retailing as a better model for how teenagers buy things, grouping together titles alphabetically, rather than by theme.

B. How the text is organized

These phrases summarize the main idea of each paragraph. Match each one with the correct paragraph.

a) There are different opinions about the reasons why celebrities write books.

b) Teachers must have an excellent knowledge of children's literature.

c) The future of children's literature looks optimistic.

d) Children's books attract both kids and adults.

e) Authors like J.K. Rowling helped change the public attitude to children's books.