MCLA Blog

Dr. Christine Woodcock, along with Dr. Ann Scott, runs the Reading Program for the MCLA Education Department.

Christine’s research interests include children’s literature, gender studies and how they relate to literacy theory, and applications of feminist methodologies to the field of literacy. She has presented at national and state conferences such as the National Reading Conference, the National Council for Teachers of English, the Children’s Literature Association, the New England Educational Research Organization, the New York State English Council, and the New York State Reading Association. Her papers have addressed such topics as: adolescent literacy, metacognition and writing, the reflective practices of teachers, and the implementation of literature discussion groups with children. Christine’s papers have been published in such various journals as the Language and Literacy Spectrum, Journal of Authentic Learning, and the Journal of Natural Inquiry and Reflective Practice.

With the holidays coming up, and lots of children on people’s gift lists, I asked Christine to recommend some of the new release that made it to the top of her favorites list. This is what she sent me.

“It’s always so difficult to select just a few children’s picture books to purchase when there are so many wonderful ones being published each year. Although I had a hard time deciding, here are some of my top picks, with links to Barnes & Noble, so that you may check them all out for yourselves. Enjoy!”

Grandmama’s Pride by Becky Birtha, Colin Bootman (Illustrator) ISBN: 080753028X

Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s Remarkable Life by Candace Fleming ISBN: 0689865449

The Friendly Four By Eloise Greenfield, Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Illustrator) ISBN: 0060007605

Hardworking Puppies Written and Illustrated by Lynn Reiser ISBN: 0152054049

The Little Red Hen Written and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney ISBN: 0803729359