• Primary Sources: i.e. works by the author or illustrator
• Biographical Information:  i.e. information about the life of the author or illustrator
• Critical Sources:  i.e. information about the work of the author or illustrator

Locating Primary Sources:

Using IvyCat, look for works by the author or illustrator.  Select the author option in the box on the right, and enter the author's name, (last name first) in the search box. 

For Example - Author:  Sendak, Marurice   or Author:  DeAngeli, Marguerite

If you are looking for a particular work, you may also search by the title.  Select the title option in the drop-down box.  If the first word of the title begins with an article (a, an, or the), omit it in your search.

For Example - Title:  Polar Express or Title:  Make Way for Ducklings

Remember that if IvyCat does not own a copy of the book for which you are looking, you can get the book by using the Interlibrary Loan service.  Residents of Marion County with public library cards may also go directly to their nearest branch library to check out the books.

Locating Biographical and Critical Sources:

Books about the author:  Using the Online Catalog, look up the author or illustrator as a subject.  Select Subject on the right and in the dialog box, enter the name of your author or illustrator, (last name first).

For Example - Subject:  Lowry, Lois  or Subject:  Keats, Ezra

Articles in Databases:

You will find excellent biographical and review articles by looking up the author and/or the book in any of the following online databases:

• Literary Reference Center (EBSCO)
• Historical New York Times (ProQuest)
• Biography In Context (Gale)
• Biographical Resources (IvyLynks)
• Gale Virtual Reference Library

The following reference books, which are described below, contain biographical and critical data about important figures in children's literature.  Many of them are now available online through the Gale Virtual Reference Library, Literature Resource Center or through the Virtual Library.

Historical dictionary of children's literature Emer O'Sullivan

CLICK HERE to access this book through ebrary

Dictionary of American children's fiction, 1995-1999         

CLICK HERE to access this book through ebrary

Dictionary of American children's fiction, 1990-1994        

  CLICK HERE to access this book through ebrary

The Continuum encyclopedia of children's literature         

CLICK HERE to access this book through Credo Reference

The Oxford encyclopedia of children's literature                PN1008.5 .O94 2006