Literature Curriculum

Literary Critters is a truly unique picture book, introducing young readers to classic literary figures and encouraging them to use their imaginations. This playful story promotes literacy and storytelling as quirky playwright William Shakesbear sets off on a journey to visit some of his Literary Critter friends to see if they have any writing ideas to share—including friends like Mole Dahl, Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, C.S. Shrewis, Langston Mews, and more.

As Will visits his fellow Literary Critter Guild members, he’s greeted with lots of advice from his author friends and has some adventures along the way. He also invites young readers to become part of the Literary Critters Guild and continue growing in their love for all things reading, writing, and books.

Literary Critters includes:

• A playful introduction to iconic authors
• A personalized page in the book that invites the reader to become a member of the Literary Critters Guild
• Whimsical art and characters created by Sophie Corrigan
• Content for children ages 4-8, perfect for instilling a love of reading and literature

Reading great literature well has the power to cultivate virtue. Great literature increases knowledge of and desire for the good life by showing readers what virtue looks like and where vice leads. It is not just what one reads but how one reads that cultivates virtue. Reading good literature well requires one to practice numerous virtues, such as patience, diligence, and prudence. And learning to judge wisely a character in a book, in turn, forms the reader's own character.

Acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior takes readers on a guided tour through works of great literature both ancient and modern, exploring twelve virtues that philosophers and theologians throughout history have identified as most essential for good character and the good life.

In reintroducing ancient virtues that are as relevant and essential today as ever, Prior draws on the best classical and Christian thinkers, including Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine. Covering authors from Henry Fielding to Cormac McCarthy, Jane Austen to George Saunders, and Flannery O'Connor to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Prior explores some of the most compelling universal themes found in the pages of classic books, helping readers learn to love life, literature, and God through their encounters with great writing.

In examining works by these authors and more, Prior shows why virtues such as prudence, temperance, humility, and patience are still necessary for human flourishing and civil society.

The book includes end-of-chapter reflection questions geared toward book club discussions, features original artwork throughout, and includes a foreword from Leland Ryken. 272 pages, softcover.