A reference source is a compendium of authoritative information, compiled for ease of use.
Reference materials include
Dictionaries / Encyclopedias / Guides
Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults [REF PN 1009 .A1 B13 1989]
The Children's Literature Dictionary [REF PN 1008.5 .L38 2002]
Continuum Encyclopedia of Young Adult Literature [REF PN 1008.5 .C67 2005]
Encyclopedia of Fable [REF PN 980 .S66 1998]
Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature [REF PN 1008.5 .O94 2006]
Biographical Information
Biography and Genealogy Master Index (online index)
Black Authors and Illustrators of Children's Books [REF PN 1009 .A1 B1]
Something About the Author [REF PN 452 .S6]
St. James Guide to Children's Writers [REF 1009 .A1 T9]
Handbooks / Research / Publishing
Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market [REF PN 147.5 C48]
Who's Who in Children's Books: A Treasury of the Familiar Characters of Childhood [REF PN 1009 .A1 F575]
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom - monitors challenges made against children's books.
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) - provides information on how to respond to book challenges.
Banned in the USA: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries [REF Z 658 .U5 F64 2002]