An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Poetry for Children Ages 0-7

Author: Sharon Creech
Title: Whos That Baby?
Publisher: Joanna Coulter Books an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishing
Summary: This book is a book dedicated to babies. It contains poems about baby girls, baby boys, mothers, father, grandmothers and
grandfathers, and the wonderment that each of them feels at this new life.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 10

Comment: This book is written about the feelings and hopes and dreams of parents and grandparents at the birth of a new baby..
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) No
Comment: This is a very calm book. There is no dramatic question
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment: The calmness of this book overcomes the fact that there is no tension. I literally felt so relaxed while reading this book that I fell
asleep.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 =

10

Comment: There is great use of figurative language, understatement and cadence as you travel through the words and the pictures of the
book.
Pacing 1 10 = 10
Comments: Perfectly paced for reading to a baby.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 8

Comments: There is great use of culture in the illustrations. I saw different colors of skin, hair and eyes and the way each character within
the pictures is drawn. Great way to show culture from a very young age.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 8

Comments: Nice attention to detail within the illustrations. The artist uses multicultural drawings. The words seem to go right along with
the texture of the pictures.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 9

Comments: I did not see any didacticism.

Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = This is a very calm book.
Comments: I felt very calm while reading this. Great imagery.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments: All aspects of this book flow in harmony with each other.
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 10

Comment: Overall, a delightful book, perfect to read to a baby. I plan on using this when I become a grandma!

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Author: Will Moses

Title: Will Moses Mother Goose A joyful collection of classic nursery rhymes & riddles to delight little people
Publisher: Philomel Books New York
Summary: This collection contains all of the classic nursery rhymes. Everything from Little-Bo-Peep and Humpty Dumpty, Hickory, dickory,
dock, Mary, Mary, quite contrary, Wee Willie Winkie, Its raining, its pouring, Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, just to name a few!
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 5

Comment: While there is some believability, there isnt much.

Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) No
Comment: This is a collection of nursery rhymes.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 1
Comment: There is very little tension. Only what is felt when something might go awry in a nursery rhyme.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 =

10

Comment: I give a 10 for cadence. The words rhyme and flow in a sing-song fashion.
Pacing 1 10 = 7
Comments: The arrangement of a few of the nursery rhymes has me questioning why they were placed in this certain order.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 8

Comments: The illustrations are what one would expect for the time period in which these nursery rhymes were written.
Setting: (detail, texture)
Comments:

1 10 = 9

I see great attention to detail within the illustrations. Every illustration is whimsical and brightly colored.

Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 9

Comments: I do not see anything that is overtly didactic.

Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 8
Comments: It is hard to describe the lighthearted seriousness that goes with nursery rhymes that were written hundreds of years ago, but this
book is lighthearted yet serious. Its tone is fun, and can be made even more fun if you read it in a sing-song way.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 9
Comments: There is great harmony between the written words and illustrations.
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 9

Comment: Overall, I loved this book. Mostly because of the illustrations. I grew up with the nursery rhymes, so there is a large sentimental
value for me in that respect.

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Author: Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

Title: Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers New York Boston
Summary: This work is composed of poems, songs and lullabies. It is divided into different sections: All Things Bright and Beautiful,
Accentuate The Positive, Growing Up, Bedtime Blessing, Talk to The Animals, Sea-Fever, Laughing Song, Leisure, and The Wonderful
World. Each section contains a foreword, written by Julie Andrews, and poems, lullabies and songs that are divided up into their appropriate
genre.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 8

Comment: I would give this a 10, but I am trying to be objective. I have always loved Julie Andrews, so I feel very sentimental toward this
book.
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) No
Comment: No need for drama. This book is uplifting and carefree.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment: There is mention of inner conflict and the satisfactory outcome of having a positive attitude, which these poems and songs help to
make possible.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 = 10

Comment: In both the foreword and the written word, there is excellent use of figurative language, dialogue and cadence.
Pacing 1 10 = 8
Comments: This book moves along at a nice pace.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 7

Comments: I see how people of differing cultures might appreciate this book, but I dont see anything that might draw various cultures in.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 9

Comments: The illustrations and wording are amazing. I loved the way each illustration was custom made for each page in the book. I feel
that helped keep the flow of feeling uplifted throughout the whole book.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 8

Comments: There is a slight degree of didacticism, but I feel this is needed to teach lessons about staying uplifted.
Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 8
Comments: The tone of this book is positive and uplifting.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments: This is an excellent work of art in every sense of the word art.
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 10

Comment: I fully appreciate the length of time and the amount of work it must have taken to create this book. Wow. Dividing each poem,
song and lullaby into sections and then for the illustrator to create such perfect work for each page. I am awestruck, and I cant wait till I can
add this book to my collection!

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Poetry books for Older Children

Author: Marilyn Singer
Title: Mirror Mirror a Book of Reversible Verse
Publisher: Dutton Childrens Books
Summary: This is a cleverly written book, containing poetry about many fairytales. Everything from Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,
Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Ugly Duckling, Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rumpelstiltskin, just to name a few. Each
poem is written about one of the above fairytales, and then rewritten in reversible verse. Each poem puts a completely different spin on
things, and might actually help children view things in a completely different manner.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 1

Comment: Since this is a book about fairytales, the believability factor really isnt there.
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) no
Comment: There is really no dramatic question.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 8
Comment: There is much conflict within each poem. I the reverse of each poem adds a whole new twist on them that I never expected.
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 =

Comment: I give a 9 for excellent cadence, and unexpected insights in the reversible verse of each poem. This is a totally new twist on
these tales.
Pacing 1 10 = 8
Comments: Not too fast, not too slow, and just right.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 8

Comments: There are definitely some dynamic characters within each fairytale represented in this book. The illustrations help bring
those characters to life in a more modern way than I have ever seen.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 8

Comments: There is great detail within the words and illustrations in this book. More so, the wording. While the illustrations are nice, I
feel it is the words on each page that bring out the illustrations which is opposite of a typical book.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 8

Comments: There are didactic lessons within this book, but they are not overtly so.
Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 9
Comments: There is a different feel to this book. There is something different about viewing each of these fairy tales from a different
perspective. It will help you view these fairy tales in a whole new light.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 9
Comments: This is a well- rounded piece, and it will make you think in new ways about these classic tales.
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 =9

Comment: Overall, I give this book an 8. I will probably use it later on in my teaching career. I feel there are important aspects in place
here and definitely things children can learn from this unique book.

An Evaluation Guide for Fiction

Author: Johnathan Levin

Title: Poetry For Young People: Walt Whitman
Publisher: Sterling
Summary: Walt Whitmans Biography is at the beginning of this book. The pages of this book are filled with some of Whitmans best
work. The poetry in this book will make its reader think, and hopefully leave them craving more. I could not put this book down.
Evaluation
Plot:
Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.)

1 10 = 10

Comment:
Major dramatic question (clear early in the book?) No
Comment:
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1 10 = 10
Comment:
Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence, understatement, unexpected insights, etc.)

1 - 10 =

10

Comment: From precise vocabulary and cadence to figurative language, this book has it all.
Pacing 1 10 = 10
Comments: I loved the pacing. The poems are arranged in such a way that I didnt want to put this book down! It is one of those books
that you feel sad when it ends.
Character (dynamic protagonist, characters ring true {including cultural considerations} etc.)

1 - 10 = 7

Comments: The poems in this book teach about America and how people might feel about themselves. This is a great way to introduce
poetry to children.
Setting: (detail, texture)

1 10 = 10

Comments: I enjoyed the illustrations that went with each page. The art is breathtaking, and had a calming effect on me as I was reading.
Theme (absence of overt didacticism?)

1 10 = 10

Comments: I did not see any didacticism in the pages of this book.
Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) 1 -10 = 10
Comments: The mood of this book covers so many emotions. I enjoyed the way Whitmans use of words flowed from the page. Wow!
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 10 = 10
Comments: This is a very well rounded piece. I very much enjoyed the way this book was put together.
Overall Rating (10 high; 1 low)

1 10 = 10

Comment: Overall, I give a 10. Whitman is my favorite poet, so I may be biased. I plan on purchasing this book and using it in the
future.