Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Prof. Kalas
ECE 260
12 September 2017
#1 – younger readers
Summary: A board-book collection of little rhyming stories and pictures. Includes “Five
Evaluation
Plot
roles.
Comment: There is very little drama in these rhymes, but there are MDQs
mystery.
that are pleasing to both the eye and the ear. They have a beautiful
cadence. They are all quite literal, and there is no use of figurative
language.
o Pacing: 9
Comment: Poems are a good length for young children, whether they are
considerations], etc.): 6
Comment: None of the characters stay with you. They are all colorful and
Comment: While rhymes and illustrations are excellent and fun for young
o Overall rating: 7
#2 – younger readers
Summary: Outlandish creatures help children learn the alphabet by using various words
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: The only dramatic question is “What words begin with this
letter?”
o Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.): 5
turn, and the ending is a fun surprise, but there is no tension or conflict, as
Comment: Each letter has fun rhymes and interesting sentences structure.
Letters each have unique arrangements and rhyming schemes and are fun
o Pacing: 9
becoming repetitive.
considerations], etc.): 3
Comment: Characters are fun and colorful, but are manufactured purely
Comment: This book clearly drives home the alphabet. Though done
Comment: The book has a very silly and fun tone, expressed through the
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7
Comment: It fulfills its purpose in teaching the alphabet in a fun way for
young readers.
o Overall rating: 7
Comment: The sum is greater than its parts. This book has little plot,
#3 – younger readers
Summary: A farmer lovingly and individually rocks the animals on his farm to sleep.
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: Though the story gets sillier as it goes on (the farmer rocking
his pig, cow, and horse), most of the story is rather simple and believable.
proceeds in one direction until the end. The ending, however, is perfect.
language, and every sentence is very much like the one before it and the
o Pacing: 9
considerations], etc.): 2
Comment: Other than seeing that the farmer is patient and caring in
rocking each animal to sleep, there are really no character traits to speak
of.
Comment: Based on text alone, the setting isn’t even established. This is
obviously a picture book and meant to work with the illustrations, but
Comment: It’s a very cozy book, perfect for bedtimes because of its theme
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7
charming illustrations.
o Overall rating: 7
Comment: Though too simple for any but young readers, and perhaps
#4 – younger readers
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: The only fantastical aspect of the book is that the little boy and
the old woman are indeed anthropomorphic rabbits, yet everything else is
wrapped up nicely.
Comment: This book is famous for its memorable rhyming schemes for a
reason.
o Pacing: 8
considerations], etc.): 4
Comment: The book lacks characters. We know the old lady is watchful
and wants the boy to go to sleep, and that the boy is imaginative and
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 9
perfectly.
o Overall rating: 9
Comment: A classic for a reason, this book has a unique way of getting
#5 – younger readers
Summary: A young boy wants to run away from his mother, who insists that she will
Evaluation
Plot
scenarios.
Comment: It’s clear what this book is asking. Will the mother succeed in
Comment: This book is a mystery and makes you hope that the boy will
come back to his loving mother. Both mother and son are persistent,
Comment: It’s a delight how each role chosen by the boy is then countered
o Pacing: 9
considerations], etc.): 8
Comment: Though mother and son are rabbits, they share a very real
independence.
Comment: We’re not introduced to much of a setting through the text, but
Comment: The probable main theme is that a mother’s love will stop at
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 9
o Overall rating: 9
#1 – older readers
Summary: A girl chooses amongst her dolls which to take to a special birthday party.
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: Other than the “discussions” between the dolls, everything else
is rather believable. Any girl who has multiple dolls could relate to this
story.
Comment: Readers spend most of the book wondering which doll will be
chosen. The text does a good job of highlighting one doll’s aspects, then
showing the love Betsy has for one doll in particular. Ending is satisfying,
o Pacing: 8
Comment: Story moves along at a good pace. About half the book is spent
considerations], etc.): 5
Comment: The dolls all have unique personalities and interactions, but
Comment: The details in the descriptions are in such a way that you feel as
Comment: The hidden theme here is that even if you aren’t particularly
– choosing a doll and going to the party. It’s a soft, happy, carefree book.
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7
Comment: High marks on almost all aspects, but characters and dialogue
o Overall rating: 7
story overall.
#2 – older readers
Summary: A selfless old woman will only make a quilt for a greedy king after he has
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: We can already detect the roles each main character is to play –
mean, greedy king and kind quiltmaker – which makes the otherwise
charming story lose a bit of believability. The way the quiltmaker escapes
danger each time is also rather coincidental, or utilizing “deus ex
machina”.
Comment: Once our setting and characters are established, the implied
Comment: The tension in this book is very well done, and the ending is a
due to the words chosen as well as their flow and unique arrangement.
o Pacing: 9
Comment: Moves along at a nice, leisurely pace. Digs into the story
considerations], etc.): 7
Comment: Besides the fact that the quiltmaker is the “good kind” hero and
the king appears to be the “mean greedy” villain, the characters are
actually well fleshed-out, the king especially. He’s more than he seems at
first – he’s greedy because he thinks possessions will make him happy, yet
Comment: This book has an excellent theme of the joy of giving, yet an
obvious one. It could be argued that the book was written to teach this
principle.
Comment: The story has a mystical, magical tone, though it contains a hint
of condescension.
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 8
Comment: The overt lesson can be forgiven in light of the overall story.
o Overall rating: 8
#3 – older readers
Summary: A light-hearted story of a family reunion and the connections between and
Evaluation
Plot
large family.
Comment: Little tension or conflict. The entire story takes place over one
day, and is filled with a happy family event. Satisfying ending clearing up
o Pacing: 8
Comment: Nice, quick pacing and doesn’t linger too long on unimportant
details.
considerations], etc.): 7
descriptions.
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 8
o Overall rating: 8
#4 – older readers
Summary: A boy sets out on a quest to answer the most important questions in the world.
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: Good tension and conflict, with an ending to tie everything up.
o Pacing: 8
considerations], etc.): 6
Comment: Characters are flat and serve simplistic roles in the story.
trying to ask – how should we spend our time, and who is most important?
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 7
Comment: It’s a nice story, and the illustrations are lovely, but the
o Overall rating: 6
Comment: Rather shallow and reads like a proverb, but still an enjoyable
story.
#5 – older readers
Summary: A boy lives by himself at “the end of the world”, but is lured back by a wild
amusement park.
Evaluation
Plot
Comment: Character dialogue is stiff and flat, and setting is fantastic and
unbelievable.
Comment: Precise and figurative language are the main features. Lots of
personification.
o Pacing: 9
considerations], etc.): 6
Comment: Characters are rather flat. Each plays the part they’re meant to,
own, the detail and texture is gritty and real. Descriptions get looser as
happenings.
o Is it a well-rounded piece? 8
o Overall rating: 7