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librarybonanza
Age: 1st-2nd grade
Award:
Graphic novels are an excellent format for beginning readers where children can connect symbols on a page to the emotions and actions in real life. The format even encourages left-to-right eye movement as children watch the pictures and read the word bubbles. This beginning reader graphic novel emphasizes repetition of words, emotions, and actions while introducing the graphic novel format to kids.
Analysis of this graphic novel written by Francoise Mouly found in Children and Libraries, Spring 2011 (9.1).
Award:
Graphic novels are an excellent format for beginning readers where children can connect symbols on a page to the emotions and actions in real life. The format even encourages left-to-right eye movement as children watch the pictures and read the word bubbles. This beginning reader graphic novel emphasizes repetition of words, emotions, and actions while introducing the graphic novel format to kids.
Analysis of this graphic novel written by Francoise Mouly found in Children and Libraries, Spring 2011 (9.1).
Age: 4-8 years
For a younger age, the illustrator chose animals to depict the earlier stages of divorce from the perspective of a cub fox. From separation to divorce to a year later, the cub experienced several emotions including guilt, depression, jealousy, solitude, and anger. Although the cub had a hard time adjusting, he soon found out that he wasn't alone. He then began to ask questions of fellow kids and his parents, venting some of his confusing emotions.
The child's narration is paired with statistical information and reassurance regarding this very complicated event in a child's life. In some ways, this information can help parents see a child's perspective and can open up conversation between the child and parents.
For a younger age, the illustrator chose animals to depict the earlier stages of divorce from the perspective of a cub fox. From separation to divorce to a year later, the cub experienced several emotions including guilt, depression, jealousy, solitude, and anger. Although the cub had a hard time adjusting, he soon found out that he wasn't alone. He then began to ask questions of fellow kids and his parents, venting some of his confusing emotions.
The child's narration is paired with statistical information and reassurance regarding this very complicated event in a child's life. In some ways, this information can help parents see a child's perspective and can open up conversation between the child and parents.
Age: 4th grade-6th grade
A great informational read filled with varying situations paired with personal blurbs, short quizzes, vocabulary, and advice. Very accessible read from the writing to the multicultural pictures. One fault may be that although many situations and emotions are present, they are not elaborated on for very long.
A great informational read filled with varying situations paired with personal blurbs, short quizzes, vocabulary, and advice. Very accessible read from the writing to the multicultural pictures. One fault may be that although many situations and emotions are present, they are not elaborated on for very long.
Age: 3-5 years
Soft and calming images accompany an uncertain time in a child's life when Oliver's parents separate and Oliver becomes disengaged from his world. Soon, it comes to pass as he enjoys his new school and helps a new student adjust to her changing world.
A great story to be read out loud, where the author inserts familiar events and different ways a child can adjust to an uncertain time. However, the story and the pictures do not address the same age group. From the pictures of a young child attached to his stuffed animal and the soft, pastel world, you would imagine the audience is 3-5 years. But there needs to be a lot of inductive reasoning, suitable for an older child. Because some things are left to be assumed, a child may not understand the story.
Soft and calming images accompany an uncertain time in a child's life when Oliver's parents separate and Oliver becomes disengaged from his world. Soon, it comes to pass as he enjoys his new school and helps a new student adjust to her changing world.
A great story to be read out loud, where the author inserts familiar events and different ways a child can adjust to an uncertain time. However, the story and the pictures do not address the same age group. From the pictures of a young child attached to his stuffed animal and the soft, pastel world, you would imagine the audience is 3-5 years. But there needs to be a lot of inductive reasoning, suitable for an older child. Because some things are left to be assumed, a child may not understand the story.
Age: K-3rd grade
Still present on several booklists for children of divorced parents, Dinosaurs Divorce is a classic didactic walk-through of the many stages of divorce including why parents divorce, having two homes, and stepparents (the latter is not often discussed in children's books about divorce). This book is best at providing a positive outlook on an otherwise gloomy situation, and discussing several potential situations with levity and hope. Evaluating it purely as nonfiction, the authors both experienced divorce in their lives and interviewed children across the country on the matter. This provides a real perspective that tends to tip away from scientific observation.
While this book is a classic, several newly published books overcome the main shortcoming of this trailblazing work. Every situation presents an immediate reaction then tells children what is proper behavior. This didactic telling may not be a very effective way to connect to the audience.
Still present on several booklists for children of divorced parents, Dinosaurs Divorce is a classic didactic walk-through of the many stages of divorce including why parents divorce, having two homes, and stepparents (the latter is not often discussed in children's books about divorce). This book is best at providing a positive outlook on an otherwise gloomy situation, and discussing several potential situations with levity and hope. Evaluating it purely as nonfiction, the authors both experienced divorce in their lives and interviewed children across the country on the matter. This provides a real perspective that tends to tip away from scientific observation.
While this book is a classic, several newly published books overcome the main shortcoming of this trailblazing work. Every situation presents an immediate reaction then tells children what is proper behavior. This didactic telling may not be a very effective way to connect to the audience.
Age: 3rd-5th grade?
I'm not exactly sure who this children's book is aimed towards. The supplementary material at the end is a note for adults, the tone of writing is for younger children, and the protagonist and plot is for older children. This is also a book that fails to present a nonfiction subject in a fictionalized story format. Oftentimes, the child narrator's voice is broken to describe "grown-up" words without transition or skillfully incorporating into the child's perspective.
I like that this book focuses on step-families and the frustrated emotions of the child, but the writing is not fluid and the audience is not clear.
I'm not exactly sure who this children's book is aimed towards. The supplementary material at the end is a note for adults, the tone of writing is for younger children, and the protagonist and plot is for older children. This is also a book that fails to present a nonfiction subject in a fictionalized story format. Oftentimes, the child narrator's voice is broken to describe "grown-up" words without transition or skillfully incorporating into the child's perspective.
I like that this book focuses on step-families and the frustrated emotions of the child, but the writing is not fluid and the audience is not clear.
Age: 2nd-4th grade
Half fiction, half nonfiction, this series book (Kids Have Troubles Too) gives a quick overview of confusion, acceptance, and child empowerment in the process of a divorce and remarriage. Although the text is short and simplified, a younger child can read it by themselves. This is important for such a personal subject.
The fiction story follows Celeste, her father's remarriage, and their growing family--including a step-sister. The step-mother and step-sister were not demonized, although the step-sister was conflicted and confused, just like Celeste. The resolution was somewhat unrealistic when a simple "sorry" and mutual understanding was exchanged between the two girls. This may frustrate a reader if they try and fail.
Half fiction, half nonfiction, this series book (Kids Have Troubles Too) gives a quick overview of confusion, acceptance, and child empowerment in the process of a divorce and remarriage. Although the text is short and simplified, a younger child can read it by themselves. This is important for such a personal subject.
The fiction story follows Celeste, her father's remarriage, and their growing family--including a step-sister. The step-mother and step-sister were not demonized, although the step-sister was conflicted and confused, just like Celeste. The resolution was somewhat unrealistic when a simple "sorry" and mutual understanding was exchanged between the two girls. This may frustrate a reader if they try and fail.