Sometimes, it is necessary to prepare a book review for high school or university. Sometimes, one should prepare such a review for the promotion of the chosen book. If we speak about children’s literature, it is important to make parents and young readers interested in the specific books. Before they decide to read a book, they should learn whether it is worth attention. You have definitely read children’s book reviews in the Internet and newspapers. If you want to complete your own book review for children’s literature, you can follow these guidelines.
#1 Step: Read the Book Attentively and Make Notes
You will hardly compose a worthy book review if you do not read the chosen text attentively. What is more, you ought to make notes in order to remember every detail, character, event and problem mentioned in the book. Write down every valuable idea related to the text when you read it. It will be useful for the further analysis of your book. Do not think that children’s literature is simple and dull. Do not treat it carelessly. Make notes scrupulously whereas such ‘simple’ books contain many complex characters and descriptions.
#2 Step: Analyze the Genre and the Author
It will be easy to recognize the genre of the chosen book. It can be a book of short stories or a children’s novel. Of course, it is easier to analyze a novel inasmuch as it contains a plot, several characters and many events. You will hardly manage to succeed in analyzing a 10-page short story. Pay attention to the author and his achievements. Is he a children’s book writer? Where and when did he live? Is he/she popular nowadays?
#3 Step: Write a Brief Summary of the Book
An academic book review is the analysis of the text assigned in college or high school. However, it is considerable to write a few words about the plot. Mention the place and time of the action, characters, the main idea and the key events that influence the plot development. Avoid writing a long summary. It will be enough to prepare a 100-word paragraph devoted to it.
#4 Step: Focus on the Main Characters
The most noticeable feature of the children’s literature is the concentration on characters. Why do children like reading books? Because they enjoy their characters. The plot of every book is built around a particular hero. Some characters are brave and kind. Although others are evil, they are still magnificent. Children like pirates, cowboys, knights, witches, etc. Children appreciate all heroes, both good and evil. Therefore, it is smart to describe the main characters in detail. Point out at their appearance, age, gender, occupation and the major traits of character. Every bookish hero should be bright and understandable. Generally, there are two major types of characters – good and evil. Most often, this division is radical. The main hero is absolutely good and his enemy is absolutely evil. Nevertheless, there are dynamic characters who change during the plot development. Such characters are engrossing and interesting. Moreover, they make children believe in the improvement of human soul. No wonder, many authors write about evil people who become better under the influence of the definite factors.
#5 Step: Write about the Main Events
Many people mistakenly think that a children’s book is a simple composition that does not require deep thoughts and plot. In fact, children are more demanding than grownups. A child will never read a boring book that does not contain events or ‘action’. Thus, every successful children’s book is full of such exciting events that can be described in your review. Say whether the author managed to create the fictional world successfully. Write whether children can be impressed by the plot and adventures or battles included into the text.
#6 Step: Analyze the Main Problems and Themes
Every children’s book should contain wise ideas. Moreover, it should teach something. When one reads a book, he should learn something new about the surrounding world and social relations. When a book does not teach anything, this book is unworthy. If you analyze a book, you should look at the problems that are described there. Most often, children’s books focus on such problems as friendship, sincerity, love, respect, treachery and numerous social problems like poverty or hunger. Many books touch upon the proper attitude towards animals and the weak. Say whether the author managed to reveal these problems successfully. Is it easy for a child to recognize and decipher these problems in the context? You should think about the usefulness of the particular book for the child. Does the book teach anything? Is this book important for the proper bringing up? Will it be wise to introduce this book at school?
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