Synopses & Reviews
From Cover to Cover is a fresh, up-to-date look at some of the best examples of children's literature today, and also includes practical advice on how to write clearly articulated, reasoned opinions so that others can learn about books they have not yet read.
In addition to a brief introduction that clearly explains how children's books evolve from manuscripts into bound books, and a simple explanation of the importance of the many different parts of a book (jaket flaps, title page, copyright, Cataloging-in-Publication information, etc.), the author demonstrates how to think about and critically eveluete several different genres of children's books.
Included are sections about books of information (and the author's responsibility to document sources); traditional literature (myths, legends, tales, folktales); poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs; picture books; easy readers and transitional books; and fiction. There is also a concluding chapter on how to write rewies that are both descriptive and analytical.
From Cover to Cover is an invaluable resource for all professionals who wish to write book evaluations that go beyond a simple personal response.This definitive guide to reviewing children' s books makes it effortless for parents, teachers, librarians, children' s literature students and general readers who are interested in becoming children' s book reviewers to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a children' s book.An authoritative reviewer in her own right, Kathleen Horning provides practical guidelines for reading critically, evaluating an initial response, answering questions raised during the first reading, putting a response into words, balancingdescription with criticism, and writing reviews for a particular audience.
Review
“Anyone entering the field of childrens book reviewing, or indeed, the wider field of childrens literature, will find From Cover to Cover an excellent guide.” ALA Booklist
Review
“An engaging read. Aspiring book review writers will treasure this book.” Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
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“Succinct, highly readable, and eminently useful.” Bulletin of the Center for Children & #8217;s Books
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“A user-friendly handbook.” The Horn Book
Synopsis
An invaluable resource for professionals who wish to write book evaluations--and for all serious fans of children's literature
This revised edition of From Cover to Cover offers a fresh, up-to-date look at some of the best examples of children's literature and also includes practical advice on how to write clearly articulated, reasoned opinions so that others can learn about books they have not yet read.
A brief, updated introduction clearly explains how children's books evolve from manuscripts into bound books and the importance of the many different parts of a book (jacket flaps, title page, copyright, etc.) and changes in the children's book industry, such as the creation of two new major genre awards. In addition, the author demonstrates how to think about and critically evaluate several different genres of children's books.
Included are sections about books of information (and the author's responsibility to document sources); traditional literature (myths, legends, tall tales, folktales); poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs; picture books; easy readers and traditional books; and fiction and graphic novels. There is also a concluding chapter on how to write reviews that are both descriptive and analytical, including a segment on children's literature blogs.
Updated material includes:
-An introduction that reflects the many changes in the children's book industry
-A section on genres, including a discussion of graphic novels
-A section on children's literature blogs
-An introduction of two new major genre awards: the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
-And more than 90% of the books cited have been updated from the first edition to more recent publications
Synopsis
From Cover to Cover has been considered
the definitive guide to reading, reviewing, and critically evaluating children's books since its original publication in 1997. Now revised and updated, it remains an invaluable resource offering a fresh, up-to-date look at a fast-changing field.
All-new material includes:
- An updated introduction that reflects the many changes in the children's book industry
- A section on genres, including a discussion of graphic novels
- A section on children's literature blogs
- An introduction of two new major genre awards—the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
- And more than 90 percent of the books cited have been updated to more recent publications!
About the Author
Kathleen T. Horning is the director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was also a children's librarian at Madison Public Library for nine years.
Ms. Horning was the president of the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association in 2007, as well as president of the United States Board on Books for Young People in 2003. She has chaired or served on a variety of children's book award committees, including the Américas Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Award, the John Newbery, USBBY's Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Mildred L. Batchelder Award, the ALA/ALSC's Notable Children's Books, and the NCTE Lee Bennett Hopkins Award committees, and she was selected to deliver the 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture.
She is the coauthor with Ginny Moore Kruse of Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults and of CCBC Choices, an annual publication reviewing the best books for children and young adults. She has a BA in linguistics and a master's degree in library and information studies, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.