From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books

Book Description

From Cover To Coveris 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.

It includes:

a short explanation of the process of making a children's book from manuscript to final bound book
a description of the importance of the many different parts of a book (jacket flaps, title page, copyright, Cataloging-in-Publication information, etc.)
six thought-provoking chapters that explain how ot think about and critically evaluate several different genres of children's books:
- traditional literature (myths, legends, tall tales, folktales)
- poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs
- picture books
- easy readers and transitional books
- fiction
a concluding chapter on how to write reviews 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, balancing description with criticism, and writing reviews for a particular audience.

Customer Reviews:

Good book, a bit overstated.......2007-08-23

First let me say that this is a good book, I am glad that I purchased it. It codifies many of the characteristics of a quality children's book, and helps writers and reviewers exercise better critical judgment.

However, the author sometimes "puts a bit too fine a point on it," as a Brit might say. There is a section on the layout of early readers and transitional books which describes a specific target number of words per line, lines per page, text size, etc. I found this section quite helpful overall, and I specified changes to our style guide after reading it. But as useful as this material is, I felt the author's attempt to distinguish numbers of words per line between level 1, level 2 and level 3 early reader books was taking the process a bit too far.

Overall, this is a minor issue. As other reviewers have mentioned, writers will find value in the detailed descriptions of how children learn to read, how they react to themes, styles and plots (and how to recognize weakness in each), and how to target different age groups. Indeed, this is the only book I have found with detailed and usable information on these points.

Summary: Buy it if you are a creator or reviewer of children's books.

All right for a textbook.......2005-09-24

The book isn't really all that interesting. Some of the good aspects are that the print is big, and it is easy reading. You can knock a chapter or two out of the way in an hour easily.

Good tool for writers, too.......2000-02-03

This book is should be an essential for anyone writing for children. Horning covers all the genres, offering insight into pacing, character and plot. She better defines what makes a picture book, an early reader, a chapter book, a mid-grade and a young adult -- definitions that are often murky in writing books. Although this book may have been intended for librarians and others in the book industry, I recommend it highly for anyone contemplating writing for children.

Reviewing Basic Grammar: A Guide to Writing Sentences and Paragraphs, Sixth Edition

Average customer rating:

Highly Recommended
the yarber book
basic grammer

Reviewing Basic Grammar: A Guide to Writing Sentences and Paragraphs, Sixth Edition
Mary Laine Yarber , and Robert E. Yarber
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Grammar | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Vocabulary | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Writing Skills | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Literature & Fiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0321103548

Book Description

This book provides an effective and thorough review of basic grammatical concepts. It includes many exercises that allow readers to practice what they have learned. Chapters end with "Writing Paragraph" sections that illustrate grammar in the context of writing. The book includes a review of the basic parts of speech, such as making the subject and verb agree. The book also explores common errors in verb and pronoun usage; compound and complex sentences; sentence fragments, run-on sentences and comma splices; and punctuation capitalization. For writers and people interested in improving their writing.

Customer Reviews:

Highly Recommended.......2004-01-16

I've consistently used an earlier edition of this grammar book, which I've loved. It's hard to believe, but this latest edition is even better than the previous one. The exercises and topics are still amusing, interesting and up-to-date (often taken from pop music and sports), but it's the addition of the writing sections at the end of each chapter that sets this book apart from other grammar books. The writing portion helps my students to learn grammar within a context so they can actually improve writing as opposed to learning grammar rules for the sake of learning grammar rules. I highly recommend this book for students as well as adults.

the yarber book.......2004-01-13

hey, grammar isn't sexy, but this book comes about as close as you can get. explanations are consistently clear and, above all, understandable to my high school students. it's also loaded with examples, which even a group of jaded 15 year-olds sometimes find humorous. showed my copy to the wife, who teaches an SAT prep class and she also likes it and now uses it. (whoops, that was a run-on.)

basic grammer.......2003-06-14

This book contained some useful information on the basic grammer of the english language, but was mediocore (at best) compared to the Yarber's previous book (reviewing basic grammer, also available on amazon.com)

Reviewing Basic Grammar: A Guide to Writing Sentences and Paragraphs (7th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Reviewing Basic Grammar: A Guide to Writing Sentences and Paragraphs (7th Edition)
Mary Laine Yarber , and Robert Yarber
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Grammar | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Vocabulary | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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What Every Student Should Know About Avoiding Plagiarism
Grammatically Correct: The Writer's Essential Guide to Punctuation, Spelling, Style, Usage and Grammar
Developmental Mathematics for College Students (with CD-ROM and Enhanced iLrn Tutorial, iLrn Math Tutorial, The Learning Equation Labs, Student Resource Center Printed Access Card)
Out of the Blue: A Narrative of September 11, 2001
The Writer's Way

ASIN: 0321396073

Book Description

An intensive grammar review with an introduction to paragraph writing.

Simple and clear terms and definitions speak to students in manner they can understand.

Integration of grammar and sentence writing correlates the acquisition of grammar skills with sentence writing in a series of exercises that conclude each chapter.

An intense grammar review with an introduction to paragraph writing.
Integration of grammar and sentence writing correlates the acquisition of grammar skills with sentence writing in a series of exercises that conclude each chapter.

Average customer rating:

This is a great book!
Very helpful

How to Write Terrific Book Reports
Elizabeth James
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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How to Be School Smart: Super Study Skills (School Survival Guide)

ASIN: 0688161405

Book Description

These easy-to-understand handbooks How to Be School Smart, How to Write Terrific Book Reports, How to Do your Best on Tests, and How to Write Super School Reports have offered students clear, commonsense advice on how to successfully organize and carry out school assignments for over a decade. Now these great guides have been completely revised to reflect the needs of today's technology-savvy kids.

Customer Reviews:

This is a great book!.......2002-07-30

This is a great book to read,it gives you great tips on writing book reports.I am homeschoooled and I found this book very helpful.

Very helpful.......2000-04-10

My son found the entire text helpful in our learning process of book reports. I homeschool and we try to find books to help him learn on his own, this book was perfect for it. He was able to easily follow the directions and apply them to real reports that I require he write for me once each month on a book he has finished. We used this for our fifth grade curriculm writing.

Reviewing the Arts (Communication Textbook Series)

Average customer rating:

Classroom Lessons Transcribed

Reviewing the Arts (Communication Textbook Series)
Campbell B. Titchener
Manufacturer: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Journalism | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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The Speeches Collection, Vol. 1
Shattered Glass
Control Room
AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)
The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

ASIN: 0805802371

Product Description

Reviewing the Arts is written for those media writers assigned to review an artistic event or performance, providing the tools for a journalist to write informed and enlightened reviews of the arts. This useful text guides writers through the steps for producing an acceptable review of fine and performing arts, covering the range of arts from film and television to drama and dance; from sculpture and architecture to music. Author Campbell Titchener suggests ways to approach both familiar and unfamiliar art forms to prepare an informed evaluation, and in this updated third edition he includes current examples from practicing journalists and veteran critics. This practical text fits readily into the journalism curriculum, and will be a useful resource for practicing journalists.

Customer Reviews:

Classroom Lessons Transcribed.......2002-01-22

This book is actually Dr. Campbell Titchener's Feature Writing class lecture notes transcribed, and it is quite good. It's also useful for working newspaper folks to use as a reference book, to remind themselves, for instance, to include all the necessary components for a review of specific sorts of artistic endeavors.

Dr. Titchener read aloud much student work in the class I took, and he pulled no punches in evaluating the results. There was one unfortunate woman who could not capably put one word in front of another, yet she bubbled constantly about what a great writer she intended to be, all the books and plays and articles she was going to author. Dr. Titchener one day pronounced her work "trite" (he was absolutely correct), and it was extremely amusing to see the woman's cluelessly dismissive reaction, her declaration that he was "an idiot."

Book Description

Energy has become America's forgotten crisis. For more than a decade, Americans have become stridently complacent toward the use and especially the availability of energy to fuel most aspects of our economic and recreational lives. Memories of the oil shocks of the 1970s have grown very dim. Long lines at gas stations have been replaced by people at auto dealers buying gas-guzzling sports-utility vehicles. The United States now imports more oil (over 50% more) than it did prior to the first oil crisis in 1973-74. Yet our reliance on fossil fuels has not been tempered by history. The threat of global warming from greenhouse gases is real and significant.

Fossil fuels-petroleum, natural gas, and coal-are finite. They will run out and are not restorable. This obviously carries significant political and environmental implications for our future. However, we do have alternatives. In Farewell Fossil Fuels: Reviewing America's Energy Policy (Perseus Books, June 15, 1999), noted scientist and businessman Sidney Borowitz presents a concise, coherent narrative of the major sources of energy currently in use throughout the world, and explains in a cogent, jargon-free manner how these sources of energy can be developed. Borowitz places these nonfossil fuel sources in an economic and scientific context so that the case for conservation and growth is thoroughly grounded in reality.

Sidney Borowitz presents a clear-eyed, even-handed explication of optimal solutions to our future energy needs. And because energy touches on practically every aspect of our daily lives, Farewell Fossil Fuels is of vital importance to our future and the future of our children.

Customer Reviews:

edicatonal.......2001-01-17

this book is an action packed edge of ur seat excitment-NOT

How to Write Book Reports 4E (How to Write Book Reports)

Average customer rating:

Reviewed by Sabrina Williams
Gives Book Reviewers a starting point...
Reviewing made easy... and fun!
The Next Best Writing

How to Write Book Reports 4E (How to Write Book Reports)
Tietelbaum
Manufacturer: Arco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Academic & Commercial | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Writing Skills | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Scholastic Guide Writing Winning Reports and Essays (Scholastic Guide)

ASIN: 0768910803

Book Description

An update of the classic guide to writing book reports that get to the heart of literature.

Customer Reviews:

Reviewed by Sabrina Williams.......2007-02-03

There are few books on the market today with information about writing professional book reviews. How to Write Book Reports by Harry Teitelbaum is a reference device, written with the high school or college student in mind, but can be a handy tool for the discerning reviewer. The author actually explains the difference between a book report and a book review, and shares the rewards of writing reviews.

Because it is written for student use, the general focus is on book reports in essay form that would be graded by a teacher or professor. Be prepared to take a nostalgic journey back to high school English class, complete with grammar lessons. However, the outlined essay form can be a useful plan for organizing thoughts on an ungraded book review. The same rules a student would follow while writing a report can assist in creating a polished review that lends credence to the reviewer's opinions.

Teitelbaum advises the reader to take notes as they read. He provides several lists of questions to consider that generate thoughtful review material. These questions could be the most beneficial tool for the professional reviewer, as they are a springboard for critical analysis. For all writers, a list of proofreading symbols for editing is included at the back of the book. (Although, I wish the author would have taken a bit more time to proofread his own work. On page 30, he refers to author Stephen Crane as a female.)

How to Write Book Reports would be a helpful addition to any English professor's teaching curriculum. It shows the student how writing book reports and reviews can be a fulfilling task beyond the grade the instructor assigns. For those who have already discovered the joys of reviewing, this book can be an important aid for honing writing skills.

Gives Book Reviewers a starting point..........2006-07-12

This book is an easy read and offers lots of advice that will make the job/task of writing a book review or book report easier. While most of us realize that giving our opinions on a book we've read is something we do verbally without preparation at the drop of a question -- writing a report/review takes preparation and time. In this book you get hints on what to take notes on, how to document so that when it comes time to write the report the information you need is easily found. There's also lists of questions for each genre type that can help to focus your approach.

Simply, useful overview for beginning reviewers.

Reviewing made easy... and fun!.......2003-06-12

For all of us who have reviewing as a hobby - and especially for college students, to whom this work is targeted to a text that shows the correct way to present an opinion is a godsend. In today's world, most of us are eager to express our feelings, to communicate our own impressions on everything that surrounds us. Sadly, a lot of our credibility slips through the cracks because of our own inability to present a valid argument, independently of it being true or not (after all, who owns The Truth?). As stated in Chapter 1, under the title of "The rewards of writing reviews", "You will learn to analyze your tastes, your likes, and dislikes, and back up your statements of opinion with sound reasoning" (Page 4).

"How to write book reports" includes all the tools and suggestions needed for effective reviewing. I liked very much the idea of presenting the "History of the Essay", as a reference on how it all began, since right up to the sixteenth century, as the author points out, everything that was considered culturally acceptable was always written in verse. It was since then, that qualified reviewers had been relied upon for almost everything mankind has been interested in trying. Sova devotes a whole chapter to the qualifications of the reviewer, be he an expert scholar or a starting student looking for good grades. Organization is the key not only of effective review-writing but also of everything that makes a good impression. The book divides the actual task of writing the report into three phases: preparing, organizing and writing it, providing in this way an actual blueprint for a flawless work. There are also suggestions on how to review the different literary genres, and an Appendix with further exercises to be done either orally or written, to provide fresh outlooks to the task. To give practical examples, a few sample reviews are provided; of a novel, a play, a short-story collection and a biography.

I hesitated at first about buying this slim volume because I saw it too high school, instead of professionally, oriented. Once I looked at its contents, I felt almost sure I had made a good choice. After having started to read it, I knew I had indeed purchased a simple but valuable volume. The book takes the fear (and boredom as well), out of reviewing assignments. The techniques suggested can be applied not only to literature but to anything related to art and culture, e.g.: music, cinema, graphic arts, etc. Dawn Sova intends to make the task of writing reviews an enjoyable experience, as she puts it herself "Reading, especially outside reading, should be fun" (Page 3). Throughout the book and in only ninety pages, she achieves this with a bang.

As a final suggestion, I would also recommend that you visit the publisher's website, called The Education Supersite, especially if you are just starting your own college period. It can be an invaluable resource as well if you are planning to go back to school, to find out about everything from financial aid to test preparation and universities that offer all types of online degrees.

The Next Best Writing.......2001-07-19

You already know how to write book reports if you can say what you dislike about a book or why you like it. Book reporting blends opinions with details: you take personal reactions based on your experiences and knowledge from life and other books; then back them up with facts and incidents from the book and with logic and reasoning. Along the way, you need to think not only what the book was about but also why it was written: for example, literature can bring out emotions or teach us something. So in the end, you want to say if the book did what the author wanted it to and if it is worth reading: these are the last thoughts that you leave with the reader. Harry Teitelbaum writes so well that what he says can be applied to any kind of writing, and I like to think that book reporting is the next best thing to the actual writing. His book leads in to other books on short, to the point writing: Mervin Block's WRITING BROADCAST NEWS, Syd Field's SCREENPLAY, Louisa Peat O'Neil's TRAVEL WRITING, and Elizabeth Penfield's SHORT TAKES.

Feminist in the Dark: Reviewing the Movies

Average customer rating:

Not a copy cat movie reviewer, the thinking woman's reviews

Feminist in the Dark: Reviewing the Movies
Kathi Maio
Manufacturer: Crossing Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0895943220

Customer Reviews:

Not a copy cat movie reviewer, the thinking woman's reviews.......1998-10-30

Maio, takes the movie review out of the common daily paper and into the thinking woman's world. Her vision of movies can be startling, unsettling but always eye and mind opening. A must read for feminists and other's who need to be feminists.

To Revise or Not to Revise: The Essential Guide to Reviewing Somebody Else's Writing

Average customer rating:

To Revise or Not to Revise: The Essential Guide to Reviewing Somebody Else's Writing
Angela J. Maniak
Manufacturer: Skill-Builders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Business Writing | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Editing | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Writing High-Impact Reports: Proven Practices for Auditors and Accountants
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ASIN: 0962933724

Book Description

Are you spending too much time editing other people's writing? This book takes a pioneering approach to solving a common academic, business, and governmental problem: On-the-job editing can escalate the cost of producing documents, delay the publication of important information, and demoralize professionals whose written words are re-written by someone else.

In To Revise or Not to Revise, you will discover how to stop re-writing and how to start getting better writing from your staff or colleagues.

The book is a complete toolkit. It includes exercises, how-to tips, and sample material for editors and reviewers. It also includes bonus material on a CD and a laminated Tip Sheet.

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