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picturebook reviews
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From: lisa von drasek <lisav>
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 17:24:36 -0400
Ginny:
Your question is : do I review differently for an audience of educators than for librarians.? Not really. The criteria for what makes a good picture book remains the same. ( and I would like to recommend, Jacqueline Woodson's _ We had a Picnic this Sunday Past_ for its language, readability, humor, universality and vibrant illustrations which I just read aloud to a group of 7 year- olds) My focus is different in terms of selection. I am on the look-out for books that would tie-in with our curriculum.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education
Lisav at bnkst.edu
Lisa, after reading the message below, I gather that you review for two publications with different audiences (the educators who are library media specialists and the public librarians (both are the primary readers of reviews in School Library Journal (SLJ) and for readers of the Bank Street Review). Yes, they are similar in many respects, but I would guess that you review from a classroom perspective when you review for Bank Street Review.
All of this is to ask: what do you - and do others in the CCBC-Net community for review children's books for teachers - do differently in each type of review?
And to ask - what do classroom teachers and education specialists (who comprise a large part of the CCBC-Net community) expect from a published picture book review? If you rely on published reviews, what do you want/need to see in a helpful book review about a highly visual book?
... Ginny
** Ginny Moore Kruse, CCBC Director (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall (corner of N. Park St. and Observatory Drive) University of Wisconsin - Madison Open: Mon-Thurs 9-7; Fri-Sat 9-4)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear CCBCers In response to Brenda's question about ever "regretting" reviews. I ask myself " who is the intended audience" for the review. In reviewing for SLJ, I put myself in the spot of the book buyer, Can the reader of the review visualize the picture book? Do I accurately describe the style? Is this a book that can be read over and over again? Will the kid in the back be able to see the pictures? Are the ideas fresh an new or stale and tired? Should a librarian spend their limited budget on this title? What age level is the book for?
In telling on myself, I am notorious for sending in reviews in late. I read the books immediately. I write the reviews. I look up similar titles for comparison. I reread the review. I ask myself "Is this true?" But because I am aware of the enormous effort that goes into every book published, the labor of the illustrator, writer, editor, I do find myself sitting on the review, unable to let it go. I reread the book, I keep looking for a kinder way, more specific way of criticizing the what I feel are the failings. But the bottom line for me is " Should a librarian spend money on this book to add to their collection?"
As for reading aloud to the kids. I am fortunate to have a captive audience at Bank Street and I do read aloud, more to answer my own questions about a book. For example _I lost my bear_ by Jules Feifer, which I thought was hilarious. but had some concerns about the relationship between the older sister and harsh language. This 4 year olds "got" it. The part I was concerned with didn't bother them in the least. That's what older sisters are like.
I've learned my lesson about reading "questionable" books aloud. The first rule of storytelling is never tell a story you don't love and every time I've broken that rule , I've regretted it.
I am also very fortunate to be reviewing books for the Book Committee at Bank Street. The opportunity to bring a book "to the table" and hear what other people think is invaluable . With the volume of children's books produced in a year, it is possible to look over a picture book and not give it the focused attention the title deserves. I am privileged to have others who will point out what I have overlooked.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education 610 W.112th St. NY NY 10025
lisav at bnkst.edu 212 875 4452
Received on Tue 15 Sep 1998 04:24:36 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 17:24:36 -0400
Ginny:
Your question is : do I review differently for an audience of educators than for librarians.? Not really. The criteria for what makes a good picture book remains the same. ( and I would like to recommend, Jacqueline Woodson's _ We had a Picnic this Sunday Past_ for its language, readability, humor, universality and vibrant illustrations which I just read aloud to a group of 7 year- olds) My focus is different in terms of selection. I am on the look-out for books that would tie-in with our curriculum.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education
Lisav at bnkst.edu
Lisa, after reading the message below, I gather that you review for two publications with different audiences (the educators who are library media specialists and the public librarians (both are the primary readers of reviews in School Library Journal (SLJ) and for readers of the Bank Street Review). Yes, they are similar in many respects, but I would guess that you review from a classroom perspective when you review for Bank Street Review.
All of this is to ask: what do you - and do others in the CCBC-Net community for review children's books for teachers - do differently in each type of review?
And to ask - what do classroom teachers and education specialists (who comprise a large part of the CCBC-Net community) expect from a published picture book review? If you rely on published reviews, what do you want/need to see in a helpful book review about a highly visual book?
... Ginny
** Ginny Moore Kruse, CCBC Director (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall (corner of N. Park St. and Observatory Drive) University of Wisconsin - Madison Open: Mon-Thurs 9-7; Fri-Sat 9-4)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear CCBCers In response to Brenda's question about ever "regretting" reviews. I ask myself " who is the intended audience" for the review. In reviewing for SLJ, I put myself in the spot of the book buyer, Can the reader of the review visualize the picture book? Do I accurately describe the style? Is this a book that can be read over and over again? Will the kid in the back be able to see the pictures? Are the ideas fresh an new or stale and tired? Should a librarian spend their limited budget on this title? What age level is the book for?
In telling on myself, I am notorious for sending in reviews in late. I read the books immediately. I write the reviews. I look up similar titles for comparison. I reread the review. I ask myself "Is this true?" But because I am aware of the enormous effort that goes into every book published, the labor of the illustrator, writer, editor, I do find myself sitting on the review, unable to let it go. I reread the book, I keep looking for a kinder way, more specific way of criticizing the what I feel are the failings. But the bottom line for me is " Should a librarian spend money on this book to add to their collection?"
As for reading aloud to the kids. I am fortunate to have a captive audience at Bank Street and I do read aloud, more to answer my own questions about a book. For example _I lost my bear_ by Jules Feifer, which I thought was hilarious. but had some concerns about the relationship between the older sister and harsh language. This 4 year olds "got" it. The part I was concerned with didn't bother them in the least. That's what older sisters are like.
I've learned my lesson about reading "questionable" books aloud. The first rule of storytelling is never tell a story you don't love and every time I've broken that rule , I've regretted it.
I am also very fortunate to be reviewing books for the Book Committee at Bank Street. The opportunity to bring a book "to the table" and hear what other people think is invaluable . With the volume of children's books produced in a year, it is possible to look over a picture book and not give it the focused attention the title deserves. I am privileged to have others who will point out what I have overlooked.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education 610 W.112th St. NY NY 10025
lisav at bnkst.edu 212 875 4452
Received on Tue 15 Sep 1998 04:24:36 PM CDT
