Go to a public library or a commercial bookstore and visit the children’s books section. Spend some time looking at different books written for children between the ages of 3 and 8 (beginning readers). Choose a book to critique. Through the eyes of an early childhood expert (and not as a child or a parent), address the following questions as they relate to the book you select to critique.
Do not rely on your memory of a book from your past but read and examine the book, keeping in mind what you have learned so far in this chapter. Remember that the book you select will influence the quality and thoroughness of your critique, so choose carefully.
Present your critique in the form of a well written essay rather than answers to questions.
1.) What is the title and who is the author of the book?
2.) Provide a brief summary of the story in the book with enough detail that your classmates will have an idea about the characters and plot in the book. This may be several sentences to provide enough flavor of the book. Then proceed with the analysis of the book.
3.) Provide examples of ways in which this book encourages language development. Explain how language is developed by this book.
4.) Provide examples of ways in which this book encourages cognitive development. Explain the concepts of cognitive development which apply to the example.
5.) Provide examples of ways in which this book encourages moral development.
6.) Would you recommend this book to parents? Based on your description, write a justification for your decision that the book you selected would or would not be a good book for a child to read (or have read to him/her).
Sample Solution