| EVALUATION CRITERIA A Evaluating Books for the Very Young Child THE BEST BOOKS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS SHOULD:- Relate to familiar life experiences
- Provide clear, uncluttered illustrations with little or no distracting background
- Be well constructed with sturdy, durable pages
- Use clear, natural language
- Have predictable stories
- Provide some humor, especially so the child will feel superior
- Offer opportunities for participation and interaction
- Hold the child's attention
EVALUATION CRITERIA BEvaluating Mother Goose Books
With so many editions of Mother Goose, what factors should be considered when evaluating them? The following points might be useful in studying various editions:
COVERAGE
How many verses are included? Are they well-known rhymes, or are there some fresh and unusual ones? ILLUSTRATIONS
What medium has been used? What colors? Are the illustrations realistic, stylized, or varied? Are the illustrations consistent with the text? Do they elaborate the text? What is the mood of the illustrations (humorous, sedate, high-spirited)? Has the illustrator created a fresh approach, avoiding cliché-ridden images? TEXT
Does the text read smoothly, or have verses been altered? Is the text all on the same page, or fragmented by the need to turn the page? SETTING
What background is presented—rural or urban? Does the book take place in any particular country? Is the setting modern or in the past? What does the setting add to the collection? CHARACTERS
Do the characters come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds? Do the characters have distinct personalities? Are adults and children featured? Only children? How are animals presented—as humans or realistically? ARRANGEMENT
Is there a thematic arrangement of the verses? Is there a feeling of unity to the whole book, rather than just separate verses? Are pictures and verses well spaced or crowded? Is it clear which picture illustrates which verse? FORMAT
What is the quality of the paper and the binding? Is the title page well designed? Is there an index or table of contents? Is there harmony among endpapers, cover, and jacket? No matter what edition is selected, children should be exposed to the rhythm and rhyme of Mother Goose. It is part of their literary heritage and might be their first introduction to the realm of literature. | 