Criteria for Evaluating Children's Literature
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING CHILDREN’S BOOKS
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting and evaluating books for children.
A predetermined set of factors ought to be kept in mind to make your search easier.
1. First and foremost, it is important to take into consideration the children's physical, cognitive, language, and moral developments, as well as what the interests and preferences are of the age group or groups you are recognizing.
Age group, per say, will not necessarily render completely in your choices, as many levels and types of levels in both reading and developmental, will probably be presented in each group of children. Whether the books you are choosing will be read or read to your child or group of children, will also be a factor. Other questions to ask on your search for the right books are,
• Are the books you are choosing going to provide enjoyment, an overall positive experience, and teach them something along the way?
• Will it get them asking appropriate questions?
• Will you be able to draw from it or transition into other activities, if that is a goal?
These are the types of questions to ask yourself while searching and evaluating books.
2. Illustrations:
Stereotypes. A stereotype is an over-simplified generalization about a particular group which usually carries derogatory implications. Stereotypes may be blatant or subtle. Check for depictions that demean or ridicule characters because of their race, gender, age, ability, appearance, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, or native language.
Tokenism. Is one person from the group presented as having admirable qualities while all the others of the group are stereotyped? In illustrations, do people of color look just like whites except for being tinted or colored in? Do all people from parallel cultures look stereotypically alike or are they depicted as genuine individuals with distinctive features?Who is doing what?
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting and evaluating books for children.
A predetermined set of factors ought to be kept in mind to make your search easier.
1. First and foremost, it is important to take into consideration the children's physical, cognitive, language, and moral developments, as well as what the interests and preferences are of the age group or groups you are recognizing.
Age group, per say, will not necessarily render completely in your choices, as many levels and types of levels in both reading and developmental, will probably be presented in each group of children. Whether the books you are choosing will be read or read to your child or group of children, will also be a factor. Other questions to ask on your search for the right books are,
• Are the books you are choosing going to provide enjoyment, an overall positive experience, and teach them something along the way?
• Will it get them asking appropriate questions?
• Will you be able to draw from it or transition into other activities, if that is a goal?
These are the types of questions to ask yourself while searching and evaluating books.
2. Illustrations:
Stereotypes. A stereotype is an over-simplified generalization about a particular group which usually carries derogatory implications. Stereotypes may be blatant or subtle. Check for depictions that demean or ridicule characters because of their race, gender, age, ability, appearance, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, or native language.
Tokenism. Is one person from the group presented as having admirable qualities while all the others of the group are stereotyped? In illustrations, do people of color look just like whites except for being tinted or colored in? Do all people from parallel cultures look stereotypically alike or are they depicted as genuine individuals with distinctive features?Who is doing what?