From Cover to Cover - by Kathleen T Horning (Paperback)

About the Book

A librarian and authoritative reviewer provides practical guidelines to help other librarians, parents, teachers, children's literature students, and general readers evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a children's book and write reviews for a particular audience.

Book Synopsis

An invaluable resource for professionals who wish to write book evaluations--and for all serious fans of children's literature!

This revised edition of From Cover to Cover offers a fresh, up-to-date look at some of the best examples of children's literature 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.

A brief, updated introduction clearly explains how children's books evolve from manuscripts into bound books and the importance of the many different parts of a book (jacket flaps, title page, copyright, etc.) and changes in the children's book industry, such as the creation of two new major genre awards. In addition, the author demonstrates how to think about and critically evaluate several different genres of children's books.

Included are sections about books of information (and the author's responsibility to document sources); traditional literature (myths, legends, tall tales, folktales); poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs; picture books; easy readers and traditional books; and fiction and graphic novels. There is also a concluding chapter on how to write reviews that are both descriptive and analytical, including a segment on children's literature blogs.

Updated material includes:

-An introduction that reflects the many changes in the children's book industry

-A section on genres, including a discussion of graphic novels

-A section on children's literature blogs

-An introduction of two new major genre awards: the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

-And more than 90% of the books cited have been updated from the first edition to more recent publications!

From the Back Cover

From Cover to Cover is 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. In addition to a brief introduction that clearly explains how children's books evolve from manuscripts into bound books, and a simple explanation of the importance of the many different parts of a book (jacket flaps, title page, copyright, Cataloging-in-Publication information, etc.), the author demonstrates how to think about and critically evaluate several different genres of children's books. Included are sections about books of information (and the author's responsibility to document sources); traditional literature (myths, legends, tall tales, folktales); poetry, verse, rhymes, and songs; picture books; easy readers and transitional books; and fiction. There is also a concluding chapter on how to write reviews that are both descriptive and analytical.

Review Quotes

"An engaging read. Aspiring book review writers will treasure this book." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
"Succinct, highly readable, and eminently useful." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Anyone entering the field of children's book reviewing, or indeed, the wider field of children's literature, will find From Cover to Cover an excellent guide." - ALA Booklist
"A user-friendly handbook." - The Horn Book