Nonfiction Form (Biography and Information Books)

Your Name:Moyi Tian Title: Where in the Wild.

Author: David M. Schwartz Illustrator: Dwight Kuhn
Publisher/Date:Tricycle Press 2007 Genre: Picture Book

EVALUATE THE BOOK USING THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS

Explain how the cover and first pages of the book attract and hold the reader’s interest. Give 3examples from
the book
1.It has pictures of nature and animals on the front cover.
2.The title of the book raises children’s curiosity in what they will see.
3.The book has a hint on the right-hand corner saying, “find the animal hidden”, children like to search for
things.
STYLE AND LANGUAGE – Explain how the book shares information with children. Examples: “little-known
facts;” new vocab sprinkled in the text; and selection of information to create/maintain reader’s interest.
Give 3 examples from the book
1.The sentences are short and simple, easy to read for children, not text-heavy.
2.Alot of rhyming, middle paced.
3.An fun introduction on every animal to maintain reader’s curiosity.
ACCURACY – up-to-date research, any sources or references provided, no mixing of fact and fiction.
Explain:
The introduction on every animal in the picture book is up to date. The author researched the characteristics
of the animals and the habitats of the animals.

INFORMATION –Explain how the book captures a child’s interest: unusual subjects or viewpoints -
personalized content – new perspectives, first-person accounts, and fascinating comparisons.
Give 3 examples from the book.
1.3rd person perspective from the author’s perspective of the animals.
2. Personification, the animal is writing a introduction of itself, “I’ll soon be His”.
3.3rd person, the author’s research on where the animals live, their habitats.
ILLUSTRATIONS-- Select a 2-Page Spread to evaluate the book with following:
Media (paints, pencils, pen, watercolors, charcoal, photographs, crayon, acrylics, chalk, oils): Explain the media choices used:
Media used was photographs.
illustration and text combine to share the information:
What does the text explain and how illustrated?
What do illustrations show that text does not explain?
1. The illustrations connect with the descriptions of the text about the animals.
2. The illustrations show the actual habit the animal lives in the real life.

Page design – Describe the following: use of borders; text placement and font size; use of information boxes, charts or
identification of vocab use of white and dark space; types of illustrations and placement on both pages:
Border: there is one overall border, the text is at the center of the book next to the illustrations. Text font is
medium-small. The information page is underneath a flip page one can lifts up and read the information on
the animal. The photographs occupy the whole picture book pages. The texts are written upon the
photographs.

Child Development Theories –Select 1 theory:

Identify the stage:

 Preoperational and age level___2-7__ from the theory. Children’s language and vocab are developing
rapidly. Children are using their imaginations more, they experience more things and discover their thinking
becoming more symbolic.

Ericson: Industry Vs. Inferiority

School-age children develop a sense of industry when they have opportunity to develop skills and learn
information.
Select one trait from the developmental stage/level.

Explain and give 3 specific examples from the book that fit the development al stage/level.
1. when the children learn the new vocabularies, they are looking and the photographs and the context.
2.when the children are in a group, they will be able to learn more about different habitats by completing the
forms.
3.Children can see the description and the photographs of the animal and he can imagine owning one of the
smalls ones as a pet.
1. OVERALL RATING 3 (3 high, 1 low) 1 2 3
Explain the rating: It is a very informational book.