This three part series of aritcles for educators and parents will guide you through each step needed to properly and thoroughly evaluate three categories of children's books: Children's Picture Books, Poetry for Children, Children's Literature. The fucus of this article is Evaluating Children's Picture Books - Questions you should be asking - for Parents and Teachers.

Content:

1. How appropriate is the book's content for its intended age level?
2. Is this a book that will appeal to children, or is it really written for adults?
3. When and where does it take place? Has the artist portrayed this?
4. Are the characters well delineated and developed?
5. Does the book avoid race, gender, and ethnic stereotyping?
6. What is the quality of the language of the text?
7. How is the theme developed through text and illustration?

Illustrations:

1. How do the illustrations help to create the meaning of the text?
2. How are pictures made an integral part of the text?
3. Do the illustrations extend the text in any way? Do they provide clues to the action of the story?
4. Are the pictures accurate and consistent with the text?
5. Where the setting calls for it, are the illustrations authentic in detail?

Medium and Style of Illustrations:

1. What medium has the illustrator chosen to use? Is it appropriate for the mood of the story?
2. How has the illustrator used line, shape, and color to extend the story?
3. How would you describe the style of the illustrations? Is the style appropriate for the story?
4. How has the illustrator varied the style and the technique? What techniques seem to create rhythm and movement?
5. How has the illustrator created balance in composition?

Format:

1. Does the size of the book seem appropriate to the content?
2. Does the jacket design express the theme of the book?
3. Do the cover design and endpapers convey the spirit of the book?
4. In what way does the title page anticipate the story to come?
5. Is the type design well chosen for the book's theme and purpose?
6. What is the quality of the paper?
7. How durable is the binding?

Comparison with Others:

1. How is this work similar to or different from other works by this author and/or illustrator?
2. How is the story simila to or different from other books with the same subject or theme?
3. What comments have reviewers made about this book? Do you agree or disagree with them?
4. What has the artist said about his or her work?
5. Will this book make a contribution to the growing body of children's literature? How lasting do you think it will be?

 These questions can help you determine the strengths of a book.  Remember that not every question listed is appropriate fo everry book, nor is this list exhaustive.