Children's Book Evaluations
Children’s books are structured differently than teen or adult books. This is because they are guiding children in order to improve their reading. Some books use a whole-language approach. This approach mimics a child’s speaking language and emphasizes meaning. Other books use a phonics-based approach which focuses on each individuals syllable and has children sound out everything to form words.
The following books were evaluated based on how well they promote language development in children of a particular age group.
Hungry Friends:
This book titled “Hungry Friends,” is appropriate for infants or toddlers and is a very simple book that uses repetition of sentence structure while labeling different animals. This
book promotes language development because it is simple and gives labels to pictures so that children can later identify the objects themselves. One example is, “Cow’s hungry,” on a page where a cow is pictured. The book also supports cognitive development because it is an interactive book that parents can read to their children in order to further their development and understanding. The social interaction between the parent and the child provides scaffolding for the child to later recognize these objects and animals on their own.
My Many Colored Days:
“My Many Colored Days” is a book written by Dr. Seuss that uses a first person perspective to describe how he or she feels each day based on colors. This book is a little more challenging and most effective with children between the ages of 6 and 12. However, it is also appropriate for toddlers and younger children if their parents read it to them. This book helps promote language development because it labels colors, objects, animals, and actions with words so that children understand the two together and can later put a word to
something they see. It also uses rhyming and onomatopoeia that although younger children may not be able to recognize, older children should. “My Many Colored Days” also helps support cognitive development because it is abstract. This helps children understand ideas and things that are not tangible. An example in the book is that while Dr. Seuss says that he is “a busy, buzzy bee,” he does not actually mean that he is a bee, but instead is comparing himself to the bee. This book also shows a lot of creativity with different fonts and words written in ways other than straight across the page.
The following books were evaluated based on how well they promote language development in children of a particular age group.
Hungry Friends:
This book titled “Hungry Friends,” is appropriate for infants or toddlers and is a very simple book that uses repetition of sentence structure while labeling different animals. This
book promotes language development because it is simple and gives labels to pictures so that children can later identify the objects themselves. One example is, “Cow’s hungry,” on a page where a cow is pictured. The book also supports cognitive development because it is an interactive book that parents can read to their children in order to further their development and understanding. The social interaction between the parent and the child provides scaffolding for the child to later recognize these objects and animals on their own.
My Many Colored Days:
“My Many Colored Days” is a book written by Dr. Seuss that uses a first person perspective to describe how he or she feels each day based on colors. This book is a little more challenging and most effective with children between the ages of 6 and 12. However, it is also appropriate for toddlers and younger children if their parents read it to them. This book helps promote language development because it labels colors, objects, animals, and actions with words so that children understand the two together and can later put a word to
something they see. It also uses rhyming and onomatopoeia that although younger children may not be able to recognize, older children should. “My Many Colored Days” also helps support cognitive development because it is abstract. This helps children understand ideas and things that are not tangible. An example in the book is that while Dr. Seuss says that he is “a busy, buzzy bee,” he does not actually mean that he is a bee, but instead is comparing himself to the bee. This book also shows a lot of creativity with different fonts and words written in ways other than straight across the page.
Letters To the Editor
Dear Editor,
My 10-year-old daughter wants to know why I won’t let her wear make-up, nylons, and earrings. She says that all of her friends do. What should I say to her?
From a Desperate Mother
To Desperate Mother,
The best thing to do for your daughter is to use an authoritative parenting style. This would involve explaining to her that she is too young to wear make-up and all the extra
accessories. Also, tell her with sincerity that she is even more beautiful without the accessories because you can see her natural self. Tell her that it is your belief that she is not old enough to wear make-up and she should respect that. Encourage her to be independent from her friends and create a more age-appropriate style.
Something that you should avoid saying to her is that she cannot wear the make-up because you said so. This would be known as an authoritarian parenting style. By not explaining to her why you don’t agree with it, she will feel as if you are being unfair. In
the end, she may sneak behind your back and wear these things without telling her. The most important thing is to sit her down and explain to her why you do not agree with her.
I wish you the best of luck.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My only son is 15-years-old and I found him sneaking a couple cans of beer out of the refrigerator? Should I punish him for doing this because he is too young, or just let him keep drinking because it’s effortless?
From a Flustered Father
Dear Flustered Father,
If you were to use an indulgent parenting style and allow him to continue to drink there are many things that could go wrong. By not placing any restrictions on him you are not
teaching him that drinking has many negative consequences. Many children his age do not think that anything bad can happen to them and he will take risks while he is drinking such as driving or performing other dangerous stunts that could get him injured or even killed.
Instead you should use an authoritative parenting style and explain to him the consequences that are involved with drinking. Show him that although he may feel like he can handle it, there are many other people who think they can to and end up getting in trouble. Also, this is illegal and therefore he could get in trouble with the law for drinking. Drinking could ruin his life and therefore show him that he should stay away from it until he is old enough and is able to handle himself better. Tell him that this is not something that you will allow, but don’t leave it at that. Explain to him why it isn’t allowed.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My son is in 6th grade. He recently starting using swear words during his normal conversations around the house. I do not like him doing this, but I’m hoping it’s just a
stage.
From a Disappointed Mother
Dear Disappointed Mother,
Every child begins to repeat swear words at one point or another during their lifetime, so this is a natural thing that you are going through. I recommend that you use an authoritative parenting style and sit down your son and talk to him. Start by explaining to him how much it bothers you that he uses swear words and that you do not think they are appropriate. Explain that by using swear words, he is showing less respect towards the people around him and then they will also show less respect towards him. By talking properly and
expressing your opinions without swearing, people will show more respect for you and it will help you further in life.
However, you should not ignore this behavior by believing it is a stage. By ignoring him you are showing him that you do not care about what he does and therefore allowing him to continue doing what he is doing. He will believe that what he is doing is acceptable in your eyes and will continue doing it. In order to get him to stop, you need to show him and explain why this language is something you do not agree with.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My daughter is in the 7th grade. She recently came to me and asked if she could go on a date with a boy who is in the 10th grade. I do not believe she is old enough to date him, but I’m afraid to tell her no and have her go anyways behind my back. What should I do?
From Concerned Mother
Dear Concerned Mother,
How you daughter will react to you telling her no will depend on the way you tell her no. If you tell her she cannot go on a date with him because you said she can’t, there is a greater chance that she will go behind your back. This is called using an authoritarian parenting style and is not very effective because you are not explaining why her behavior is not acceptable. By using and authoritative parenting style and explaining to her why she should is not allowed to go on a date with this 10th grader, she is more likely to listen.
Start by sitting her down and explaining how different ages in a relationship can lead to different expectation in a relationship. The older boy may pressure her into doing things that she is not comfortable with. Also explain that during adolescence, an age different like that is completely different from the same age different during adulthood. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty cause this. Until she is an adult she should try dating someone who is more around her age in order to not feel as pressured to do things she may not be comfortable with.
By explaining this to her, she is more likely to listen to you and not go
on this date. I hope everything works out for both of
you.
From the Editor
My 10-year-old daughter wants to know why I won’t let her wear make-up, nylons, and earrings. She says that all of her friends do. What should I say to her?
From a Desperate Mother
To Desperate Mother,
The best thing to do for your daughter is to use an authoritative parenting style. This would involve explaining to her that she is too young to wear make-up and all the extra
accessories. Also, tell her with sincerity that she is even more beautiful without the accessories because you can see her natural self. Tell her that it is your belief that she is not old enough to wear make-up and she should respect that. Encourage her to be independent from her friends and create a more age-appropriate style.
Something that you should avoid saying to her is that she cannot wear the make-up because you said so. This would be known as an authoritarian parenting style. By not explaining to her why you don’t agree with it, she will feel as if you are being unfair. In
the end, she may sneak behind your back and wear these things without telling her. The most important thing is to sit her down and explain to her why you do not agree with her.
I wish you the best of luck.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My only son is 15-years-old and I found him sneaking a couple cans of beer out of the refrigerator? Should I punish him for doing this because he is too young, or just let him keep drinking because it’s effortless?
From a Flustered Father
Dear Flustered Father,
If you were to use an indulgent parenting style and allow him to continue to drink there are many things that could go wrong. By not placing any restrictions on him you are not
teaching him that drinking has many negative consequences. Many children his age do not think that anything bad can happen to them and he will take risks while he is drinking such as driving or performing other dangerous stunts that could get him injured or even killed.
Instead you should use an authoritative parenting style and explain to him the consequences that are involved with drinking. Show him that although he may feel like he can handle it, there are many other people who think they can to and end up getting in trouble. Also, this is illegal and therefore he could get in trouble with the law for drinking. Drinking could ruin his life and therefore show him that he should stay away from it until he is old enough and is able to handle himself better. Tell him that this is not something that you will allow, but don’t leave it at that. Explain to him why it isn’t allowed.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My son is in 6th grade. He recently starting using swear words during his normal conversations around the house. I do not like him doing this, but I’m hoping it’s just a
stage.
From a Disappointed Mother
Dear Disappointed Mother,
Every child begins to repeat swear words at one point or another during their lifetime, so this is a natural thing that you are going through. I recommend that you use an authoritative parenting style and sit down your son and talk to him. Start by explaining to him how much it bothers you that he uses swear words and that you do not think they are appropriate. Explain that by using swear words, he is showing less respect towards the people around him and then they will also show less respect towards him. By talking properly and
expressing your opinions without swearing, people will show more respect for you and it will help you further in life.
However, you should not ignore this behavior by believing it is a stage. By ignoring him you are showing him that you do not care about what he does and therefore allowing him to continue doing what he is doing. He will believe that what he is doing is acceptable in your eyes and will continue doing it. In order to get him to stop, you need to show him and explain why this language is something you do not agree with.
From the Editor
Dear Editor,
My daughter is in the 7th grade. She recently came to me and asked if she could go on a date with a boy who is in the 10th grade. I do not believe she is old enough to date him, but I’m afraid to tell her no and have her go anyways behind my back. What should I do?
From Concerned Mother
Dear Concerned Mother,
How you daughter will react to you telling her no will depend on the way you tell her no. If you tell her she cannot go on a date with him because you said she can’t, there is a greater chance that she will go behind your back. This is called using an authoritarian parenting style and is not very effective because you are not explaining why her behavior is not acceptable. By using and authoritative parenting style and explaining to her why she should is not allowed to go on a date with this 10th grader, she is more likely to listen.
Start by sitting her down and explaining how different ages in a relationship can lead to different expectation in a relationship. The older boy may pressure her into doing things that she is not comfortable with. Also explain that during adolescence, an age different like that is completely different from the same age different during adulthood. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty cause this. Until she is an adult she should try dating someone who is more around her age in order to not feel as pressured to do things she may not be comfortable with.
By explaining this to her, she is more likely to listen to you and not go
on this date. I hope everything works out for both of
you.
From the Editor
Live Your Dream Virtual Goggles
Our developers have recently created a new toy known as the Live Your Dream Virtual Goggles. These glasses allow the wearer to experience a virtual world where they can become anything they want. They could attend baking school and become the top chef or even play as a cop and catch criminals. This toy is perfect for children of all ages, but will be most beneficial for children ten years old and up. These children are in the Formal Operational stage of cognitive development according to Piaget’s theory and in this stage children are able to logically think about abstract things and also become very focused on their future and the things they could become. This toy is designed to emphasize this and allows children to explore over 200 different careers all within the comfort of their own home. It is a quick and fun way for children to learn and explore their different options in life. Our researches believe that this toy would be Piaget approved because it allows children to be idealistic and believe that anything is possible for them. This also leads to increased logically thinking and overall better cognitive development. The Live Your Dream Virtual Goggles will shortly be available both online and in most stores for purchase.
Parenting Scenarios for Beginners
These scenarios are for people who do not spend much time around children. Each scenario is followed by a short blurb that attempts to explain why the child in each scenario is acting the way s/he is.
Scenario #1: You are walking through a local grocery store and see the following interaction between a parent and child. The parents and child are in the checkout line. The child requests a candy bar and the parent says “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s a good idea—we’re meeting Gamma and Pap for dinner tonight at a restaurant, and I don’t want to ruin your
appetite.” The child begins to whine and scream that s/he wants the candy bar "now!”
This child would most likely be known as a difficult baby. Difficult babies are children who react negatively and cry frequently. The child is attempting to regulate his negative emotions about not being allowed to have a candy bar by maintaining his focus on the candy bar. The parent on the other hand is trying to emotion coach him by explaining to him why he is not allowed to have the candy bar.
Scenario #2: A parent and child are in a craft store. The child has a packet of stickers in his hand. In one of the aisles of the store, the child removes a glass vase from a shelf, and the mother politely asks the child to put it back. The child fails to comply so the mother says: “I’m going to count to five, and if you don’t put the vase back, then you’re going to lose
the stickers.” The child again fails to comply, so the mother requests the stickers from the child’s hand. The child begins to scream and call his mother names, and when the mother lifts the child to remove him from the store, he begins to hit and bite her.
The child here is being extroverted because he is seeking sensation through holding onto and playing with the vase. He is also being impulsive because although his mother tells him that he is going to lose the stickers, he does not put the vase back. The child is having problems adapting to change, which is usually typical of difficult babies, because his mother took the stickers away from him. In response to this change, the child lashes out with anger at his mother.
Scenario #3: Two children re playing at recess on a playground. One child is bouncing a ball. The other child goes up to the first child, pushes him down, and takes the ball
away.
A child would act this way if he is feeling jealous that he does not get to this ball. However, instead of asking to play with them he uses anger and force to take the ball. This child does not know how to effectively regulate his emotions and so he lashes out in negative ways. In most cases, children like this boy have problems in their home environment that have prevented them from learning to regulate their emotions.
Scenario #4: You work in a department store. One day you see a mother and her young daughter in the toy section. The child is whining about how she wants a book because she is so “bored” with all the books that she has at home. The mother ignores the child’s request. The child whines about the book from the “book aisle” into the next aisle. In the next aisle, the child begins to whine about needing some new clothes for her doll baby because her old
clothes are “boring.” The mother responds with “you have a lot of clothes for your baby, perhaps on another day.” The child escalates her whining and continues to whine into the next aisle. In the next aisle, the child begins to whine that she needs some new games because her games are all “boring.” The mother quickly grabs a pack of “go fist” cards and hands them to the child. The child smiles brightly.
In this scenario, the child maintains focus on the objects in the store in order to get what she wants from her mother. This child knows how to manage her emotions and even knows how to effectively use them against her mother. Although the child shifts her attention from one object to the next, she is relentless at whining for something new.
Scenario #1: You are walking through a local grocery store and see the following interaction between a parent and child. The parents and child are in the checkout line. The child requests a candy bar and the parent says “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s a good idea—we’re meeting Gamma and Pap for dinner tonight at a restaurant, and I don’t want to ruin your
appetite.” The child begins to whine and scream that s/he wants the candy bar "now!”
This child would most likely be known as a difficult baby. Difficult babies are children who react negatively and cry frequently. The child is attempting to regulate his negative emotions about not being allowed to have a candy bar by maintaining his focus on the candy bar. The parent on the other hand is trying to emotion coach him by explaining to him why he is not allowed to have the candy bar.
Scenario #2: A parent and child are in a craft store. The child has a packet of stickers in his hand. In one of the aisles of the store, the child removes a glass vase from a shelf, and the mother politely asks the child to put it back. The child fails to comply so the mother says: “I’m going to count to five, and if you don’t put the vase back, then you’re going to lose
the stickers.” The child again fails to comply, so the mother requests the stickers from the child’s hand. The child begins to scream and call his mother names, and when the mother lifts the child to remove him from the store, he begins to hit and bite her.
The child here is being extroverted because he is seeking sensation through holding onto and playing with the vase. He is also being impulsive because although his mother tells him that he is going to lose the stickers, he does not put the vase back. The child is having problems adapting to change, which is usually typical of difficult babies, because his mother took the stickers away from him. In response to this change, the child lashes out with anger at his mother.
Scenario #3: Two children re playing at recess on a playground. One child is bouncing a ball. The other child goes up to the first child, pushes him down, and takes the ball
away.
A child would act this way if he is feeling jealous that he does not get to this ball. However, instead of asking to play with them he uses anger and force to take the ball. This child does not know how to effectively regulate his emotions and so he lashes out in negative ways. In most cases, children like this boy have problems in their home environment that have prevented them from learning to regulate their emotions.
Scenario #4: You work in a department store. One day you see a mother and her young daughter in the toy section. The child is whining about how she wants a book because she is so “bored” with all the books that she has at home. The mother ignores the child’s request. The child whines about the book from the “book aisle” into the next aisle. In the next aisle, the child begins to whine about needing some new clothes for her doll baby because her old
clothes are “boring.” The mother responds with “you have a lot of clothes for your baby, perhaps on another day.” The child escalates her whining and continues to whine into the next aisle. In the next aisle, the child begins to whine that she needs some new games because her games are all “boring.” The mother quickly grabs a pack of “go fist” cards and hands them to the child. The child smiles brightly.
In this scenario, the child maintains focus on the objects in the store in order to get what she wants from her mother. This child knows how to manage her emotions and even knows how to effectively use them against her mother. Although the child shifts her attention from one object to the next, she is relentless at whining for something new.
Parents Advising Parents
This is an advice column for parents by parents. Every month we pick a new parent to tell their story to other parents in order to give them advice on a parenting situation that they experienced.
My 4-year-old daughter, Cheryl, came home one day crying. She told me that Mr. Johnson, a neighbor and long-time friend of mine, pulled down her pants and touched her
“private parts.” I was shocked. I had always known Mr. Johnson to be an honest and decent man so it was hard to think about him doing something as horrible as this. In the back of my mind however, I had always thought he was a bit peculiar, so the idea was still possible. Of course my first reaction was to believe my daughter, but sometimes kid’s imaginations can run wild and I wasn’t going to convict Mr. Johnson for something he hadn’t done. I knew that I had to find out the truth.
The first thing I did was I took my daughter inside and sat her down with me on the couch. I needed to talk to her, but more importantly I needed to calm her down first. I
sat with her until she calmed down and then I asked her what had happened in the calmest tone I could manage. I didn’t put any stress and her and let her tell the story on her own time without any suggestion or questions in between. Once she had told me the full story, I found someone to watch her while I went to talk to Mr. Johnson’s neighbors to see if they had seen anything. Although they provided little information, it was still necessary that I do this as a first step to find the truth. Then, I went back home and took Cheryl to her doctor to make sure that Mr. Johnson had not done anything that Cheryl was not telling me.
Once this visit was over, I took her to the police station. I had her tell the story once again, making sure that no one was using any suggestive comments in their questions that could influence or put pressure on her and watching to make sure that her story stayed consistent. As a final check, I explained to her that Mr. Johnson could be in serious trouble for this and that she should tell me now if she had made the story up. However, I also assured her that she would not get in trouble for lying, but that I just wanted to know the truth. She told me that she wasn’t lying. That was it for me. I believed her.
Although not everyone may agree with the steps that I took to determine the truth of this
event, I believe it was the most effective way of finding out the truth. Children are easily influenced to create false memories through suggestive comments made to or around them. Made-up accusations could ruin a person’s life and therefore when dealing with situations such as this, children need to be talked to and interviewed in a specific way. Encourage the child to provide more detail on the event without putting excess pressure on them to make something up. Stay calm throughout the interview and make sure the child is calm themselves. Don’t rush their story and allow them to speak for themselves with almost no encouragement from others. Finally and most importantly, don’t use suggestive comments or questions. An example of suggestive question would be, “Did Mr. Johnson order you not to tell anyone about what he was doing?” Instead you should ask plainly if Mr. Johnson had said anything to them. By following these strategies, there is a greater chance that the child will tell the whole truth about the event instead of becoming confused and being suggested into
believing that things that never happened were true.
This is my advice to parents who come across a similar situation with their own children. Hopefully one reading this article is put in this situation, but it is best to be prepared
to any situation.
Anonymous
My 4-year-old daughter, Cheryl, came home one day crying. She told me that Mr. Johnson, a neighbor and long-time friend of mine, pulled down her pants and touched her
“private parts.” I was shocked. I had always known Mr. Johnson to be an honest and decent man so it was hard to think about him doing something as horrible as this. In the back of my mind however, I had always thought he was a bit peculiar, so the idea was still possible. Of course my first reaction was to believe my daughter, but sometimes kid’s imaginations can run wild and I wasn’t going to convict Mr. Johnson for something he hadn’t done. I knew that I had to find out the truth.
The first thing I did was I took my daughter inside and sat her down with me on the couch. I needed to talk to her, but more importantly I needed to calm her down first. I
sat with her until she calmed down and then I asked her what had happened in the calmest tone I could manage. I didn’t put any stress and her and let her tell the story on her own time without any suggestion or questions in between. Once she had told me the full story, I found someone to watch her while I went to talk to Mr. Johnson’s neighbors to see if they had seen anything. Although they provided little information, it was still necessary that I do this as a first step to find the truth. Then, I went back home and took Cheryl to her doctor to make sure that Mr. Johnson had not done anything that Cheryl was not telling me.
Once this visit was over, I took her to the police station. I had her tell the story once again, making sure that no one was using any suggestive comments in their questions that could influence or put pressure on her and watching to make sure that her story stayed consistent. As a final check, I explained to her that Mr. Johnson could be in serious trouble for this and that she should tell me now if she had made the story up. However, I also assured her that she would not get in trouble for lying, but that I just wanted to know the truth. She told me that she wasn’t lying. That was it for me. I believed her.
Although not everyone may agree with the steps that I took to determine the truth of this
event, I believe it was the most effective way of finding out the truth. Children are easily influenced to create false memories through suggestive comments made to or around them. Made-up accusations could ruin a person’s life and therefore when dealing with situations such as this, children need to be talked to and interviewed in a specific way. Encourage the child to provide more detail on the event without putting excess pressure on them to make something up. Stay calm throughout the interview and make sure the child is calm themselves. Don’t rush their story and allow them to speak for themselves with almost no encouragement from others. Finally and most importantly, don’t use suggestive comments or questions. An example of suggestive question would be, “Did Mr. Johnson order you not to tell anyone about what he was doing?” Instead you should ask plainly if Mr. Johnson had said anything to them. By following these strategies, there is a greater chance that the child will tell the whole truth about the event instead of becoming confused and being suggested into
believing that things that never happened were true.
This is my advice to parents who come across a similar situation with their own children. Hopefully one reading this article is put in this situation, but it is best to be prepared
to any situation.
Anonymous