BOOK EVALUATIONS FOR GRADES PreK-3
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Your Name: Corey Anne Youree
Genre*: ___Caldecott Picture Books__________
Book One
Title: “The Hello, Goodbye Window”
Author/date: Norton Juster/2005
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
If Caldecott winner what year: 2006
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: The little girl enjoys visiting her grandparents very much. Whether she is
looking out or looking in, the kitchen window is the source of many fun things. The window is an opening to the real
world and her imagination.
Quote: Pg. 25
“You can be happy and sad at the same time.” She was happy to see her parents but was sad to leave her
grandparents.
Book Two
Title: “The Snowy Day”
Author/date: Ezra Jack Keats/1962
Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats
If Caldecott winner what year: 1963
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS:
A young boy named Peter was so excited about playing in the snow. He wanted to keep a snowball in his pocket and
take it inside his house. Of course he was sad when he realized it had melted.
Illustration: Pg. 31
When Peter woke up the next day new snow was falling. The illustration showed Peter with a big smile.
Book Three
Title: “Officer Buckle and Gloria”
Author/date: Peggy Rathmann/1995
Illustrator: Peggy Rathman
If Caldecott winner what year: 1996
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS:
Officer Buckle, a policeman who gave very boring safety tip, became very popular when a police dog named Gloria
accompanied him to make his speeches. Unknown to him, she was performing funny tricks behind him. When he
found out, he quit giving speeches because he didn’t feel important.
Quote: Pg. 32
“Always stick with your buddy.” Officer Buckle realized doing things together is the best way.
Book Four
Title: “White Snow Bright Snow”
Author/date: Alvin Tresselt/1947
Illustrator: Roger Duvoisin
If Caldecott winner what year: 1948
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS:
This book describes the activities of a community during a winter snow. Much excitement was shown during the
snowfall as animals and humans went on with their activities. After the snow melted, signs of spring were exciting to
all.
Quote: Pg.28
“And the children watched for the first robin to tell them spring had really come.” The colorful bird on the next page is
small but significant to the ending of the story.
Book Five
Title: “Song and Dance Man”
Author/date: Karen Ackerman/1988
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
If Caldecott winner what year: 1989
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS:
Grandpa show his three grandchildren his vaudeville act he performed when he was a young man. The children
enjoyed dancing and pretending they were performing. He sang, danced and did magic tricks.
Quote/Illustration: Pg. 28
Grandpa says, “…he wouldn’t trade a million good old days for the days he spends with us.” The picture of the four
of them hugging is precious.
Good job with evals for younger children.
EVALUATION OF BOOK FOR GRADES 4-9*
ALL questions need to be completed for full credit. Any plagiarism of the sample materials will result in a
failed grade; disciplinary action will be taken by the university council. See sample before beginning this. Do
not copy and paste text from the internet. Use your own words and cite your sources where necessary.
Your Name: Corey Anne Youree
Title: Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears
Author: Verna Aardema
Publisher: Dial
Number of pages in the book: 32
GENRE: Caldecott Picture Book
Illustrator: Leo and Diane Dillon
Copyright Date: 1975
Your own opinion about the reading level:
Fourth Grade: 4.0
1. List ALL of the criteria for considering quality books for this genre (copy this from your text).
Language is rich, with interesting words used in interesting ways. Illustrations are artistically excellent.
Size, shape and overall design of the book are appropriate to the subject or story. Make sure you list
ALL the criteria.
2. List any information on the illustrator and/or illustrations (book cover).
Pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon: The art of this book was prepared in full color using watercolors
applied with an airbrush in both fine spray and spatter technique, pastels rubbed on by hand, and
india ink. The cut-out effect was achieved by actually cutting the shapes out of vellum and frisket
masks at several different stages.
3. Give a brief summary of the book in your own words.
Main Characters: Mosquito, Iguana, Python, Rabbit, Crow, Monkey, Owl, King Lion
This story takes place in an African forest. The iguana is annoyed by the lie the mosquito tells and puts
sticks in his ears to keep from having to listen. After ignoring Python’s greeting, iguana caused a chain
reaction of fear among the forest animals. Unfortunately an owlet was accidentally killed and Owl refused
to awake the sun. King Lion got to the bottom of the problem and realized it was the mosquito who
actually caused the mass confusion and ultimately the owlets death. Today, the mosquito has a guilty
conscience and goes about whispering in people’s ears! 
4. Give a memorable passage (include page #) and your personal connection to the book.
Memorable passage: “I didn’t hear you, or even see you!” said the iguana. Pg. 26
Personal connection: Sometimes I wonder why people don’t speak to me. I think it’s because they don’t
like me, but maybe they just didn’t see me! 
5. Give a professional evaluation using one or two of the selection criteria for this genre and give
supportive examples from the book
Language: The verbs used to describe the reactions of the animals in the store are vivid and colorful.
This makes reading this book aloud very entertaining. For example, the mosquito frightened the python,
startled the crow, and alarmed the monkey.
Illustrations: The lines in the illustrations guide the reader through the sequence of events in the book.
The vibrant colors and shading draw the attention of the reader.
6. How would you use this book and who would be your intended audience? List three (3)
discussion questions and one (1) extension activity related to the book that a teacher could use
to expand and enhance the book. See sample.
How would you use this book? I would use this read aloud book to build the comprehension strategy:
schema. The students would relate their experiences of having someone tell them a lie or tall tale and
how they reacted.
Intended audience: The intended audience for this book would be fourth grade. Class size 20-25
students.
Discussion questions:
1. Why did the iguana put sticks in his ears?
2. Why did Owl refuse to awake the sun?
3. Why do mosquitos buzz in people’s ears?
Extension Activity:
Verb Synonym Flip Book. Fold a sheet of paper hot dog style and cut five equal slits into one side so you
will have six strips. Write the six verbs from the book used to describe the reactions of the animals on
the strips. Underneath each strip, have the students write a synonym for each verb on the strip.*This
activity can be extended to include antonyms.  Very good.
7. State any extra interesting information or comments such as awards or tantalizing tidbits about
the book or its author.
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears was chose as the Caldecott winner in 1976.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*NOTE: For the historical fiction and nonfiction genres, no biographies will be accepted. Books with
collections of stories or poems must be evaluated on the whole book. Do not select one story or poem from
the book to evaluate. You may, however, use one story or poem from the book to plan your learning activity
around. Be sure to indicate if the book is a Newbery winner.
Score: 20 pts 