Children’s Book Peer Review
Authors: Jenna, David, and Aliya
Reviewers: Ginika, Christopher, and Kaila
Area A: Text
1. How is the title? Could it be improved?
“Sweet Dreams Ethan” is a nice title but the placement is awkward. The title was put on the last slide/page.
2. What is the plot of the story?
Ethan is having nightmares and is unable to sleep because he is going to bed late and watching tv before bed. He goes to see the doctor and she explains the importance of good sleep and encourages him to develop better habits.
3. The text of a children’s book is usually organized into simple sentences and short paragraphs. Is the topic conveyed in a simplified way?
Does the information seem appropriate for a 7-year-old audience? Explain.
Yes. The words are very simple and the animations are engaging. The message is clear.
4. List any literary tools used to help make the story more vivid, including rhythm, alliteration, repetition, refrains, onomatopoeia, simile, personification, rhyme, and imagery.
Exclamation points were used to emphasize certain moments and integrate emotion.
5. Describe the flow of the story. Is it effective?
The flow can get monotonous at some points because there is a lack of variety in sentence structure. Most of the sentences are written in the passive voice and are simple sentences.
6. Does the story make sense? Get boring? Be honest and critical:
The story makes sense and does not get boring.
Area B: Illustrations
1. Is there a cover? What does it look like?
There is a cover, but they attached it towards the end. It is simple and dark with moons, stars, “zzz’s,” and a sleeping person.
2. What is the primary medium (collage, drawings, photographs, etc.) used in the illustrations?
The primary medium used in the illustrations was cartoon clipart photographs.
3. Are the illustrations appropriate for a young audience?
The illustrations are appropriate for a young audience.
4. Describe the design (color, size on page, location on page, etc.). Is it effective?
The design on each page is simple, yet colorful. This is effective for a young audience because it catches their attention without overwhelming or distracting them.
5. Are the illustrations effective and consistent? Explain how or how not.
The illustrations are effective and consistent. These illustrations are effective because the young audience will be able to follow the storyline.
6. Do the illustrations guide readers through the story? How can they be improved?
The illustrations help guide readers through the story. Although most of the story was followed through dialogue, the images help further the story.
Area C: Characterization
1. Is there an easily identifiable dominant trait of the story’s main character?
Yes, there is an easily identifiable dominant trait of the story’s main character, which is he is very scared of the monsters that occur in his dreams.
2. What character traits of the main character are established through the text?
The readers understand that Ethan is easily frightened and therefore, doesn’t get enough sleep.
3. What character traits of the main character are established through the illustrations?
Through the illustrations, we can see Ethan is clearly upset and worried about what he is going through when it comes to his nightmares. However, as the story progresses, we see Ethan change from being an upset child to one that is happy and excited about going to sleep.
4. Is the audience be able to identify or sympathize with the main character?
Yes, the audience is able to sympathize with the main character because it is quite common for people to get nightmares and as a result, be afraid of the dark or “monsters”.
5. What is the main problem that the main character faces in the book? How is this problem similar to a problem that most children have faced before?
Ethan’s main problem is his nightmares. Many children get nightmares and become very fearful of going to sleep. This book allows children to understand that not all dreams are bad and that going to sleep is actually good for you.
6. How will the character in your story solve the main conflict?
The character in the story solved the conflict by going to the doctor. The doctor explained to Ethan that not all sleep is bad sleep and how Ethan can dream about his favorite things when he sleeps. Nonetheless, that night, Ethan fell asleep and had great dreams instead of his usual nightmares.
Any other comments on the work:
We liked the images used for this children’s book and really enjoyed the plotline as well.
