Children's Book: Researching Educational Books
Fantastically Great Women who changed the World
- Written by Kate Pankhurst (descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst)
- Reading Age: 5-7 years
- Print Length- 32 pages
- 4.8/5 on Amazon. 5/5 on Waterstones. 4.5 on GoodReads
Review 2
The first educational children's book I wanted to research was "Fantastically Great Women who changed the World" written by Kate Pankhurst. The reviews for this book are outstanding. This is due to the author raising awareness of the movements women have started in history. It is engaging throughout and never becomes overly preachy about women's equality. I have attached to this blog two reviews that explain how inspirational this book is to girls aged 5-7 and how it teaches the parents reading it too! This is the outcome that I would like to finish my own story with.
Greta and the Giants
- Written by Zoe Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico
- Reading age: 4-7 years
- Print Length: 32 pages
- 4.7/5 on Amazon. 5/5 on Waterstones. 4.18/5 on GoodReads
I wanted to research into children's books surrounding climate change as this is an important part of the story I'm developing. I looked into the story "Greta and the Giants" as I knew this would include the message of climate change throughout. This book is beautifully illustrated and is similar to the style I would like to use too! A children's book needs to be engaging for the message to come across and throughout the reviews, it is clear that the illustrations are a key factor to this. However, in a few of the reviews online I have found there is a feeling of this book being too preachy at some points without any advice on how to create change.
The Lorax
- Written by Dr. Seuss
- Reading Age: 3-7 years
- Print Length: 64 pages
- 4.8 on Amazon. 5/5 Waterstones. 4.3 GoodReads
Review 4
I wanted to chose a classic children's book with the lesson of climate change running throughout. The Lorax was a perfect example as it shows the impact of deforestation and the impact of industrialisation. In the majority of the reviews the message is clearly told and the illustrations make the read for the children engaging. It also creates a bigger conversation surround the environment. Although this is a great example of an educational children's book done right, the length of the book is a lot more than I was planning on doing in my own book.
The Tantrum that Saved the World
- Written by Megan Herbert and Michael E Mann
- Reading Age: 5-9
- Print Length: 64 pages
- GoodReads: 4.3/5
Review 5
Review 6
This children's book uses light-hearted story with an underlying theme of climate change to inspire children to look after their world. One section of the book is made for the younger readers however the back section has more informed pages meant for the older children. This is a clever way for both ages to read together and discuss as children. Although this isn't what I want to aim for with my children's book, it has given me an example of how to write the story for a younger child to understand. The illustrations throughout are very colourful and appealing too. They are in a similar style that I would like to produce.
The Trouble With Dragons
Review 7
Review 8
I wanted to use this children's book about climate as an example of what not to do. Unfortunately, listening to the reviews and reading it myself, the book is very preachy and addresses climate change too much for the child read. The metaphor is that we are the dragons causing the earth to die. As it speaks so negatively about us as 'dragons' the book can be seen as negative and "heavy handed". Although the illustrations throughout are beautiful, the story can lack the light hearted feeling a children's book needs.
What a Waste
- Written by Jess French
- Reading Age: 6-9 years
- Print Length: 72 pages
Review 9
Review 10
I wanted to research an educational children's book that was non-fiction to see how the reviews and the format of the book itself compared with a fiction book differ. It uses more information and isn't fantastical in any way but it still is engaging for children to read. This form of children's book, as explained in many reviews, is perfect for a school environment as it uses a variety of subjects throughout. The illustrations in this book are a key part for the information to become understandable to children aged 6-9. Although this isn't the path I want to follow with my project, it is extremely useful for me to see how illustrations can really make a difference.
Notable Children's Books
The Last Tree in the City- Peter Carnavas
My Little Forest- Katrin Wiehle
Review 5
Review 6
This children's book uses light-hearted story with an underlying theme of climate change to inspire children to look after their world. One section of the book is made for the younger readers however the back section has more informed pages meant for the older children. This is a clever way for both ages to read together and discuss as children. Although this isn't what I want to aim for with my children's book, it has given me an example of how to write the story for a younger child to understand. The illustrations throughout are very colourful and appealing too. They are in a similar style that I would like to produce.
The Trouble With Dragons
Review 7
Review 8
I wanted to use this children's book about climate as an example of what not to do. Unfortunately, listening to the reviews and reading it myself, the book is very preachy and addresses climate change too much for the child read. The metaphor is that we are the dragons causing the earth to die. As it speaks so negatively about us as 'dragons' the book can be seen as negative and "heavy handed". Although the illustrations throughout are beautiful, the story can lack the light hearted feeling a children's book needs.
What a Waste
- Written by Jess French
- Reading Age: 6-9 years
- Print Length: 72 pages
Review 10
I wanted to research an educational children's book that was non-fiction to see how the reviews and the format of the book itself compared with a fiction book differ. It uses more information and isn't fantastical in any way but it still is engaging for children to read. This form of children's book, as explained in many reviews, is perfect for a school environment as it uses a variety of subjects throughout. The illustrations in this book are a key part for the information to become understandable to children aged 6-9. Although this isn't the path I want to follow with my project, it is extremely useful for me to see how illustrations can really make a difference.
Notable Children's Books
The Last Tree in the City- Peter Carnavas
My Little Forest- Katrin Wiehle
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