Inside Picture Books (Yale Nota Bene)

Rating:
Summary: Spitz comments on the classics
Review: "Inside Picture Books" by Ellen Handler Spitz is a complete breakdown of the different kinds of childrens' picture books. Spitz comments on dozens of picture book classics and shows us why some will always be favorites and some will not. She does this by using each chapter to talk about a particular type of picture book, including bed time stories and "feel good" books. Some other topics spitz addresses are how picture books are illustrated, the message and the endings.
Although I found the first chapter of "Inside Picture Books" a bit dull, I quickly gained interest as I read on. I found myself in agreement with some of the author's themes, like how children have to surrender to sleep and how books relate. Other themes (sexual insinuations) were hard for me to accept. Overall, I found this book well written, intriguing and a little controversial, and recommend it to various audiences. If you read to children or just want to read an in-depth, competent writter this might be a good book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Spitz's Inside Picture Books
Review: Ellen Handler Spitz's nonfictional narrative, Inside Picture Books, explores and introduces us to several different types of picture books. Spitz writes of the power of picture books to affect a child either positively or negatively. The book begins with an introduction of Spitz's viewpoints. This introduction was too long, and not to the point. This made it hard to get into the book. In the next chapter however Spitz begins to introduce us to books. Spitz now finally captures our attention by drawing on an experience many of us can remember. This experience is being read to as a child before bedtime. Each book she analyzes focuses on many aspects of the book, including the books pictures, language, theme, and the readers' initial reactions, and emotional responses to the book. Spitz also focuses on the psychology of the picture books. In these psychological analyses, I felt she was looking too deep into the book. This made it hard to follow exactly what she was getting at. Spitz however does use great description throughout the book, and definitely is successful at accomplishing her purpose of introducing us to great picture books. I love to read children's books, and I did enjoy reading about the books that I have read before. I did not however enjoy reading about the books I haven't read as much. I would recommend this book to educators, students, and parents. However I would suggest that if you do read this book, you simply read it to learn about some great picture books, and not analyze your favorite children's books.

Rating:
Summary: Spitz...too much?
Review: Inside Picture Books, written by Ellen Handler Spitz, is a book which serves an informational purpose. It depicts children books through methods of psychology, aesthetics, and literacy.
Throughout this book, Spitz focuses on the power of illustration in children's books. She does an excellent job of advocating for the practice of reading aloud to children, as well as sensitizing parents and adults to the variety of other meanings.
After reading a lengthy introduction, Spitz begins to discuss single books which generate interest and relate to our experience as readers. She analyzes books such as Goodnight Moon, and Where the Wild Things Are. Through her analysis, Spitz aims to aware the audience of the affect picture books have on children whether they are negative or positive. She does this in a complicated way. Spitz uses extensive vocabulary that can be confusing at times. Although, while reading, keep in mind that the authors audience consists of several different communities such as teachers, parents, and scholars. I have a hard time following her analyzing without visual aide. It would have been beneficial for the reader if Spitz were to include specific pictures when referring to them. Spitz also made the assumption that her readers were familiar with all of the children's books she discussed. I did find that I enjoyed her analysis more when I was familiar with the picture book, and in comparison, was unable to follow her analysis of picture books I was unfamiliar with.
Overall, Inside Picture Books, was an informational study that describes picture books as fantasies invading reality, and that is so true!

Rating:
Summary: A Hard Reading Book
Review: Spitz says this book is written for teachers, parents, and anyone else who deals with children on a regular basis, but her vocabulary is far higher than the average reading adult. She appears to be writing for her colleagues at the university. I feel, however, that she did an excellent job analyzing certain picture books, especially the psychological aspects as well as the obvious. When discussing a certain book, she makes reference to others and assumes we have read all these books. Half of them I had never heard of or even recall having them read to me as a child. This book is good if you are a college professor, but for the average reader, it needs work. S.D.