Dr. Buffy’s Comments (group member since Aug 07, 2024)

Dr. Buffy’s comments from the 5183 Fall 2024 Information Resources and Services for Children group.

Reading Responses 10 (Wk13): Poetry for Children 

Part 1: Add 1 poetry book for children you selected to read to the Goodreads group bookshelf. You do not need to add Freedom Over Me, which is already on the bookshelf.

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, add the title information to your post.

Part 2: I’d like for you to recommend a poem to your classmates. Choose one of the poems you read this week. 

1. Provide a citation to the poem using APA format.

2. Provide a one or two-sentence description of the content of the poem. 

3. Explain why you would recommend this poem for use with children. How would you use this poem with children? Your answer to #3 should be about 100 words in length.

Reading Responses 9 (Wk12): Realism 

Part 1: Add 1 contemporary realistic fiction books you selected to read to the Goodreads group bookshelf. You do not need to add Black Brother, Black Brother, which is already on the bookshelf.

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, add the title information to your post.

Part 2: Write on the realistic fiction books you selected to read BESIDES Black Brother, Black Brother. 

1. A citation for the book in APA format.

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences.

3. Your response to these questions: Does the book honestly portray the realities of life for today’s children? In your opinion, how real should a children’s book be? In other words, are children harmed or helped by reading a realistic portrayal?

Your answer to #3 should be about 100 words in length. 

Reading Responses 8 (Wk11): Science Fiction 

Part 1: Add 1 science fiction book that you chose to read this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, add the title information to your post.

Part 2: This week I'd like you to write about the science fiction book that you chose to read.

1. A citation for the book in APA format.

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences.

3. Briefly describe the setting of the book (i.e., time and place). Does the setting play an important part of the story or is the setting backdrop? How does the society or community in the book reflect (or does not reflect) contemporary society? Your answer to #3 should be about 100 words in length.

Part 1: Add 1 fantasy book that you chose to read this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. You do not need to add The Girl Who Drank the Moon. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, add the title information to your post.

Part 2: This week I'd like you to write on the fantasy book that you chose to read (besides The Girl Who Drank the Moon). 

1. A citation for the book in APA format.

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences.

3. Your response to this question: Author Ursula K. LeGuin said that fantasy is not real but it is true. Do you think the book you read is “true” in some sense of the word? Explain. Your answer to #3 should be about 100 words in length.

Reading Responses 6 (Wk9): Nonfiction 
Part 1: Add TWO nonfiction books that you read this week (1 informational book and 1 biography) to the Goodreads group bookshelf. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, add the title information to your post.


Part 2: This week you choose to write on either (1) the informational book OR (2) biography for children you selected to read. 

1. A citation for the book in APA format.

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences.

3. The K-W-L method can be used to facilitate active reading of expository text (See Pattee's article for more about the method.) In about 100 words, discuss (a) what you did know about the topic that your nonfiction book presents about, (b) what you wanted to know, and (c) what you learned about the topic. 

Reading Responses 5 (Wk8:): Diverse/International Literature

Part 1: Add 2 books you’re reading this week, besides Front Desk, to the Goodreads group bookshelf. The 2 books include 1 Mildred L. Batchelder Award/Honor book & 1 book that addresses children with either disabilities or L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, send the book’s title and author to Dr. Edwards so that I know you’ve completed required children’s book readings.

Part 2: This week you choose to write on either (1) the Mildred L. Batchelder Award/Honor book OR (2) the book addressing children with disabilities/ L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ that you read. 

1. A citation for the book in APA format.

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences.

3A. If you respond to the Mildred L. Batchelder Award/Honor book: 

Discuss the book’s potential appeal to the child audience in the U.S. In what sense do you think an American child can relate to the book originally produced in a foreign country? Your answer to #3A should be about 100 words in length.

3B. If you respond to the book addressing children with disabilities/LGBTQIA+

Discuss how the book depicts an accurate or misleading understanding about people of various identities. Does the book foster a positive attitude about our diverse society? Why or why not? Make sure you evaluate both texts and illustrations (if your book has
illustrations). Your answer to #3B should be about 100 words in length.

FYI. You may find this article, Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books, useful in evaluating your book: https://www.teachingforchange.org/sel...

Reading Responses 4 (Wk7:): Folklore 

Part 1: Add all the required children's books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. This week you read SIX traditional literature books. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, just add the title with your response.

Part 2: Choose a book that you read this week EXCEPT FOR Cinderella. Answer to the following questions in the comment area.

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible.)

2. A brief annotation (no more than two sentences) for the contents of the book.

3. Evaluate your picture book based on Betsy Hearne’s article “Cite the Source: Reducing Cultural Chaos in Picture Books”. According to Hearne’s source note countdown, where does the book fall into? Your answers to #3 should be about 100 words.

Part 1: Add ALL the required children's books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. This week you read 5 beginning reader books. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, just add the title with your response.

Part 2: Answer to the following questions in the comment area. Your response this week should focus on ONE of the five beginning reader books that you chose to read.

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible.)

2. A brief annotation (no more than two sentences) for the contents of the book.

3. A brief commentary on the book, stating whether you think it is effective as a beginning reader book and why or why not. Your answers to #3 should be about 100 words. 

Part 1: Add ALL the required children's books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf.

The children's books that you read each week must meet certain criteria--see the Weekly Activities document for each week that a Reading Response is due in order to learn how many and what types of books you need to read. 

This week you read Last Stop on Market Street, 1 board book, 1 wordless book, 1 alphabet book, 1 counting book, 1 concept book, and 5 Caldecott books (winners and/or honor books). You do not need to add Last Stop on Market Street; it’s already in the bookshelf. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student.

Part 2: Answer to the following questions in the comment area. Your response this week should focus on ONE book that you chose to read. Do not choose Last Stop on Market Street or the Caldecott book you shared with your group members for Group Activity 4. 

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA style. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible. When you click on the link “add book/author,” a pop-up “add a reference” will appear where you can search for a book and add a link or book cover.)

2. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences. Be sure to identify what kind of book this is: board book, wordless book, alphabet book, counting book, concept book, or Caldecott picture book. 

3. Provide a brief commentary on the book for the style and quality of the art and its usefulness in delivering the message. Include specific references to the book to back up your judgment. Your answers to #3 should be about 100 words.  

Part 1: Add all the books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. The children's books that you read each week must meet certain criteria--see the Weekly Activities document for each week that a Reading Response is due in order to learn how many and what types of books you need to read.

This week, you will read two award-winning children’s books. You must not use one of the required books for this class as your choice.

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, you will just be able to add your post. No points docked for reading the same book as others in the class.


Part 2: Answer to the following questions in the comment area. Your response this week should focus on one of the two books you chose to read. 

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible. When you click on the link “add book/author,” a pop-up “add a reference” will appear where you can search for a book and add a link or book cover.)

2. State which award(s) the book received. (List up to 3 awards, honors, best book lists, starred reviews, etc.)

3. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences. Make sure to read Broderick’s essay “How To Write a Fiction Annotation” in Week 3 in the Canvas module before you write an annotation.

4. Your response to these questions: Why, in your opinion, did this book win an award? Do you think it deserved the award? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to a child? Why or why not? Your answers to #4 should be about 100 words.