Picturebook Review...

DAVID GOES TO SCHOOL

BY

DAVID SHANNON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHycHdllUrk

Area A: Text

1. The text of a children's book is usually organized into simple sentences and short paragraphs. How is the text organized in the book that you have chosen to review? Explain whether this organization was sufficient for the story that this book is telling. 

The Text in this picturebook is written on elementary school paper which is a great effect.  The statements are very short and direct and point out what David should or shouldn't be doing.  It is very significant for this story since children at this age are just learning very short sentences. 

2. Children's book authors often employ literary tools to help make the story more vivid in the readers’ minds. Commonly used literary tools are rhythm, alliteration, repetition, refrains, onomatopoeia, simile, personification, rhyme, and imagery. Identify three different areas in the text where a literary tool has been employed. For each example you identify, state the type of literary tool that is used and how the employment of the tool helps support the story. 

Repetition is used very effectively in this picturebook in the use of directives of rules that David needs to adhere to and the use of repetitive imagery of the text is presented written on the school writing paper.  David is personified as the epitome of rule-breaking at school.

 3. Identify two areas in the text that use a question or other device to help move the reader to the next page.  

Once again David is out of seat and ready to take a trip to the bathroom.

There is little doubt that David was the last one to finish since he is out of his seat more than he is in it.

Area B:  Illustrations

1. Some picture books have images on the front cover that presents the main conflict or point of the story. Identify two or more elements from the front cover of the book you are reviewing and explain how they relate to the story. 

It is very obvious from the cover that David is breaking the rules.  He is standing at the front of the class where the teacher should be and getting ready to fly a paper airplane that he obviously has worked very hard on instead of doing classwork.  

2. What is the primary medium (collage, drawings, photographs, etc.) used in the images? 

The primary medium is drawings.  These drawings are so typical of elementary students and school settings.  It is highly effective.  

3. Identify the image that in your opinion is the most effective in developing the story as a whole. Explain how two or more elements in the illustration help support and develop the story. If you can, insert a screenshot of the image into your blog. 

This picture showing the rules also shows David jumping and dancing over top of and all over the rules

4. Identify two elements that are repeated throughout a majority of the images. Explain how these elements support the story. If you can, insert a screenshot into your blog. 

Certainly, the pictures and images show David doing something in almost every frame that he shouldn't be doing.  That is very consistent.  The framing is consistent as well in that you focus on the picture in the foreground but also have the benefit of the text on school writing paper somewhere on the page making it clear what rule he is breaking.

5. Find an example of how the images and text work together to create irony, metaphor and/or metonymy. If you can, insert a screenshot of the image into your blog. 

Oh, how I love the background school paper with the words "I will not disturb class".  The irony is priceless. To be sure, David is probably writing a hundred of those sentences!

Area C:  Characterization

1. What is the easily identifiable dominant trait of the story's main character?

He can't still still long enough to get his work done.  He had to stay after school.

2. Identify a character trait of the main character that is established through the text.

David is a rule breaker.

3. Identify a character trait of the main character that is established through the images.

David can't be still (his mouth is always open), and he can't sit still.

4. Identify two character traits of the main character that young children identify or sympathize with. 

Young children can definitely identify with David in not being able to sit still or be still in school.  They just have to it seems get out of their seats.  They also can't seem to keep their hands off of each other.

5. What was 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? 

David just can't seem to behave at school.  It appears that school has probably just started, hence the title; and as with most students, it takes a little while at the beginning of school to get used to sitting and being quiet. It's usually very prevalent right when school first starts or after a break.

6. Sometimes a children's book character will solve the main conflict on his or her own. How did the character in the book you selected turn to self-reliance to solve the main conflict of the story?

Problem solved.  David got to go home.  He was skipping and appeared to be quite happy!