Title: Wonderfully Made

Author: Joyce Meyer

Illustrator: Mary Sullivan
ISBN: 0310723531
Summary: All of the zoo animals are getting ready for the talent show, but Haley
Hippo does not know what her special talent is. Her friends remind her that God
loves her as she is. Haley discovers her own talent and realizes that she is perfect in
Gods eyes.
Childrens Book Review Criteria
Question

Yes

1.

Are there various racial groups depicted in the pictures?

List them-

2.

Is the book bi/multi lingual?

3.

Does this book avoid tokenism? (all characters should have

various facial features and do not look the same)

4.

Does this book avoid gender stereotypes?

5.

Is the author qualified about the subject on which they are

writing?

N
o

N/
A
x

6.

Does this actively portray modern ideas to properly relate to

kids?

7.

Does this book avoid disability stereotypes?

8.

Does this book depict a variety of family units?

9.

Are women in active roles?

10
.

Are people with disabilities in active roles?

11.

Are people of color in active roles?

12
.

Do the illustrations reflect diversity?

13
.

Does the author/illustrator prevent all characters from looking

alike?

14
.

Does the book make sure to use gender sensitive

terminoligies?

YES I would use this book in the classroom. I would have to be at a parochial school
to use this book however. While this book uses animals instead of people, it still
illustrates a good message and is very relatable for children. It is a positive message
to reinforce that every child is loved and has something good and special about
them.

Title: The Mitten String

Author: Jennifer Rosner
Illustrator: Kristina Swarner
ISBN:
Summary: This story is about a young girl whose family invites a woman who is deaf
and her baby to stay with them. The young girl Ruthie is talented at knitting mittens
and wonders how the mother will know if her daughter wakes up during the night.
Ruthie then knits a present for the mom, baby, and Ruthie as well.
Childrens Book Review Criteria
Question

Yes

N
o

N/
A

1.

Are there various racial groups depicted in the pictures?

List them-

2.

Is the book bi/multi lingual?

3.

Does this book avoid tokenism? (all characters should have

various facial features and do not look the same)

4.

Does this book avoid gender stereotypes?

5.

Is the author qualified about the subject on which they are

writing?

6.

Does this actively portray modern ideas to properly relate to

kids?

7.

Does this book avoid disability stereotypes?

8.

Does this book depict a variety of family units?

9.

Are women in active roles?

10
.

Are people with disabilities in active roles?

11.

Are people of color in active roles?

12
.

Do the illustrations reflect diversity?

13
.

Does the author/illustrator prevent all characters from looking

alike?

14
.

Does the book make sure to use gender sensitive

terminoligies?

x
x

YES I would use this book in the classroom. While this is based off a Jewish folktale,
it is made modern so young children today can relate to it. I like how this book has a
positive message about how doing good for others, can make you feel good as well.

Title: The Sandwhich Swap

Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Tricia Tusa
ISBN: 978-1423124849
summary: This story is about two young girls, Lily and Salma who are best friends.
They like doing all of the same things, but eventually a difference comes between
them. While small things can pull people apart, the girls learn that friendship is much
more important than that. At the end, Lily, Salma, and all of their classmates come
together and learn about acceptance.

Childrens Book Review Criteria

Question

Yes

1.

Are there various racial groups depicted in the pictures?

List them-White, Arabic

2.

Is the book bi/multi lingual?

3.

Does this book avoid tokenism? (all characters should have

various facial features and do not look the same)

4.

Does this book avoid gender stereotypes?

5.

Is the author qualified about the subject on which they are

N
o

N/
A

writing?
6.

Does this actively portray modern ideas to properly relate to

kids?

7.

Does this book avoid disability stereotypes?

8.

Does this book depict a variety of family units?

9.

Are women in active roles?

10
.

Are people with disabilities in active roles?

11.

Are people of color in active roles?

12
.

Do the illustrations reflect diversity?

13
.

Does the author/illustrator prevent all characters from looking

alike?

14
.

Does the book make sure to use gender sensitive

terminoligies?

x
x

YES I would use this in the classroom. This book is important because it discusses
not only diversity, but friendship as well. This would be beneficial for students to
realize what is important in friends for them.

Title: The Little Book of Hindu Deities

Author: Sanjay Patel
Illustrator: Sanjay Patel
Summary: In this story, Hindu gods and goddesses are illustrated on each page and
described. The stories of Hindu mythology cover everything from love and jealousy
to petty grievances and epic battles, with characters ranging from monsters and
demons to noble warriors and divine divas.

Childrens Book Review Criteria

Question

Yes

N
o

1.

Are there various racial groups depicted in the pictures?

List them-

2.

Is the book bi/multi lingual?

3.

Does this book avoid tokenism? (all characters should have

various facial features and do not look the same)

4.

Does this book avoid gender stereotypes?

5.

Is the author qualified about the subject on which they are

writing?

6.

Does this actively portray modern ideas to properly relate to

kids?

N/
A

x
x
x
x

7.

Does this book avoid disability stereotypes?

8.

Does this book depict a variety of family units?

9.

Are women in active roles?

10
.

Are people with disabilities in active roles?

11.

Are people of color in active roles?

12
.

Do the illustrations reflect diversity?

13
.

Does the author/illustrator prevent all characters from looking

alike?

14
.

Does the book make sure to use gender sensitive

terminoligies?

NO I would not use this book in the classroom. This book does not have relatable
characters that kids can understand. This book also has a lack of substance to use
in the classroom unless learning about different gods and goddesses.