#joe mathieu

Publishing Information:

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, 7/26/2016. Hardback dimensions measure 6.75 x 0.38 x 9.31

Awards Won:

None found.

Story or Concept Theme:

The Cat in the Hat explains the process, history, and importance of voting in the United States.

Target Audience/Age:

Part of The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library. For Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.

Narrative Plot

There is no plot; instead, this book describes various aspects of electoral processes.

Coherence/relation between text + visual pictures:

Illustrations are colorful and very bright and detailed. There is frequent text included in the images to help provide more detailed information.

Storytelling techniques used:

This book uses rhyme, but the level of information they are conveying often comes in the way of clear structure (Example: “Every two years, we elect senators / and congresspeople of our choice / to make laws in Washington / and be our state’s voice” p14).

Physical structure/design:

Physical copy had 64 pages. The text size and font were inconsistent, but was mostly set in a large, serif font. Illustrations take up whole pages with text overlapping, usually outlined. Text location varies, and it is often very close to the illustrations. This, combined with the fact that illustrations frequently include text in the form of captions and labels, frequently disrupts the flow of the book.

Brief assessment of the book's quality:

This book seems too complex for its recommended age level, and possibly better suited to ages 7-10. It has a glossary, recommended further reading, and index, which are great. However, the complex subject matter appeals to an older age level than the rhyme scheme does, and the rhyme structure is choppy and inconsistent. These factors make me wonder if it would be better as standard prose.

Brief assessment of potential use of book with young readers, if applicable:

I can’t see this book being used outside of an educational setting. It does a good job of glossing over a lot of complicated subjects (voting rights for different demographic groups; the party system; the choice to abstain from voting), but would likely leave an inquisitive child with far more questions than answers. It would make a good classroom reference book, and would be most effective in conjunction with other reading.

Brief assessment of the book's appeal to potential readers:

The Cat in the Hat gives this book immediate appeal to young readers and caregivers. However, the lines on the frontispiece presented as the ‘base level’ for understanding the book (“Voting is something / we do every day. / It’s a way we can choose / that gives us our own say”) is far simpler than most of the rest of the book. Children who pick this up because they are interested in The Cat in the Hat would likely get lost in the weeds a few pages in.