Parts of the Book

Before I read a book to my students, I review the parts of the book. I teach them that books are a form of art and that storytelling is as important as paintings, drawings, sculptures. It is an expression of the author and illustrator's imagination and that all books should be treated with respect. As I point to the parts of the book, I ask "What is this?"

1. Front Cover? Back Cover?

2. Hard Copy? or Soft Copy?

3. Does it have a spine? Some books are stapled together. Some are bound together.

4. Title : "What is the title?" ... "It's the name of the book."

5. "What does the author do?" ... "Writes the words."

6. "What does the illustrator do?" ... "Makes the pictures."

7. "Can the author and illustrator be the same person?" ... "Yes."

8. "Can the author and illustrator be different people?" ... "Yes."

9. "Can there be more than one author?" ... "Yes."

10. "Can the author and illustrator be a man or a woman?" ... "Yes."

11. "What is the copyright?" ... "It protects the author and illustrator from someone stealing their words or pictures."

12. "What does the copyright look like?" ... "It is a 'C' in a circle in teeny tiny print."

13. What is the Title Page?" ... "The page inside the front cover that looks like the cover."

14. "What is the Dedication Page?" ... "The page that says the book is written for someone."

15. "Is it a Caldecott winner?"