Why Not Give It a Try? "16 Recommended Picture Books & Children's Books Review Contest"

Good morning! This is Machika-sensei from the writing classroom.

Yesterday, I caught wind of the "16 Recommended Picture Books & Children's Books Review Contest" on X. I'm so busy every summer with reading report workshops that I might have missed it!

It's a review, not a report.
I love that it's a review♡
(I'll explain why that's wonderful later)

It's a summer project by EhonNavi☆

Oh, I should probably clarify... this article isn't a sponsored post; I'm just writing it because I felt a sudden urge to share it personally!

So, I went to check out the EhonNavi website.
And guess what? They had everything you need to know about writing a review explained right there!!!
(Super helpful)

Wow. This important point:"The review contest is also being judged by publishers who already know the content"I've never seen such specific advice in other contests. When I saw it, I thought, "Wait, really!?"

Yes, exactly. Also, if you write the summary in too much detail, it becomes a spoiler. People don't like that—or rather, they avoid it. It's a difficult balance to strike. As a writing instructor and someone who has served on the judging staff for various competitions, I truly felt it was very kind of them to simply convey that the judges already know the content when it comes to summaries. In other words, that's what it means.

Oh, I feel like I could be friends with EhonNavi (who am I to say that?).

I think everything is packed into this advice. They are asking you to tell them what kind of communication happens between parent and child through picture books. The part about "for other users" is also a key point, isn't it? They want to seea scene of growth—like how old the child is, in what kind of scene, and how they are interacting with the picture book!!!Please writespecifically.

For the age, the younger the child, the more detailed you should be. Up until before they enter elementary school, including their age in years and months is incredibly helpful for the reader! (Or so I think).

"Who is going to read this review?" is a very important perspective. In the case of the "16 Recommended Picture Books & Children's Books Review Contest," the readers are the judges and other users.

I tried it out at home too☆

I asked my three children, "Read these reviews and choose which book you'd want to buy," and all three pointed to the same one. Even though they have different tastes and interests, it was fascinating to see that when you narrow it down to "being drawn in by a review," that kind of thing can happen. I was strangely convinced by that.

"What kind of reviews were posted?"

Please be sure to check that out on the EhonNavi website♪

Summary

Ah, I was so excited that I went ahead and posted the article. That was so much fun!

▲ I also write articles like this about picture books♡

▲ My usual style. I don't write summaries! Instead, this is what I write!