Children\'s Book Analysis PDF

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Childrens Book Analysis - choose your own book...

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Hallett 1 Kayden Hallett ENGL 103-182 Professor Patricia Egbert 24 April 2020 Barney Beagle As children, we learn everything from our surroundings. Before we can speak we absorb what happens around us, oftentimes leading to our first word. Children's literature serves a purpose of educating youth to learn valuable life lessons. Oftentimes these lessons are masked by cute main characters or colorful illustrations. In 1962, amidst the end of the cold war and space race, Barney Beagle was published. The original book, written by Jean Bethell and illustrated by Ruth Wood, follows a young puppy, Barney Beagle, who lives in a pet shop and dreams of getting adopted. The success of this book led to multiple series showing Barney beagle in his new home playing baseball, camping, and other activities. Through storytelling elements such as characters, illustration, and text, Barney Beagle teaches readers of all ages the importance of identity and finding their sense of belonging. In the beginning of the story, readers are introduced to the protagonist Barney Beagle. He lives in the pet shop with his friends. Although he loves living there, he does not feel as though it is his home. Barney longs to be adopted by the right boy and live in a house with him. As the days go by, Barney sees all of his friends getting adopted until he is all alone and very sad. Each dog’s owner perfectly matches the way they look, act, or dress. A boy comes in to adopt Barney, but he is not a nice boy and Barney knows this is not his boy, so he breaks out of his collar and

Hallett 2 bites him. Eventually, Barney’s boy comes in to adopt him. Unfortunately, Barney’s boy does not have any money, so he convinces the shopkeeper to let him take Barney home. To capture the importance of home and finding where you belong, Bethell decided to make the main character a dog. Dogs are famously known for being loveable and adored by children of all ages. They are common house pets due to their fiercely loyal nature. Many families throughout America aren't complete without their furry friends. On the opposite end, dogs aren't complete without their owners. Throughout the book, readers learn about how important home is for Barney. This idea is stated on the second page when Barney talks about the pet shop. Although Barney loves living there, he knows that it is not where he belongs. He states ‘We have a pretty good time here...but i do not want to stay here” (Bethell). Although he loves his friends, he knows his bigger purpose is finding his owner and living in a home. For him, home is where he belongs. After finally finding his owner, he exclaims “I think everyone should have a boy” (Bethell). He is living in the pure bliss of feeling love and acceptance. He is with his true perfect fit. By utilizing a dog as a main character, Bethell is able to perfectly communicate the importance of finding your happiness and sense of belonging. Readers of all ages can see the very obvious theme of identity. Each dog perfectly matches the aesthetic of their respective owner. Boxer’s boy has a hat with big flaps to replicate his dogs’ big floppy ears. Spot the Dalmations’ boy is wearing big fluffy black earmuffs and a spotted shirt. The book never uses text to reference descriptions of the pets or their owners. Instead, illustrations carry the themes of individuality. Throughout literature and entertainment, appearance heavily conveys themes of similarity. Before children can process words, they can capture images. To children, it is clear who is similar based on the way someone looks or

Hallett 3 dresses. By using the storytelling element of illustrations, the youngest readers are able to understand that owners get paired to dogs based on appearance. By prioritizing storytelling through illustrations, young children are able to experience the importance of finding where you belong and feel at home. Bethell uses language in order to stress certain words. When Barney beagle refers to his ideal owner he is referred to as, “My boy” (Bethell). Instead of referring to his owner as a boy or the boy, he is referred to as My boy. This adds a possessive nature to his ideal owner. This possessive nature represents the importance of this relationship to Barney. To him, finding his home and sense of belonging is directly associated with happiness. It is his sole purpose. When readers are first presented with the image of the owners, Barney repeats the statement “Anyone can see THAT” (Bethell). The word “that” is in all capitals, making it stand out amongst the other words. By emphasizing “That” it makes the phrase seem like it's obvious that that’s not the right fit for Barney. While reading, the use of capital letters is utilized to stress the importance of certain words. Since the book is written for kids, it is easy to overlook certain words or not view them as important. The theme of finding your fit is conveyed through strategically placed text. Throughout literary devices such as characters, language, and illustration, Barney Beagle represents the societal desire for belonging. Everyone has a place in the world where they belong, they just have to find it. In the process of finding where you belong, you may lose hope or find yourself within the wrong group of people. Barney never gave up on finding his home. When the bully came to adopt him, he knew it wasn't where he belonged. He stuck to himself and his gut to find his place. As humans we all wish to be loved and accepted for who we are.

Hallett 4 Without having love or a sense of belonging, we may feel incomplete. Barney Beagle teaches the importance of finding your purpose and perfect fit. In the end, it works out...