*Circle T for each statement that is true and F for each statement that is False. A positively evaluated book should have 7 out of 9 statements circled T. View a blank checklist

Name of Book: Russ and the Apple Tree Surprise
Author: Janet Elizabeth Rickert
Illustrator: Pete McGahan
Copyright: 1999

1) Check the Illustrations:

Are there Stereotypes: There are no stereotypes promoted in this book.
T F

Notes: No stereotypes promoted, except two-parent home and older grandparents

Look for Tokenism: All of the children are depicted as genuine individuals with distinctive features.
T F

Notes: Russ is depicted as a genuine individual with his own distinct features.

Who’s Doing What: The children with disabilities have leadership and action roles.
T F

Notes: Russ is depicted as a leader, by doing several jobs to help his family make an apple pie.

2) Check the Story Line:

Standards for Success: The children with disabilities are accepted for their own individual behaviors.
T F

Notes: Russ is successful simply by helping out his family.

Resolution of Problems: The people with disabilities help resolve the problem.
T F

Notes: Yes, Russ helps his family make an apple pie.

Role of the person with a Disability: The same story could be told if the main character did not have a disability.
T F

Notes: A child could read this story and not even realize that Russ has a disability.

3) Look at the Lifestyles:

The illustrations offer genuine insights into another person.
T F

Notes: Russ, besides facial features, is not represented as being at all different then any other child.

4) Weigh the Relationships Between People:

The children with disabilities function in essentially leadership roles.
T F

Notes: Russ possesses power and helps make important decisions.

 

5) Consider the Effects on a Child’s Self-Image:

There is one or more persons with whom a child with a disability can readily identify as a positive and constructive role model.
T F

Notes: Russ is a child, who any boy or girl could readily identify as a positive and constructive role model

6) Consider the Author or Illustrator’s Background:

The author’s background strengthen the value of his/her work.
T F

Notes: Yes, she is his mother.

7) What is the Author’s Perspective?

The authors perspective strengthens the value of his/her written work.
T F

Notes: Yes, she is the real life mother of Russ.

8) Watch for Loaded Words

This book has no loaded words (I.E.“Slow”)
T F

Notes: There are no loaded words

9) Look at the Copyright and Target Age

The copyright and target age is appropriate for the intended audience?
T F

Notes: Yes

Read the descriptions of the 9 criteria

Adapted from:

Council on Interracial Books for Children (1980). Guidelines for selecting bias-free and storybooks.
Derman-Sparks, L., & the ABC Task Force. (1989). Anti-bias curriculum: Tools for empowering young children. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children.