Three rules for successful book reviewing

by Roger Sutton
Nov 16, 2016 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
The other day, I was tasked with delivering a PowerPoint about the Horn Book to our Media Source colleagues in Ohio and New York. Unfortunately for them, I had just watched the Imelda Staunton Gypsy on PBS this past weekend, and thus I had my gimmick, provided by the leading ladies of Wichita burlesque.

Rule #1: If you want to make it / Twinkle while you shake it--

Twinkle while you shake it

Rule #2: If you wanna grind it / Wait till you've refined it--

Wait 'til you've refined it

Rule #3 If you wanna bump it / Bump it with a trumpet--


Bump it with a trumpet

Just get yourself a gimmick and you, too, can be a star!

And you, too, can be a star!
Roger Sutton
Roger Sutton

Editor Emeritus Roger Sutton was editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc., from 1996-2021. He was previously editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and a children's and young adult librarian. He received his MA in library science from the University of Chicago in 1982 and a BA from Pitzer College in 1978.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

READ ROGER

Fanfare 2021 Booklist
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

January/February 2022 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Happy Birthday to Me (and Maybe You?): A Note from Me (Oct 26, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

A Note from Me (Oct 8, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

November/December 2021 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
More
RECOMMENDED
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?