Repetitive Sentences vs. An Interesting Storyline

[haleygerstenberg]

This was my biggest problem with this story. I don't think it needs to be one or the other. Especially if there are follow-on books. There could have been a bit more depth to the story, while keeping the sentences simple enough to read and understand.
If Dick and Jane could do it, I'm sure Toni can too.

That's a really good point about Dick and Jane, I was trying to think of a good example of simplistic writing + interesting enough story, and you hit the nail on the head.

[Bianka Walter]

This was my biggest problem with this story. I don't think it needs to be one or the other. Especially if there are follow-on books. There could have been a bit more depth to the story, while keeping the sentences simple enough to read and understand.
If Dick and Jane could do it, I'm sure Toni can too.

That's a really good point about Dick and Jane, I was trying to think of a good example of simplistic writing + interesting enough story, and you hit the nail on the head.

You know, as much as Dick and Jane get put down, they are a duo that EVERYONE knows. The sentences are simple to the point of, "Run, Dick, run."
How can that possibly be interesting?
But their story had pulp. I don't think there is a comparison, really.

[nikkyteewhy]

I think that having repetitive sentences is more important than an interesting plot in a children's book. Or better still, a balance between the two is the best choice I will go with. Both repetitive sentences, to help with their vocabulary development and interesting plot to prevent boredom.

[Roggyrus]

This book has a purpose other than what adults expect in their reading pleasure. The repetitive sentences are there to appeal to the rote memory of a child. Mastery of words is one goal of the book for every child reader. In my opinion, a child should not be expected to be yet analytical as to look for a plot being configured as he reads along.

[Fu Zaila]

I think for a children's book, a repetitive structure is important for the kids to learn to read. Since this book has follow-ups the child may be potent enough later on to understand and indulge in the story, so the author should try making her upcoming books more focused on plot and make it interesting.

[Sanyesto]

I think that repetitive sentences is a plus for children's book as it will help them be familiarised with the story easily. It is also a way of emphasising the main theme of the book.

[Sanyesto]

I think for a children's book, a repetitive structure is important for the kids to learn to read. Since this book has follow-ups the child may be potent enough later on to understand and indulge in the story, so the author should try making her upcoming books more focused on plot and make it interesting.

Exactly my opinions, I second you.

[Yoli García]

I thought that the book was excellent for kids learning how to read as the author used sight words, simple sentences, and repetition. I would not recommend it to kids who already know how to read because they might lose interest for how easy it is for them.

[CinWin]

We are talking about children that are from 1 years old to about 4 years old. They are not old enough to follow a long plot. They like repetition and this book does that wonderfully.

[AnorakFr0st]

Having simple repetitive sentences in a children's book helps kids learn to read. However, it makes the story less interesting because there is either a weak plot or no plot at all. In this case, there wasn't even steps in the plot such as a character baking a cake from beginning to end. Instead, there were just a different activity shown on each page. Would the lack of a traditional plot make a child less interested or would the child love the book even more because they could master the words quicker and gain confidence?

When children are first beginning to transition from baby books to chapter books, repetitive sentences are quite useful for them. For books like this, I believe that the author was more interested in helping the child learn how to read instead of putting together an actual plot. Not having much of an interesting story can bore you, I understand that completely. It tends to make the book drag on and doesn't leave an impression on you. However, for this book I do believe that the way it was written was better for education purposes than entertainment.

[Anthony Martial Tata]

An adult reader could find the book boring as a result of the excessive repetition. But believe your me, such is what is needed to get the child's mastery of the book.

[Lynsyn]

The repetitive sentences may be quite boring, but it sure helps the child understand more on what he/she is reading. And that is basically the main objective of the author and the parents.

[Anthony Martial Tata]

I hate so much repetitions. They make an otherwise interesting novel sound boring.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I agree there is a weak plot and repetition may make the reading less interesting. However, this book is designed for kids who have just started reading. So using simple sentence is enough for them.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

An adult reader could find the book boring as a result of the excessive repetition. But believe your me, such is what is needed to get the child's mastery of the book.

I agree with your point. The book may not be as interesting for adults as it is for children because of repetition. We can hope that in next books the author will come up with a new style and topics regarding Toni's personality to ward off this boredom.