Book Review Writing Template

How can I use this children's book review template?

This children's book review template is the perfect guide to help your class talk about books. Trying to think of things to say about books can be tricky, especially when you're still developing reading and writing skills. Scaffolding, like prompted questions, can help make writing less daunting and boost children's confidence in English. This template helps to prompt children to organise their thoughts and write them down in a book review.

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This handy template has four questions to help your children think about the book they've just read. They're encouraged to think about the plot, characters, and their own opinion as well as thinking about why they might recommend the book. These questions as a fantastic way to prompt children to think more about their reading and help them write down their thoughts.

You could set this children's book review template as a homework task, where children read a book at home and then use this template to write down their opinions of it. Alternatively, you could use it for a book that you've read together as a class. However you decide to use it, it'll help to reinforce children's understanding of the book and it'll teach them how to express their opinions and thoughts on books as well.

Simply click the 'Download Now' button to save this children's book review template to your computer within seconds. Then, print as many copies as you need. You may wish to print on coloured paper or to a larger scale for children who would benefit from these adjustments. 

Wait, there's more... Do you like your story books to come with an extra challenge? We also make puzzle adventure books where you can look for clues and solve riddles while you read! Try out our Twinkl Puzzled Adventure Books, including Adventure at Dragon Castle, The Theatre of Magic and The Lost Astronaut.

Why should children write book reviews?

We all know that reading books is beneficial to children, but what about writing a book review? An activity like this can boost children's learning in a number of ways. Read on to find out why book reviews can be helpful for a child's learning...

• Writing book reviews is a lovely way to support children's independent writing.
• Writing a book review helps children to deepen their understanding of what they've read. Often, children can read through a book and that's it — they move onto the next one. A book review encourages them to think deeper and more carefully about what it is they've read.
  
• Review-writing is not only a new type of non-fiction writing to practise, but it also changes the way children read books. Young children are developing their reading skills all the time. By asking them to think about certain aspects to answer these questions, they'll improve their reading comprehension. It'll provide structure to help them retrieve evidence from texts and think critically — big steps on the English skills ladder.
• Plus, they get to learn what they like about books and seek out more that fit that bill. They might learn that they like books that make them laugh or books that make them cry. They get to engage more with books and that can foster a love of reading for life.
• They're a fantastic way for children to share great books with each other. Once they've written their book review, they can share their thoughts with their classmates and friends. This is brilliant for encouraging children to read more often.

Now that you know exactly what's so great about book reviews, you can start using this children's book review template to help your class write their very own and develop essential literacy skills.

Stuck for what to read next? Take a look at the diverse range of stories created by Twinkl Originals. With a lively cast of characters, the books are designed to encourage a love of reading — from EYFS to KS2. Every book offers the chance to enhance curriculum-wide learning through accompanying teacher-created resources.

You can also explore these resources to help children get thinking about the books they read:

• This Reading Question Prompts Dice Net is a unique way of prompting children to talk about the books they've read. Once made, children can roll the dice and answer whichever question it lands on. Great for discussion in pairs or small groups.
• This Book Review Writing Checklist is a fantastic tool for peer or self-evaluation. After they've written their review, children can use this checklist to see how well they've done.
• Why not create a display recommending the books that the children have reviewed? You could display them alongside these Book Display Cut-Outs.

What are good prompts to ask in a book review?

There are lots of good things to ask about the books you've read:

• Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not?
• Who was your favourite character? Why?
• Which was your favourite part of the book?
• Would you read it again?
• What happened in the book? 
• Did the book make you feel strong emotions? What were they?
• Would you recommend the book to a friend?
• How did you feel about the ending? Would you change it?
• Did you learn anything from the book? If so, what was it?