Choosing Books for Your Child’s Reading Stage

By Helen Foster James

We fall into the worldof Babar, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George. We root for the struggling little engine, hoping along with him that she “can.” We read favorites again and again as though it’s our first time. Sharing books with our children is a special time. We read stories to them and we search for books that they can read to us or on their own.

Just like Goldilocks searching for the perfect bowl of porridge or the most comfortable chair, here are some helpful hints to find books that are “just right” for your child:

For Babies and Toddlers – Board books are perfect for this age group. Durable and easy to manipulate for little hands, they lend themselves to being handled and read over and over. Rhymes and playful language – accompanied by colorful illustrations or photographs – are favorites of this age group. Many have just a few simple words on a page while others are wordless, letting the reader tell the story. Starting with these basic books, you can give young children the message that reading is important and fun as they turn the pages, nibble on the corners or hug the gentle fabric. Remember, it’s never too early to begin reading books to your child.

For Preschoolers and Kindergartners – Children move on from board books to concept books and picture books. Picture books range from very simple to complex for much older children. Select books that are visually interesting and are on topics that are of interest to your child. Some books act almost like toys, with items that pop up or pieces that move. This age group has the coordination to interact with these pieces.

At the youngest end of this spectrum, select books that have few words and phrases that repeat, so the child can chime in as you read. Add them to stories that have great characters and plots and books you treasured when you were this age. You’ll soon be able to tell your child’s favorite by the “read it again” refrain that you’ll hear at the end of storytime.