Choosing a Child’s Book

Here are some basic points to keep in mind as you look at choosing books for young children

Babies and Toddlers

• Very young children are attracted by brightly colored pictures of simple objects.
• They are listeners, and respond well to books with simple texts and good rhythms.
• Wordless books stimulate them both visually and mentally, and encourage them to create their own stories.
• They are delighted with board books and cloth books, which have the virtue of being practically indestructible.

Preschool and Kindergarten

• Mother Goose, nursery stories, and other books depicting familiar objects and experiences are enjoyable to children in this age group.
• These children like listening to slightly complex texts with good rhythm and effective word repetition.
• They are also coordinated enough to have constructive fun with toy-like books that may pop up, move, or provide other astonishments.

Early School Years (Ages 5-8)

• A few children may learn to read before they are in the first grade. Most learn during first grade. Many learn even later.
• For reading to or with children, select picture books with strong storylines and character development.
• For the child who is reading independently, choose a book with a straightforward story employing words that will be familiar from everyday use. Some publishers produce books, generally called “easy readers,” which independent readers often enjoy.
• Third-graders are often able to handle stories of some complexity. The

  vocabulary

  should be relatively familiar while including some challenging words.
• A lot of informational books have been published for the early grades. These non-fiction books encourage children to read about topics that interest them and to satisfy their curiosity about complex subjects.

Older Children (Ages 9 and up)

• Consider who the child is his or her personality traits and personal preferences when choosing a book.
• Make a selection with the child in mind; choose an informational book or a novel in an area of specific interest.

Publishers sometimes indicate on the cover of the book the age level or grade level for which they think that book is most suitable. Don’t hesitate to choose a book that may be suggested for someone older than your child. If a book is beyond a child’s reading ability, it can be read to him or her now, and later on by the child.

It is also possible to find picture books that because of the subject or artwork will be just right for an older child. An interesting story in a beautiful, well-illustrated book offers the child an aesthetic experience to enjoy over and over again.

Some children’s books have become classics. Many have great appeal and should be a part of everyone’s reading experience, especially if a young reader is at the right age for a classic. Classic stories are often excellent selections for the family to read aloud together. Some children find a contemporary book more appealing than a classic: think of the child’s reading enjoyment and select books that will appeal to that child.

Young people love paperbacks. Reprints of hardcover titles for every reading level are widely available as paperbacks. In addition, there are many children’s books published originally and only in paperback formats. Most paperbacks for children are reasonably priced.

In conclusion, a fine book is not necessarily the most lavish or most expensive book on the shelf. It is a book that is written and designed well. Take more than a few minutes to look at the books read them or passages from them. A book is an unlimited investment in the human mind and spirit. Its selection deserves thoughtful attention.

1. Connect With Your Child’s Teacher

First and foremost, understanding where your child is in the process of learning how to read will help you gauge what books to begin exploring with them. Speak with their teachers as they grow and ask for the best ways to support your child at home. Some questions to consider when speaking with your child’s teacher are: 

• What genres should my child try?
  
• What types of books (chapter, graphic novels, or picture books) are best for where they are currently?
  
• What other methods can we incorporate into our reading routine to better support them?
  

Repetition and regular reading is imperative to fostering a love of reading. “Voluminous reading is key to helping a child acquire both vocabulary and knowledge,” says Burke. “Oral language and conversations that are rich in ideas and concepts are key to building background knowledge and building confidence.”

2. Understand Reading Levels

Next, you’ll want to gain a better understanding of what exactly reading levels are, not to mention how to determine reading level.

Reading level systems use a wide variety of assessments to determine how well your child reads — and then match their level with the appropriate books (which are categorized by level of difficulty).

Guided reading levels are used primarily by teachers in schools to help match your child with the right books. Talk to your child's teacher about reading levels and look for corresponding books once they’ve been tested for their level. Reading levels are often helpfully provided on the reading jacket of a book to make choosing a lot easier. In The Scholastic Store, a book's reading level can also be found in each book's “Product Details” for convenience. 

There are a variety of factors that determine how a book is leveled. Adria Klein, PhD, co-creator of the Scholastic Edge reading program and professor emerita of reading education at California State University San Bernardino, has identified the top focal points for how reading levels are chosen for books throughout her teaching career:

• Text structure
  
• Content and theme
  
• Complex sentences
  
• Vocabulary words and phrases
  
• Illustrations
  

These factors all come together when a book is being leveled, and can make a huge difference in how your child reads, understands, and retains the information within. 

3. Follow Their Interests

Sometimes, kids avoid books not because they're the wrong level — but because they simply aren't interested in the topic. In fact, 42 percent of kids have trouble finding books they like, according to the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report. If you've found a book you believe is at your child's reading level but they're not picking it up, looking for what sparks the most joy for your child is essential to finding the right book match for them.

“Have children pick books that interest them,” says Burke. “Have them read various books with the same theme or topic. Reading every day is critical to improving skills.”

For instance, a series like Who Would Win? or I Survived are perfect for children who are fascinated by real-world events or STEM topics. Meanwhile, titles in the Owl Diaries series are great for kids who love animal stories and Animorphs will delight science fiction fans.  

Try exploring different genres — whether fiction, nonfiction, or anything in between — and see which ones keep your child coming back for more. 

4. Explore All Kinds of Books

Having a full range of diverse books is very important and helpful in your child’s reading development. Beginning with picture books at an early age develops reading comprehension by allowing children to make connections between the visuals and the text. 

Graphic novels like those in the Dog Man, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Wings of Fire series can be a great next step when readers are graduating from picture books to chapter books, but offer many advantages to readers of all levels. Some parents assume that graphic novels are “easy” books, but they can actually introduce your child to more complex vocabulary and ideas, fostering further reading comprehension while introducing children to a range of literary devices. 

And, when your child is ready, chapter books will introduce them to broader character development and long-form stories. Finding the right series will further develop their love of reading. 

Shop popular books across reading levels below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.

For more tips on finding books at the right level for your child, visit our guide on reading levels for kids.