When it comes to parenting, each choice you make affects your child’s development. Not only that, but these choices often have many alternatives, leading to decision-making fatigue. To combat this, we have compiled a handy list of tips for making at least one of those choices easier: how to choose the right books for your little one?
Selecting books to read to children can be an added daily stress when it comes to decision making. With millions of children’s books out there and new ones published every month, it can be overwhelming to make your selection. Naturally, the older your children are, the more readily they can express interests and likes: this is the point where book selection becomes easier, as you can let their preferences lead the way. Before that, there are a couple of pointers we think are handy to follow.
Here are 5 tips to help you choose the best children's books for the young readers in your life
1. Look for age-appropriate signs
No matter which age group you’re looking for, there are certain elements that will always ensure a great reading experience.
As babies, we recommend starting bub’s book journey with black and white, high contrast board books. For the first couple of months of their lives, babies' colour perception is limited, and the world is still a little blurry. Black and white books give them the opportunity to start to experience shapes and patterns from the wider world and help them begin to learn to focus, whilst also providing gentle entertainment and stimulation.
As they grow and begin to show more interest in their surroundings, it's time to graduate to simple board and picture books. What you want to look for are lines that rhyme, interactive elements, sounds to try and mimic together, and repetitive actions that help build vocabulary and comprehension skills. The best children’s literature inspire curiosity and engagement with the content, all the while supporting kids in their development of imagination, empathy, and relation.
As children progress to early elementary years, books with slightly more complex plots and sentence structures can foster their reading fluency and comprehension. Consider books that introduce new vocabulary and stimulate imagination through descriptive language and creative storytelling techniques.
Illustrations play a crucial role, especially for younger children. They should be visually appealing, colourful, and supportive of the text. High-quality illustrations not only enhance the reading experience but also help children understand the story and its emotions.
Find out why children's literature is so crucial to a child's development here!
2. Variety is the spice of life (and reading)
While it’s important to cater to and invest in your child’s developing interests by giving them the chance to read and learn more about these topics, it’s just as crucial to consider the diversity of their bookshelf. Diversity of length, content, and reading level will all ensure that no matter what kind of mood they’re in, they will find something to read about.
Diversity of representation on the page also matters. Particularly from a young age, it’s recommended that children are acquainted with books that feature characters from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. This not only exposes children to different perspectives but also helps them develop empathy and understanding of the world around them.
If you’re new to the world of diverse children’s books, check out our article on the importance of reading widely to your little ones.
3. Pick new favourites at the library
It’s easy to forget, but librarians are the perfect source of recommendations – you should never be afraid to ask for their help. They are there to share their expertise with readers, and chances are, they know just the book that speaks to the age your child is. Simply find your local library, sign up for free, and ask your friendly librarian for a starting point. Besides being a great source of vetted recommendations, libraries are also a great way to stay in touch with your community and to participate in other family-friendly activities.
Want to know some of the other benefits of visiting the library with your little one? Click here!
4. Turn to social media for recommendations
Recommendations can also come from other trusted sources, such as teachers, fellow parents, and even online resources: seek, and you shall find people around you who will be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding the perfect books.
If you don’t know anyone personally, Instagram is a great place to start – if you don’t already follow bookstagrammers, we suggest looking up hashtags such as #picturebookreview, #australianchildrensbooks, #middlegradebooks, or any combination of these. Look for feedback on themes, suitability for specific age groups, and any potential concerns raised by other readers.
Find out who some of our favourite social media influencers are when it comes to raising young readers here!
5. Find appropriate topics
It’s easy to get lost in a sea of content. There are books written about virtually everything, and finding the right topic can often seem daunting.
When deciding on a topic to explore via books, think about the following:
- Are there any current themes in life that your family is experiencing? For example, potty training, weaning off dummies, or big emotions.
- Do you have upcoming events that books could help prepare for? For example, staying with grandparents, expecting a sibling, or starting school.
- How could you challenge your little one, while aiming for a sense of achievement? If they have mastered letters, could they be ready to start spelling? If they have learnt to deal with one emotion, could they be ready to learn about another?
There are books for all of these examples, and many, many more. Books can be powerful tools for discussing both exciting and difficult subjects, like negative emotions, friendship, social challenges, or big changes. Choose books that handle these topics with sensitivity and age-appropriate language, allowing for meaningful conversations and learning opportunities. But most importantly, choose books whose topics your little ones will resonate with! It will make for a much more enriching experience.
By selecting age-appropriate books that align with children's interests, reflect diverse perspectives, uphold positive values, feature engaging writing and illustrations, and benefit from trusted recommendations, you can help foster a lifelong love for reading and learning in children. Each book chosen thoughtfully has the potential to spark imagination, cultivate empathy, and expand a child's understanding of themselves and the world around them.
