From ABCs to YA
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Quality Books for Kids
As parents who value education, we all want our children to love reading and develop a lifelong appreciation for books. However, with countless available options, selecting quality books can feel like a daunting task. It can be challenging to find the time to navigate the vast world of children’s literature to find books that are appropriate for your child’s age and reading level. Additionally, ensuring that the books you select align with your child’s interests and will engage them enough to foster a lifelong love of reading can be challenging. The pressure to choose books that will stimulate their imagination, encourage critical thinking, and help them develop the literacy skills necessary for success in school and beyond can feel overwhelming.
So, how do you pick books that will engage, educate, and entertain your child?
In this article, we’ll explore the challenges parents face when selecting quality books for children of different ages and reading levels, from picture books to young adult novels. We’ll also provide helpful tips and strategies to make the process more manageable, so you can feel confident you’re selecting engaging books that will inspire your child to read. We’ll help you make the most of your time and your reader’s development, one book at a time.
Look for award-winning books
One way to find high-quality children’s books is by seeking out award-winning titles. The Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and Coretta Scott King Award are prestigious awards that recognize excellence in children’s literature. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the most distinguished American picture book for children, while the Newbery Medal is awarded to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The Coretta Scott King Award is given to African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults, demonstrating an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
Each of these awards is geared towards a specific age group, with the Caldecott Medal typically awarded to picture books, the Newbery Medal awarded to middle-grade novels, and the Coretta Scott King Award given to books for children and young adults. By seeking out award-winning titles in your child’s age group, you can be sure you’re selecting books that have been carefully evaluated and deemed high quality by experts in the field.
Read reviews
Reading reviews is another great way to gauge the quality of books. Websites like Goodreads allow users to rate and review books and feature reviews from a wide range of readers. You can also find reviews from newspapers and magazines that review all levels of children’s books; trusted sources like the New York Times and Publishers Weekly can also be helpful resources. You can also ask friends, family members, and even librarians or booksellers for recommendations.
At Bon Temps Books, we love discovering new and exciting children’s books. If you want us to check out a book, please send it to us. We love reading your favorites. We’ll even do our best to feature it on our shelves and share it with our community of readers.
Consider the illustrations
When selecting a children’s book, it’s important to consider the illustrations as they can greatly impact the reading experience. Younger children, particularly those reading picture books and early readers, rely heavily on illustrations to comprehend the story. Therefore, it’s essential to choose books with age-appropriate illustrations that support the story and enhance the child’s imagination. Bright, bold colors, as well as detailed images, can grab a child’s attention and make the book more enjoyable.
As children grow older, the importance of illustrations may diminish, but they remain a crucial part of the reading experience, even in middle-grade and young adult (YA) books. For instance, chapter book readers may appreciate the detailed drawings of a good comic book to help them visualize the setting or characters. In contrast, YA readers may prefer graphic novels for the blend of text and art to create a more immersive experience.
Illustrations are also an excellent way to introduce children to diverse characters and cultures. Look for books featuring a variety of characters from different backgrounds and ethnicities. This can help children understand and appreciate diversity and promote empathy and understanding of others. It’s crucial to expose children to a range of cultures and experiences through literature; illustrations are a great way to do that.
Overall, when choosing books for children, consider the illustrations and whether they are appropriate for the child’s age and reading level. While they may not be the most critical factor for older readers, illustrations can still enhance the reading experience and should not be overlooked.
Choose books that teach important values
When choosing children’s books, it’s important to remember their potential impact on young readers. Not only can they be a source of entertainment and fun, but they can also be a powerful tool for teaching important values and life lessons. Children’s books promote empathy, kindness, and diversity, which can help shape a child’s understanding of the world around them.
One way to ensure the books you choose for your child promote these values is to look for stories that feature diverse characters from different cultures and backgrounds. This helps children see and appreciate the differences in the world and can encourage empathy and understanding. Books that explore important topics like friendship, self-esteem, and respect can also be an effective way to teach values in a relatable and engaging way.
It’s important to note that values can be introduced in various formats and reading levels. For younger children, picture books can offer a simple way to introduce important concepts. Picture books can be used to teach younger children about values such as love, acceptance, imagination, and curiosity. For example, in Corduroy by Don Freeman, Corduroy learns the importance of love and acceptance. In Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Max learns about the power of imagination and the importance of facing one’s fears. In Curious George by H.A. Rey, Curious George learns about the value of curiosity and exploration and the importance of being careful and considering the consequences of one’s actions.
As children grow older, middle-grade books can be used to explore more deeply. For example, in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor teaches about the importance of speaking out against injustice, even when it is difficult. In Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Annemarie learns the value of courage and resilience. In Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Leslie and Jess learn the value of friendship and imagination.
For older readers, young adult (YA) books can tackle complex issues and provide thought-provoking discussions on important values. For example, in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Starr learns the value of racial justice. In The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Hazel and Augustus learn the value of love and life. George by Alex Gino teaches many valuable lessons about gender identity, acceptance, and the importance of being true to yourself.
Overall, choosing books that teach important values is a great way to not only provide your child with enjoyable reading material but also to help shape their understanding of the world and the values that are important in it.
Keep your child’s interests in mind
It’s also important to consider your child’s age and reading level when selecting books based on their interests. Picture books with simple, colorful illustrations and relatable characters may be the best option for younger children. Early readers and beginner chapter books can introduce more complex storylines while still catering to their interests.
Middle-grade readers may have more specific interests and preferences, such as books about sports, adventure, or coming-of-age stories. At this stage, children may also be more interested in series or longer chapter books that allow them to immerse themselves in a particular world or set of characters.
YA readers’ interests range from contemporary realistic fiction to high fantasy and science fiction. When selecting titles based on interests, it’s essential to consider the complexity of the language and themes in YA books. YA readers may also be interested in books that feature diverse characters and explore important social issues.
Ultimately, considering your child’s interests when selecting books can help foster a love of reading and encourage them to become lifelong readers.
Don’t be afraid to revisit classic books
Revisiting classic children’s books is not only an excellent way to introduce your child to timeless stories, but it can also help them develop a love for reading. These classic books have stood the test of time and continue to be popular with children today. Not only do they often have relatable and engaging stories, but they also offer a glimpse into different periods and cultures.
Classic books like Charlotte’s Web and Little Women can provide opportunities for parents and children to discuss important themes like friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. Additionally, revisiting classic books can help children develop critical thinking skills as they compare and contrast different books from different eras.
Moreover, classic children’s books are often available in a variety of formats, including board books, picture books, and chapter books. This means that you can revisit these classic stories with your child at different stages of their development, from the simple language and colorful illustrations in picture books to the more complex themes and writing styles in chapter books.
In summary, revisiting classic children’s books with your child is an excellent way to introduce them to timeless stories and help them develop a love for reading. These books can provide opportunities for important discussions about values and themes and help children develop critical thinking skills. Plus, with a variety of formats available, you can revisit these classic stories with your child at different stages of their development.
Choosing quality children’s books can feel overwhelming, but with a bit of guidance, you can discover books that will captivate, educate, and entertain your child. Start by seeking out award-winning books, reading reviews, considering illustrations, choosing books that teach valuable lessons, and keeping your child’s interests in mind. Don’t forget about the classics, which continue to inspire and delight new generations of readers.
But if you’re still feeling stuck or unsure, we have the solution you’ve been looking for. The Book Nook, our personalized book recommendation service, takes the guesswork out of finding quality children’s books. By sharing details about your child’s interests and preferences, we’ll curate a list of customized book recommendations tailored just for them. Not only do we take the time to select each book carefully, but we also have them shipped to your front door, saving you time and energy.
Give your child the gift of quality literature with our personalized book recommendation service. Say goodbye to the stress of finding the perfect books, and let us help you create a lifelong love of reading for your child.
