Multicultural Education

Access to good books is the first step to

discovering the joy of reading. The more trips

you make to the library together, the more

likely your child will want to choose a book

from the stacks. The more books you have

in your home, the more likely your child

will pick one up and read it.

But how do you know which books are

the right ones to bring into your home

or to check out of the library? Just turn

the page. This guide offers tips and strategies

to help you and your child learn how

to choose good books together.

www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/articles/choosing-

good-books.htm

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.

www.reading.org

International Reading Association

kids.nypl.org/reading

New York Public Library On-Lion for Kids

www.carolhurst.com

Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site

www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists

American Library Association

O N L I N E B O O K L I S T S

Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read

Laura Backes. Prima Lifestyle, 2001.

Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide

Betsy Hearne and Deborah Stevenson.

University of Illinois Press, 2000.

Great Books for Boys

Kathleen Odean. Ballantine, 1998.

Great Books for Girls

Kathleen Odean. Ballantine, 2002.

How to Get Your Child to Love Reading

Esmé Raji Codell. Algonquin, 2003.

The Read-Aloud Handbook, 6th Edition

Jim Trelease. Penguin, 2006.

B O O K S A B O U T C H O O S I N G G O O D B O O K S

WHAT IS A GOOD BOOK?

A book doesn’t have to win an award to be

considered “good.” It doesn’t have to be a best

seller or on a recommended booklist, either.

A good book is simply one a child enjoys reading.

HOW CAN YOU FIND GOOD BOOKS?

Libraries, bookstores, and yard sales are filled

with books. But how do you know which ones

are good? Trust your instincts. Keep your

child’s interests and reading level in mind.

And use the tips listed in this guide to help

you in your search.

WHAT DO KIDS KNOW?

A lot. So ask them. Kids can tell you what they

like and don’t like, what they want to learn,

who they would like to meet, and what they

want to do when they grow up. All of these

are the subjects of great books. Your children’s

input will help you guide them to good books.

A Guide for Parents from Reading Is Fundamental®

Choosing Good BooKs for Children of All Ages

R I F ’ s GU I D E TO

Choosing Good Books

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF) motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. For more information, free reading resources, and to see how you can support RIF, visit www.RIF.org.

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20037 Toll free: 877-RIF-READ www.RIF.org

© 2010 READING IS FUNDAMENTAL, INC.

For a complete list of RIF’s parent guide brochures, visit www.rif.org/resources.

Take the Mystery Out of Choosing Good Books

Children’s reading interests and needs change as they grow. Here are some basic things to look for as you help kids at any age choose good books.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS (BIRTH TO AGE 2) ✽ Books with big, bright, colorful

pictures of familiar objects.

✽ Durable books made of cardboard,

plastic, or washable cloth. These

books are usually a good size and

shape for small children to handle.

✽ Books that appeal to their senses, such

as fabric books, books with textures,

and books with scents.

✽ Stories told in short,

simple sentences with

pictures that explain

the text.

✽ Poems and rhymes

that are fun for

parents to

read aloud.

ADOLESCENTS (AGES 12 AND UP) ✽ Books about subjects that interest

your child.

✽ Novels that might help your child

cope with daily challenges of growing

up by featuring characters dealing

with similar experiences.

✽ Books that introduce new

experiences and opportunities.

✽ Fact books, such as world record

books, trivia books, and almanacs.

✽ Biographies, classics, folk tales,

historical fiction, and mythology.

PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 3 TO 5) ✽ Illustrations and photos that are clear, colorful,

and engaging.

✽ Simple, fun plots. The action should move

quickly, so each book can be read in one sitting.

✽ Lively rhymes and repetition that children

can repeat and remember.

✽ Stories about everyday life and events.

The stories should encourage children

to ask questions and explore their world.

✽ Stories that review basic concepts, such

as letters, numbers, shapes, and colors.

✽ Main characters who are your

child’s age or slightly older.

Playful animals,

both real and

imaginary, will

also hold a child’s

attention.

YOUNG READERS (AGES 6 TO 11) ✽ Clear text that is easy to read.

✽ Colorful, attractive illustrations and photos

that bring the text to life and give clues

to the meaning of unfamiliar words.

✽ Books that appeal to your child’s interests.

✽ “How-to,” craft, and recipe books with

clear, simply worded instructions and

helpful illustrations.

✽ Other books by your child’s favorite authors

and illustrators.

✽ Books with your child’s favorite characters.

✽ Stories your child enjoyed hearing when

he or she was younger. These are great books

for children to begin reading on their own.

✽ Books that encourage discussion.

✽ Chapter books that can be read over several

days instead of in one sitting.

Quick Tips! ✽ Knowing how to choose good books is a skill your children will keep for the rest of their lives. Take time

to show them how. Encourage them to select books on their own as soon as they show preferences. You can even let them pick two kinds of books—one to read with you and one to read on their own.

✽ Get to know the children’s section of your local library, and ask the children’s librarian for recommendations. Check lists of recommended books, such as those included on the back of this guide.

✽ It’s okay to look through a book and then decide not to read the whole thing. If you don’t like a book after reading a chapter or a few pages, pick another one. Reading is supposed to be fun, not a chore.