October 1, 2007

How to pick books your young child will enjoy

My kids, ages 3 and 4, have outgrown all their board books and pop-ups. Are there classic books all children should have, that they'll want to read over and over? When we go to the library and bookstore, the choices are overwhelming. Other than following our kids' wishes, what should guide us? We want them to be good readers.

Children's motivation to read is very much influenced by their early experiences with books. Research shows that if young children are reared in what educators call "print-rich environments," they are likely to become strong readers. This environment provides kids a variety of books and reading materials to choose from and ways to enjoy them in the company of family and friends. This is why the "story at bedtime" works so well to hook kids on reading. If children consider books as something used only in school, they're less likely to view them as sources of lifelong pleasure.

Are there books every child should have at home? There are many beloved childhood classics with universal themes, but it would be difficult to get agreement on a "must-have" list. Some families pass down Robert McCloskey's nurturing 1941 tale, "Make Way for Ducklings" (Puffin, 2001) from generation to generation; others have never heard of it or swear by their own favorites.

"When buying books for your children, start with their wishes and interests. Selecting titles that you hope they'll like isn't going to help you develop a well-used, loved home library. Kids are more likely to read books they picked out than those an adult thinks they should be interested in," says Carl Harvey, a library media specialist at North Elementary School in Noblesville, Ind., and editorial adviser to Library Media Connection magazine.

The best way to test kids' literature tastes is at the local or school library, notes Harvey. "If you've got favorite books you've loved as a child, check them out of the library. Many of those stories are still around, and some are as popular as ever. Your enthusiasm for them may turn them into some of your children's favorites, too. But don't be disappointed if that doesn't happen. Not all books age well. Not everything you read as a child will appeal to today's kids."

All children's librarians can suggest their own list of favorites, says Harvey. The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, publishes an annual list of notable books, records, videos and software (ala.org/ala/alsc). The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), publishes an annual list of Best Books for Young Adults (ala.org/yalsa).

"There are many annual awards for children's books: the John Newbery Medal (for literature), the Randolph Caldecott Medal (for illustrations) and the Michael Printz Award (for young adult literature)," notes Harvey. "Some of these make great additions to home libraries, but don't buy them just because they've got the award on the cover. Again, 'taste-test' at the library before you invest." (Find access to complete lists of award-winning books at ala.org/alsc).

Where else do educators turn for help in matching kids to books? Harvey suggests checking out the following.

-- Anita Silvey, author of "100 Best Books for Children" (Houghton Mifflin, 2004) and "500 Great Books for Teens" (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). Silvey hosts a Web site, anitasilvey.com, with links to children's-literature discussion sites.

-- Judy Freeman, a former school librarian, is author of three terrific volumes of Books Children Will Sit Still For (Libraries Unlimited).

-- Peggy Sharp, a children's literature expert, shares recommendations on her Web site www.peggysharp.com/peggyspicks/picks.htm. Her "New Books News" will alert you to worthy recently published titles.

-- Jim Trelease's "The Read-Aloud Handbook" (Penguin, 2006), in its sixth edition, combines a great book list with tips on how families can enjoy reading together daily.

-- Sharon McElmeel, a children's literature expert, has compiled a list of state awards that are based on children's voting. Check out your state's winners at www.mcelmeel.com/curriculum/bookawards.html.

-- Children's Book Council, with the American Library Association, helps parents balance classic titles with new releases. The bibliographies are by age group: birth to 3-year-olds; 4- to 7-year-olds; 8- to 11-year-olds; and 12- to 14-year-olds, and can be downloaded from www.cbcbooks.org/readinglists.

LIBRARIAN TIP

The most important test in deciding what books to add to your home library is to browse bookshelves with your children. "Pick out books that draw them in. Flip through it, read a bit, and see if they want to read more before you get your wallet out," says Carl Harvey. "Whether a classic or a new release, the best book for a home library is one that will be well-loved and read."

A-Plus Advice For Parents, aplusadvice.com

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