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You are here: Home / All categories / How to Choose Books for Kids

How to Choose Books for Kids

January 12, 2015 • 7 Comments

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the books for kids choices on the library shelves, book store displays or pages and pages on online shopping sites?

The other day I was sitting at the library with the kids and I watched a gentleman who wandered into the children’s department looking around aimlessly at the book spines on the shelf.  He seemed to want to find just the right book, but he was definitely not confident about his search.  I wondered if he was a father, uncle, mentor or big brother.  I wanted to ask, “Can I help you find a book?”

7 tips for how to choose books for kids from growingbookbybook.com

There are thousands and thousands of book choices on the market.  It can be confusing and difficult to decide which books to borrow or buy.  How do you find the best quality books that your kids will love?

Full Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  I am an independent consultant for Usborne Books & More.

There are a few publishers that are on my go to list for high quality, high interest and high engagement books. One of them is Usborne Books & More.

Tips for Choosing the Best Books for Kids

1.  Match Books to Interests

This is probably the single home run tip for finding those just right books.  When we read as adults, we like to read about a topic that interests us.  Kids are the same. What are your kids into right now?

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My boys adore everything car and truck related right now so The Usborne Big Book of Big Machines with huge fold-out pages keeps them engaged for quite some time.

Find books on the things that your kids love.  I have over 50+ book lists based on topics and themes from which to gather ideas.

2. Check the Illustrations

Illustrations can really make or break a picture book.  Child friendly illustrations are crucial for drawing a young reader into the book.

Dan, the Taxi Man

Dan, the Taxi Man is full of illustrations that draw you in and has a rhythmic text that keeps you chanting along with the story.

super

Super Duck is another one with super engaging illustrations and great rhythm while you read.  You have to check out the fun inferring activity we did with Super Duck.

3.  Does it Wake the Senses?

Piggybacking off of tip #2, kids love to feel like they are part of the story.   Flip through the book.  Is it a touch and feel book with various textures? Are there lift-the-flaps that will engage the reader?  Read the first page.  Do the words draw you into the story?  Any of these things put the book higher on my list of books to get.

usborne book That's Not My Monkey

Both of my kids adored That’s Not My Monkey?  Not only did they enjoy all the high quality touch and feel pages but they also loved to find the little white mouse hiding out on each page.  In fact, it made our list of favorite books for babies!

Usborne Book Secrets of the Rain Forest

Secrets of the Rainforest is a fun shine-a-light book.  There are several pages that you hold up to the light and more illustrations appear on the pages.  There is also Secrets of the Sea Shore and Secrets of the Apple Tree in this series.

4.  Variety, variety, variety

It is easy to accumulate only fiction books on your shelves.  Make sure to add non-fiction titles into your personal library. Also, check to see how diverse the characters are in the books you choose.  Our world is a huge melting pot of races and cultures and our books for kids should represent that.

Look inside an airport

Look Inside An Airport is and interesting behind-the-scenes look at what makes an airport work.  Lift the flaps and reveal even more information.

illustrated stories from around the world

Illustrated Stories from Around the World is full of stories such as Brer Rabbit, King Midas and Baba Yaga.

5.  Explore More From the Authors that You Love

Is there a book that your child already loves?  See if the author has written more books.  The book may even be one in a series or collection of books.

duck in a truck

We love Super Duck by Jez Alborough who also happens to have other Duck adventure books.  Duck in a Truck is a super fun one.

6.  Broaden Horizons

One of our jobs as caregivers is to help expand the reading repertoire of our kids.  Look for books that will help to teach kids about new places, new things or new ideas.

dogs and puppies

Does your child want a puppy or dog?  Dogs and Puppies will teach them about caring for a pet and training the little guy or gal.

7.  Who is Doing the Reading?

Both new and independent readers need books that match the level of their reading skills. Because there is no industry standard for leveling books, it can be tricky to choose books that match a child’s stage of reading.

hen's pens

The Phonic’s Readers series is great for the newest reader.  My son loves, loves, loves Hen’s Pens.

bears

Bears is full of photographs and interesting facts about the mammal and comes with an easy to read text.

When choosing books to read to kids, I most often select titles that are above the child’s independent level. These books are rich with words that might be new to the listener and serve to build their growing vocabulary.

I hope that this list of ideas makes it easier the next time you are trying to figure out which books to add to your library.

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7 Comments Filed Under: All categories, Books for Kids Tagged With: reading tips, reading tips for parents, Usborne

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

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  1. Victoria Addington says

    July 15, 2020 at 8:52 am

    This summer, I’ve been looking for books for toddlers to enhance my child’s artistic and basic logical skills before he goes to school. With that said, I shall then follow your advice to consider his interests and see the illustration per page if it’s stimulating. Hopefully, I can find an activity book with animals as characters so he would enjoy answering each task.

    Reply
  2. Tina at Mommynificent says

    January 22, 2015 at 6:05 am

    These are wonderful tips! Thanks for sharing them at Booknificent Thursday this week!
    Tina

    Reply
  3. Anna says

    January 15, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Jodie, just stopping by from Love to Learn Linky. Thanks for your great suggestions on finding good books. I couldn’t agree more with your recommendations.

    Reply
  4. Bonnie says

    January 12, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    I also, happen to be an Usborne Books Consultant too! Great tips listed above.

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      January 12, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Thank you Bonnie. I’m excited to start my journey with Usborne.

      Reply
  5. Patricia Tilton says

    January 12, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I love bookstores and libraries, but am always easily overwhelmed. Usually know what I’m looking for and then browse. Great ideas.

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      January 12, 2015 at 9:41 am

      Thanks Patricia. There are so many great choices out there so I know it can be a bit overwhelming.

      Reply

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