Eight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child (2024)

Eight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child (1)Let’s face it, folks, there are a lot of kids out there who are read-i-phobic because books are full of words – those squiggly markings on the page that don’t make sense when you’re just starting out to read, and for some kids, don’t make sense even after spending quite a bit of time trying to learn to read. How can you help these kids feel a little less threatened by books? Here’s one answer: by selecting books that have something more than just words in them. In fact, Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences says that there are at least eight different kinds of smart: word smart, picture smart, number/logic smart, body smart, music smart, people smart, self smart, and nature smart. Book worms display a lot of Word Smart, but what is out there for Body Smart kids, or those whose strengths lay in Music Smart or People Smart? Here’s a run-down on choosing books for kids of all ages based on their different kinds of smarts.

Picture Smart – Choose pop-up books (example: Bugs: A Stunning Pop-up Look at Insects, Spiders, and Other Creepy-Crawlies by George McGavin (author) and Jim Kay (illustrator) (Candlewick, ages 7 to 10).

Body Smart – Choose books that include something to do with your hands (example: Juggling for the Complete Klutz – (Klutz Press, ages 8+).

Music Smart – Choose books that include some type of musical instrument that allows your child to play along example: Disney Frozen – Sing-Along Songs! Board Book with Built-In Keyboard Piano (Phoenix International Publications, ages baby – 6 years).

People Smart – Choose books that involve kids playing games together with the boards, rules, playing pieces, and dice in the book (example: The 15 Greatest Board Games in the World, (Klutz Press, ages 7-10 years).

Self Smart – Choose books that invite kids to think about themselves, what they’re good at, what they want to be etc. (example: Smarts! Everybody’s Got Them by Thomas Armstrong (Free Spirit Publishing, ages 5-9).

Nature Smart – Choose books with nature themes, especially those that come with seeds and gardening tools or nature collecting containers (example: The Bug Book and Bug Bottle by Hugh Danks – Workman Publishing, ages 6-12).

Number/Logic Smart – Choose books that involve science themes with tools for experimenting (example: Kaleidoscopia! Book and Kit: Everything You Need to Know About Kaleidoscopes (Including How to Make Your Own!) – Workman Publishing Co., ages 9-14).

Word Smart – For the child who has strong oral language but is a reluctant reader choose books that include a recording of the story (example: All The Ways I Love You: Recordable StoryBook, by Theresa Trinder – Hallmark Books, ages baby to six).

Once your child sees that books have something for them that they really like besides words, they’ll develop a book-positive attitude and cultivate a love of books for the rest of their lives!

To learn more about the theory of multiple intelligences and the eight kinds of smart, get my book for parents, In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Multiple IntelligencesEight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child (2).

Eight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child (3)

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Eight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child (2024)

FAQs

Eight Ways to Choose Books for Your Child? ›

Look for books that have simple drawings of familiar things, actions, and events. Language. Children begin to key into content and can relate pictures to their world. While they still enjoy picture books, try some books with simple stories that have one line of text per page.

What are the criteria for choosing books for children? ›

Look for books that have simple drawings of familiar things, actions, and events. Language. Children begin to key into content and can relate pictures to their world. While they still enjoy picture books, try some books with simple stories that have one line of text per page.

How to wisely choose kids books? ›

Use these five questions as a guide when choosing children's books:
  1. Is it right for my child? You are the best judge of what will especially appeal to your child. ...
  2. Are the illustrations well done? ...
  3. Is the story well written? ...
  4. Is the text informative and lively? ...
  5. Is the theme of the book timeless and enduring?

How to choose a book to read for kids? ›

Choosing a book that's right for your child
  1. Is the topic interesting? Some kids have favorite genres — they love mysteries or detective stories or books about sports or ancient Egypt, for example. ...
  2. Will it be an easy book to read? Do I know most of the words? ...
  3. Will this book be too hard?

What are the 5 criteria for book selection? ›

Guidance on Selection Criteria

Librarians should consider authenticity, public demand, general interest, content, and circ*mstances of use.

Why is it important to select books for children? ›

Children develop at different rates, and they have other interests. Therefore, choosing books appropriate for the child's age and interests is essential. Some factors to consider when selecting books for children include age, reading level, interest, cultural background, and emotional needs (Trim, 2004, pp.

How do I choose a book by age? ›

How to Choose a Book by Age
  1. Books with repetition of sounds and words.
  2. Books that deliver their message with simple language.
  3. Books that illustrate the primary objects and features in your child's life.
  4. Books that are designed for small hands.
  5. Books of nursery rhymes, lullabies, and songs.

What are the four types of children's books? ›

There are many ways to categorize young children's literature. One helpful way is with these four primary genres: Concept, Predictable, Narrative and Informational.

What is considered a successful children's book? ›

Children's picture books should have simple, easy-to-understand stories that resonate with young readers. Your storytelling should be age appropriate and cater to the developmental stage of your target audience. The plot should be straightforward, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Should kids be able to choose their own books? ›

While well-meaning, adults who choose the majority of books kids read are doing them a disservice. Often, the books adults read as a child will not be interesting to younger generations. Let kids choose reading material that interests them, even if it is something you wouldn't have read.

What are the three ways to read a book for kids? ›

As we researched beginning reading acquisition we discovered children learn to read by engaging in the act of reading by "Looking closely at the pictures", "Reading the Words" and also "Retelling a Familiar Story".

What are the book selection tools? ›

There are many sources that assist in selecting books. Among these are book reviews, “best of” and recommended title lists, and annotated bibliographies. Even though only a small fraction of books published are actually reviewed, the book review is one of the most important selection tools.

What are the main selection books? ›

The Selection is a young adult novel by Kiera Cass first published on April 14, 2012, by HarperCollins. It is the first in a five-book series, followed by The Elite (2013), The One (2014), The Heir (2015) and The Crown (May 2016). The last two take place twenty years after the events in the first three.

How to Choose books for preschoolers? ›

The key is to find basic stories that relate to your child's experiences. Catchy text makes for great entertainment. Look for rhythmic and/or rhyming text that's fun to read aloud and relatively easy to memorize so that your child can join in when she's ready.

What is the criteria for good books? ›

The guidelines look at the richness and diversity of language used, the degree of innovation and the manner in which the language makes itself 'easy to understand' for the reader at that level.

What is the five looks on a book? ›

Five Looks on a Book is a simple and fun activity that offers a nice twist on the traditional book report. Students name five adjectives that describe their book and then write one supporting detail for each adjective.

What four criteria can you consider in choosing a textbook why? ›

Good textbooks should reflect the aims, content, learning objective, and assessment of the curriculum.

What factors should teachers consider when they are selecting books for their students? ›

The factors to consider when selecting books and reading materials include pedagogic purpose, universal criteria, content specific criteria, and authenticity. The factors to consider when selecting books and reading materials are the number of function and lexical words in the texts.

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