Books inspire a child's imagination, teach her about the world and develop her reading skills. Choosing a book that interests your child and meets her skill level makes her more likely to want to explore other books. Before heading to the library or book store, brainstorm ideas for book types and topics that might match your child's preferences. Getting older kids involved in the book selection teaches them how to choose their own books by themselves.
Step 1
Write a list of topics that interest your child, which may include her hobbies, nature, science, building or any other suitable topic. To expand your child's interests, include in this list related topics. Add the general types of books she enjoys reading, such as picture books or nonfiction.
Step 2
Visit the children's section of the local library or book store. Bring your child with you so he learns how to find and select books. Look for lists of recommended books based on age or interests, which are often available at public libraries. Note the featured children's books at both the book store and library for a starting point in your search.
Step 3
Ask the librarian or book store employees for specific recommendations based on the list of your child's interests.
Step 4
Open the books to assess the content. For younger kids, look for lots of visually appealing pictures and a balance of words and pictures. For older kids who will read on their own, look for text that is large enough to easily read.
Step 5
Read a few pages of the book to evaluate the language used. Choose a book with a majority of words your child can understand, whether he will read it or you will read it aloud to him. The Reading is Fundamental website recommends choosing a book that you will also enjoy so your child sees your excitement.
Step 6
Test the reading level of a book by using the five finger rule. Have your child read a page from the middle of the book and hold up a finger for each word she is not able to read. If you reach five fingers before the end of the page, the book is not at a comfortable reading level for your child.
Step 7
Expand your child's reading range by selecting some books from different genres, such as biographies or mysteries. Consider multicultural books to teach your child about other cultures.
Tips and Warnings
- Books with rhyming and repetition are often appealing to toddlers and preschoolers. Wordless picture books give your child a chance to develop story-telling skills and they work well for encouraging creativity and imagination. Your child's teacher and other parents may be able to offer you suggestions for books that their kids enjoy reading.
