Library League - Parents, Teachers & Caregivers

Parents, Teachers & Caregivers
Choosing Books for Children Birth to 3 Years

Birth to 4 Months

Types of Books:

Suggestions:

Open books flat and stand them at the side of the crib when the baby is resting on her back.
Place open books at the head of the crib or on the floor when baby is on his stomach.
Recite rhymes or sing songs; babies often settle down to the steady rhythm.
Using books in these early months is one way to introduce language to your child.
Read, talk and sing with expression.

4 to 6 Months

Types of Books:

Cloth and soft vinyl books. These are lightweight and compress in babies' hands as they are grasped.
These books are easier to pick up and can be washed. Don't be surprised if they are tossed on the floor or are explored by mouth!
Simple, bright pictures against a contrasting background are still the most appealing illustrations.

Suggestions:

Let your baby manipulate the books any way he wants.
Sit baby in your lap to spend a very few minutes looking at the pictures and listening to brief rhymes.
Read and sing with expression. Your baby is learning that reading is fun!

7 to 9 Months

Types of Books:

Chunky board, block or chubby books. These are small and constructed so that the next page springs up when the previous page is turned.

Suggestions:

Let babies explore the hinged nature of their books.
When holding the baby in your lap to read, name pictures and colors, count items and begin to read what are by now those familiar nursery rhymes.

9 to 13 Months

Types of Books:

Standard cardboard books may be used.
Pictures of familiar things and activities may be the books babies will like best.
Novelty books with which children can interact become fun at this age.

Suggestions:

Continue to label or name the pictures; babies may begin to attempt to repeat some words.
Make a big game out of sounds; particularly animal sounds, but also trains, cars, etc. Babies love to hear and imitate these sounds.
Books with thick paper pages may be introduced.

12 to 18 Months

Types of Books:

Books with paper pages are increasingly appropriate.
Books with familiar content are most enjoyed.
Books with songs or repetitive verses.
Actual stories may begin to be of interest; but they must be very simple and should relate to the child's experience. These have few words per page.

Suggestions:

Follow the child's lead at least some of the time. Name what he points to and talk about it.
As you begin storybooks, it's important not to get into power struggles with the child over going from beginning to end.

19 to 36 Months

Types of Books:

Stories about special interest in the toddler's life (e.g. messy eaters, going to bed, sitting on potty chair, etc.)
Simple stories about how things work help satisfy their urge to ask why.
Books in which pictures follow the text very closely. They like to try to relate what they hear with what they see.
Predictable books, which help the child develop the ability to sequence and anticipate events.
First Readers

Suggestions:

Preschoolers and Elementary-Age Children

To find books and Web sites that are age-appropriate on a variety of subjects:

Under From TCCL to You click Books for Parents. This list offers a variety of books that suggest books for children that are age-appropriate plus suggestions for encouraging your child to become a great reader. Enjoy!
Under Web Sites by Category click Literacy. These sites offer more book suggestions and ways to encourage children to read.

Selecting Quality Web Sites for Children:

On the Library League page, select Books & Reading to find books that kids enjoy.
Click Find a Good Book for recommendations by reading level and types of books.
On the Library League page, select Homework/Research.
Click Find It on the Web and select ALA's Great Web Sites for Kids.