A Parent's Guide to Choosing the Right Early Reader Children's Picture Books

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

A good book is the key to let a child discover the joys of reading. The more early reader children's picture books he sees, the more likely he will want to read them. But how do you identify a good picture book to get for your child? Simply turn the pages.

Fear not: this handy guide should provide you more tips on how to choose the right early reader children's picture books.

What Makes a Good Picture Book

A picture book does not have to be award-winning for it to be considered the best choice. It does not even have to be published by a well-known company. It need not to be a best-seller, either. A good picture book is simply a book that any child will enjoy browsing.

Choosing the Right Picture Books for Your Child

It is true that bookstores and libraries are filled with thousands of books that are deemed ideal for a kid. But can you identify which one suits your child? There are three things we can suggest. First, trust your instinct as a parent. Second, consider the interest of your child and his reading level. Lastly, use the tips we have for you below:

1. Get your child's input.

Kids are quite straightforward. They will tell you what they want and what they hate. They will talk about the things they learned and what they want to become in the future. So, listen to them. Everything that comes out of their mouth are the ideal subjects of a good picture book.

2. Consider your child's age group and his or her reading interest.

As a child grows, so as his reading interests and needs. Hence, when choosing a picture book, make sure you consider the following:

Picture Books for Infants and Tots (Ages 0 to 2)

• A good book is something that has bright, colorful pictures.
• Good-quality books are made of plastic or cardboard.
• Stories should be short and simple.

Picture Books for Preschoolers (Ages 3 to 5)

• A great book has clear, enticing, and colorful photos and illustrations.
• The story can be finished in one sitting.
• The subject encourages kids to explore the world.
• A good book can be something that reviews the basics of learning, such as numbers, colors, shapes, and letters.
• The characters of the story have the same age with your kid.

Picture Books for Young Readers (Ages 6 to 11)

• These books have attractive illustrations that provide hints to the meaning of unfamiliar terms.
• The characters are your child's favorite.
• The story encourages interaction.
• A book that is divided into chapters and can be finished in a couple of days.
• It has a clear and easy-to-read text.

Summary

Knowing how to identify the appropriate early reader children's picture books is a skill you can teach your child. Let him join you as you do the selection. Let him pick a kind of book. And then, you decide whether or not it suits him. Make sure he is involved in the entire decision-making process. Finding a good picture book should be an activity to look forward to, not a daunting task.