| "If kids are entertained by two letters, | | | | books by publishers who produce what are |
| imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six. | | | | called an `Easy Reader` series style of book. |
| Open your child's imagination. Open a book." | | | | These books have words and themes from |
| ~ Author Unknown | | | | everyday use and often moving from easy to |
| | | | difficult reading levels. |
| Looking at picture books or reading story | | | | |
| books can bring a child immense pleasure as | | | | - There are a wide range of books available |
| well as contribute to their development. It | | | | to children at this stage. Fiction books |
| is never too early to introduce children to | | | | inspire imagination and creative thinking. |
| books. Below are some tips to consider when | | | | Also information books on a whole range of |
| choosing books that are age-appropriate. | | | | topics are also available. Choose books that |
| | | | encourage their interests and satisfy their |
| Babies and Toddlers | | | | curiosity about the world around them. |
| | | | |
| - Very young children are stimulated and | | | | Older Children (9-12 years and older) |
| interested by brightly coloured pictures of | | | | |
| simple objects and shapes. | | | | - Choose books with the child in mind. |
| | | | Suggest books that reflect their interests |
| - Board books and cloth books have the | | | | and tastes. |
| advantage of being hardwearing. | | | | |
| | | | - Age level and suitability is often |
| - They respond well to books that have | | | | indicated on the book jacket. This is a good |
| tactile elements for example cloth books with | | | | guideline. But if your child needs the |
| different textures and materials. | | | | challenge do not be afraid to buy books that |
| | | | are children a little older than your child. |
| - As they become toddlers they start to | | | | |
| fine-tune listening skills and they respond | | | | - Children at this age also like to look at |
| well to books with simple texts and good | | | | well illustrated books. |
| rhythms. | | | | |
| | | | - Some children's books have become what you |
| - Also wordless books offer visual and mental | | | | would call `classics`. These types of books |
| stimulation by allowing the child to use | | | | should be part of a child's library. They |
| their imagination to create their own | | | | have great appeal which is why they are |
| stories. | | | | called classics. They can be enjoyed also by |
| | | | the family when read out loud together. |
| Nursery School or Pre-school Children | | | | |
| | | | - While classics have their appeal and place |
| - Nursery stories and books showing images of | | | | in a child's reading experience, so do |
| things familiar to them are enjoyable to | | | | contemporary books dealing with contemporary |
| children at this age. | | | | themes. Again, a child's personality will |
| | | | determine the kinds of things they are |
| - They also tend to enjoy stories with themes | | | | interested in. |
| that mirror their experiences. | | | | |
| | | | Storing and displaying books for children is |
| - As children at this age develop their | | | | something that needs some thoughts. When they |
| ability to read simple words, books with more | | | | are very young, storing them in baskets makes |
| complex text with rhythm and repetition | | | | them accessible. As they get older you may |
| become enjoyable to listen to and read. | | | | wish to make the best use of limited space in |
| | | | a bedroom by building shelves. Ensure that |
| - As their co-ordination develops they can | | | | they are at a height that makes the books |
| have fun with interactive books for instance | | | | accessible. Encouraging children to take care |
| that move, pop up or involving them pressing | | | | of their books as well of library books is |
| buttons. | | | | important. Encouraging children to put their |
| | | | books away in their special space in their |
| Primary school Years (5-8 years) | | | | room and keeping shelves tidy is all part of |
| | | | them learning respect for books and of course |
| - Bear in mind that very few children learn | | | | learning to keep their room tidy! Bookends |
| to read before they are 5 years old. Most | | | | help to keep books tidy. They can be |
| learn at 5 and some learn a little after. It | | | | decorated with your child's favourite theme |
| need not be a cause for concern if your child | | | | or reflecting the theme of the child's room |
| appears slows at reading in this phase. | | | | décor. |
| | | | |
| - At this stage children love to read or | | | | There are many resources on the internet that |
| listen to stories that have strong storylines | | | | support you in choosing and storing books for |
| and characters and of course pictures that | | | | your children. With a little thought you can |
| help them to understand what is happening. | | | | help your child to create a magical space |
| | | | filled with books well chosen that will |
| - If your child has developed a keen interest | | | | delight them over and over again. |
| in reading and likes to read alone, choose | | | | |