Join Us

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Book of Children

One of a child's proudest achievements is learning how to read, and one of a parent’s proudest achievements is guiding the child from reading together to reading alone.

Choosing the right book for your child’s reading level can be an exciting but daunting task. Here is all the information that you will need to help find the right books for your child. I Can Read!™ books are organized into an easy-to-follow color-coded system.

My Very First Level

The My Very First level is the entry point for new, emergent readers. Box sets feature stories that are simple and predictable, and teach word recognition skills such as phonics. Stories about the loveable Tug the Pup and his friends are supported by colorful, engaging illustrations. See all My Very First level books.

My First Level

Books at this level, like Biscuit and Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete, have short compelling stories, and are written with simple vocabulary. These books are for children who are just beginning to match spoken words to printed words. Repeated phrases allow kids to read some words along with their parents. See all My First books.

Level 1

This level is for readers who are beginning to sound out words and sentences. Books at this level, like Pinkalicious and the Perfect Present, Danny and the Dinosaur, and The Berenstain Bears: Gone Fishin’!, are written with simple sentences using familiar words. See all Level 1 books.

Level 2

Level 2 is for readers who are increasingly confident, but still need some help. Books at this level, like Frog and Toad Are Friends and Amelia Bedelia Joins the Club, include more complex story lines, longer sentences, and more challenging words. Mystery and adventure stories are included at this level, too. For kids who love reading about superheroes, a Justice League Classic, such as I Am the Flash or Superman: Day of Doom may be perfect reads. See all Level 2 books.

Level 3
Level 3 features many fun subjects kids love to read about on their own. Books at this level include challenging words and more complex themes. See all Level 3 books.

Level 4

Books at this level are for kids who are well on the road to becoming book lovers. These adventures make reading fun for the advanced reader. See all Level 4 books.

Helping kids to have a love affair with books is something we are passionate about. We want kids (our own and kids everywhere) to love a good story and feel successful reading. We want parents to feel empowered to help their kids and choose the right books for children.

Let’s face it. With the volume and variety of distractions out there these days it is tougher than ever to raise readers. Handheld devices, video games, and 24hr kids’ television are all competing against books for your child’s attention. I am very, very aware of the issues (ask me how I know).

The path to raising readers who love good books is a long one with many stops along the way. Here are some resources to help you navigate that path.

Pin

Choosing Books for Children

This is one of the biggest questions we get. How do you know which books are best for your kids? How do you choose ones they love that you will also feel good about them reading. Having a plan for choosing books — being intentional — is a great place to start.

Once the plan is in place you continue by learning to discern what good books are and are not. When in doubt one of the best places to begin refining your own tastes in children’s stories is a wonderful series like My Book House — we give you every detail about those wonderful books (incuding where to find them online for free) in this extensive overview.

While reading classics is definitely important, we love good tales from all eras. Here are a few of our favorite book lists to get you started with the process of choosing books.

More booklists:

  • Read Aloud Revival Book List – Books chosen specifically for their read-aloud-ability. (Nice word, huh?) This “living” list is updated frequently.
  • Give Your Child the World – Excellent list of books from different cultures.
  • Honey for a Child’s Heart – A great place to start for books to read aloud or hand to your child. Includes annotated book lists for all ages.

A Solid and Effective Reading Curriculum

I can’t say enough about how much I love All About Reading. Both of my current readers have struggled and been late bloomers in the reading department. This was no small concern for me — the person who couldn’t remember a day without devouring a book as a kid.

Pin

Related links:
Free Printable Blank Calendars by Vertex42
The Best Online Photo Printing Services for 2024
Fisher Scientific
What is the cheapest book size to print?
Shield Your Aluminum Profiles with PE Protective Film: A Comprehensive Guide
An In-depth Look at Gusseted Bags
Ideas for Incorporating Shrink Film into Creative Promotional Packaging Designs

All About Reading gives me the peace of mind that I am doing everything I can to help them — all I have to do is open the book and work until they master the next lesson. Reading will come. The bonus is, we have fun with the program as well with the games and the fun box art the shipping department will draw for you on request.

Learn to Read Resources I Recommend:

  • All About Reading Pre-Level – Sadly I only got to use this with my last child, but it was so much fun. Our time spent with Ziggy will never be forgotten (mostly because we still have to pull him out from time to time).
  • All About Reading – We have used levels 1 -3 with various kids so far. I have a feeling my second son will also be doing level 4. My daughter did not need it.
  • Homeschooling with Dyslexia – If you think there might be a problem, this is where to go for answers.

Reading Aloud Grows Readers

One of the biggest keys to a successful reader it to spend a ton of time reading out loud to your kids. Reading out loud is vital to building sophisticated language patterns that are a key to making better writers. It also builds a wonderful family culture and is fun for bonding.

Sadly, many families make a huge mistake when it comes to reading aloud to their kids. This is definitely one you don’t want to do.

Reading aloud takes practice, but it doesn’t have to intimidate you. In fact I have a few simple tricks that make any mom a fabulous read aloud artist — no funny voices needed.

More of our favorite reading aloud resources:

  • Nurturing Competent Communicators – A not-to-miss lecture by Andrew Pudewa on the importance of reading aloud to your kids.
  • Read Aloud Revival – A free podcast and monthly membership site that encourages you to “build your family culture around books.” Well done.
  • Why We Should All Be Reading Aloud to Children — Rebecca Bellingham Ted Talk

Fun Reading Incentive Programs

We have three years of reading incentive programs to help inspire your kidsto read. With fun bingo cards, enchanted maps, prize coupons, bookmarks, and certificates of completion you don’t have to wait for summer to do a fun reading program.

The main purpose of the program is to get kids reading — and reading across genres they normally wouldn’t. The incentive tickets are blank, so if you decide to use them, you can choose prizes that work for your family.

More reading programs I like:

Pin

Celebrate Reading with Kids

Everyone loves a good party! While reading is indeed its own reward there are also reasons to celebrate reading. We are big on that around our house. We search out fun places to read, use reading to inspire creativity, and use reading to inspire our culinary endeavors. We even love to give reading-related gifts!

We also never miss a reason to have a good reading party. Here are a few of our favorites:

More about reading and fun:

  • Summer Reading: Making Memories and Having Fun — ME! As a guest on the Read Aloud Revival podcast.

Library Visits with Kids

Hey we get it. Somedays going to the library with kids is just hard. The dividends will pay off in the long run. Here are a few of our best tips for braving the library with kids as well as a fun library card holder craft that kids adore.

More library resources:

  • Library Scavenger Hunt – a fun way to get to know yoru library better
  • How to Use the Library in Your Homeschool – practical post with some good ideas from our friends at Simple Homeschool

Pin

Picture Books are Not Just for Little Kids

We have scoured the shelves for fun, interesting, entertaining, and exciting picture books with original artwork in a variety of topics — all sure to please a crowd. We came up with 31 Days of Picture Books for Everyone.

From dragons, to sports stars, to aliens and underpants, we have included a little bit of everything. Then we include a few activity suggestions to take the book experience farther — but only if you want to. Not to be missed!

More picture book ideas:

Reading for Mom

One of the keys to raising readers is to be a reader yourself. Kids catch the reading bug from seeing you do it — even if it isn’t evident when they are younger, they will likely model the behavior as they are older. The key to reading for me is to have some good recommendations to read from. My friends are the best place to go for a good book idea.

I like stretching myself to read from new genres as well as giving myself permission not to rush through a book — to take my time and learn and enjoy. And as a last resort if I can’t always take time to sit and model reading then I will put on a audiobook which has to be the next best thing.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Book of Children

The Ultimate Guide to Reading and Books for Children

Related links:
How to Maintain a Barcode Printer: A Comprehensive Guide
What You Need To Know About CNG Gas Cylinder?
The Ultimate Guide to Microwave Pork Crackle Bag
The Versatility of Stretch Wrap Films in Modern Packaging
How do you make a successful sticker?
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips for LPG Cylinders
Advantages and Applications of PET Protective Film

146

0

Comments

0/2000

All Comments (0)

Guest Posts

If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!

Your Name: (required)

Your Email: (required)

Subject:

Your Message: (required)