Choosing appropriate children’s books is a personalized process. Reading reviews may not be enough, reading the book first is best. Recommendations from like-minded parents and classic literature can also help. Consider reading level and moral beliefs when selecting books.
Deciding on appropriate books for children is a highly individualized process. A fourth grader might read a book like Where the Red Fern Grows and not be bothered by the dogs dying at the end. On the other hand, a seventh grader might read the same book and be deeply disturbed by its ending. Knowing how to choose appropriate children’s books is really about knowing your child.
It is often not enough to simply read the reviews of what are considered appropriate books for children as they do not provide enough information to decide their fitness. Ideally, the best way to determine which books are appropriate for children is to read them first. This way, you know exactly what’s in the book and if you think the topic is appropriate.
One can also get some suggestions on appropriate books for children by paying attention to the recommendations of other parents who have similar parenting ideals to yours. You won’t get the best advice from a person who lets their kids watch R-rated movies, for example, if your household is strictly PG-rated. If you know another family well, however, and their children share similar sensitivities to yours, they may suggest appropriate children’s books that you haven’t yet discovered.
If you come from a particularly religious background, it can also help to read publications such as magazines and newspapers that feature and review children’s literature. This can help you decide on appropriate books for children based on your own moral beliefs. Favorably reviewed books are often quite excellent.
Alternatively, if your parenting style is a little more flexible when it comes to content, choosing appropriate children’s books can be as easy as searching for books with high award numbers. For example, Caldecott and Newbery Medal nominated or winning books are often excellent works of literature.
As a child’s reading level advances, they may suddenly read a lot of books that one might not want. One thing many parents find helpful is directing children to classics instead of modern novels, which may not be appropriate books for children. For example, an avid reader can easily devour such classics as Little Women, The Three Musketeers or Great Expectations. These books are free from the vulgarity and explicit sex or violence that can plague modern books, yet are still highly entertaining and excellent examples of literature.
Another way to evaluate appropriate children’s books is to examine not the content but the reading level. For example, a first grader may be desperate to read a Harry Potter book, but may simply not have the reading skills to do so. In this case, you may want to read the book with your child or find similar material more appropriate for an initial reading level.
Most of the Harry Potter books fall within 4th to 7th reading level, but other books dealing with similar topics may be aimed at a younger child. It is important for a child’s first reading experiences to be successful, as this will improve their reading skills. Successfully reading a book can also encourage children to find reading enjoyable and make reading a lifelong habit. Soon enough, they’ll be ready for Harry Potter and anything else you deem appropriate in more challenging reading levels.
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