Where to Find Your Books

09/02/2009 10:53 pm

Libraries and Bookstores

Reading enlarges a child’s real world and his imaginary world. Two dimensions of his real world are libraries and bookstores.

Go to the library often
  • Getting your child’s first library card can be a big event. Encourage her to check out the books she wants to take home. This can be an important confidence building experience.
  • Read with your child and talk about all of the wonderful stories that surround you.
  • Checking out books lets your child preview them. This provides an opportunity for her to discover favorites, some of which you may want to purchase.
  • Cultivate the idea that a library is a fascinating, friendly place. (Reading Corduroy Goes to the Library by B. G. Hennessy can stimulate interest and excitement.)
  • Ask about story time and attend these programs.
  • Feel free to ask a librarian for suggestions and assistance. One of their services is that you can call ahead and ask them to reserve the books you want to obtain. They will send the books to the branch library nearest your residence.

Take your child to a bookstore that has a colorful, interesting child’s section. Read with her and let her play with the toys. If you purchase a book, make it a celebration. Talk about a book being a very special gift, one that keeps on giving as you read it over and over.

How to Select Books to Buy or Bring Home from the Library

Book selection involves making important decisions. There are five things to consider.

1. The illustrations – children’s books should be richly and colorfully illustrated.

  • The pictures should visually tell the story. Sometimes they tell the story so well there is no written text at all.
  • The illustrations should be detailed enough to provide extra things for you and your child to talk about.
  • Books for infants should contain large, colorful, simple images.
  • Books for toddlers should have clear, simple pictures of familiar objects, people or animals without confusing complicated details.

2. The printed text – The text should be short, but with enough content to convey the essential parts of the story. The text and the illustrations should be combined in a way that draws the child into the story.

3. The Message – The story should interest both you and your child. Reading aloud is a shared experience, so both of you need to be drawn into the story.

4. Reading Level- A good book will have lasting value. It will not only be of interest during your child’s current age, but will also appeal to him during the next year or two and even longer. For example, it may attract younger children due to its colorful illustrations or its rhythm and rhyme. Then at ages three and four the story may be the main attraction. Finally it may appeal to your early reader because he can read it himself.

5. Well Made and Durable – a good book will have to endure heavy use.
Therefore its material makeup and construction should be childproof. This is why Board Books are such a good choice for infants and toddlers. They can turn the pages and easily handle the small book. Cloth and plastic books are also good choices for young children. Plastic books can provide the opportunity for bath time to also be reading time. Good books are treasures. Childhood is a special time and the love of books developed during these impressionable years will enrich your child’s entire lifetime. Stories will continue to feed his spirit and encourage him to think, wonder and imagine.