Choosing Books for Children: A Guide by Age
The right book makes a child love reading. We have gathered the criteria for choosing books by the 0-12 age range and practical tips for parents.
We all want our children to read. Yet for children who meet technology early, it is not as easy as it once was to make them love books that sit still. The secret lies in choosing the right book: a book suited to a child's level and interests makes them love reading. In this article we bring together the criteria for choosing books by age and practical tips.
Choosing Books by Age
The most common mistake families make is turning to books below the child's level so that the book is accepted more easily. If you give a ten-year-old a book for seven-year-olds, they get bored and do not want to continue. Aiming for the right age range is the key to a love of reading.
Criteria by Age
Ages 0-3
Familiar objects, bright colours, plenty of pictures, short and rhythmic sentences; a size suited to small hands.
Ages 3-5
Fairy tales and familiar stories, situations they recognise from life, detailed pictures that spark the imagination.
Ages 5-8
Strong stories and characters, good as well as bad characters, topics that teach new things and fall within their interests.
Ages 8-12
Books suited to the child's character and taste, prompting brainstorming, chosen by the child themselves.
Tips for Parents
- Be a role model: A child who sees you reading grows eager too; but reading should not replace the time you devote to them.
- Choose together: Go to buy books together, look through them together, and leave the choice to them.
- Look at quality: A reliable publisher, sound materials and a good translation make a book valuable.
- Read like theatre: Reading with your expressions and tone of voice draws the child into their imaginary world more quickly.
- Prefer award-winning books: Let children's books that have won international awards be among your first choices.
- Fun is a purpose too: Not every book has to teach a lesson; a book that simply makes a child laugh and gives joy is valuable too.
Most of the time the child themselves knows the right book; give them a space to smell it and leaf through its pages.
In brief
- Choosing a book suited to the child's age and level makes them love reading.
- Books below their level bore the child and push them away from reading.
- Being a role model and leaving the choice to the child strengthen the habit.
You can find the criteria of quality and approach in book selection in our Choosing the Right Book article, and take a look at our guidance and counseling unit for your child's reading development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy my child books below their level?
No. Books below their level bore the child. Books suited to their age and interests that gently challenge them nurture a love of reading.
Is it right to leave the book choice to the child?
Yes. A book the child chooses themselves increases their reading motivation. While you watch over quality and age suitability, you can leave the choice to them.
Does every book have to be instructive?
No. Books are also read to have fun and enjoy time. Especially at younger ages, it is important for the content to be enjoyable.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · The right book, a lifelong habit.