Choosing the Right Book: What to Look For
Choosing the right book matters as much as reading itself. Read about criteria such as quality, translation and a child's own preference, from a teacher's pen.
Making still, motionless books appealing to children who meet technology at an early age and live at a fast pace is no easy task. What is more, choosing a book that is both engaging and rewarding from among all these toys and content is quite difficult. In this article we explore the criteria for choosing the right book, which matters as much as reading itself.
First, Being a Role Model
Everyone wants their child to read. But do we read enough ourselves? Coming home in the evening, browsing social media and then pushing the child to read rarely works, because we are the child's role model. Even if you come home tired from work, the books you read together with your child create a lasting and positive change in behavior. Talking about the content with them at the end of the book multiplies this pleasure and brings about genuine learning.
How Does Reading Exercise the Brain?
During reading, the eyes and the brain establish a coordination. Letters are perceived not one by one but as patterns; while the left brain decodes letters and words, the right brain engages the imagination. Because the two lobes of the brain work together, reading allows a person to use their capacity at the highest level.
Choosing not the book you want your child to read, but the book they want to read, is often the best place to start.
Criteria for Choosing a Book
- Age and psychological suitability: The subject and the typeface of the book should suit the child's age.
- Quality of translation: If the book is a translation, the translator's expertise should be taken into account.
- The child's preference: The book they choose, not the one you want them to read, should come to the fore; otherwise it can backfire.
- A chance to look through: When buying a book, give the child the chance to leaf through the pages and choose.
- Beauty of the language: The language should be fluent and used correctly.
- Harmony of illustrations: In illustrated books, the visuals should match what is being told.
- Award-winning titles: Books that have won awards by world standards can be a priority choice.
In brief
- Choosing the right book matters as much as reading itself.
- Quality, translation, age suitability and the child's preference are decisive criteria.
- Being a role model is the strongest source of a reading habit.
You can find age-based book selection criteria in our Choosing Books for Children article, and take a look at our guidance and counseling unit for reading development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child does not read?
First be a role model yourself and read together. Instead of forcing, it is more effective to start with enjoyable books the child has chosen.
Is it enough to choose a book by its cover and illustrations?
No. The book should always be examined; the quality of the content, its language and its age suitability are more decisive than the cover and illustrations.
What should I watch out for in translated books?
The translator's expertise and the fluency of the language matter. A good translation directly affects the value of the book and its contribution to the child.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · Wishing you days filled with books.