Writing Children's Books with Robyn Opie Parnell: Choosing Children's Books

Choosing books for children can seem like a daunting task due to the huge number of available titles. It’s important to make good choices, too, because an inappropriate book can lead to boredom, frustration or both. Certain considerations will help to narrow down the choices.

1. Age Appropriateness - Be sure the topics explored in the book are not meant for a much older or younger audience, and the vocabulary and complexity of sentences and story line are not too difficult to follow or too simple to enjoy. Suggested age ranges can be found on the back of the book, on bookstore websites, or in bookstores and libraries.

2. Level of Independence – If the child will be reading to himself, the book will need to be less difficult than if he is reading aloud to you. If you’re choosing a book to read aloud to a child, you can look at titles that are written at one or two grade levels above the child’s independent reading level.

3. Art – Picture books introduce children to art along with literature; Caldecott Medal winners are children’s books that have been recognized specifically for the quality of the artwork. Remember that picture books are often written at a high reading level because it is assumed that they will be read aloud to the child.

4. Quality – Some bets are safer than others when you’re choosing from books you haven’t read. Look at time tested classics and winners of awards such as the Newbery Medal and the Geisel Award.

5. Topic – You may want to look for a fiction book that goes along with topics the child is studying. A search on any library OPAC or bookstore website will bring up children’s novels and picture books that pull in topics from history, science, social circumstances, and the arts.

6. Non-Fiction – When looking for a non-fiction book, be open to different formats. Since children learn best when they’re entertained, some of the best non-fiction books incorporate humor, illustrations or both.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for what’s available, searching for the perfect book for a child can become as enjoyable as picking out a gift for his birthday. If you carefully consider the purpose, difficulty and quality of books, you can confidently select appropriate books for children that will nurture their love of reading.

Author Bio:
Jason Miner, an expert freelance writer, loves writing articles on different categories. He is approaching different bloggers to recognize each other's efforts through http://www.blogcarnival.com. He can be contacted through e-mail at jasonminer8atgmaildotcom.

Examples - Books by Robyn Opie Parnell