How to choose the best books for your pre-reader
by Maile Carpenter
Children's sections of libraries and bookstores can be overwhelming, especially when your child is just beginning to show an interest in books. How do you decide which books are best for a pre-reader? Here are six suggestions from reading specialists, teachers, and experienced parents:
Find rhyming and word pattern books. Preschoolers love to hear books with rhymes and word patterns, especially ones that are easy to memorize. They love to join in when they know how to finish a sentence: "One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE fish!" Look for books with short, rhyming sentences and predictable structure: nursery rhymes, counting books, alphabet books, and poetry books. Books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and the poet Shel Silverstein are good choices.
Share your childhood favorites. Winnie-the-Pooh, Goodnight, Moon, and Go, Dog, Go!: Yes, they're still around! Browse through the library or bookstore and look for the books you loved when you were starting to read. Find out whether your parents still have your first books packed away. The classics never go out of style.
Choose books with colorful illustrations. Words aren't the main attraction for pre-readers. Pick out books with vibrant colors and beautiful pictures, and talk about the pictures with your child. When you're reading the story to your child, stop once in a while to discuss the picture and how it relates to the story. This prepares your child for the early reading stage, when he'll use pictures for clues about what each page says.
Pick books that fit your child's interest. Choose books about his favorite subjects: cars, trucks, zoo animals — even television characters such as Barney or the Teletubbies. The idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book. Take your child along with you to the library or bookstore. Don't restrict your child to one age group or subject. With reading, anything (within reason!) goes.
Look for books your child can manipulate. Pre-readers are drawn to books that do things. Show them how fun reading can be with bathtub books, pop-up books, big books (oversized books are often sold in teacher supply stores), squeaky books — anything to keep your child turning the pages.
Seek expert advice. Librarians and preschool teachers know from experience what kinds of books preschoolers love. Ask for their recommendations.
Find rhyming and word pattern books. Preschoolers love to hear books with rhymes and word patterns, especially ones that are easy to memorize. They love to join in when they know how to finish a sentence: "One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE fish!" Look for books with short, rhyming sentences and predictable structure: nursery rhymes, counting books, alphabet books, and poetry books. Books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and the poet Shel Silverstein are good choices.
Share your childhood favorites. Winnie-the-Pooh, Goodnight, Moon, and Go, Dog, Go!: Yes, they're still around! Browse through the library or bookstore and look for the books you loved when you were starting to read. Find out whether your parents still have your first books packed away. The classics never go out of style.
Choose books with colorful illustrations. Words aren't the main attraction for pre-readers. Pick out books with vibrant colors and beautiful pictures, and talk about the pictures with your child. When you're reading the story to your child, stop once in a while to discuss the picture and how it relates to the story. This prepares your child for the early reading stage, when he'll use pictures for clues about what each page says.
Pick books that fit your child's interest. Choose books about his favorite subjects: cars, trucks, zoo animals — even television characters such as Barney or the Teletubbies. The idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book. Take your child along with you to the library or bookstore. Don't restrict your child to one age group or subject. With reading, anything (within reason!) goes.
Look for books your child can manipulate. Pre-readers are drawn to books that do things. Show them how fun reading can be with bathtub books, pop-up books, big books (oversized books are often sold in teacher supply stores), squeaky books — anything to keep your child turning the pages.
Seek expert advice. Librarians and preschool teachers know from experience what kinds of books preschoolers love. Ask for their recommendations.
