We all remember the books that raised us, and why they resonated. Maybe it was an outspoken protagonist or a richly described and immersive setting. Maybe the books were funny or contained a surprise plot twist you could never have predicted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know from the latest edition of Scholastic\u2019s Kids & Family Reading Report<\/a> that 94% of children agree, “My favorite books are the ones I have picked out myself” \u2013 although many still struggle to find books they like<\/a>. We also know that reading role models<\/a> are critical to instilling a love of reading. Those role models don’t have to be parents. Frequent readers have more encouragement to read from family members, friends, principals, teachers and school librarians than infrequent readers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help guide your book selections for kids, we asked Scholastic Executive Editor Amanda Maciel and Connecticut-based educator Cara Foley, parent to two teenagers, for their thoughts on what makes a great children\u2019s book. Surprisingly, both had the same response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Books Make Kids Feel \u2018Seen and Understood\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Books allow readers to learn about the world in ways they can relate to. Young readers will connect with books that mirror their own experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA great children\u2019s book makes readers feel seen and understood,\u201d says Maciel. \u201cIn fact, I think that\u2019s what makes a book great for all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maciel says her son was captivated by characters Nate the Great and Junie B. Jones from an early age, in part because of their \u201ctremendous presence.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFirst-person stories can be especially compelling,\u201d Maciel says. \u201cIt\u2019s entertaining as well as reassuring to watch these characters navigate their worlds with creativity, courage, and dignity. And the laughs along the way make them that much more fun and realistic \u2014 we all have struggles, but we all need to laugh, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foley agrees that it helps if a child can see themselves in what they\u2019re reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe biggest thing that makes a great children’s book is if a child can see themselves as well as others in the book,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a parent, you have the opportunity to gauge your child\u2019s interests as they evolve during their early days as readers, and guide them toward reading material you think they\u2019ll enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a Catchy Cover<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Content that invites introspection may be a core characteristic of the best books for kids, but Foley admits a catchy cover doesn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do think the cover plays a big part \u2014 it’s what piques the child’s interest first,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your child isn\u2019t picking books off the shelves themselves, try rearranging the titles so the covers face your child (rather than the spines). A book\u2019s cover, illustrations, and even typeface are considerations that may mean the difference between a child choosing to give a book a go versus putting it back on the shelf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOlder students who may not love reading tend to shy away from books with a lot of text, so font and spacing does play a role in what children choose to read,\u201d Foley says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experiment With New Books<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to finding the best books for kids, Scholastic editor Maciel prioritizes reading for enjoyment above anything else \u2014 especially reading according to age or grade level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery now and then I overhear a parent tell their child, \u2018That book is too young for you,\u2019 and I cringe,\u201d she says. \u201cReading for enjoyment always has to come first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children who choose books above or below their reading level<\/a> may be seeking different degrees of adventure or comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA \u2018younger\u2019 book can be a reassuring friend, just as an \u2018older\u2019 book can offer a safe place to explore new ideas before the real world can force them on us,\u201d Maciel says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever the reading level, when it comes to finding the best books for your child, experimentation is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy best advice would be to keep experimenting \u2014 and keep revisiting titles,\u201d Maciel says. \u201cTry reading a chapter together. If your kid wants to keep going, great! If not, put it back on the shelf for a few months.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try This Timeline to Discover Great Books for Every Age<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, Maciel offers a timeline for the types of books parents should include in their family\u2019s reading routine as their child grows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age 3-5:<\/strong> \u201cBooks you can read together are perfect at this stage,\u201d Maciel says, underscoring the value of bonding with your child during read-aloud time<\/a>. \u201cThis is also a perfect time to read everything else, too.\u201d Reading material that may capture your early reader\u2019s attention includes magazines, newspapers, recipes, and cereal boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Age 6-8:<\/strong> For children entering elementary school, Maciel says humor is the order of the day. \u201cThis is a great time to let kids pick out books that make them laugh, even if you don\u2019t think they\u2019re quite as funny as your youngster does.\u201d The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report indicates humor is the top characteristic children look for in books. Funny books<\/a> can be therapeutic, empowering, and even \u201cmake teaching stick.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maciel points out that reading together remains important at this age \u2014 even if your child has begun to read independently \u2014 because they\u2019re still building vocabulary and working on pronunciation. \u201cRead together when you\u2019re both entertained; let them reread that beloved gross-out humor book when you want a break!\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age 9-12: <\/strong> \u201cThis is the sweet spot for series, and for big ideas,\u201d Maciel says. She recommends the Wings of Fire series<\/a> by Tui T. Sutherland, which combines a fantasy setting with strong characters and humor, and the Front Desk books<\/a> by Kelly Yang \u2013 an award-winning series that explores the day-to-day lives of 10-year-old Mia and her immigrant parents who manage the Calivista Motel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth series tackle social justice in a variety of ways \u2014 perfect for readers aged 9 to 12 who are developing a sense of themselves and the world around them,\u201d Maciel says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Series have also proved popular in Foley\u2019s family, specifically after both daughters started losing interest in reading at around fourth grade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have found with both my daughters that their love of reading seemed to wane between fourth and sixth grade,\u201d Foley says. \u201cWith my sixth grader, finding a series that keeps her interest helps continue her love of reading.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may take some experimenting with the first book in a series<\/a> to find the right one for your child, but once they finish one book they love, they\u2019ll want to continue reading to see what happens next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n