How to Choose Picture Books for Your Kids

Picture books introduce your little one to the world of reading. While picture books for babies typically contain no more than a word or two on each page, other picture books tell a story in simple text. Still others contain predictable text that helps your child learn basic skill necessary for reading or through the use of rhymes. Which type of book you choose depends on your child̵7;s age, interests and developmental level.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose books with bold images and simple designs when looking for books for babies. Images of common objects or animals encourage your baby to begin the important task of identifying common objects by name. Read the book with your baby by naming the pictures and talking about what you see. Encourage her to repeat the name and gradually move to asking her to identify the picture.

    • 2

      Select picture books with quality images and rhyming text for toddlers. This helps your little one learn to identify similar sounds and may encourage him to memorize short sections of text. Books that tell a story teach your child that books provide information or entertainment. Many toddlers enjoy retelling the story by looking at the pictures.

    • 3

      Provide preschoolers with picture books featuring predictable text. Predictable texts take advantage of repeating the same line or a similar line throughout the book, such as ̶0;and then the rabbit hopped away,̶1; ̶0;and then the horse galloped away,̶1; and ̶0;and then the caterpillar crawled away.̶1; These books help your preschooler make connections between the written word and the story and allow him to join in the fun of reading before he is actually able to read.

    • 4

      Give beginning readers picture books that tell a story in simple text that they can read on their own. Even though your little one may be sounding out words and beginning to read on his own, children at this age rely heavily on visual clues to meaning. Books for beginning readers may contain predictable text or rhymes, but may also tell a story with easy-to-read text.

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