Trevor has posted a helpful piece on The challenges of choosing books for children.
What criteria do you use for selecting books for your kids?
Sure we need to ask about reading levels, enjoyment and appropriate content regarding the child’s development. I also want to be asking questions about …
- How does this book foster my child’s imagination?
- Does this book support or undermine some of the values I’m trying to instill in her?
- Is the artwork good, beautiful and true?
- Is this a book that she might enjoy reading on their own?
- Will I enjoy it? Will I look forward to reading it the 30th time?
What criteria do you use for selecting books for your kids?
jasongoroncy.com 
Both my sons (14 and 12) have been raised in a home over-flowing with books–I think they taught themselves to read largely by going through CALVIN & HOBBES collections over and over again. They are critical readers, analyzing not just the story but also how well it’s written. When seeking out books for them, I look for offerings with some element of the fantastic, well-conceived and written, a work that challenges their reading and comprehension skills. A big favorite around here of late has been Walter Moers’ CITY OF DREAMING BOOKS. He’s a German writer and he’s imagined this entire country of Zamonia
where–well, check it out for yourself, it’s amazing. We have two of his other books on order at the library as well. “Best book since GOLDEN COMPASS,” which, coming from Sam, is high praise indeed…
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Thanks Cliff. Your description of ‘a home over-flowing with books’ echoes our own experience. I don’t underestimate the power of this message (i.e. of being surrounded with books). One of the messages (‘rules’) that we have for our two-year-old is not to stand on books. I really want her to grow up respecting books as well as being a discerning reader.
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You have brought up very valid points in what to look for when choosing books for our little ankle biters. Of course I won’t have mine for 7 weeks now, but just the same me being an avid reader I will certainly get good books for my boy. Although, as of yet I have only thought about acquiring some of the fun books I had as kid such as Winnie the Pooh, Shel Silverstein and Calvin and Hobbes (which I saved the entire collection). My home was filled with thousands of books to browse through, so I want the same opportunity for my kids. In addition to fun books, I also want to have books which are more thought provoking and invoke questions and offer educational tools. So I will have to put more thought into this, and do a lot of browsing book shelves for ideas. That photo of the kid is rad, I’m gonna have to shoot one like that.
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