How to pick the right books for kids…

And not spend precious time and money to just decorate your bookshelves!

There are books and there are good books. And when it comes to kids’ books, there is a very thin line separating the two.

I am no expert at reviewing books, but I know when I read a good one and can easily differentiate it from one that is just put out there without much thought.

Like a kid at a candy store, I too go crazy at a book store, especially in the kid’s section. Because reading together is one of the best ways my son and I spend time together. You can find a way to get your kids to take to books at an early age too.

Over time, I have built a checklist and process for myself when I buy books for my little boy. This article is just to share these tiny tips with you.

Pick a book that is attractive, but don’t judge only by the cover.

Kids’ books are meant to look attractive and colorful, and yes kids love this but look beyond the cover to understand what the story is about before you blindly buy.

There are very interesting covers, and I have fallen for them too, but the stories within have nothing to convey. 🙁

Unfortunately, the stories in this book are not great, but the colors and illustrations are brilliant!

Read the book, preferably fully before you purchase.

Kid’s books (especially those for young ones) are not too long or big, even if they are you can definitely read a couple of pages. Make sure to check the language, the context, and the illustrations in detail.

I have put back books on the shelves because they had grammatical errors, unnecessary violence, narrow-mindedness & even negative endings. P.S — Many classics of the yesteryears are definitely NOT right for kids today like ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘Little Mermaid’, ‘Sleeping Beauty, and more. I hope my son doesn’t get to read them at all.

I even put back a book because the first page had the word ‘BORED’ and my son at 4 years has still not been introduced to that word.

Find a book that teaches your child something new.

Every book you buy need not be ‘educational’. They can just be fun stories too, but look for those that have something your kid doesn’t talk much about. You may think the child will not like the book, but over time, that book will be the reason they learn something.

I try to buy books with a character/animal he likes, or an activity he does (swimming in our case) so there is a connection, but choose one that talks about a new concept.

Don’t buy too many books that are too similar.

One mistake we all do is buy a bunch of things together because our kid is in ‘that phase’. This makes them stay in that phase a bit longer than needed. when they may be ready for newer things. Also, similar books make kids outgrow them sooner and they would not get the value out of them.

If you do buy a series, get books out to read one by one and alternate them with other books.

Be prepared to answer questions about the story and the book.

From experience, I can confidently say that there can be a ‘why’ on every page. ‘Why does this lady look like this?’; ‘Why did that boy say that?’; ‘Why is this broken’?; ‘Why did she do that to him?’ — Remember you cannot say ‘I don’t know — so when you get a book for your kid, be prepared to answer these questions and pick a book that allows you to as you are the closest to the author they have got with that book.

This page has brought up more than 10 questions for discussion during a reading session.

Look for hidden messages beyond the words in a book.

Many new age books (especially for younger kids) have ‘Notes to Parents’ where the author directly tells you the thought behind the book & the story. Make sure to read it and see if you connect with it. These notes also help you have conversations with kids beyond the pages of the book and make reading fun for everyone.

Even when there are no explicit notes, you can read a few pages to see if within a story more morals, ideas, and concepts are being conveyed and pick one which aligns with your thought process.

This note is from a book, Hairdresser in a Hairless Town that is available on Amazon.

I hope this checklist helps you when you find yourself confused in the bookstore.

As a new-age kid’s author the books I have published definitely try to fit this checklist. Would love your feedback if you do choose to get your hands on these books. You can buy them on Amazon 👇

Get a copy of Amma’s Work From Home Buddy Get a copy of Hairdresser in a Hairless Town

Originally published at https://yajurchronicles.com on August 19, 2022.