The right book can help children enjoy reading and supports their learning, but with so many options, trying to find an appropriate book can be an overwhelming task for parents.
The Dymocks Guide to Children’s Books aims to help parents select the right book for their child, no matter what age, with recommendations ranging from birth to young adult.
“Few people will argue the importance of reading, and there is no greater gift you can give the child in your life than a love of reading,” said Jacquie Stratford, Managing Director, Dymocks Children’s Charities.
“We know that proficiency in reading is crucial to a young person’s future and one of the best ways of achieving this is to encourage children to read every day – just because they want to!
“Reading plays such a vital role in shaping your child’s education – if they miss the thrill of reading when they’re young, chances are they won’t recover this feeling. Through reading, parents can help develop their child’s imagination, enrich their vocabulary and instil in them the love of reading that can last a lifetime,” concluded Ms Stratford.
Featuring over 122 books, the selection is categorised across age groups, from classics to popular new releases including:
- Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years): The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Early Readers (3-5 years): Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Intermediate Readers (6-8 years): Selby’s Secrecy by Duncan Ball
- Older Readers (9-11 years): Wonder Struck byBrian Selznick
- Young Adult (12+ years): Eragon by Christopher Paolini
- Non-Fiction (for any age): Where’s Wally by Martin Handford
Dymocks’ top five tips to get your child reading
- Even small babies can enjoy books!
Babies love it when you read them stories, poems and rhymes. Board books and bath books are often the first books children will come across. They can be treated as toys, but they will help them learn how to handle books, how to turn pages and how to enjoy the shapes, colours and picture
- Choose books with colourful pictures and simple words
Encourage your toddler to point out objects, repeat words, and talk about the story. Children often want to listen to the same story again and again. This is fine, as it builds confidence and familiarity with words, and reinforces that stories are fun. Try to share books together each day, and not just at bedtime.
- Continue reading to your child
As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other. Don’t continually correct your child as that will ruin the flow of the story. Help your child develop reading comprehension and ask them open-ended questions about the story "What do you think will happen next?
- How can you tell if a book is “just right” for your child?
Use the five finger test – open the book to a middle page and ask your child to read - if there are less than 5 words they don’t know, then the book should be “just right” for them. It is also fine for them to choose an easy book (a holiday read) or a more challenging book but “just right” books will help your child practice their reading and gain experience.
- Proficiency in reading is crucial to a young person’s future
One of the best ways of achieving this is to encourage them to read every day for pleasure.
The challenge is to instil a sense of pleasure in reading by providing reading materials that young adults find interesting and relevant.
Dymocks 2012 Guide to Children’s Booksare available online at www.dymocks.com.au and in all Dymocks stores throughout Australia.
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