How to Choose Books Your Child Will Love {with a list of 101 books kids LOVE to read!} #reading #childrensbooks #books

If you’re anything like me, you love a good book - and you want your child to love reading just as much as you do.

Unfortunately, while some kids seem to take to reading gleefully and easily, others either show zero interest in the activity, are reluctant readers, or even (gasp!) hate reading.

But that may just be because they haven't found the right book yet!



For a bookworm, having a child who doesn’t share your passion for reading can be a tough pill to swallow.  

Even if you’re not exactly a bookworm, though, you still know that having a love of reading will offer your child so many amazing benefits and, of course, you want that for them.


The Benefits of Reading

There are so many benefits to raising kids who love to read, especially as it is such a great escape from the realities of everyday life.

However, there are so many more reasons to encourage a love of reading in your kids:
  • Reading expands their vocabulary
  • It opens their mind to different perspectives
  • Helps them develop empathy and compassion for others
  • Improves their memory
  • Increases knowledge
  • Sharpens their imagination

Whatever stage of  learning to read your child is at need not be a barrier to reading great books.

There are some amazing books out there for early readers, such as Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggy stories.

You can also introduce read aloud time as part of your family's routine, whether at bedtime or another time of day, and read books a couple or more levels above your child's own reading ability.

This way you can cover the classics with your children, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, and enjoy them again yourself too.



How to Encourage a Love of Reading

Ypu can help to give your child a lifelong love for reading by selecting books they’ll love to read - or hear read - from the earliest age.

Remember what fascinated you when you were little and consider what other books have been published over the years.

Many books, from Dr Seuss to Little Women are classics or much-loved tales for a reason!

One of the best ways to get kids interested in books is to encourage them to pick their own titles.

Head to your local library, a bookstore or even a thrift store or charity shop and let your kids decide what to bring home.

It will give you a great insight into their interests and what appeals to them.

If you can, set a budget and make this a regular event each month or quarter - or if you use the public library it's a free shopping trip!



New York Public Library Suggestions for Children’s Books

Here are 5 ways the New York Public Library has suggested you can evaluate books to see fi your child will love them:

1. See if you like it.

Great books appeal to all ages. Share your childhood favourites with your sons and daughters.

Think of the trip you’ll have down memory lane as you read them together years later.

You may also discover some new titles and learn something new along with your kids.


2. Look at the illustrations.

With many books, especially picture books and early readers, the pictures matter as much as the text. 

Images help you interpret the story.

However, books without words, such as this collection by Jim LaMarche, can give kids the chance to create their own masterpieces.


3. Welcome diversity.

Tales from other lands introduce your children to new cultures.

You can talk about what life is or was like for people in other parts of the world.



4. Get a little scared.

It’s natural for parents to be protective, but we all need to face our fears.

Fiction is a safe way for kids to explore dark woods and meet monsters in the safety of their own home. 

This experience prepares them for real life challenges.


5. Check for deeper messages.

Moral direction is an important part of literature.

Think about The Velveteen Rabbit. He learns that being real sometimes hurts, but it’s worth it.

You become authentic and loved, even if you look a little shabby.

What a great life lesson!


Use these suggestions and other tips for helping your kids find some awesome books to read.



More Ideas on Selecting Children’s Books

One of the keys to keeping kids love of reading strong is to know when to drop it.

You may think it's amazing and a must-read by age X, but if your child seems bored with the story, put it aside for later.

Switch to something that captivates them and keep story time fun!

When picking books for them to read to you or to read by themselves, understanding reading levels is important.

Check the publisher’s age recommendations on the book jacket.

Reading levels are mostly determined by the vocabulary and complexity of the story.

If your child struggles to read, or has to look up or ask you the meaning of more than five words per page, the book is probably too complicated for them.



Here are some more tips on how to choose books your child will love:

1. Describe familiar events.

Younger - and older - children like hearing about their own lives and interests.

Favourite subjects might include the adventures of a family pet, welcoming a new baby sister, or visiting with grandparents.


2. Engage in fantasy.

On the other hand, make believe characters and worlds have a magic of their own.

Let your child exercise his power of imagination with The Hobbit or Harry Potter.


3. Complete the series.

If you’re stumped about what to read next, serials make your work easier.

Try works that are published in a series or browse online for recommendations that are similar to books your child already loves.


4. Rhyme and repeat.

There’s a good reason why children love watching the same cartoon endlessly.

Many of the words are still new to them so repetition is reassuring.

Text with repeating and rhyming lines also makes it easier for your children to join in and read to you.


5. Don't forget other media.

Books are excellent, but there are many other ways to encourage reading.

Shop for comic books and graphic novels.

Make a game out of grocery shopping or driving home by observing the signs around you.



Books That Get Kids to Love Reading

Reading with your children creates pleasure, builds their language skills and knowledge base, and helps them to do better in school.

Make story time even better by choosing books that will enthrall them.

There are as many ways to encourage kids to read as there are books in the world - so keep searching for books they'll love.

This list of 101 fantastic books kids LOVE may be a great place to start...

Just click on the pink writing to read more or to purchase.
  1. The Monster at The End of This Book
  2. The Book With No Pictures
  3. Elephant and Piggie series
  4. Amelia Bedelia
  5. Magic Tree House series
  6. The Adventures of Dog Man
  7. The Adventures of Captain Underpants
  8. Cat Kid Comic Club
  9. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
  10. Paddington
  11. Roald Dahl books
  12. The Baby-Sitters Club
  13. The Borrowers
  14. Encyclopedia Brown
  15. The Boxcar Children
  16. The Penderwicks
  17. My Weird School Series
  18. Frog and Toad
  19. Ivy and Bean
  20. Junie B. Jones
  21. Spiderwick Chronicles
  22. Pippi Longstocking
  23. The Chronicles of Narnia
  24. A Series of Unfortunate Events
  25. Heartwood Hotel series
  26. The Mysterious Benedict Society
  27. The Books of Elsewhere
  28. The Lunar Chronicles
  29. Origami Yoda
  30. The Wildwood Chronicles
  31. Timmy Failure
  32. The Unwanteds
  33. The Tale of Despereaux
  34. The Hobbit
  35. The Lord of the Rings
  36. The Phantom Tollbooth
  37. A Wrinkle in Time
  38. The Girl Who Drank the Moon 
  39. The Wild Robot
  40. Swallows and Amazons
  41. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
  42. Fortunately, the Milk
  43. Crenshaw
  44. Watership Down
  45. The City of Ember
  46. Ghosts
  47. The Wind In The Willows
  48. Roller Girl
  49. Coraline
  50. Bone
  51. Charlie Bone
  52. Hachiko Waits
  53. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
  54. Nevermoor
  55. Spy School
  56. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
  57. Beezus and Ramona
  58. Lunch Lady
  59. Nancy Drew series
  60. Mighty Robot series
  61. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
  62. The Star of Kazan 
  63. Smile
  64. The Wayside School
  65. Journey to the River Sea
  66. Judy Moody
  67. Flat Stanley 
  68. Nate the Great
  69. The Bad Guys
  70. Bad Kitty for President
  71. Captivating Stories for Curious Kids
  72. The Hundred Dresses
  73. Little House on the Prairie series
  74. The Trumpet of the Swan
  75. Harriet the Spy
  76. Harry Potter
  77. The Secret Lake
  78. Charlotte's Web
  79. The Maze Runner
  80. Emil and the Detectives
  81. Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl
  82. Percy Jackson series    
  83. Skellig
  84. The One and Only Ivan
  85. Holes
  86. The Silver Sword
  87. Anne of Green Gables
  88. Bridge to Terabithia
  89. The Indian in the Cupboard
  90. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
  91. His Dark Materials trilogy
  92. Tuck Everlasting
  93. Little Women
  94. The Secret Garden 
  95. A Little Princess
  96. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
  97. Ballet Shoes
  98. Varjak Paw
  99. How to Train Your Dragon
  100. Island of the Blue Dolphins
  101. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH


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