BestKids Guide to Buying Books for Young Readers

Buying a present for your favorite young readers?
How do you know what reading level is best to choose when book shopping?
The following are just a few suggestions on how choose the BEST book for your BestKid.

For me there is nothing more exciting than finding a good children's book with bright pictures, exciting stories, and memorable characters. As an early elementary school teacher I've seen first hand the impact reading at home can make on a student's success in literacy. Find books you both enjoy and read them together. Start as early as you can and adjust to your child's attenion span with the book. Always keep it fun, relaxing, and encouraging. Home reading should be a positive experience. So, if you and your child are not having fun, stop, reboot and find a different book. 

HOW TO CHOOSE A READING LEVEL
If you know your reader well you can go by the LEVEL READING chart on each of Best Publishing Company Kids books. While each reader develops at their own rate these levels can be broken down to generalized grades/ages. Remember, this is more of a guideline. Readers develop at their own speed and age is just a number. Also, reading to children at any age no matter their reading level is beneficial to their literacy development and the parent-child bond.
(See the article below for more on these benefits)

Level 1- young non-readers (2-4) and pre-school to 1st grade readers (4-6)  will appreciate the repetion of simple, words and bright pictures making it easy to add to their vocabulary and learn how to use pictures as context clues.

"If You Could Swim With a Fish, What Would You See?" by Barbara Petersen

Level 2- non-readers (any age) and independent readers K - 2nd grade readers (5-7) will find the short sentences, familiar words, and simple stories engaging. These books build their confidence as a readers and are great for learning story sequencing. 

"If You Could Be A Fish" by Barbara Petersen
"Big Whale, Big City" by Paul L. Sieswerda & llustrated by Joy S. Reidenberg

Level 3- non-readers (3+) and independent readers 2nd-4th grade (7-10) Longer sentences with short paragraphs, more complex vocabulary, and engaging stories draw children into the book. Most books at this level will be read by and to children over and over again so pick books you all will enjoy. 

"Harry Hawksbill Helps His Friends" by Paul Mila
"Larry Loggerhead Travels To The Sea Turtle Hospital" by Paul Mila
"Gracie Green Turtle Finds Her Beach" by Paul Mila
"Sally Stingray Finds Her Way Home" by Paul MIla & Luke Chiappetti
"If Fish Could Talk" "If Fish Could Talk" by Barbara Petersen
"Sea the Sea" by Alese adn Morton Pechter

Level 4- non-readers (4+) and independent readers 2nd-5th grade (7-11) Complex sentences with longer paragraphy, more challenging vocabulary, and intricate stories will keep readers entertained and learning for a very long time.

"What is a Fish" by: Peter Allinson, Andrew Malbin, and Elmer Yu
"Unusual Underwater Creatures" by Peter Allinson, Andrew Malbin, and Elmer Yu
"Skyward Bound: Hot-Air Ballooning" by Alese and Morton Pechter
"Beneath Pearl Harbor: Young Reader Edition" by Naomi Blinick
"The Pooch Chronicals" by Clint Schoen
"Luminous Finds Her Aura" by John Heine, Illustrated by Kirsten Carlson

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO READ to your child. 
Here is one of my favorite articles about the benefits why behind reading is important for kids and parents can be uncovered in this article by Child Mind Institute. Enjoy.

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