Books For Children

Literacy is an essential skill that strongly impacts a child's future. Reading to and with your child not only creates a strong parent-child bond, but it also forms good habits and teaches a child that reading can (and should) be a fun experience. The Association of American Publishers cites various findings about the impact of reading on a child's development here. While you are probably already aware of the importance of literacy in a child's development, the findings are worth taking a look.

Books By Age

Children of different ages have different needs when it comes to reading. Below, some suggestions for what to look for. You can  find suggestions below from the National Education Association  (compiled by teachers across the country) and from About.com. Up-to-date children's book releases are listed by The Children's Book Council, and the New York Times.

All-Time Best Sellers From Publishers Weekly The Poky Little Puppy  The Tale of Peter Rabbit  Tootle  Green Eggs and Ham  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  Pat the Bunny  Saggy Baggy Elephant  Scuffy the Tugboat  The Cat in the Hat  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  Where the Sidewalk Ends  One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish  The Giving Tree  The Littlest Angel  Hop on Pop  Oh, the Places You'll Go!  Dr. Seuss' ABC  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone  The Very Hungry Caterpillar  The Children's Bible  A Light in the Attic  The Tale of Benjamin Bunny  Are you My Mother?  The Rainbow Fish  The Cat in the Hat  Richard Scarry's Best Word Book  Disney's the Lion King  The Tale of Jemina Puddle-Duck  The Little Engine That Could  Fox in Socks  Goodnight Moon (board book)  The Real Mother Goose  Go, Dog. Go!  How the Grinch Stole Christmas  The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin  The Tale of Tom Kitten  Macmillan Dictionary for Children  Winnie-the-Pooh  My Book About Me (by Me, Myself)  Magazines for Children Discovery Girls  Boys Quest  Girl's Life Magazine  Nickelodeon Magazine  Highlights  Pack-O-Fun  Muse  National Geographic Kids  Ranger Rick  Sports Illustrated for Kids  Time for Kids  The Cricket family of literary magazines Babybug  (6 mo - 2 yrs.) Ladybug  (2-6) Spider  (6-9) Cricket  (9-14) Cicada  (14 and up)

Babies & Infants

It's never too early to introduce a child to reading.  Soft books are best for babies so they can bang them on the table or chew on them without hurting themselves or the book. Sturdy, yet lightweight books are good for toddlers. Some good subjects to choose from for this age group are ABC's,  colors,  numbers,  picture books,  bedtime stories,  and nursery rhymes.  Good Night Moon  by Margaret Wise Brown  is a classic bedtime story for young children. The Rainbow Fish  by Marcus Pfister  is an award winning story which teaches children the value of sharing. The book contains colorful and shiny illustrations, which are perfect for capturing the child's attention. The Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle  is a very popular book featuring large illustrations with bright colors. Pat the Bunny  by Dorothy Kunhardt  is an interactive book that includes various materials for babies and young children to touch and feel, which encourages involvement with the book. Ten Little Ladybugs  by Melanie Gerth  is another interactive book great for introducing counting. For the most up-to-date releases in this category, see Barnes and Noble's best-selling Baby and Preschool books right now.

Children 4-8 years old

At this stage, choose books with more text and less pictures. The Polar Express  by Chris Van Allsbury  is a classic Christmas story featuring beautiful illustrations. Green Eggs and Ham  by Dr. Seuss  is a critically acclaimed book which encourages children to try new things. You can't go wrong with Dr. Suess! The Cat in the Hat  by Dr. Seuss  is an excellent book for children who are learning to read. It tells a fun, entertaining story using very basic and simple vocabulary. Where the Wild Things Are  by Maurice Sendak  is an award-winning and imaginative picture book. It is considered a classic in children's literature. Love You Forever  by Robert N. Munsch  is a heartwarming story of the relationship between a mother and son as the boy grows up. The Mitten  by Jan Brett  is based on a Ukrainian folk tale. It tells the story a young boy who loses his mitten in the snow, providing a multitude of animals with a cozy new home. Stellaluna  by Janell Canon  tells the story of a baby bat adopted by a family of birds. It teaches children to be themselves and embrace each other's differences. For the most up-to-date releases in this category, see Barnes and Noble's best-selling books (ages 4-8) right now.

Children 9-12 years old

Children at this age can advance to chapter books with longer, more involved plots in order to continue their progress in reading.  Here are some classics to choose from: Charlotte's Web  by E.B. White  is the popular story of friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider. Hatchet  by Gary Paulsen  details a young boy's fight for survival following a plane crash in the wilderness. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe  by C.S. Lewis  is the first novel of the famous fantasy series The Chonicles of Narnia . Bridge to Terabithia  by Katherine Paterson  won the 1978 Newbery Medal. The novel tells the tale of a friendship between a young girl and boy and the imaginary world they create together. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  by Roald Dahl  tells the story of young Charlie's adventures in Willy Wonka's extraordinary candy factory. A Wrinkle in Time  by Madeleine L'Engle is another Newbury Medal winner. This imaginative fantasy novel contains elements of mystery and adventure as the story's young heroine travels through space to search for her father. For the most up-to-date releases in this category, see Barnes and Noble's best-selling books (ages 9-12) right now.

Foreign Language Books
	Bilingual Books for Kids  are a great resource for children studying a foreign language whether it's in or out of school. Bilingual books are especially helpful in families that are trying to raise bilingual children. Choose the level according to the child's exposure and skill level. The American Library Association offers a thorough list of bilingual children's books.

Book Alternatives TumbleBooks -- Check out this e-book Web site especially for kids that features favorites with sound and visuals. You may be able to set up an account through the child's school to access books online from home. Audio Books  -- You listen to them. So does that mean that your children should too? Here's a positive response to the idea. Listening Library ABC Audio Books AudioFile Magazine reviews Kid's Audio Books Super Fun Books in Action features Trisket and Bisket, in a movie and picture book learning experience. External Links American Academy of Pediatrics -- A reliable resource for information on how reading impacts children and how to incorporate it in your home. Scholastic  -- An interactive site for kids all about books. Reading Is Fundamental -- Read-alongs, parental guides, book lists, and more. About.com -- A straightforward guide for parents. Parent Center -- For new parents and those with preschoolers.