Creating a library or collection of children's books in your home can be a fun and easy way to jump start your young child's listening, language, and literacy skills. In addition, children learn other skills from books such as life lessons, facts, and important values. Books can also expose your child to diversity.
If you are not sure where to begin, below are 10 recommended categories of books and book suggestions to help get you started on creating the perfect little library in your home.
1. Alphabet books. These books highlight the alphabet, often in alphabetical order, and teach children the alphabetical principle in a fun or creative way. Frequently alphabet books utilize alliteration to highlight letter sounds such as in the phrase "alligators all around," from Maurice Sendak's book with the same title, or pair the letter with an object that starts with its sound, like A is for apple. Alphabet books like Chica Chica Boom Boom, a favorite among preschool teachers, incorporate letter names into the story line. Given their ease for teaching such an important early literacy skill, alphabet books should be a staple in any child's home library.
2. First word books. A first word book is one that pairs a picture of an object with its name. Aimed at teaching infants and toddlers new vocabulary, these books are not known for having a plot, but you can often find first word books organized around a theme such as colors, objects, or even love. First word books can be used long after your child graduates from the toddler phase, too. Older children learning another language can practice their skills with first word books, and these books expose children to some decodable words which follow the rules of phonics like cup, cat, or bike. The versatility of first word books makes them a great addition to your child's home library now and for years to come.
3. A collection of nursery rhymes or poetry books. Every child's home library should include at least one collection of nursery rhymes or a poetry book because they are beneficial for helping children learn the foundational skills for reading. In particular, children gain phonological and phonemic awareness, and children with stronger skills in these areas generally have an easier time learning to read. Phonological awareness is a broad term for being able to identify and manipulate larger parts of spoken language such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes; it also includes awareness of oral rhymes, alliteration and intonation. Phonemic awareness is a narrower term that is a subset of phonological awareness and includes identifying and manipulating individual phonemes (or sounds) in spoken words. Classic nursery rhyme collections include The Real Mother Goose and Mary Englebreit’s Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Versus. Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, a collection of children’s poetry,and Runny Babbit, a book with spoonerisms and rhyming verse, are examples that can also help foster these early literacy skills.
4. Classic picture books. Classic picture books that you can read on repeat will build lasting memories - which is why they are a valuable addition to your child's home collection. Most adults recall a book from their childhood that they adored, and chances are, it is a book that has stood the test of time and still read to children today. Your child's home library should include a few classics with beloved characters, vivacious illustrations, and inspiring storylines - all things that make them a "classic." This blog post from Childhood 101 highlights 50+ classic children's books to help you remember some you may have forgotten, or may want to explore for the first time with your own child.
5. Wordless books. Wordless books are exactly what they sound like – books with no words, or sometimes, very few words. These books tell the story through the illustrations and promote storytelling, imagination, critical thinking, and language development. What is more, you can “read” these books regardless of your child’s reading level. Wordless books are beneficial for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children alike and will be a part of your child's home library for many years. For infants, wordless books such as Tana Hoban’s Black and White or White on Black are a visually stimulating activity; for older children, Chalk by Bill Tomson is a favorite and wordless books by Dan Wiesner such as Flotsam and Mr. Wuffles are high recommended.
6. Non-fiction books. A non-fiction book is one filled with facts and information. You can find a non-fiction book on nearly anything and everything you would like to learn about or explore. Non-fiction books are a great way to teach your child about the parts of a book like the table of contents, chapters, or a glossary. Many non-fiction books include photographs instead of illustrations, truly bringing the outside world into your own home. Relate the topic of the non-fiction book to your child’s personal experiences or activate prior knowledge on the topic through discussion for an extra boost in learning. Given the vast learning potential of non-fiction books, they should be included in a start-up children’s home library. If you are looking for a few to get your collection started, non-fiction books from DK include many topics for kids to dive into.
7. Books that teach life lessons or other skills. Books are not only useful in enhancing early literacy skills, but they can also teach your child important lessons about life and values such as kindness, perseverance, respect, or courage. Since books on these topics can spark lively or thoughtful conversations, you’ll want to think about the life lessons, values, or concepts you want to instill in your child and do a little research to find the best books on those topics. That said, here’s a list of books that would be valuable to any home library.
The Invisible String tackles the topic of fear of being separated from a loved one. Insecurity, anxiety, and fear are emotions that will come and go throughout stages of early childhood and having this book at your fingertips in your library will prove to be useful in many situations.
Those Shoes is a story about a boy who longs for a pair of shoes that everyone at school is wearing, but his family cannot give into what they “want” and have to worry about what they “need” - like new winter boots. The book has a moral that is definitely worth teaching and in the end the boy learns to be thankful for what he does have.
I Like Myself carries a valuable lesson for young children and that is to simply embrace your individuality and what makes you special. All children need to hear that it is OK to be different and learn to love themselves, even the things they may not like.
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share is a great book to have in your library since sharing is a common early childhood skill that you’ll want your child to learn, and one that often does not come easily to many children. The Rainbow Fish is a well-known children’s book with a similar moral and delightful animal characters. It is also available in a condensed board-book version for infants and toddlers.
My Friend is Sad is part of the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. At its core it is a tale about compassion, feelings, and friendship that serves as a kid-friendly learning experience. These characters are humorous too, so beware that your child will want to read this story on repeat and likely want to pick up others from this author, too.
8. Multicultural books or books with diverse characters. While books about diversity can fit into the latter category, they deserve a mention all on their own because they are a necessity for your home library and expose children to people who may be different from them. On the contrary, they may also reflect your own background or experience, and seeing oneself represented in a story is important for children, especially for those who are underrepresented in children’s books. Be sure to include in your collection books with children of different races, social or economic backgrounds, and special needs. The Colors of Us, The Name Jar, Hair Love, Happy Dreamer, The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies, and The Family Book are a few you may want to check out to see if they are a good fit for your home library.
9. Interactive books. As adults we want to instill a love of learning and reading into our children. Interactive books make this goal fun and a little easier. An interactive book is one that steers away from a traditional story line and engages the reader in a unique way. Interactive books would include lift-the-flap stories, search-and-find books, touch-and-feel books, or others that grab the reader’s attention in some way. Tap to Play and Press Here are creative books that feel like video games without the screen. Usborne’s Busy Train Track book comes with four tracks and pull-back train for hours of reading and fun. The Monster at the End of this Book is a classic interactive book with beloved Grover monster from Sesame Street and sure to be a family favorite.
10. Books specific to your child’s interests. Reading books that are interesting and meaningful to your child helps to build retention of skills and knowledge. What is more, books that your child finds interesting will provide motivation to read and motivation can sometimes be half the battle. Scholastic books are a good (and affordable) place to start looking for books on various subject areas or interest topics.
Having a well-rounded children's library in your home is one of the first steps in raising a reader! Read here to learn tips for making reading together even more fun and effective.
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