Choosing books starts with your child's interests

Adults often look for the book a child ought to read. Children may be drawn to a picture, a character or a particular question. Start with that curiosity and explore other subjects together over time.

Try a few pages

Let your child look at the pictures, contents and a short passage. Ask whether they want to find out what happens next. If unfamiliar words repeatedly interrupt the reading, the book may work better as a shared read than an independent one.

Make room for different kinds of books

Comics, poems, stories and nature books can all belong on the shelf. A football enthusiast might choose a sports story; someone who likes drawing may prefer richly illustrated books. An interest is a starting point, not a permanent boundary.

Borrow before buying

Swap books with families you know or look in a library to try different choices. Check second-hand books for missing pages and readable, clean copies. There is no need to buy a whole series after enjoying the first volume.

Allow a change of mind

Leaving a book unfinished is not a failure. Ask what made it difficult to continue and try something else. A book set aside today might become interesting later.

For a practical starting point, see “Read together, fifteen minutes at a time” in our Programs section.