BOOK NOTES by Dr. Joan Ruddiman
You really want to give the little ones books this holiday season, but you are overwhelmed by the choices. What kinds of books do kids like? What is too hard to read? Too easy? Where to begin?!
My life (lives, actually) revolve around middle-school kids and quite grown-up kids so I’m as rusty as you are with knowing what little kids are reading. However, I know where to find some answers. What follows are suggestions for kids’ books that came from a recent shopping-for-ideas at the just-opened Barnes and Noble in Hamilton.
Every child needs to learn nursery rhymes. If shopping for a preschooler, look for classic Mother Goose or anthologies of poems and stories with wonderful illustrations that are perfect for bedtime read-alouds. What a nice gift to give a family.
There are many collections of bedtime stories. Look for the ones you loved as a kid, or thematic collections such as "brave dogs" or "heroic tales," or Bible stories. Check that the stories are about two to three pages long, just enough for a nighttime read aloud, and that the illustrations are big, bold and beautiful.
I just got a special family an edition of the Illustrated Classic "Swiss Family Robinson." The three boys, who are primary to upper elementary ages, can appreciate chapter books that have more of a story and developed characters. The illustrations help the younger listeners visual the action.
No kid can get too much of Christmas. The stores are full of holiday books like big, illustrated editions of Clement Moore’s "’Twas the Night Before Christmas." Tomie dePaola has many wonderful children’s books that make great read-alouds and can be read independently by young readers. He has a version of "Miracle on 34th Street" that is classic dePaolo pictures and plot.
Little kids love the Ahlbergs, Janet and Allan’s Jolly Postman. They have "The Jolly Christmas Postman" for the season. Another favorite, can’t-miss author is Mercer Mayer. Look for "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad." Another fun story with a worthwhile message!
For your little early-elementary friends, thoughtfully give books they can read by themselves. It is easier than ever to be to find "beginner readers," and they have better stories. Kids really like Junie B. Jones, Amelia Bedelia and Captain Underpants. These are fun for family read-alouds as well.
I do have to say, don’t even think about getting the reprinted "Dick and Jane" books. If you really explore the nostalgia the covers evoked by opening the book and actually reading the "story," you will remember why reading was not a whole lot of fun when you were in first grade.
Perhaps my bias is a bit intense, but truly, there are wonderful storybooks readily available. I thought the Dick and Jane books were dumb when I was in first grade and I still think they offer very little worth reading.
See if you can find out what authors your young readers like, or what series books they read. Novice readers love series books. They are predictable like a friend. Young readers like to know what to expect. Series books are formulated to have predictable plots, returning characters and the same readability level. Kids can pick up a book from a series they know what to expect and feel right at home.
"But all she reads is the ‘Baby Sitters Club’!" the parent laments.
So what? After reading dozens of these, like any real reader, she will tire of the predictability and move on to something new and more challenging. It is just a natural progression IF the child reads regularly. That’s why we want to give kids books they will enjoy, rather than something that is merely a phonics lesson.
For children you know well, look for books that relate to their interests. There are books on the sports they play, teams they follow, and the myriad activities kids do today like king-fu, ballet, horseback riding, skateboarding, music, art, scouting, etc., etc.
I met Kerry at the Hamilton Barnes and Noble. Kerry has been a children’s book buyer for more than five years. If you are overwhelmed by the array of choices in the children’s book section, find Kerry or Miss Steph at Borders or any of the knowledgeable booksellers that staff bookstores. Suggest a subject area or theme, provide the child’s age and delight in the number of books that appear to meet your specifications.
Most stores even provide wrapping service to support local charities. What could be easier?
Next week we will suggest books and more for young adolescents.
Joan Ruddiman, Ed.D., is a teacher and friend of the Allentown Public Library.

