Comments on: How to Choose Early Chapter Books {Parent Tips}

By: Brett Spore

Brett Spore — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:48:31 +0000

In reply to maryanne @ mama smiles. Graphic Novels are what got our son reading! At our library, we can search online for "graphic novels" and then we put them on hold to pick up later. Content is a major issue as our son's is only 7 and sensitive in some areas. Enjoy the journey. Some of the graphic novels are really good!

By: Kavitha

Kavitha — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:01:19 +0000

I just came across your website from my FB. Thank you so much for sharing these tips. My daughter who is 6 years old just started with her chapter books and I was wondering how to select a good/appropriate book for her. Your tips are really going to help me. Thank you.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:19:22 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Both my kids enjoyed the Ricky Ricotta series, too.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 21:51:24 +0000

My 5 year old has always gravitated towards books with nice illustrations. He tends to like art as well so now that we're getting into easy chapter readers, I make sure to buy ones that have nice color illustrations. We have been doing a lot books that could be considered both early chapter readers and graphic novels. And if something might be too difficult for him to read at the moment, I read it to him aloud at story time. I have caught him many times subsequently trying to read these books on his own. He is really into Princess Pink and the Land of Fake Believe and the Ricky Ricotta series right now. He also loves Ninjarella - the other books in that series are too mature I think but this one is fine for a 5 year old. And Rabbit & Robot.

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:15:27 +0000

In reply to Carolyn Hart. Yes, the 5 finger rule is a valuable tool. I hope parents read aloud even through the teen years! :)

By: Carolyn Hart

Carolyn Hart — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:00:50 +0000

These are good tips. I would also add that as your child begins to read early chapter books, it is important to continue reading aloud to him/her. We should help young readers understand the value of reading by reading books aloud that are too challenging for them to read indepently. The 5 finger rule is also worth remembering: if your child makes 5 mistakes on a page, the book is too difficult.

By: The Next Step

The Next Step — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:42:24 +0000

LOVE LOVE LOVE this thank you!! I have been struggling with that fine line between encouragement and pushing too hard with a 5 1/2 year old girl who likes books but is frustrated easily when she can't read all the words. Your tips are so easy to remember, thanks! Also, I shied away from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series because I didn't want my daughter to associate herself with "wimpy" - but I never even looked into the book. I'll give it a shot and I *know* she will love that Rabbit and Robot book - anything with bunnies grabs her attention. Thanks!!

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:54:41 +0000

In reply to Libby. Interesting, Libby. Thanks for your comment. Maybe you are referring to school libraries, but don't think libraries which arrange books by means other than Lexile scores are not good. Like other tools (incl. the ones I've mentioned), Lexile and other leveling systems are useful, but not prescriptive.

By: Libby

Libby — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:15:31 +0000

We use the Lexile scores. Every book has one & a good library has books arranged by score. Most libraries indicate the score on the outside of the book like schools do. My kids know exactly where to look and where not to bother. The only downside is that while that method is standard for elementary grades, not all upper grades do it.

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:50:52 +0000

In reply to Erin. Erin, that is my situation at present, too. 8 year olds are just on the cusp of reading middle grade novels. With my son I've started looking at award lists like the Newbery and Cyblis. Also classic kids chapter books tend to have more complicated sentence structure and vocabulary than contemporary counterparts so look for books in that category, too. I still always look at the age of the protagonist. If the age is 12, the book is probably not age appropriate, but reading the jacket tells me a lot about if the book is going to be too scary or mature. My 8 year old really enjoyed The Enormous Egg, recently, a book written in 1956. The Castle in the Attic might be another good book to try. Andrew Clements is a good contemporary author to look for. I hope this helps!