Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well with the Carrie Connection

Bookstores, libraries and some supermarkets have storybooks for children. There are lots of books, but how can you tell which ones are suitable for a particular child?

There are no simple answers or definite rules. Adults decide based on their knowledge, values, interest and those of the child. Children choose stories because they like the subject matter, the pictures, a funny title or because they're already familiar with the story.

Enjoying a story depends on background, personal values and choices and how children's needs and experiences are interpreted. An adult may like a book or story because it was enjoyed as a child or because it deals with an issue that was memorable from childhood. Or an adult may choose a story because he or she knows it is one the child will like. These reactions are like filters that color the perceptions of a book's quality.

Personal likes and dislikes mean that parents, teachers, critics and children may disagree on whether a specific book is good. For some children, the illustrations may be too fearsome, while for others they will be acceptable; or the language may be okay for some, yet too harsh for others; or it may be a question of the values portrayed, realism or abstraction. Rather than accept someone else's opinion, parents should feel comfortable with a book or story before reading it to their children.

When considering a book's merits, keep in mind the characteristics that make a book pleasing to look at, listen to and read. Professionals in children's literature suggest the following standards for evaluating a book:

The illustrations should stand alone as art. Look at the pictures. Are they visually attractive? Will they be pleasing to children? Or are they poorly drawn, with either too much or too little detail?

The book's format should be visually pleasing. Skim through the pages. Is the design of the book simple and attractive? Is there enough spacing between lines and between text and illustrations?

What is the quality of the binding and paper? Will the book become damaged with ordinary handling?

The text and illustrations should work together to tell the story. Very young children "read" a book by looking at the pictures. Pictures should support the mood of the text and be near the text they illustrate. Look at the sequence of drawings. The illustrations should help tell the story so a non-reader can follow the story.

The writing should approximate poetry. Read the book aloud. How does the combination of words sound? Does it read easily? Is the vocabulary appropriate for the age of the child?

The story should have interesting and believable characters. Examine the main characters in the story. Do they seem alive and real even though the story itself might be quite fanciful? As you read the book, how do you feel about the characters? Do you react to them or do you feel uninterested in their actions? Check to see if the characters perpetuate any sex, age or ethnic stereotypes.

Use the Nevada County Library to help you find the types of books and stories that feel right to you and your child. What better place than your local library to discover books?

The Nevada County Library is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

There are many wonderful books for children. If you feel comfortable in reading the book, it is probably right for your child.