Summer reading is a wonderful tradition you can begin with your child. So many of my childhood memories revolve around reading. Whenever we moved to a new town, the first thing we did was find the local library and get a library card. We visited the library at least once a week during the summer. We still share this tradition as adults. Each of us buys a few hot summer reads, then we pass them around to each other.
Since self-selected reading is one component of the building blocks of reading, you can turn your child loose in the children's section of the library and let her choose to her heart's content. The only drawback to this is that she is sure to choose books that are not at her level to actually read. This can be discouraging; so, a little parental guidance makes a more successful library trip. The public library doesn't rate books by reading level in the same way that many school libraries do, so a few guidelines will help you. I like the book level standards of the Seattle Public Schools for a simple overview that parents can use.
Emergent Readers
Books for kindergarteners to read are very short (8 pages) with few words on each page. They contain familiar, but interesting objects or actions and are predictable and patterned. Books such as the Bob books, Go Dog Go, Brown Bear Brown Bear, and Hop on Pop are good for your child to learn first reading. Because emergent readers recognize very few words, read-aloud picture books for shared reading time at home are still important at this age. Some of our favorite examples are Piggies, Edward the Emu, Owl Babies, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, We're Going on a Bear Hunt, and the Eric Carle and Leo Lionni books. Many more of our favorites are recommended at About Children's Books.
Early Readers
First and second grade books are still short and patterned with large text and many picture clues. Though they still have simple concepts and predictability, the text includes complex sentences for deeper reading. Humor and rhymes are hallmark of great first-grade books. Many first-graders are also ready for books that have more pages (up to 48) and short chapters with pictures throughout. Simple non-fiction books are also popular for this age. You can use the great Bookhive site to find recommended books for this age. Choose a topic that interests your child; and then, choose Primary (Grades K-3) from the top of the topic page. Since you still will be doing a lot of reading to your child at this age, you don't always have to choose books that he can read independently. Classic picture books such as The Polar Express, and all of Patricia Polacco's books, are our favorites. You can't go wrong with any of the Caldecott Medal books for quality reading time with your first-grade child.
Independent Readers
By third grade, children have the ability, but not always the motivation, to read simple books independently. Books for third graders vary widely in their vocabulary, text size, number of pages and pictures. It's important for kids at this age to choose their own books. They are learning to read in context and are rapidly increasing their vocabulary by reading books that contain unfamiliar words. Silly books with a real-life context are popular early chapter books for third graders. The Boxcar Children, Amelia Bedelia, Eloise, and books by Beverly Cleary, Louis Sachar, Betsy Byars, Paula Danziger and Matt Christopher are favorites for third graders. About Children's Books recommends many great early chapter books. You'll recognize books at this level because they still have pictures throughout the chapters.
Throughout the early reading years, reading aloud to your child is vitally important. When you read aloud, you introduce books that your child may not be able to read yet. So, be sure to include in your library and bookstore choices some books that are highly interesting to your child, but are for you to read during storytime. I read A.A. Milne's The House on Pooh Corner to my children as preschoolers, as well as fairy and folk tales such as Jump! The Adventures of Brer Rabbit. Books of poetry and classics in children's literature are always enjoyable, and they introduce your child to the words and stories that are beyond their reading reach. Use the simple technique of Shared Reading described by the Center for English Learning & Achievement to make the most of parent and child reading time.
More on finding great children's books for summer reading. . .
