Children's Literature: How to Find the Right Books

There are hundreds of thousands of children's books out there, and still, nearly 5,000 new ones are being printed each year. Many of them are classics from years gone by, while new classics are being created each year. However, a lot of current publication trends still make some of us nervous about the spiritual, physical, and emotional content in many of the new books. How do we get through the vast masses to find the few gems?                  

• Ask people who have the same standards as you do, whether they are friends or professionals
• Look at books that have been awarded medals of honor for distinguished recognition
• Read through books and catalogs with recommended reading lists published by organizations you trust

Notable Children’s Book Awards  

NOTE: Check all books for content. Just because it earned an award does not mean that it meets your own personal ethical and moral standards.

Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Newbery Medal
The Newbery Medal honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Children's Choice Award
Children themselves evaluate the books and write reviews of their favorite books.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
The Wilder Medal honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children over a period of many years.

Geisel Medal
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal honors the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature, known as “beginning reader books” published in the United States during the preceding year.

Children's Book Award
The Children’s Book Award is given to the favorite book as determined by the Florida Reading Association.

Reading Rainbow Recommendation
The criteria for final book selection are literary and artistic excellence, adaptability to television, appropriate theme and length, and cultural diversity.

Horn Book Award
The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards are among the most prestigious honors in the field of children’s and young adult literature. Winners are selected in three categories: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction.

Reading Levels for Children’s Literature

Ages below are approximate

Picture Books (Ages 0-6)
Based almost completely on illustrations, with little to no text (Caldecott category)

Picture Story Books (Ages 2-10)
Many illustrations, but a lot of text to tell the story (Caldecott category)

Easy Readers (Ages 5-7)
Some pictures, but more text to teach reading skills

Early Chapter Books (Ages 7-9)
Few pictures/sketches, increases reading skills

Juvenile Fiction (Ages 9-12)
Longer chapter book; real plot, theme, and full character development (Newbery category)

Young Adult Fiction (Ages 13-18)
Often have a politically correct, slanted view and typically cover more serious modern-day topics: death, divorce, bullying, sexual awareness, independence from adults, personal ideology; oftentimes, the parent or guardian is absent or ignorant and the teens figure out the problem on their own; told in a fast pace to give graphic images

Adult Classic Literature (Any age)
Highly recommended; full length, unabridged versions of classic literature; may be a bit harder to get through, but the reward is worth it—classics cause you to stop and reflect; individual books may or may not be appropriate according to parental judgment

Genres of Children’s Literature

Historical Fiction – fictional story that centers around a real event or person

Realistic Fiction – fictional story that occurs in a modern-day setting with realistic events

Fantasy – imaginative story that takes place in a make-believe world with creatures that may not exist

Science Fiction – fictional story that happens in the future, possibly on another planet

Folklore – fairy tales, legends, fables, tall tales, and myths

Biography – true story based on a real person from the past

Verse and Poetry – a rhythmic expression of thoughts

Nonfiction – informational book on any topic in the world: history, science, geography, etc.

Suggested Catalogs and Curricula

Many offer free catalogs with wonderful recommended reading lists.

•  Lamplighter Books  www.lamplighter.net
• Sonlight Catalog  www.sonlight.com
• Center for Lit  www.centerforlit.com
• YWAM  www.ywampublishing.com
• Five in a Row  www.fiveinarow.com
• Progeny Press  www.progenypress.com
• Total Language Plus  www.totallanguageplus.com
• Institute for Excellence in Writing  www.iew.com

Suggested Books on Children’s Literature

• Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Whole-Hearted Families by Sarah Clarkson
• Books Children Loveby by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson
• The Book Treeby by Elizabeth McCallum
• The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
• Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
• Honey for a Teen’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
• The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
• Invitation to the Classics by Cowan and Guiness
• How to Read Slowly by James W. Sire
• How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler
• All Through the Ages by Christine Miller
• A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
• Tending to the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian
• Talking of Dragons by William Chad Newsom