How do you choose great books for Christian kids?

We are working our way through a list of considerations. Many times, we want the books to be overtly Christian – right? After all reading a book that re-explains or introduces one aspect of our faith can be so important in helping kids understand the concept. I love the post from Diane Stortz yesterday, It was a book review for The Plans I Have for You.

Christian kids read books that are not overtly Christian as well. As parents and authors it doesn’t mean that we want them to read just anything.

We need to have a list of considerations in choosing books for our kids.

We started this series here. Let’s continue with a list of reasons that kids might be reading and some ideas to think about when choosing books. They are all important. They all serve a purpose.

READING FOR PLEASURE

Ultimately, we hope that our kids will learn to read for pleasure. Certainly there are other purposes as I mention below, but reading for pleasure is huge. Whether your child always has his nose in a book or needs a little encouragement to open a book, reading for pleasure is so important — a very good purpose for reading!

READING BECAUSE PEERS ARE READING IT

This one is so complicated – isn’t it? Peers may be reading books that are inappropriate or simply too difficult. Planning a traveling book club can give the child and her peers a reason to read appropriate books.

READING TO BUILD AND PRACTICE READING SKILLS

We all learn from practice. Christian kids are no different when they are learning to read. Practice builds skills and develops confidence. Whatever the reading curriculum, choose to spend time reading to your child and listening to him read as well.

TO LEARN NEW INFORMATION

Sometimes we choose books to help kids learn new information. For example, the child might be very interested in trains. Reading books about trains and studying the pictures and diagrams is one way to gain new information. Consider reading level when choosing books for learning new information, but be ready for a book adventure reading and discussing the text in a book that might be a little too challenging.

OTHER REQUIRED READING

Textbooks are probably the most common “other reading reading” for children and teens. It might seem like they can do that reading on their own. After all, it is school work.. The truth is that kids benefit from reading textbooks with parents as well. While you can’t actually choose these books (unless you homeschool), you can use the reading experience to talk about new concepts and relate them to your faith.

What tips have you used in guiding your children and teens in book selection?

I hope your Saturday is filled with lots and lots of wonderful reading time.

Carol