Are you looking for reading material for your kids? Here are some ideas for books you may not have picked up, or read yet. We have kids aged six to 16 so we decided to split our top ten lists into three categories, 6-8, 9-12, and 13-16, but of course this is only a basic guideline to organize material. Depending on your children’s interests and reading ability they may or may not match something from their age range. Any suggestions on books your kids just love would be most appreciated as well as we are always looking for new reading material.
With this age range it is all about exposing kids to books and them enjoying it. Reading should not be an ordeal, the books on this list are the ones our kids love. They are certainly not the top literary or bestselling books for this age. What is appealing about them is the use of words, the illustrations, and that children can relate to them. These books have quite a range of readability partly because children are at such different reading levels and because like to be challenged one day and like to read for pleasure on another. Every book does not need to be an exercise in reading. Once we turn reading into a lesson we have lost some of the fun and enjoyment of it. Think about your children coming to ask if they can watch tv. It is a pleasure activity. Now what if they asked to look at a book in the same way? That is what we are striving for. Don’t be afraid to include activity books, puzzle books, colouring books with a brief story included with them. Always be mindful that children at this age need and love to be read to as well. Take turns picking and choosing books to read aloud for enjoyment and also to expose your children to books they may not pick up on their own.
Below are our kids’ choices for 6-8 year olds. 9-12 and 13-16 will be coming in the next couple of posts. Please add your own comments on what your kids love to read or have read to them.
Top 10 Books 6-8 Year Olds
1. Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum, adapted by Deidre S. Laikin (Great Illustrated Classics)
2. Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin by John Grogan
3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
4. Thomas the Tank Engine Series by Rev. W. Audrey
5. Franklin Series by Paulette Burgeois
6. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
7. Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban
8. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
9. Little Bear Series by Else Holmelund Minarik
10. The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
Reading time is fun time. We hope the variety in this list will help you find something your children will enjoy.
