Reading is important for kids of all ages. Children who read are able to further develop their language skills, creativity, and understanding of the world. Aside from the fact that reading is a vital skill for life, reading as a child is vital for proper cognitive and language skill development.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the perfect book for your child to read. What genre should you choose? Are there certain books that are too advanced or not advanced enough for your child’s age group? Uncertainties like these may make it difficult for you to find suitable reading material for your child, but there are some great books for each age group that every parent should try out. Read on to learn some of our favorite books for different age ranges.
What are the age groups for reading?
While all children are different, with some excelling at reading faster than others, there are specific age groups that are targeted when new children’s books are released. According to Scholastic, those age groups are:
What is the most read children’s book?
According to Reader’s Digest, the most popular and most read children’s book of all time is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The story follows a caterpillar’s journey as he eats and eats for a week prior to making his epic transformation into a butterfly.
This book is good for infants and children up to three years old. The pages are decked out in colorful art – not only drawings, but things like cutouts and tissue paper as well. It helps children learn by incorporating counting and life cycles into the story.
What are the best books for kindergarten readers?
Simple books are the best for kindergarten readers. Three of the best options include:
- We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins: This book follows the story of Penelope, a new student meeting her classmates for the first time. However, she isn’t looking forward to this because she wants to build friendships—she is a hungry T-rex who wants to eat them! It’s a fun tale about a fresh start.
- Hey, Water by Antoinette Portis: This nonfiction storybook uses illustrations and easy-to-understand explanations to teach children about all things water.
- Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang: This book follows the story of Jim, who is pretty grumpy. Jim’s friends try to make him happier, but it doesn’t work out like they hoped – he continues to get even more grumpy. This fun book is designed to teach children empathy in an imaginative way.
What are the best books for children aged 6–9?
Children in this age group begin to develop more advanced reading skills. Some books that are great for this age range include:
- Lenora Bolt: Secret Inventor by Lucy Brandt and Gladys Jones: This book follows the story of Lenora Bolt, a child inventor who spends her days on her own private island, coming up with new ideas and executing them as best she can. One day, a boy washes ashore with news that her prized inventions are being stolen by an evil uncle. She has to find her power and stand up for herself in this fun and interesting ride.
- The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey: In this book, children will learn all about the world through the eyes of insects in a Shoebox Theatre. The simple yet informative stories help children learn about the world while encouraging a love for reading.
- Matilda by Road Dahl and Quentin Blake: The classics are just as good as newer books! In Matilda, your child will follow along as a gifted girl finds her true place in the world.
What are the best books for children aged 9–12?
Short novels may be on the docket for children aged 9–12 as they continue on with their love for reading by challenging themselves to pick up books that are more than just a few words and pictures. The best books for children aged 9–12 include:
- You Are A Champion by Marcus Rashford: Marcus Rashford is a professional soccer player who has fought hard to implement better programs for children, whether it be feeding them better at school or bringing them more books to read. This book is designed to empower children and help them find the confidence to be champions at whatever they set their minds to.
- Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City by Rob Biddulph: To Peanut Jones, drawing is a magical thing. While it won’t fix her problems, it does help her tap into a whole new world away from everything that’s going wrong. This book is designed to encourage creativity and excitement as children follow along with Peanut’s search for her father.
- A Dinosaur Ate My Sister by Pooja Puri: One of the first books selected by the Marcus Rashford Book Club is a story about Esha Verma and pals, who embark on a journey to win a Brain Trophy for best invention. When they decide to create a time machine, problems arise and the team has to find their way out of a place in time where they don’t belong.
What is the most popular book for 12-year-olds?
Children in this age bracket are likely to fall into the YA category of books, which have countless titles to choose from. Some of the best are:
- The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani: Set in 1947, this book follows Nisha, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu 12-year-old who must flee her home country as it goes through its division into two separate countries: India and Pakistan. The story is told through Nisha’s letters to her mother, who she lost as a baby, and deals with important themes that will engage and challenge any 12-year-old reader.
- The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordon: Children can follow along with Percy Jackson as he finds the courage to rise up to his rightful position as the son of Poseidon. The series is a fun adventure that children can identify with – Percy himself is only 12 years old, so they’ll enjoy going on an epic journey alongside what feels like one of their peers.
- Strange Birds: A Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez: This story follows a group of four girls who work together to defend birds against those who wish to harm them. Reading this story will help your child learn what is takes to stand up for what they believe in, all the while taking them on a fun and humorous adventure.
These books are just some of the options out there, but they are a good place to start for each age range – so get to your local bookstore or library and put together a stack for your child!
Featured image by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash