Introduction I've always had a passion for children's books, and since 1986 I've been lucky enough to turn that passion into a means for earning a living. As an editor, writing instructor, and publisher of a newsletter for children's book authors, I've studied countless books for children and edited hundreds of manuscripts for aspiring writers. And I learned that, though styles and trends come and go, the elements that make a book appealing to a child are timeless and constant. I truly believed that children's books were better written than books for adults and that the most magical, brilliant children's books would always rise to the top where anyone who so desired could easily discover them. And then I became a parent. When I introduced my son to books, my first surprise was that he wasn't always taken with the books I love. My second surprise came when, at about a year of age, he had already developed preferences for certain styles of artwork and types of stories. I had to retrain myself to look at books through his eyes. When I met other parents of young children, their first question was always "Can you give me a list of books my child would like?" Most of these parents understood the value of reading to their children and were eager to nurture a love of books, but they were lost when they entered a bookstore or library. They didn't know where to begin. As my son grew older, I met parents of young reluctant readers. Their question was more desperate: "Can you recommend some books that will help my child want to read?" The answer, I realized, was not as simple as handing over a list of titles. If you're the parent of a child who doesn't like to read, you've probably felt the same frustration when faced with a wall of children's books at the store or library. This book is created for you, to help you navigate through the ocean of available titles and choose what's right for your child. I'll show you how to recognize a good book for reluctant readers and how to match a book to your child. Because every child is different, there is no one-sizefits-all answer to which books are best, but this guide will help you develop a library your own child can love. The titles I recommend in the second part of this book are meant to be a starting point. I've given you a mixture of genres and writing styles that I feel best embody those qualities that entice reluctant readers to open a book. Those books that appeal to your child now can be stepping-stones to other works by the same author or to similar books. I've also provided lists for further reading to help you along. My recommendations are by no means a final tabulation of everything wonderful that's ever been published, but I believe that handing you specific, well-chosen information is better than bombarding you with every choice available. Above all, remember this: Your child may acquire the skills necessary to read the printed word, but if he or she doesn't develop a love of reading and an emotional connection to books and ideas, reading will never become a big part of his or her life. So keep it fun. There are worlds waiting to be explored between the covers of books. Provide a gentle nudge, but allow your child to run in whatever direction he or she chooses. That's the only way children ever find the books that really speak to them. Excerpted from Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read: 125 Books That Will Turn Any Child into a Lifelong Reader by Laura Backes All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
