Growing Readers Books of Excellence have room for witches and trolls, bunnies and bears, brave little girls and foolish little boys (and the reverse), rascals and villains, photos and illustrations, sadness and joy. Only 16 books a year can be chosen as Books of Excellence.

Growing Readers Notable Books can be found on someone’s “10 Best” list or an award’s short list. Wonderful illustrations or photographs, good writing, and a well-deserved appeal to the particular audience distinguish Notable Books which are certainly excellent and worthy of selection.

Growing Readers Recommended Books may or not be on anyone’s “10 Best” list, but might be popular favorites or guilty pleasures. They are books that might match your child’s tastes or interests or cover topics that you want to share with your child.

What books are best suited for your child’s development?

Ages ranges for books are usually wide and always a little bit deceptive. Three- and 4-year-olds like revisiting toddler board books. Sometimes illustrations captivate younger children who don’t mind if the content is a little over their heads. Some books are great to read to children age 4 and up that 7- or 8-year olds can read themselves.

Books for Infants and Toddlers
Infant and toddler books (approximately ages 3 months to 2 years) have simple text and pictures that the youngest children can relate to. They need to touch and sometimes literally chew on the pictures.

Books for Preschool
Preschool children (ages 2 to 6) are exploding with possibilities and eager to explore the world and their emerging ideas. They need all kinds of books: books to read alone or to have read aloud, books to see how the world works, books to instruct, and books to simply delight.

Books for Young Readers
Young readers (ages 4 to 8) will read picture books and easy-reader beginner books and move on to books where words can begin to take the place of pictures in capturing their attention. Books in this category are often good read alouds for preschoolers.

Books for Older Readers
Older readers (ages 8 to 14) are increasingly capable and need more of a challenge: complexity in language and content, mature themes, more school-age silliness and school age drama, more books for research and books to make sense of life’s ups and downs.