Where do I find good books for my child?

I've compiled a list of books that are often recommended, but that is just the beginning! Look through homeschool catalogs, too. If you find one good book, look on Amazon.com for other books written by the author, or other books that people who also enjoyed your book recommend. Read the Amazon reviews and the suggestions for age level, and you'll learn a lot about children's books.

Should I buy books or borrow them from the library?

Do both, if you can. It's good for children to have books to own, and they may become old favorites to return to time and again. It's also good for them to know that they can borrow as many books as they want from the library.

What should I do if my child doesn't want my help in selecting books to read?

While your child browses for books in the library, you can quietly select some books from your recommended book list. It's possible that your child will discover the book at home and begin reading it, or you might offer to read it to him. In time, your child may recognize that the books you select are really good!

How do I know if a book is appropriate?

That depends on what you mean. If you want a rough idea of age level, you can read the publisher's suggestion at Amazon.com. If you are worried about content, you might read it first, or you might read reviews. If you are worried that your child is wasting his time, just know that while some books might not be considered classical literature, it's all reading, and that's good.

My child wants to read books that are too easy!

Old favorites are comfortable, so don't be surprised if your child returns again and again to a book he read a few years ago, and is now below his reading level. Let him enjoy it as long as he wants while at the same time gently letting him know there is a whole world of "favorite" books yet to be discovered! Leave wonderful books where they will be found. Or read one chapter, and then excuse yourself to do something. Your child may decide to finish it without you!

My child wants me to read to him, even though he knows how to read!

Excellent! Try to read to your child daily. You can read books that are above his reading ability, and that will help him develop his vocabulary and knowledge. It's also fun, and it will be a bonding experience! Read as much as you can, and as soon as your child can listen and enjoy longer stories, graduate from picture books to chapter books.

What should I do for a non-reader or late reader?

Read to your late reader daily. Read for fun and read for learning. Just keep on reading so that his vocabulary and thinking skills grow. You might also want to borrow some audio books from the library. The list below is only to help you get started. I've linked all of the books to Amazon.com, because I've found it to be such a great resource. If you see a book you want to remember for later, just add it to your personalized Amazon list. You'll learn so much about books at Amazon.com, and you'll also learn about similar books that you also might enjoy. Most libraries are now online, and that's a good way to find out if your local library has the book, but it's hard to beat Amazon for information, and they carry many more books than libraries do.