Choose the Right Storybook to Give During the Holidays

With the holidays rolling in, it’s high time to review your gift-giving skills, especially when it comes to children’s fussy preferences. Often brushed off as simple receivers, children can still be tough to please.

Yes, children will appreciate anything they receive.

But this doesn’t mean people can be careless about what they give.

Among the many things adults purchase for their kids, nephews, or nieces, books are the most common option. In between buying inattentively or thoroughly, adults are encouraged to choose the right storybook for children wisely. After all, applying the belief that just about anything can please them might end up adversely affecting their learning and fondness towards literature.

Children are appreciative. This can be seen in videos when their happiness is through the roof upon receiving random things. But giving them toys isn’t equivalent to giving them books, given that the latter can significantly impact their development.

Hence, it’s only logical they’re thoroughly considered.

Why Is Choosing the Right Book Important?

Aside from the possibility of it going to waste, its impact on children’s learning curve is the top reason why it’s essential to choose the right storybook. Storybooks are the perfect way to get children interested in reading and also to learn about the world generally.

They develop their imagination and improve their proficiency in the language and life when adults choose the right storybook for them. Hence, this material shouldn’t only get them entertained and occupied but also give more “free” time for adults. They must be filled with colorful illustrations that take children on vivid adventures and introduce new cultures and words for them to learn about.

These factors can be seen in most creative storybooks for young dreamers and readers, such as in Jessica the Dreamer by Joanne Radke and the classic Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

What these books offer aren’t just fun and adorable characters. They don’t only showcase their authors’ wit and creativity. Instead, they’re comprised of good vocabulary to learn from, lessons children can embody, and a storyline that gets them to develop empathy as early as childhood.

Hence, if adults are determined to contribute to children’s development, they should choose the right storybook carefully.

How to Choose the Right Storybook?

To choose the right storybook to give, the gifter has to consider a lot of factors. One of which is primarily the age of the receiver. After all, nobody wants to give something too advanced or easy for the reader—this would only prompt them to trash the book or store it for the future until it ends up forgotten. Hence, age-appropriate books should be the first thing adults look for when choosing the right storybook. But beyond this, here are the other criteria to consider:

Normalize and Discuss Feelings

Children need to understand the importance and gravity of their emotions. Although some can be too “heavy” for them to experience, they should be taught that this is normal. These are part of them and their interactions with the world. When it comes to giving books as gifts, adults must choose the right storybook, one that doesn’t stigmatize them.

A massive part of children’s stories might revolve around heroes and villains. But these shouldn’t glamorize bravery to the point where they shame feelings of sadness or fear. Instead, choose the right storybook that expresses diverse feelings and welcomes them. This story should show how the character doesn’t shy away from these emotions but instead learns to navigate them.

Respect Diversity

If there’s one thing children should learn, it’s kindness and respect. In a world that thrives on diversity, they should learn to respect and embrace differences.

Children’s books can be quite humorous, and often, this is presented by making jokes about people. However, to choose the right storybook, adults should ensure that these jokes don’t ridicule someone based on natural differences. The right materials should have a respectful undertone, especially when it comes to interactions between characters with different backgrounds and beliefs. Children need to realize how important it is to be respectful of these.

Relevant Issues or Relatable Problems

To choose the right storybook, it’s essential to consider the underlying message it wishes to convey. What would children take away from the material? Will they be able to realize something about life and apply this learning in reality? This factor should be one of the priorities as it can shape how children experience life.

Stories are the perfect way to start conversations with children about pressing issues or those they may be currently encountering or will encounter in life.

So, adults should consider gifting them not only a source of entertainment but also wisdom that will help them better navigate life and its complexities. Storybooks are perfect for sparking children’s interest in reading and enhancing their development process. They provide some children’s initial insights about life and teach them how to navigate their days.

So, if you’re planning on gifting a child a book, make sure to choose the right storybook. They will not only enjoy it but also learn something meaningful. One example is Joanne Radke’s Jessica the Dreamer. Grab a copy now!