COLORADO LIBRARIES
FOR
EARLY LITERACY
Tips for Choosing Books
For Storytime
Babies
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Large, bright images pictures as babies vision isn't great yet
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Books that you can sing
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Books that rhyme
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Concept books; ABC's, 1,2,3's
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Books with animal noise
Toddlers
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High contrast images
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Very simple stories
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One to two sentences per page
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Interactive stories; movement, animal noises, etc.
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Books you can sing and move to
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Books with repeated phrases
Preschoolers
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Humorous books without sarcasm, especially about underwear
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Books with simple plots
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Books with predictive plots
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Fiction and non-fiction books
Bilingual/Multilingual
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Know your audience, especially in your specific community/library, and engage with them.
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Know yourself - push yourself to learn more, and acknowledge that you might not be the expert in the room. *Engage with those who can help give context, help recognize a tune in a song, etc.
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For songs and rhymes in multiple languages, check this resource:
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When choosing books:
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Use books like Chris Raschka’s Yo! Yes? or Ah Ha! by Jeff Mack, or wordless books to talk about the universality of sounds and language.
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When reading, make time to ask others, "how do you say ___ in your language?" and, "What sound do they make?"
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Check resources for World Language Storytimes like this:
For Parents
Babies
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Books with real baby faces
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Sturdy books that babies can chew on
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Lift-the-flap and other interactive elements, like textures
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First word books
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Nursery Rhymes
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Concept books; ABC's, 1,2,3's
Toddlers
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Books about your child's favorite interests
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Books with large fun pictures
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Favorite characters
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Books you loved as a kid
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Concept books; ABC's 1,2,3's
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Wordless Books
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Books you and your child enjoy (you will have to read them a million times)
Preschoolers
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Books that relate to your child's life
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Wordless books
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Longer books with more in depth stories
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Search and Find books
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Favorite characters
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Non-fiction
Bilingual/Multilingual
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One way is to use two or more languages from the start. For example, one parent or caregiver uses one language while the other parent or caregiver uses another language.
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Another is to use only one language at home. Your child can learn the second language when they start school.
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Give your child many opportunities to hear and practice using both/all languages in everyday situations.
RESOURCES
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Books. You can read to your child in both languages. You can find the books you need at bookstores, at libraries, and on the Internet.
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Audiotapes and CDs. Tapes and CDs in other languages can help too. Singing is a great way to introduce a second language to your child, and it can be lots of fun!
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Videotapes and DVDs. Children's programs are available in many languages. These programs often teach children about numbers, letters, colors, and basic vocabulary.
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Language programs. Children can also learn to be bilingual at language camps or in bilingual education programs. These give children the chance to use two languages with other children.