Although there are more books available now than ever before, not all books are appropriate for all audiences. For this reason, parents and guardians can struggle with helping children make good choices in regards to selecting age-appropriate reading materials.
This is especially true when it comes to young children. For instance, some subjects can be too intense for little ones who have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary. Keeping up with precocious readers can be equally challenging. Kids reading above their level can be exposed to situations, language and content that is beyond their maturity.
At DBRL, we offer a list called “Gentle Reads: Chapter Books for Kids” that recommends great chapter books for kids that contain little to no violence, sex or strong language. The selected books also tend to be positive and have happy endings. The list includes titles from beloved classics such as “Winnie the Pooh” and “The Giving Tree” to more recent favorites, such as “Crenshaw” and “Seagulls Don’t Eat Pickles.”
Here are three of my favorite titles included on our “Gentle Reads: Chapter Books for Kids” list:
“The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden
Chester Cricket had no intention of leaving his meadow home, but the smell of liverwurst in a picnic basket is too delicious to resist. In this 1961 Newbery Honor Book, Chester accidentally travels to New York City, where he befriends Tucker, a street-wise mouse, Harry the Cat and a young boy named Mario.
“The Cinderella Ballet Mystery” By Carolyn Keen
Nancy Drew must find the missing glass slipper before the Cinderella ballet performance!
“Clementine” by Sara Pennypacker
Clementine works through relationships and hair styles while helping her father rid their apartment of pigeons.
