It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations – something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite
different from their own (Katherine Paterson, 2005).

The following questions may be helpful when choosing picture books for your child.

Is the book:

• interesting and engaging for you and your child? Do you think they might enjoy reading
  it again and again?
• about topics your child has interest in?
• relevant to your child’s life and experiences?
• able to open up new ideas or ways of thinking about others and their worlds?
• genuine? Is the language used real and rich? Does it engage your feelings?
• able to help your child hear and understand new words?
• imaginative? Will it trigger questions, feelings, conversations, wonderings?

Are the pictures:

• adding to the meaning of the story by sharing new ideas?
• playful?
• interesting
• conversation starters?

(adapted from Ewing, Miller and Saxton, 2008, p.126)