What Characteristics Should Children's Books Have?

It is of great importance to teach children the habit of reading books at an early age. Of course, the choice of books should be made meticulously and publications with a narrative language appropriate for children's age should be preferred. Along with the language of expression, it is also important to present the topics covered in a way that will attract children's attention and to convey them in a way that they can easily comprehend. Even if they are not yet able to read and write, spending time with books and families reading books to children means laying the foundations for them to acquire the habit of reading books. So, how should books be chosen, what should be taken into consideration or what should be avoided?

Let's list some critical elements that can serve as a guide for parents. Separately evaluating the features that books should and should not have can provide a much clearer understanding of the subject. This way, you can have an idea about the factors to consider and choose the right books for your child.

Features in terms of Content, Language and Expression

• Books should address topics that are appropriate to children's developmental levels.
• The language of expression should be extremely simple and the concepts covered in the book should be conveyed in an easy-to-understand language.
• If the topics are of interest to children, they will think about them. Therefore, it would be useful to address topics that may be of interest to children.
• The way the subjects are handled should be in accordance with human values.
• All topics, including human love, animal love, a sense of helping others, etc., should be approached from a realistic perspective.
• Regardless of the subject matter, books should guide children towards what is good and right.
• Publications that teach children critical thinking skills can also be preferred.
• The books selected should also contribute to children's vocabulary.
• Instead of telling the messages directly, it would be better to explain them in a way that allows the child to find the message.
• At a young age, picture books enrich children's imaginations and allow them to better visualize the subject or event.
• Colorful and illustrated books can be purchased during infancy. Later on, you can switch to fairy tale books.
• Experts see no harm in preferring books where animals can talk. However, books with unrealistic animal characters such as unicorns or animals with supernatural powers can confuse children.
• Children try to understand reality until the age of 5. For this reason, books containing fairy tales should not be preferred before the age of 5. Until the age of 5, it will be useful to turn to more realistic and simpler publications.
• It is not advisable to choose only books with activities and games or only books with stories that convey a message. You should take care to choose books with as diverse a content as possible. Variety in terms of content is important.
• Science, art, music, history, history, humor or poetry books can also be preferred, provided that they are appropriate for the child's age. In this way, children begin to discover their own talents and interests much more easily.
• There should not be too many characters in the book.
• In terms of time, you should make sure that the chronological order is very well organized. Fiction that goes back to the past and returns to the present can also confuse children.
• For children, long descriptions and character analysis become boring. For this reason, fluent language should be used and information about events or characters should be conveyed briefly.
• Families should not only look at children's books as a means of acquiring information. Books can also be used to ensure that children spend time in a pleasant way.

What is objectionable in children's books?

We have briefly explained the features that should be in books. You should remember that the objectionable elements are at least as important as the features that should be in books. Let's talk about what is objectionable in children's books one by one.

• Children's books should be free from prejudices. In particular, you should avoid books that deal with issues such as racial superiority, religious differences, bigotry, contempt, class superiority, or books that give these messages.
• The behavior and actions of the characters in the book, such as hostility and revenge, means that these emotions are instilled in children. Children are much more influenced by books than they think, and therefore maximum attention should be paid to what emotions and thoughts are instilled in children.
• It is never right to exaggerate concepts such as humanity or valor. Books that give the message that humans do not make mistakes, that they are infallible, that they are a superior species, that they know everything, that they can do anything they want are also on the list of publications that you should stay away from.
• Exaggerated portrayals of characters with very strict rules and an attitude that is far from tolerance and flexibility can also confuse children.
• Books should not contain concepts such as fate and destiny, which can undermine the strength and will to struggle.
• Experts say that books that exaggerate the feeling of pity and are based on exploitation of emotions are of no use to children. Books about characters who are constantly experiencing bad things, hunger, lack of love, etc. are not useful for children in the least.
• It is important to keep in mind that the way in which these subjects are handled is as important as the topics covered in the books.
• Books about unhappy families are not recommended by experts.
• Of course, the books should never contain any sexual content or swear words.
• Expressions and nicknames that belittle physical or mental disabilities should also be avoided. You should make sure that the books do not use expressions such as 'blind, lame, hunchback, bald'. These expressions may seem innocent to some families, but they can change children's perspective on physical or mental disabilities and even differences.
• Animal names should not be used as an expression of humiliation. You should avoid books that use expressions such as 'regretting like a dog, crying like a donkey'.

Stylistic Features of Children's Books

It is not enough to choose books that are suitable in terms of content, language and expression. It is also useful to pay attention to some stylistic features in children's books. Although stylistic features are an issue that families do not emphasize too much, they are important for children. Because books should first of all attract children's attention. It is useful to have these features in terms of form in children's books preferred in the preschool period:

• About 70% of books should be illustrated. Children are much more interested when the illustrations are colored in vibrant colors.
• The pictures in the book should also be reviewed by parents. The book may be great in terms of content such as fiction, characters and the message it contains. However, a picture that gives a negative message affects children negatively. For this reason, you should review the pictures in the books before your child.
• The font size should be large and legible. Even if children cannot read yet, they may be interested in writing through books and their desire to learn to read and write may be reinforced.
• The line spacing should be adjusted so as not to strain the eyes.
• It is also important that book pages are not of a quality that tears easily. Children, especially those under a certain age, tend to put objects in their mouths.