With so many wonderful and appropriate books for young children, how do you go about choosing the best ones for your children? As with all materials, keep the ages and interests of children in mind when you select books. In general, younger preschoolers like books with a simple plot about familiar experiences; colorful and bold illustrations that are clear and filled with detail; lots of repetition in the plot; and rich language (rhymes, nonsense words, and repetition). Older preschoolers have a longer attention span and like books with a plot they can follow. They can appreciate humor and fantasy, and are beginning to enjoy stories about faraway places.

It isn't necessary to gather or to display your entire inventory of books at one time. It isn't even a good idea because stacking books defeats the goal of displaying covers. Put out a manageable number of books and rotate them regularly. In this way, children have the feeling of seeing new books or they are excited by old favorites they haven't seen for a while. As new interests emerge, you can add relevant books. In selecting books for your classroom, keep variety in mind. Here are some key features to consider. Select books that:

• Relate to the interests and life experiences of children
• Are predictable in which children can actively participate
• Enrich children's language development
• Help children gain knowledge of the alphabet and phonological awareness
• Reflect diversity and promote inclusion