Like Chapter Books
Gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Helps them feel like a big kid.
Stories conclude at the end of a chapter.
Vocabulary
Use sight words and short words.Use compound words.Pair long words with picture clues.Use words that are part of the child’s oral
language.
Plot
Attention grabber on the first page.Use lots of action.Quickly moving plot.Familiar main characters.
Lines
2-10 words per lineSentences should begin on a new line.Longer sentences should break at a
logical point:
I got on the school bus
with my lunch box.
Design Elements
Lines per page vary with level.Line placement should be consistent in
lower levels.Use an 18 point typeface.White space is essential.
Content
Predictable, with humorous surprises.
Repetition.
Unpredictable actions should be linked to pictures.
Trends for Beginning Readers
A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Bloom, Suzanne)
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No (Hayes, Geoffrey)
Not a Box (Portis, Antoinette)
One Boy (Seeger, Laura Vaccaro)
Little Mouse Gets Ready (Smith, Jeff)
There is a Bird on You Head (Willems, Mo)
Selection
Does the design support the reader?
Does the content support the reader?
Does the plot support the reader?
Do the illustrations support the reader?
Does the work as whole engage the reader?
Levels at AHML
Pre-emergent 10 words or less per page
EmergentMore than 10, with repetition
Early-fluentLonger
FluentVery long, or chapter books
Contact Information
Lindsay Huth
Early Learning Specialist
Arlington Heights Memorial Library