Let's Find That Book!: Would You Spend 179 Shekels on a Book for Your Child?

If that book was the Guinness Book of Records, it might be worthwhile to pay so much for a book. Why? This book will keep your child busy for hours on end. Do you have a child who doesn't enjoy books? This book will change his mind.

I know that I sound like an advertisement for ספר השיאים של גינס / The Guinness Book of Records, but there is a reason for it. Since not all children enjoy reading "traditional fiction", it's good to have non-fiction options. Most children love reading about dinosaurs, animals, planes, sports, or space. The Guinness book of records has all that and more!

Non-fiction books can be a good choice for boys. Many boys are "information
junkies". Several years ago, I taught a library class to a class of first graders. Usually, I hide the Guinness books during class but for some reason, they were out. The boys spent all of the free reading time looking only at the Guinness books. Later in the day, I had a class of 8th graders. The girls were busy reading quite high-level novels and the boys were all crowded around the Guinness books! Of course, girls also enjoy reading The Guinness Book of Records.

Non-fiction books can be an especially good choice for reluctant readers no matter what their reading language preference. They often have colorful pictures, short texts, and subject that pique a child is interested in. There are cookbooks, craft books, drawing books, books of riddles, and informational books to name a few.

Here are just a very few examples of what's available.

100 עובדות/ One Hundred Facts series has over ten large, colorful books with information about topics such as space, weather, the human body, and animals. Ages 7-10.

סודות של פלסטלינה/Secrets of Modeling Clay by רוני אורן/ Roni Oren

Modeling clay ( know by the brand name פלסטלינה/ Plasticine) is very popular in Israel. Roni Oren is well known as a creator of amazing plasticine figures for books, films, and tv programs. In these books, he gives step by step instructions how to create sophisticated plasticine figures. It's a great book for the whole family but a child would probably need to be at least nine years old to read it by himself. Younger children will need help or might find it easier to just follow the illustrations. Ages 7+

סדרת פרופסר פצפונטבע/ Little Nature Professor Series by author and illustrator מירי לשם-פלאי / Miri Leshem- Pelly are a series of small books with soft, quiet illustrations. The little professor shows children the wonders of nature. He introduces them to birds, wildflowers, dogs, cats and more. My favorite book in the series is לטייל בישראל/ Travel in Israel. We travel from the north ( Tel Dan Nature Reserve) all the way down south( to Eilat to swim with the dolphins) with many stops in between. If you are new to Israel, this book is a wonderful way for you and your young children to get to know the country. Read the book now and plan a trip for Channukah vacation! Ages 5-8.