Children's Big Books: 12 Characteristics Every Parent Should Know

Children's Big Books: 12 Characteristics Every Parent Should Know
7 min read

Do you want to read children’s big books that will make your children smarter, and more interesting, and help them develop good values? There are certain characteristics that all good children’s big books share. In this blog post, we will discuss 12 of those characteristics so that you can be an informed and savvy parent when it comes to choosing children’s big books for your family! For more details, like this, you can visit us here: "Big Books By George (BBBG)".

What makes a book appealing to children? 

Children are often drawn to books that offer a glimpse into the world they live in. Finding stories with which they can identify and relate helps them to better comprehend and remember what they've read. Such books also provide children with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their own lives, and those around them.  When a story has this kind of resonance, it can be an invaluable source of education and entertainment for young readers.  In this way, books with strong connections to a child's own life can become lifelong companions.

1. Engagement

A great story should be engaging and entertaining for children of all ages. It should capture the reader's attention from the very beginning and draw them in with intriguing characters, plot twists, and surprises. Have a look at these books: The Cat in the Hat, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. All of these books have fascinating characters and captivating storylines that keep readers engaged until the very end!

2. Quality Writing

A good children’s big books will have quality writing with a clear and engaging voice that captivates young readers while teaching important lessons. Have a look at these books: The Giving Tree, Matilda, and Winnie the Pooh. These books feature gorgeous writing that paints an imaginative world and weaves in meaningful messages about friendship, love, and life.

3. Imagery

Good children’s big books should be full of vivid imagery to help young readers better comprehend what they’re reading. The imagery should be relevant to the storyline and help bring characters and stories to life. Have a look at these books: Where The Wild Things Are, The Secret Garden, and Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone. All of these books have stunning descriptions that paint pictures in readers’ minds about magical creatures and fantastical settings.

4. Literacy-Friendly Formatting

Text should be broken up into manageable chunks and images should be used sparingly to keep young readers engaged. Check out: Curious George, Frog And Toad Are Friends, and The Little Prince. All of these books have pages that are full of illustrations and short sentences so that young readers can easily follow along.

5. Age-Appropriate Content

Good books for children will focus on age-appropriate topics, contain age-appropriate language, offer interesting and exciting characters, and provide appropriate levels of challenge without being overwhelming or too simple. Books like Peppa Pig, James And The Giant Peach, and Island Of The Blue Dolphins contain age-appropriate content that is tailored to the interests and abilities of young readers.

6. Positive Messages

Choose books that are uplifting in their content, reinforce positive values, show respect for others and promote problem-solving rather than aggression or violence. The Giving Tree, The Owl And The Pussycat, and Stuart Little all emphasize the power of friendship, kindness, and perseverance in overcoming obstacles.

7. Imagination and Creativity

Look for books that encourage imagination and creativity in young readers, with stories that allow them to explore their own ideas rather than follow a predetermined path. Have a look at these books: The Phantom Tollbooth, The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore, and A Wrinkle In Time. All of these books feature fantastic storylines that spark children’s imaginations and inspire them to create their own stories.

8. Diversity

Ensure the books you choose are reflective of different cultures, genders, abilities, religions and lifestyles. Reading books with different characters can encourage children to think more widely about the world around them. Some great examples: The Story Of Ferdinand, The Color Of Us, and The Snowy Day. All of these books feature characters from diverse backgrounds that represent a variety of perspectives and experiences.

9. Humor

Good children’s big books often contain humorous elements that will make kids smile or laugh out loud! This is an important part of learning how to read because it keeps young readers engaged and entertained while they learn new words or concepts. Check out these books: The Book With No Pictures, The Bear Ate Your Sandwich, and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. All of these books contain funny characters and situations that will keep children laughing as they explore the world of reading.

10. Engaging Illustrations

Quality illustrations can really bring a book to life for young readers and help them connect with the characters or storylines. Look for books that feature bright, captivating illustrations that appeal to children of all ages. The Velveteen Rabbit, Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, and Where The Wild Things Are feature vivid illustrations that help bring the stories to life for young readers.

11. Resonance

Choose books that your child can relate to, whether it’s through relatable characters or an exciting storyline they can get lost in. Reading should be fun and engaging! Check out: The Poky Little Puppy, Goodnight Moon, and The Rainbow Fish. All of these books have characters and storylines that young readers will be able to relate to in some way.

12. Universal Themes

Books should have themes that will resonate with young readers now as well as when they are older. Good universal values such as kindness and creativity often come up in stories, so look for these kinds of messages when selecting books for your family! Charlotte’s Web, The Giving Tree, and Where The Sidewalk Ends. All of these books explore themes that will continue to be relevant and meaningful throughout your child’s development.



When selecting books for your family, it is important to look for stories that are tailored to the interests and abilities of young readers. Look out for positive messages, encouraging imagination and creativity, diversity, humor, engaging illustrations, resonance with characters and storylines, and universal themes. By choosing books that meet all of these criteria you can ensure your children will develop a love of reading that will last them a lifetime.

Good luck!  Happy reading!

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