Determining the age groups for children’s books

Reading habit acts as a foundation for a child’s education and also improve verbal communication skills. Children learn a lot of basic skills at an early age. Some children might start reading from the age of 5 and some might still struggle to read and write even when in the 4th grade. Age is a vital parameter here. As the kids grow, they must be able to read above a certain level. This level is known as age-appropriate reading.

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Knowing what book is best for their kid is something all parents should be well versed with. If the book is too easy, the kid is not learning anything new. If it is tough for the kid to comprehend, they may not want to read it. Younger children need books with lots of images, this helps with understanding. Older children should be able to read a book with very few images. Children need something that isn’t too hard, but that isn’t too easy either.

Ages up to 3: Toddler books

Toddler books are for kids up to 3 years old. They often contain fascinating pictures and rhymes. They are also known as “board books” because they are printed on hard cardboard as kids tend to use them roughly.

Ages 2–5: Early picture books

Early Picture books are for kids ranging from the age of 3 to 5. They primarily use illustrations to tell the story and often share life lessons related to moral values like empathy, forgiveness, and kindness. These books must be exciting because they help children learn not only to read but learn newer things.

Ages 5-8: Picture books

Picture books are one of the most charming—and significant—genres in literature. Picture books are published for children in the age group of 5 to 8 and are mostly filled with pictures and illustrations to convey a story. Picture books are typically about 1,000 words long and revolve around one main character.

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Ages 5–8: First chapter books and graphic novels

Easy Readers are for kids between the ages of 5 to 8 years and they are for kids who are about to read on their own. Page length usually falls between 30 to 60 pages with a maximum word count of 3,500 words.  Usually, it contains more text than picture books and simple text that is aimed at young readers with illustrations on each page, or at least alternate pages. Themes are light and focus on one basic idea, usually educational.

Ages 8–11: Middle-grade novels and graphic novels

Middle-grade books are published for children 8 to 11 years old and are generally 100-150 pages. Stories show a little more complexity, sub-plots, and a larger cast of characters. Children develop strong language skills and vocabulary development with graphic novels. Graphic novels act as a perfect bridge for young readers who are moving from picture books to text-only books. 

In the last few years, the term graphic novel has been used by mainstream media as a catchy phrase for full-length stories written and illustrated in a comic book style. This format generally uses framed illustrations, speech balloons, and panels. This genre is a bridge between children’s books and YA. Most of the time they do not have illustrations It’s the first of the categories to generally include a three-act story structure, with characters that can learn and grow through suffering.

Ages 12-18: Young adult (YA) novels and graphic novels

Young adult books are for kids above 12 years. Such books are usually complex and they deal with mature themes and adolescent concerns. The Word count ranges from 50,000 to 75,000. Young adult is another big-tent category like picture books and the spectrum of YA books is so wide that it is difficult to define this genre. A graphic novel can be an original story or it can be a collection of previously published comic books that together tell one story. These books can be nonfiction or fiction, educational and entertaining, and they involve the reader emotionally and intellectually.

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Nonfiction books also exist for all these age groups

Nonfiction is a category that includes self-help books, academic textbooks, cookbooks, reference books, journalism, travel guides, parenting books, and educational resources. Literature based on facts, actual events, or real people is called Non-fiction. Nonfiction educates readers on a certain topic or several topics by presenting exact and honest information. Some forms of nonfiction can be confused with fiction because they are written as prose like a novel, but the essential difference is that the text must be factual to be nonfiction. Traditional nonfiction is written in a specific way and in a certain tone. Narrative nonfiction is also sometimes referred to as creative nonfiction. Fiction, on the other hand, refers to stories that are imaginative.

Broadly non-fiction includes History, Biography, Autobiography, Philosophy, Travel writing, Memoirs, Religion, Spirituality, DIY, Self-help, Philosophy, Science, Psychology, Art, Photography, etc

Non-fiction largely fits into the following categories: expository nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, persuasive nonfiction, and descriptive nonfiction. Expository nonfiction informs a reader about a specific topic. Narrative nonfiction is a factual account of a person, place, or event. Persuasive nonfiction is when an author writes rooting for one particular side, or against the opposing side, on some serious matter. And finally, descriptive nonfiction is when the focus is on using the five senses to give the reader a clear picture.

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Our team of best children’s book illustrators put in their might to create an engaging storyline. The top-quality artwork makes the characters come alive. Our illustrators are extremely talented and they can create fascinating artwork for children. As the top professional illustration agency in India, we deliver brilliant results through an organized workflow structure.

Our team develops each character in such a way that it connects with the audience immediately. Every genre calls for a different illustration technique and our illustrators are the best, at getting the combination right. Collaboration between the Illustrator and the writer is the key. We ensure that the writer and the illustrator are on the same page in terms of understanding the concept because we believe that “well begun is half done”. With the expertise of a decade, we are able to provide the artwork, exactly as the client desires. – Our Portfolio

We work hard with good faith that our book will surely bring a smile to a child’s face somewhere in this world. Through our books, we encourage children to discover the joy of reading. As they say, children who read more, learn better and are more likely to succeed in life.