Transitional books, easy readers and chapter books

Easy readers: definition

• Designed to be read by beginning readers
• Serve as a transition between picture books and chapter books

Evaluation: text

• Simple vocabulary
  o Not dumbed down
• Shorter sentences
• Sounds like natural language
  o Line breaks follow natural breaks in sentences
  * Not good for read aloud
  o Readability formulas
  * Fry formula
• Some repeated phrases, repetitive refrains
• Appropriate tone
• May be slightly didactic

• o Humour very appealing
• Characters
  o Children (family life) and animals
• Plot
  o Simple, direct storyline
  o No flashbacks or side stories* Starts quickly* Continues with action* Concludes satisfactory
  o Must be comprehensible to young child
• Setting
  o Mostly familiar
  o May include some fantasy

Evaluation: illustrations

• Interpret story literally
  o Not overwhelm
• Colour
  o Adds interest
  o Not distract
• White space
  o Used effectively
• Type
  o Size
  o Legible

Evaluation: other considerations

• Size of book
  o small
• Colour
  o Appeals to child
• Several stories
  o Look like a chapter book
• Series
  o Familiar characters and settings (see below)

Value

• May not meet all literary standards
  o But meet needs of beginning readers
  o Provide a positive reading experience
• Help children develop confidence in their reading skills
• Provide opportunity for child to read to an adult

Chapter books: definition

• Look like adult books
  o Introduce concept of reading a longer book
  o From 40 – 60 pages
• Serve as a bridge to more complicated fiction
• Each chapter tells a self-contained story
  o Very few illustrations
  o Not integral to text
• Focus has moved almost completely to words

Evaluation of text

• Characters
  o Many memorable
  o May change and develop
  o Children (family life) and animals
• Plot
  o Important element
  o Quick start
  o Lots of action
  o Satisfactory ending
• Writing style
  o Longer sentences
  o Expanded vocabulary
• Setting
  o Usually realistic
  o May be hint of fantasy

Notes

When choosing Easy Readers and Chapter Books keep these points in mind:

• How difficult is the theme/concept that is presented in the books?
• Does the child have an interest in the subject area?
• Is there any difficult figurative language in the book?
• Look for a wide variety of themes/content:
  o E.g. mysteries, sports stories, family life
  o May help develop a reading interest for child
• *  Can then be pursued in more complicated books
• Look for series books:
  o Provide continuity of character, setting and writing style
  o Allow readers to anticipate what will happen next
  o Can make successful predictions as they read
• Check the shelves carefully:
  o Some easy readers get shelved as picture books
  o Look for repetitive language patterns
• Many authors/illustrators produce both picture books and easy readers.
• Don’t use easy readers for read aloud.
• Chapter books are usually suitable for read aloud.
  o But do review first!
• Importance of covers cannot be overstated.