From Pictures to Words - a guide to choosing books for beginner readers: Introduction

It is the policy of Clare County Library to actively promote the reading habit, not being content to stack and in some instances, hide books on shelves. This reading promotion is important for young people, particularly for those children who are beginning to read on their own.

Patricia Fitzgerald, Librarian, Children’s Services ensures that our young people are not forgotten and that by publications such as this they are provided with advice on choosing suitable reading material. Her first book Picture This: A Guide to Choosing Books for Young Children, recommending books for young children was highly successful and continues to prove very valuable to parents and teachers.

Now comes the next volume, From Pictures to Words: A Guide to Choosing Books for Beginner Readers. This book is aimed at children who are beginning to read on their own as well as the more confident readers. The stories selected include some classics, a selection of short novels, featuring fewer illustrations and longer sentences for the more confident reader and a range of what are often described as “chapter” books.

It is important that the books children are presented with at a stage when they are making the transition from picture books to first readers will inspire continued reading and a progression to a life long love of books. We hope to work towards this objective with the selection of books in this guide.

This publication is invaluable not just to parents and teachers but to everyone with an interest in books and reading, not least the children themselves. Books in the Irish language are also included with a separate section devoted to recommended titles.

In a new departure for Clare County Library, a series of works by Colombian artist Domingo Cuatindioy, have been commissioned to illustrate the book. Based between Lahinch and the Colombian Andes, Domingo’s evocative style appeals to adults and children alike and brings a magical element to this book which will fire any child’s imagination.

Our gratitude is also due to Anne Finnucane, Senior Library Assistant, Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee for her assistance in selecting and reviewing. Thanks also to Maureen Comber, Executive Librarian and Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer for their advice and assistance with this publication.
We would also like to thank Conor Keane and his team at An Clár as Gaeilge for their help with translation.

Noel Crowley,
County Librarian.

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