How to choose a good book - Primary School Library Guidelines (2024)

• Set and use criteria with content, bias, accuracy, currency, and relevance in mind.
• Select books that are well-made, printed on good quality paper withbindings that will withstand little hands.
• Select stockto meet pupils’ needs, interests and abilities, and encourage reading for pleasure.
• Donations need to meet your criteria too.

Choosing fiction and picture books: some questions

• Is theappearance of the book appealing?
• Are the illustrations and stories interesting and exciting?

Choosing non-fiction books: somequestions

• Does the book have a useful contents page, index with helpful references, suitable glossary, etc.?
• Does the material present a balanced perspective?
• Are illustrations (photographs, maps, charts, diagrams, drawings) clear, accurate and relevant? Do they have suitable captions?
• Do the illustrations giveaccurate representations, avoiding stereotypes and tokenism?
• Is information accurate?
• Is the language and terminology accessible andappropriate?
• Is the layout clear and the typeface well-spaced?
• Is the content at an appropriate level for intended readers?

Overall collection.

Classroom and library books and other resources should reflect and celebrate the richness and diversity of our world, with authors, illustrators and publications from many parts of the planet.

• Does the material presentbalanced, accurate andup-to-date global perspectives?
• Can the materials help children value their own and others’ cultural heritage?
• Is the stock balanced in terms of subject range, with material on the whole curriculum?