Choosing books for preschoolers is a fun task. I like to think of choosing books as an adventure and a scavenger hunt all rolled up together. 

Each session of Mission Friends includes a Books area activity suggestion. Books are the gateway of literacy for preschoolers, and placing books in preschool classrooms allows preschoolers to discover the importance of Books—even when attending church and learning about missions, missions areas, and missionaries. 

Here are some suggestions to consider when choosing books for preschoolers of all ages.  

• The most important book to include in a Mission Friends classroom is an age-appropriate Bible. We prefer the CSB Read to Me Bible. This Bible version includes Bible story illustrations along with short Bible stories, each simplified for different ages of preschoolers. 
• Choose books geared toward the age levels of each Mission Friends classroom—babies, ones, and twos; threes and fours; and kindergartners. Most books have a suggested audience age level. Use a book’s suggested age level as a guide, but also allow yourself to choose books that fit the interests of your preschoolers. Choose books that are both age and developmentally appropriate. 
• Mission Friends learn about missions, missionaries, and missions areas. While it is unlikely you will find books about specific missionaries, you may find books about the type of work a missionary does (such as a motorcycle rider, fire chaplain, or teacher). Books about different areas of the world are good resources for learning about the monthly missions area. 
• Keep your eyes open for books about the Christian concept areas: Bible, Church, Family, God, Jesus, God’s Creation, Community, World, and Self. These books will fit well into the monthly focus on the different Christian concept areas. Visit wmu.com to see the Missions and Me series books, one written for each concept area. 
• Make sure the books you choose represent a biblical worldview and accurately represent the Bible. 
• Choose books that talk about preschool topics in friendly ways: making friends, social skills, families, community helpers, going to preschool, transportation, nature, and more. These books may be used to share additional information about the missions area or the work a missionary does.
• Consider your purpose in choosing a book. Do you need a book about prayer, church, or scary situations? Search for books that match your purpose. Books like Sometimes I Am Afraid make excellent resources for preschoolers. 
• Choose a variety of picture books representing different cultures from around the world. Consider adding picture books that represent the cultural groups of your preschoolers. 
• Choose books with good photographs or colorful illustrations. These attract the attention of preschoolers. 
• Search out nonfiction books that relate to themes Mission Friends might learn about, such as beaches, mountains, big cities, forests, transportation, and countries around the world. 
• Make sure the characters and settings of the books are appropriate for your preschoolers. Avoid talking animal characters, cartoon people, secular holidays, or situations that are too mature. 

Choosing age-appropriate books to use with preschoolers will lead to great opportunities to share with preschoolers and teach them more about God and His plan for the world. 

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by Angie Quantrell