- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/163114) - []() - []() - []() # The Importance of Children’s Readers’ Advisory Strong readers’ advisory for children — grounded in training, tools, and a child-centered approach — helps every young reader find books that spark lasting joy and confidence. ![Image of children reading in a library](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/fafd01cb-5dfb-49f5-9e02-6ed5d2f560d5/Children-s-RA-blog.jpg) [Lauren Campbell](/novelist/bio/lauren-campbell) 21 July 2026 I’m going to paraphrase something I heard recently: Libraries play a supporting role in teaching children to read but take a leading role in helping them fall in love with books and become lifelong readers. Fostering a love of reading is at the heart of what libraries do and helping young readers choose what they want to read is an essential part of cultivating the joy of reading. ## Children’s books account for much of your library’s circulation A big part of how we grow that reading joy is by getting good books into the hands of young readers. And the numbers show that children's librarians are making a huge difference for the future of literacy. In [North Carolina](https://library.nc.gov/services-libraries/resources-library-staff/data-and-evaluation/north-carolina-public-library-statistics), kids and teen books account for 62% of physical book circulation. In [Minnesota](https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/Lib/sls/stat/), children’s items circulate 28% more than adult items. And in [California](https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/statistics/) children's physical materials account for about 56% of all physical items circulated. Check your library’s stats. I bet children’s books and materials make up a big chunk of your circulation too. Clearly, kids are coming to the library and finding books. But how do we make sure we’re helping them find books that will spark that deep love of reading? We all aspire to match kids with books that make them want to read more, talk about with others, and stick with them as they grow. But not all children walk into the library knowing what they want or feeling confident as readers. That’s where readers’ advisory comes in. Strong readers’ advisory can help all children — not just confident or avid readers — find meaningful books. ## It’s the same and it’s different I know, as a former children’s librarian, that readers’ advisory for children is much the same as readers’ advisory for adults. We ask about likes, dislikes, favorite authors, or favorite titles. We match books with readers based on mood, style, and themes or by finding great read-alikes. We make displays and booklists and incorporate books into programs. We keep up with trends, new titles, and award winners. And we always keep reader choice and enjoyment at the heart of our practice. But I also know that children’s readers’ advisory comes with some extra considerations. How old is the child? Are they readers, beginning readers, or pre-readers, and which type of books are best for each? Are they an advanced or voracious reader? Or are they struggling or reluctant? Do they actually want a book or is someone "making" them read? Is a caregiver present and included in the conversation? Questions that include grade levels or reading levels can be especially hard for even the most seasoned library staff. Caregivers may be worried or stressed about finding the right level to support their child’s learning. Children may feel restricted by levels, or like they have to read at a certain level, which can lessen the joy of reading. And staff may be baffled at a request for a “J level” book. What does that even mean? All these questions can add even more nuance to children’s readers’ advisory. Ultimately though, they help make better, more tailored recommendations — an important task, since a mismatch (too hard, too easy, or not engaging) can discourage future reading. ## Make sure staff are ready to help children with readers’ advisory It’s important that staff have the right tools and the right training so that they can have those conversations, make those recommendations, and grow that love of reading. Because providing high-quality reading recommendations for children doesn’t happen by chance — it’s the result of intentional training, shared tools, and a commitment to meeting young readers where they are. Staff who are skilled in both relational and promotional readers’ advisory for children are your library’s best resource when it comes to matching children with books. They know how to balance the practical work of finding books for children that match their interests and their age or reading level. Staff who are eager to talk about books and are confident navigating reading levels and caregiver conversations are going to make sure that young readers go home excited about their selections. That’s where [Learn with NoveList Plus](https://about.ebsco.com/novelist/products/learn-with-novelist) can help. One of our newest courses, **Understanding Reading Levels: Practical Advice for Library Staff**, is designed to help staff navigate reading and grade level questions by understanding common leveling systems and applying child-centered readers’ advisory strategies. It will help you move beyond the numbers to focus on what really matters: Connecting children with books they will enjoy. Consistent, library-specific training ensures all staff — not just specialists — can provide high-quality service and improve the user experience across the library. After all, when you help children choose the right book for them, they are more likely to succeed as readers. Help your staff help a child with refresher or upskilling courses on Learn with NoveList Plus. Request a free demo and trial today. [ Request a free demo and trial ](https://about.ebsco.com/novelist/demos) --- [Lauren Campbell](/novelist/bio/lauren-campbell) is Manager, Reader Content and Services at NoveList. She is currently reading *The Everlasting* by Alix E. Harrow. Category: [Articles ](/blogs/novelist/category/articles) Tags: [KidLit](/blogs/novelist/tag/kidlit) [Readers' advisory](/blogs/novelist/tag/readers'-advisory) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/163114) - []() - []() - []() ## Related Posts [ ![Children smiling at a library storytime](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/340c5f66-f4d1-4e77-820f-ae44e0735214/All-Kinds-of-Storytimes-blog.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/all-kinds-storytimes-all-kinds-families) [All Kinds of Storytimes for All Kinds of Families](/blogs/novelist/all-kinds-storytimes-all-kinds-families) 28 May 2026 [ ![](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/f1b53c37-43b7-4242-8782-49097275a60c/Leveled-Reading-Blog.png) ](/blogs/novelist/leveled-reading-for-kids-how-to) [Leveled Reading and Reading Choice: A Balancing Act ](/blogs/novelist/leveled-reading-for-kids-how-to) 17 September 2024 [ ![Librarian helping an older child select a book from a library shelf](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/e7bdabd8-af38-4a44-87de-09df16b6ab66/readalikes-blog2.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/heres-how-use-read-alikes-novelist) [Here’s How to Use Read-alikes in NoveList](/blogs/novelist/heres-how-use-read-alikes-novelist) 30 April 2026