The Importance of Series Books for Children

Children identify with characters from book series.

Children's series books are collections in which each book contributes to a larger story or theme. Series books appeal to children of all reading ages, from Mercer Mayer's "Little Critter" for ages 4 to 8, to Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" for readers 13 and older. A 2010 poll by the National Education Association cites J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" as the favorite children's book series among respondents.

Themes

Series books feature recurring themes pertinent to the average child. These themes can be weighty, like identity, fear or parental divorce, or they can be uplifting, like self-esteem, friendship and bravery. In an essay for "Education Review," Kathleen Sullivan Brown writes that death is a recurring theme in the "Harry Potter" series, which addresses the common fear of a child losing his parents.

Identity

Because they get to know the protagonist well reading through a series of books, children often identify with the main character's physical, mental and emotional struggles. Aaron Mead, on the website Children's Books and Reviews, claims nearly any child with a sibling can relate to sisters Ramona and Beezus in Beverly Cleary's series "Ramona." According to Reading Is Fundamental Inc., reading series books fosters this connection between children and characters.

Encouragement

Series books are open-ended to allow further plot development, so children are motivated to read the next book to see what happens. Both Scholastic and GreatSchools Inc. suggest parents and educators use children's series books to encourage reluctant readers.

References

• Amazon: Just a Little Critter Collection, Mercer Mayer
• Smartbean: Recommended Reading for Young Adults
• National Education Association: What Is America's Favorite Children's Book Series?
• Education Review: Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives
• Children's Books and Reviews: Juvenile Fiction: Beezus and Ramona, by Beverly Cleary

Resources

• Reading Is Fundamental: Tips and Tricks
• Scholastic: Series That Hook Reluctant Readers
• Great Schools: "But Mom, I Hate to Read!": Tips for Reluctant Readers
• KidsReads.com: Series Books
• HarperCollins Children's Books: Favorite Characters and Series