Early chapter books are usually brightly coloured paperbacks, featuring bigger print, black and white spot illustrations and introduce the young reader to a story divided into short chapters. Think titles like Captain Underpants, The 13-Storey Treehouse, Amelia Fang, Owl Diaries, Ivy & Bean and so on. They kind of come sandwiched in between picture books and middle grade fiction (for 8-12 year old’s) and are aimed at children who have just begun reading independently.
I like to call them the forgotten middle child of children’s literature because when it comes to accolades, prizes and academic study, picture books and middle grade fiction get all the attention, and these books fade from our notice.
These books are often pigeon-holed as utilitarian, as just stepping stones to “proper” books and certainly not worthy of having much thought devoted to them as a body of literature. They are viewed as silly, flippant and as assaulting adult notions of taste and literary merit.
I disagree.
These books are not only an important cornerstone in children’s reading development, but in simple, gentle language, explore the complex world of navigating life’s highs and lows, everyday challenges, friendships, single-parent households and family relationships.
So why do books in this category escape literary notice? Here are some of my thoughts:
- Perceived Simplicity:
Early readers and chapter books are designed to be accessible to young readers with developing literacy skills. The simplicity of language, shorter length, and straightforward plots can lead to a perception that these books are less complex or sophisticated than longer middle-grade. I would argue that these features don’t preclude them from these qualities (and I’ll be sharing some examples in future posts).
- Focus on Emerging Readers:
The primary goal of early readers/chapter books is to help children learn to read independently. The emphasis on literacy development sometimes overshadows the literary artistry involved in crafting these books. Many awards and literary critics prioritise books that push artistic or thematic boundaries, and early readers may be seen as less innovative because their focus is on reading fluency. In contrast, picture books and middle-grade novels often apparel to adults too, whereas adults generally don’t look at early chapter books.
- Genre Overlooked in the Market:
The book market tends to highlight the most popular or best-selling categories, such as YA and middle-grade fantasy or adventure, which often receive more marketing and media attention. As a result, early readers and chapter books may not achieve the same level of public visibility or status. This is not always the case (for example, The Treehouse series), but on a general level, I think this is true.
- Transitional Nature:
Early readers and chapter books are often seen as a transitional phase between picture books and middle-grade novels. Because they are considered stepping stones, they might not be given the same recognition as fully developed novels (or even the picture book market), even though crafting an engaging, well-paced story for this age group requires considerable skill.
Not only are they an essential part of a child’s reading journey, but, to be honest, writing them is really hard too! They demand a lot from a writer: simple, accessible (but not boring!) prose, a plot that balances gracefully between interest and manageability (and be page-turning too!), relatable characters for an in-between age group that is rapidly changing.
