Many preschoolers make squiggly lines to represent their writing; this is the first step towards actual writing. Encourage your child to tell you what he wrote and give her opportunities to copy and trace words such as her name and names of family members.

When you begin reading a new story to your child encourage him to guess what the story is about based on its cover. This allows your child to use his expressive language skills. Also be sure to mention who the author and illustrator are and tell him what it means to be an author and an illustrator.

After you are finished reading the story ask him open ended questions such as what he liked best about the book and what he would do if he were in the same situation as one of the books characters.

The following are guidelines on what makes a great book compiled by Isabel Baker, president of www.bookvine.com

LANGUAGE: Children’s books must convey an entire story using very few words. Young children love the security of predictable books with rhythm and repetition. The language can be simple, as in Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You see? or more complex, as in Madeline. The strong language in both books helps listeners take a personal interest in the characters and plot.
SETTING: Look for settings that are clear, authentic, and familiar. Stick with illustrations and text that are not confusing. Familiar settings include places that readers will recognize-such as the family dining room-and everyday situations. For example, city kids and country kids alike identify with the setting in The Carrot seed because they can place themselves in the determined boy’s shoes.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Character development is what enables children to care about the people (or animals) in a story. It means making characters dynamic participants in the story, rather than one-dimensional vehicles that move the plot along. Interesting characters grow and change in realistic ways that touch our hearts. Children relate to both the monkeys and the peddler in the beloved Caps for Sale because children understand the peddler’s growing frustration and they are enticed by the monkeys’ crafty trickery.
PLOT: Great plots have tension and a goal. Corduroy wants a home and The Three Billy Goats Gruff need to cross the bridge. Plot-driven obstacles like these are exciting because they enable characters to show their colors-Corduroy’s vulnerability and the Three Billy Goats’ fear and determination.
THEME: Children are attracted to books with a strong core and universal themes, such as good versus evil (The Three Little Pigs); hard work will be rewarded (Tops and Bottoms); or cleverness is more important than power (Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock).

ART: The illustrations should be bold-but not overly detailed or busy. The younger the child the more difficult it is to see details. Your eye should know where to go when you first look at the page. Color does not automatically equal quality. For example, Make Way for Ducklings, Millions of Cats, and The Story of Ferdinand have been favorites for decades, yet they all have illustrations with just two colors.