Check It Out: Introducing Science Fiction Literature Age by Age

Being a professional book-recommender, people often ask me to post book lists their kids might like. I’m also alerted to what books people already are sharing with their kids. When it comes to geeks, sometimes we get so excited about sharing our favorites with our kids that we try to read them books they’re not ready for, and we overlook new things that might serve them better. I’ve considered writing up some “Fantasy for the Very Young” sorts of posts before (short answer: My Father’s Dragon. You’re welcome).

But then I saw this series of posts at the children’s speculative fiction book blog Views from the Tesseract, and knew there was no way I could top what fellow librarian Stephanie Whelan has done with science fiction. If you want to cultivate a sci-fi-reading geek, check out Whelan’s age-by-age “Science Fiction Pathway” for suggestions on ages to introduce the classics and many more newer books you might not yet have discovered.

A Science Fiction Pathway Part I (0-3 years) (Don’t skip this one if your kids are older! I’d definitely hand Robot Zot! to an older kid, myself, and with my well-documented love of wordless books I can’t help pushing Mr. Wuffles! and Jack and the Night Visitors on anyone of any age)

A Science Fiction Pathway Part II (3-5 years)

A Science Fiction Pathway Part III (5-7 years)

A Science Fiction Pathway Part IV (7-9 years) (This is where she gets to our mutual Favorite Book Ever! At least my favorite ever. I’m just inferring it’s up there for her based on the name of her blog)

A Science Fiction Pathway Part V (9-12 years) (Shout-out to The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, one of my favorites that isn’t nearly as well-known as it should be)

Happy reading!