Use these categories to steer you in the right direction toward picking books that match your kids' interests. Not only will they enjoy the reading experience, but their decoding and comprehensive skills are likely to improve if they're interested in the subject at hand.

History Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and other historical books.

Growing Up Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus and other books about wisdom with age.

Boys I'm Bad! by Kate McMullan and other books for boys.

Animals What's Up, Duck? by Tad Hills and other books for animal lovers.

Girls Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford and other girly books.

Illustration Maisy's Nature Walks by Lucy Cousins and other picture books.

Fantasy Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and other fantasy books.

Educational Baby Signs by Joy Allen and other educational books.

Infant to 2 Years Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt and other classics.

10 to 12 Years Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien and other classics.

3 to 5 Years Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson and other classics.

12 Years and Up The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and other classics.

6 to 9 Years Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel and other classics.