A common question that parents have when buying books for young children is: what’s the difference between a board book and a paperback book?
Both board books and paperback books are popular options for little ones. But knowing the key differences can help you make the best choice for your child.
In this complete guide, as a professional board book printing and paperback book printing manufacturer, we’ll cover everything you need to know about board books vs paperbacks, including:
- What Is a Board Book?
- Board Book Features
- What Is a Paperback Book?
- Paperback Book Features
- Key Differences Between Board Books and Paperbacks
- Which Type of Book Is Better For Your Child?
Plus plenty more to help you decide!
What Is a Board Book?
A board book is a small, thick book printed on cardboard or thick paperboard. The pages and binding are equally sturdy throughout.
Board books are designed specifically for babies and toddlers ages newborn to 3 years. The durable pages withstand chewing, grasping, pulling, dropping, and everything else little hands can dish out!
The term “board book” refers to the thickness of the paper. While a regular paperback book uses paper less than 1 mm thick, board book paper is 1 mm or thicker.
For example, a common paper weight is 12 pt paper, which equals 0.3 mm. Compare that to typical board book paper stock—anywhere from 1 to 2 mm thick.
That thicker paper makes board books more durable for little kids.
Board Book Features
Here are some key features of board books:
Thick, Durable Pages
As the name suggests, board book pages are made of paperboard or thick cardboard. This allows the pages to withstand serious abuse from babies and toddlers.
Board pages are impossible to rip and resistant to teeth marks or moisture damage. Once dry, the cardboard pages clean up nice and flat.
Small Size and Shape
Board books tend to be small, ranging anywhere from 4 x 4 inches to 8 x 8 inches. Square and rectangular shapes fit best into little hands.
The compact size also makes board books easy for on-the-go. They’re lightweight enough to tuck into a diaper bag or stroller.
Short Length
A typical board book contains 12-24 pages or 6-12 spreads. Sometimes longer stories get abridged to fit this shorter format.
The low page count keeps board books thin for little hands to manage. Short, simple text paired with colorful pictures also suits babies’ and toddlers’ developing attention spans.
Rounded Corners
Board book makers trim paper corners into rounded edges. This design prevents sharp corners from poking tiny fingers and mouths. It also helps board books withstand rough play without dog-eared pages.
Interactive or Sensory Elements
Many board books feature interactive elements to engage babies and excite toddlers as they learn to read. These include lift-a-flaps, touch-and-feel textures, pull tabs, wheels, slides, and more.
Pop-up surprises especially entice little ones to explore their board books even further. The interactive quality also extends board books’ replay value for the 100th read.
Waterproof
Thanks to their thicker cardboard pages, most board books easily withstand spills, drops in puddles, messy mealtimes, and bath time adventures. The durable paper dries fast without warping.
A quick wipedown restores board books to like-new condition again and again. No need to worry if baby decides to teethe on that board book right after mealtime.
What Is a Paperback Book?
A paperback book (also called a softcover or softback book) uses paper pages stitched, glued, stapled or—in higher quality editions—sewn together at the spine with a paper or flexible cardstock cover.
Unlike board books’ thick cardboard pages, paperback pages use paper less than 1 mm thick. Publishers print the cover and pages separately, then bind them together.
While board books cater exclusively to the baby and toddler crowd, paperbacks span all ages. They encompass chapter books, early readers, picture books, novels, nonfiction books, and more.
Paperback Book Features
Here’s what sets paperbacks apart from board books:
Thin, Flexible Pages
Rather than thick cardboard, paperbacks feature pages made from paper. Quality can range from 50# offset paper up to 80# paper. Top bound paperbacks may use even heavier paper.
Paper allows pages to remain thin and flexible compared to stiff board book pages. That flexibility makes paperbacks prone to easier page tearing.
More Size and Shape Options
Paperback books accommodate more size and shape options than board books’ standard small, squarish dimensions.
Picture books, chapter books, early readers, and novels each follow loose size conventions by genre. Within those general guidelines, though, specific trim sizes and page counts vary.
Longer Page Lengths
Picture book paperbacks tend to run 24-40 pages—about the same as board books. However, paperback chapter books, early readers, and middle grade novels run significantly longer.
For example, an average early chapter book contains about 80-120 pages. Paperback middle grade novels go even longer at around 150-250 pages. More advanced readers may tackle 300-500 page books.
Sharp Corners
Most paperbacks retain sharp 90-degree corners rather than rounded edges. Reasonably careful handling prevents injury. For active young kids prone to rough treatment, cover corner protectors help prevent bent page corners.
Limited Interactive Elements
A handful of novelty paperbacks contain interactive lift-a-flaps or slide elements. But most stick to straight text and illustrations.
For babies and toddlers still prone to tearing paper, cardboard flaps and pull tabs stand up to play better than paper-based interactive elements.
Not Waterproof
Paperback pages warp, wrinkle, and tear when exposed to moisture. Spills, chew marks, or bath time fun damages paper pages in ways that sturdy board books endure.
Key Differences Between Board Books and Paperbacks
Now that you understand board books vs paperbacks individually, let’s compare some of their key differences:
| Point of Difference | Board Books | Paperback Books |
|---|---|---|
| Page Material | thick cardboard or paperboard | thin paper |
| Durability | very durable | delicate |
| Ideal Age Range | newborn to 3 years | varies by genre |
| Typical Size | 4 x 4 to 8 x 8 inches | varies by genre |
| Standard Length | 12-24 pages | varies by genre |
| Corners | rounded | sharp (mostly) |
| Interactivity | often includes interactive elements | limited interactivity |
| Water resistance | waterproof | not water resistant |
Knowing these core differences helps steer you towards the better book format for your child’s age and interests. Next let’s look at guidelines on when to choose board books or paperbacks.
Which Type of Book Is Better For Your Child?
Deciding between board books vs paperbacks depends mainly on your child’s age and interests. As well as how they tend to handle books.
Here are some guidelines on when board books or paperbacks make the best fit.
Best Ages for Board Books
Board books best serve babies from newborn to toddlers up to age 3. During this phase kids learn about shapes, colors, letters, numbers and animals.
They also explore books through hands-on play. Board books’ thick pages withstand mouthing, chewing, grabbing, tossing, or other rough handling.
Once kids reach 3 years, they often demonstrate greater care while looking through books. Turning pages properly instead of random ripping. Also enjoying longer stories.
This marks the time many toddlers transition from board books to paperback picture books. Although board books still entice pre-schoolers if the subject captivates their interest.
Best Ages for Paperback Books
Paperback formats span wider age appeal—from toddlers on upwards. sturdy board books still serve toddlers well. Around 3 years marks the intersection where many children start showing interest in paperback picture books.
At this age language blooms as kids start recognizing letters, words, and verbal storytelling. Paperback picture books tell more involved stories that build vocabulary.
Between 4-8 years old, kids step up to early reader paperbacks. Short chapters built around phonics rules or sight words. These short books start the transition towards chapter books for early grade schoolers.
By 6-9 years old, most kids handle paperback chapter books well. Both physically and in comprehension ability to follow longer stories. Paperback novels then appeal through the middle school years.
In Summary
Board books and paperback books both engage and educate little readers. Infants and toddlers benefit most from hardy board books. While paperbacks appeal to kids over age 3 onward.
Now that you understand the key differences between these two popular kids book formats, you can choose what’s best for your child’s age and interests.
Most of all, provide whatever sparks your child’s curiosity to explore and passion to curl up with their favorite book.