mommymonster Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 DS9 is unable to visualize/make pictures in his head. He has done vision therapy to work on this, but it is something that still is an issue (the VT doc said that this would be something he deals with throughout his life). Unfortunately, as a result of this challenge, he has significant issues understanding fiction if a book does not have extensive illustrations. He is a graphic novel enthusiast, and we've had great luck with the Great Illustrated Classics books, as there is a picture on every other page. We've also done a ton of beautifully illustrated tales and myths from around the world (there's a huge section in our library). We are unfortunately running out of books from our library that suit his needs, and I need to cast a wider net. Can anyone recommend fictional books that write at a fourth grade (or higher) reading level that is illustrated? The illustrations don't have to be beautiful, but they do need to reflect what the story is about. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Has he read the various Brian Selznik books - Wonderstruck, Hugo Cabret, etc.? Those are wonderful and use the visual medium well. How much illustration is enough illustration? The Grain Brain books have an illustration maybe once a chapter. The Narnia books have a small illustration to start each chapter and occasionally a larger one additionally depending on the edition. There are a number of books like that - I'd have to think to list more though. What about a book or series with extensive fan art? Like, could he read something like Harry Potter and look at fan art to get the visualization? Can he watch the movie then read the book? Or could he read the graphic novel version of something, say, A Wrinkle in Time, then read the book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 Farrar, At this point, he seems to need an illustration on about every two-page spread (or at least every-other two-page spread). We tried reading Little House of the Prairie books (Garth Williams as illustrator), and there just weren't enough pictures, even though he is very familiar with pioneer life. I haven't tried the Harry Potter movies and then Harry Potter books, as his friends scared him silly over Voldemort. I will try the Sorcerer's Stone movie and book combination to see if it might work. I have heard of Brian Selznik, but we haven't tried his books. I'll check with the library. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Farrar, At this point, he seems to need an illustration on about every two-page spread (or at least every-other two-page spread). We tried reading Little House of the Prairie books (Garth Williams as illustrator), and there just weren't enough pictures, even though he is very familiar with pioneer life. I haven't tried the Harry Potter movies and then Harry Potter books, as his friends scared him silly over Voldemort. I will try the Sorcerer's Stone movie and book combination to see if it might work. I have heard of Brian Selznik, but we haven't tried his books. I'll check with the library. That's so tough. I feel for you. I can only assume it's going to get harder as he grows up. I guess I'm thinking that there are a lot of good book to movie versions. You could read lots of Newbery things like Sounder, Shiloh, Holes, Bridge to Terabithia, etc. which have all been made into films. You'd just watch the movie first. But I get if that doesn't work. How does he do with things like How to Train Your Dragon or Wimpy Kid or Big Nate? Things with lots of illustrations interspersed. That's so popular now. It's hardly high literature, of course. But what's the goal of him reading fiction? Is it to learn to enjoy fiction? Is it to just get him through it so he can get through school with the minimum and then go on to do a job where the reading requirements don't involve any fiction? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underthebridge Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 The Edge Chronicles? ETA, I linked to Far Flung Adventures instead- I believe it has more illustrations than The Edge Chronicles. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0385751125?vs=1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1435625496729 Avi's upcoming book is billed as a graphic novel http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1442499214/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1435626324&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=avi+old&dpPl=1&dpID=51g9z9wf3WL&ref=plSrch Also, I have seen illustrated versions of Michael Morpurgo's novels but I can't find them right now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Farrar, At this point, he seems to need an illustration on about every two-page spread (or at least every-other two-page spread). We tried reading Little House of the Prairie books (Garth Williams as illustrator), and there just weren't enough pictures, even though he is very familiar with pioneer life. Years ago when we listened (audio book, I didn't want to read them) the Little House on the Prairie books I got all the picture books I could find. I would then let my boys look through the picture book that was based on the chapter we where listening to. I found that several of the books had chapters that where basically simplified and made into a picture book. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=My+First+Little+House Another book that might work is "Pippi Longstocking". A few of the chapters from that series where very slighty changed so they could be made into stand alone books and then heavily illustrated. http://www.amazon.com/Pippi-Goes-School-Astrid-Lindgren/dp/0141302364/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1435627190&sr=8-21&keywords=Pippi+Longstocking http://www.amazon.com/Pippis-Extraordinary-Ordinary-Astrid-Lindgren/dp/0140568417/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RXBPSQJBBYB5JFB86H3 http://www.amazon.com/Pippi-Goes-Circus-Astrid-Lindgren/dp/0141302437/ref=pd_sim_14_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=02CE6N835J0RJMZ4JVJT http://www.amazon.com/Pippi-Rescue-Longstocking-Astrid-Lindgren/dp/0670880744/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VXJ9NG0TW1SKZPPCHYE http://www.amazon.com/Pippis-After-Christmas-Party-Pippi-Longstocking/dp/067086790X/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=098STAVK8HHCQ8K5GPKY This is an unabridged heavily illustrated pop-up version of The Little Prince. Every page spread has a picture and some feature that moves or pop ups. http://www.amazon.com/Little-Prince-Deluxe-Antoine-Saint-Exupery/dp/B00E84NJTI/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435627301&sr=1-10&keywords=The+LIttle+Prince We also had read a abridged version of The Wizard of Oz which was just beautiful. The first time I read it I didn't even notice it was abridged until I noticed the strange China Land chapter wasn't in the book. The pictures where so beautiful, colorful, and realistic but still fantastical. I think this was it: http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Oz-L-Frank-Baum/dp/1604335424/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435627377&sr=1-13&keywords=The+Wizard+of+Oz If he wants to read about Greeks. This graphic novel series: http://www.olympiansrule.com/ Our library had two versions of, "Alice in Wonderland" that had illustrations on at least every other page. Have you looked at the Candlewick Illustrated Classics? http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Swifts-Gulliver-Candlewick-Illustrated/dp/0763647403/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=143HSSHKS30CSZ0N48ZM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 That is hard. I checked our shelves and the only ones I could find are stories/adaptations by Geraldine McCaughrean and various classic works illustrated by Robert Ingpen. You might have better luck searching by illustrator. Also, Dangerous Journey is a highly illustrated version of Pilgrim's Progress which is definitely 4th+ reading level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 My boys even though the are older are still into teddy bears. (The bears in our family just created the UTF. The United Teddy Federation). They have listened to Paddington before, and i know they would still like it. http://www.amazon.com/Paddington-Treasury-Classic-Bedtime-Stories/dp/0062312421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435628166&sr=1-1&keywords=Paddington+Bear The Hobbit: An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic http://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-Fantasy-Classic/dp/0345445600/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435628637&sr=1-1&keywords=Illustrated+Hobbit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 If he wants to read things written recently: Redwall: The Graphic Novel http://www.amazon.com/Redwall-Graphic-Novel-Brian-Jacques/dp/0399244816/ref=pd_sim_14_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=09KNKXSRM1VM1KE5PAMV Franny K. Stein (This is a series) http://www.amazon.com/Lunch-Walks-Among-Franny-Scientist/dp/0689862954/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435628796&sr=1-2&keywords=Franny+K+Stein Percy Jackson graphic novel serieshttp://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/0786838655/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435628884&sr=1-2&keywords=Percy+Jackson If he wants to learn about the Warrior series by Erin Hunter he can get to know some of the characters by reading graphic novels about them. They are illustrated by Dan Jolley. http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-SkyClan-Stranger-Rescue-Manga/dp/0062008366/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435628991&sr=1-2&keywords=Warriors+Erin+Hunter+Dan+Jolley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 How does he do with things like How to Train Your Dragon or Wimpy Kid or Big Nate? Things with lots of illustrations interspersed. That's so popular now. It's hardly high literature, of course. But what's the goal of him reading fiction? Is it to learn to enjoy fiction? Is it to just get him through it so he can get through school with the minimum and then go on to do a job where the reading requirements don't involve any fiction? He has read Captain Underpants, which is of a similar vein as Wimpy Kid/Big Nate. We've read a number of the Geronimo Stilton silliness, as well. They all require a good bit of explanation/scaffolding. As for goals, I have a lofty goal (to understand humanity better through literature) and a functional goal. The functional goal is to get him through school relatively prepared to function in society, and provide him tools to get through college literature courses, if that's the route he takes. I am trying to guess what he will end up doing as an adult, but I honestly have no idea. Perhaps an entrepreneur? Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. We are heading back to the library tomorrow and I'm going through everyone's suggestions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentlemommy Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 How about these? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689817517/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0689847440&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1C4DXQDVSYQZ5CV2EG9Z We have several, and the vocabulary is actually quite good. Or D'Aulaire books? The Greek or Norse mythology ones are wonderful, and have illustrations on most pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Try Patricia Polacco books, too. They're small, but meaty. Or the 39 Story Treehouse, Sideways Stories for Wayside School........did you know Harry Potter is coming out as an illustrated edition? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underthebridge Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Other ideas Ottoline and the Yellow Cat http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0061448818/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1435664749&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=ottoline&dpPl=1&dpID=51S7OqEcg3L&ref=plSrch Oliver and the Seawigs http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0385387881?qid=1435664470&sr=8-1&vs=1 Jolley-Rogers http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1848772408/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1435664785&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=Jolley+Rogers&dpPl=1&dpID=51i5U5vVnyL&ref= 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Travels of Thelonius, by Susan Schade is interesting. It alternates graphic novel chapters with text chapters. Perhaps the text chapters are too long, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 ... Have you looked at the Candlewick Illustrated Classics? http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Swifts-Gulliver-Candlewick-Illustrated/dp/0763647403/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=143HSSHKS30CSZ0N48ZM Back when you'd mentioned this, I bought the Gulliver's Travels and Pinocchio books. I spent real money, as in retail, which is unusual for me. They were too advanced for DD at the time. But, she just finished Gulliver's Travels and it was great! The illustrations are what carried it through. DH and DD read it 50/50. They talked about it so much, I'm reading it now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Back when you'd mentioned this, I bought the Gulliver's Travels and Pinocchio books. I spent real money, as in retail, which is unusual for me. They were too advanced for DD at the time. But, she just finished Gulliver's Travels and it was great! The illustrations are what carried it through. DH and DD read it 50/50. They talked about it so much, I'm reading it now. I don't remember recommending that series, cause our library doesn't have it. But now I want them for myself. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 We adore our Candlewick Press books here. I'm reading an edition of the Secret Garden right now done by them and even dh is impressed with the illustrations. B&N has a boxed set of the Iliad & The Odyssey from them currently and I have a feeling it's going to be making its way onto our shelves in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 There have been an explosion of graphic novels available for a lot of "Classic" books--I've even seen Shakespeare and Mark Twain books in GN form. I was in the book store a couple weeks ago and saw that they have illustrated the Harry Potter books. I think that the text/story is the same, just with tons of illustrations throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 It might be a bit of an easy read for him but what about Usborne Young Reading Series. There is a picture at least every 2 pages. For me they have been a life saver for my profoundly Dyslexic DS14. He can read these abridged versions of the classics and comprehend them. then at least he knows the storyline and can join in conversations about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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