ReadingMama1214 Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 DD is 5 and loving Mercy Watson. She reads a lot of picture books and easier books to herself as well. Next year she will go to an immersion school for K (Spanish) and I want to continue challenging her and growing her English reading ability. I'm looking for some quality, must-read early chapter books for a 5 year old. She hasn't seemed interested in Magic Tree House and they seem a bit fluffier than I want. Any recommendations for quality literature for a 5 year old to read? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bltex Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 My oldest daughter's first chapter book(s) was the My Father's Dragon trilogy at age 5. For her, it was the right amount of mild challenge without being overwhelming for a first chapter book. I originally used The Courage of Sarah Noble and The Bear on Hemlock Mountain as bedtime read-alouds, but she later chose to re-read them by herself. They also dovetail nicely with colonial America studies. I would consider them more challenging than My Father's Dragon. It can be tough getting the right amount of "challenging, but not too challenging." One thing I've noticed is that it's helpful to be within earshot when she reads something a bit challenging so I can catch possible mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Dick King-Smith is good. He wrote for various ages, so try to see them in person, as some are at a higher reading level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingMama1214 Posted April 28, 2017 Author Share Posted April 28, 2017 My oldest daughter's first chapter book(s) was the My Father's Dragon trilogy at age 5. For her, it was the right amount of mild challenge without being overwhelming for a first chapter book. I originally used The Courage of Sarah Noble and The Bear on Hemlock Mountain as bedtime read-alouds, but she later chose to re-read them by herself. They also dovetail nicely with colonial America studies. I would consider them more challenging than My Father's Dragon. It can be tough getting the right amount of "challenging, but not too challenging." One thing I've noticed is that it's helpful to be within earshot when she reads something a bit challenging so I can catch possible mistakes. What's the print size like in My Fathers Dragon? We read the first one allowed but I could have her do it again. She's a little funny with print size and while she can read smaller font, she preferres not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmseB Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 We like Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries. They are not capital L Literature, but my kids liked them better than Magic Treehouse. I found them good for readers who are still young but not beginning readers anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingMama1214 Posted April 28, 2017 Author Share Posted April 28, 2017 We like Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries. They are not capital L Literature, but my kids liked them better than Magic Treehouse. I found them good for readers who are still young but not beginning readers anymore. Yeah. I expected her to like Magic Tree House. She's more of a science/Stem kid though. I think I have an A to Z mystery on our shelf. I'll have to look. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fralala Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 If she loves Mercy Watson, has she read the Tales From Deckawoo Drive books? (We also love the Bink and Gollie books by the same author; like Mercy Watson, they appear at first glance to be very simple, but contain more complex vocabulary than most traditional early readers. And they're also very funny.) For 5 year old who is reading fluently and enjoys reading, the options almost seem limitless to me...she can read and enjoy beautiful picture books, which often have more complex language, as well as chapter books IF she is determined to do so. There are some really beautifully illustrated fairy tales and fables (Paul O. Zelinsky and Jerry Pinkney are two of our favorites) that my daughters would just pore over at that age. If I had to name must-read, quality chapter books for this age, I'd say I'm partial to the Ann Cameron books about Julian, Huey, and Gloria-- starting with "The Stories Julian Tells." The book that got my oldest daughter into reading chapter books was Grace Lin's book "The Year of the Dog", though. Sometimes it's hard to know what will be a hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Princess in Black, Agnes and Clarabelle, Kingdom of Wrenly Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) One of mine really loved The Unicorn's Secret series by Kathleen Duey (I think there are about 8 of them; they tell a whole story so you have to read them in order, unlike a lot of other early readers). My older two both liked A-Z Mysteries and The Secrets of Droon books. Clyde Robert Bulla wrote a lot of early chapter books on a lot of different topics. I'll second (or third) the recommendations for Dick King-Smith and the My Father's Dragon books. Oh, and the Jenny Linskey books (about a cat) are nice. Different kids like such different stuff - one of mine loved Magic Treehouse, one read a few and lost interest, the third never touched them. Just a warning- don't ever try to read Magic Treehouse out loud; it might result in brain hemorrhage. I made sure to have the kids read those independently. So.many.fragments. Edited April 29, 2017 by Matryoshka 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingMama1214 Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 Princess in Black, Agnes and Clarabelle, Kingdom of Wrenly Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk She LOVES Agnes and clarabelle and has read both of them. I have others from that same Read & Bloom series on pre-order. I will try Kingdom of Wrenly again. We have the first 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bltex Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 What's the print size like in My Fathers Dragon? We read the first one allowed but I could have her do it again. She's a little funny with print size and while she can read smaller font, she preferres not to. The print in My Father's Dragon is slightly larger than the print in Magic Treehouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingMama1214 Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 The print in My Father's Dragon is slightly larger than the print in Magic Treehouse. Thanks, that's good to know. I read gen Kindle version aloud to her so I haven't seen the paperback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) Yeah. I expected her to like Magic Tree House. She's more of a science/Stem kid though. I think I have an A to Z mystery on our shelf. I'll have to look. Thanks!Eric Sanvoisen's Inkdrinker seriesJC Greenburg's Andrew Lost series Anne Whitehead Nagda math stories Tomie DePaola Strega Nona David Adler Cam Jansen Smaller print would be Johanna Hurwitz's Riverside Kids and John Peterson's The Littles. They would be readalouds if no ereader to magnify print. Ask around for an older Childcraft series Edited April 29, 2017 by Heigh Ho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraBeth475 Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Ivy and Bean? Oh, what about the Little House chapter books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 I haven't checked reading levels on these, but some that my daughter has liked and probably fall into the same quality category as Mercy Watson: Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro (aimed squarely at young STEM girls) Princess in Black by Shannon Hale (also writes books for older kids like The Princess Academy series, which is quite good) Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo (same author as Mercy Watson) Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin (same author as the Click Clack Moo picture books) Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke Clementine by Sara Pennypacker Cam Jansen by David Adler (there's a somewhat simpler/shorter Young Cam Jansen series as well) Judy Moody by Megan McDonald How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) If she's five year's old, you'll really have better luck with picture books. Many picture books are at a higher reading level than chapter books for that age group, using more advanced (that is, unusual) vocabulary, and you know they're age appropriate. Edited April 30, 2017 by Tanaqui 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 If she's five year's old, you'll really have better luck with picture books. Many picture books are at a higher reading level than chapter books for that age group, using more advanced (that is, unusual) vocabulary, and you know they're age appropriate. I was going to suggest the exact same thing in almost the same words. They are also not as overwhelming to little ones. They are able to feel accomplished in a shorter Time frame. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Plus, they have pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReadingMama1214 Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 If she's five year's old, you'll really have better luck with picture books. Many picture books are at a higher reading level than chapter books for that age group, using more advanced (that is, unusual) vocabulary, and you know they're age appropriate. She does read a lot of picture books throughout the day. I would say that they're about 80%+ of what she reads. I definitely still plan to have her read picture books. She also loves chapter books and has been asking for more. I mainly wanted a list to pull from for when she asks for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Okay :) Well, let me see what I've got floating around in my head, then! Most of these are series: Nikki and Deja Keena Ford Ruby Lu The Stories Julian Tells Anna Hibiscus Lola Levine Zapato Power Lulu and the Duck EllRay Jakes Sofia Martinez Jaden Toussaint Zoey and Sassafras Emma is on the Air Get Ready for Gabi Milo and Jazz Katie Woo These books are either a sort of hybrid picture/chapter book, or they're graphic novels: George and Martha Fox and Friends Rafi and Rosi Frog and Toad Babymouse Squish Bink and Gollie Ling and Ting The Princess in Black Sam and Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xahm Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Thank you all for these great suggestions! I have a daughter just at the same stage, and I'm taking literal notes to take with me to the library. The stacks can be intimidating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 This is my favorite list of books, whether they are picture books or juvenile novels. :-) Honey for a Child's Heart is also quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryjam Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) My oldest daughter's first chapter book(s) was the My Father's Dragon trilogy at age 5. For her, it was the right amount of mild challenge without being overwhelming for a first chapter book. We use "My Father's Dragon" trilogy as the first chapter book series after phonics readers. It still has some pictures and is just the right amount of challenge to bridge over to regular chapter books. Another good one that we used right before "My Father's Dragon" was the "Dick and Jane" old school hardcover treasuries. We also really liked the Penguin Young Readers leveled books, level 3-5 are fantastic as early chapter books. They also have lots of non-fiction ones. My kids weren't into the Magic Treehouse fiction stories, but the non-fiction Magic Treehouse ones about various topics were a big hit. Edited May 4, 2017 by strawberryjam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLife Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 don't ever try to read Magic Treehouse out loud; it might result in brain hemorrhage. I made sure to have the kids read those independently. So.many.fragments. So many fragments. My son and I buddy read the dinosaur one, and I am seriously considering selling our set because of the fragments. I don't want him picking up bad writing habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 The Lighthouse Family is a charming series of early chapter books. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthmerlin Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Meg Mackintosh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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