purduemeche Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 We have the unabridged audio recordings of the Lord of the Rings cycle. When are children old enough to listen (in general)? I know all kids are different, but what would you recommend? All the talk about Mordor and the Black Riders seems a bit much for DS 7 to hear now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 My younger 2 were 5 and 4 when they first heard The Hobbit and part of LOTR. I think it is a bit too scary for so young. maybe 9 or 10 depending on the child? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I think that LOTR is the greatest work of fiction ever produced by western civilization. That said, it's a language-rich, densely-packed, multi-layered story. I think a more mature child will follow it better and enjoy it far more. My own dd, who is a strong reader, enjoyed the books as a read-aloud starting at around age 11. This is the child who was reading Dickens by then and who, at the age of 13, was comfortable reading Shakespeare and various medieval works. I think 7yo is too young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Save it for later. It is a wonderful series. My son will read it when he does logic stage medieval times. There are soooo many good books for younger kids, read them instead. The Hobbit is written for a younger audience, and except for the spider chapter, it is fine for a 7 year old in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I don't think a LOTR audiobook would hold my DD's attention (she's 7.5). She saw the movies when she was 3, though, so I wouldn't withhold it from her for content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Have you done Narnia yet? The unabridged recordings for it are fabulous and would be more age-appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehogs4 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I think 7 is a bit young. My ds9 is listening tothe unabridged The Two Towers (after reading the Fellowship), and I think it is a little much for him, but he keeps pressing through. He loves the story, loves the characters, and can completely summarize for you the whole story, but it is just very dense, as a pp said. I think he will come back to it again and again in his lifetime, though. He truly is enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooblink Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I think that LOTR is the greatest work of fiction ever produced by western civilization. That said, it's a language-rich, densely-packed, multi-layered story. I think a more mature child will follow it better and enjoy it far more. My own dd, who is a strong reader, enjoyed the books as a read-aloud starting at around age 11. This is the child who was reading Dickens by then and who, at the age of 13, was comfortable reading Shakespeare and various medieval works. I think 7yo is too young. :iagree: I will also add that the book is much less dark and intense than the movies. 7 yo might be a good time for The Hobbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejadragna Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 you know your kid.. i think 7 is too young for almost any child. they still have alot of reality in fantasy which can make it very scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABQmom Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 My husband tried to do the Hobbit with my kids about 6 years ago. They hated it. When they turned 14, 12, and 10, they requested to see the movies. We said, "Not until you read all four books." They spent this school year reading them, and all three kids did very well with it this time around. I would agree with OP's--wait until later, and try the Naria series in the meantime--wonderful books as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 My 4 year old thinks it is just fine to fall asleep to. :tongue_smilie: Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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