serendipitous journey Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 This is a little question -- I've just started reading "The Borrowers" to Button, 6 1/2. Our previous read-alouds were Wizard of Oz, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Charlotte's Web, and Wind in the Willows. The Borrowers is awfully slow starting, and I'm on the fence about sticking it out or moving on -- I'd slated something by Nesbit next, either Book of Dragons or Five Children and It. Ideas??? and thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALB Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Well, we haven't actually read The Borrowers, so I can't tell you whether it gets better or not. I think the other books you have read are wonderful, and I personally wouldn't spend time on a book that we didn't find interesting when there are so many other great books out there. Of course that is just my opinion. I'm sure once my dc are older, I will be stricter about forcing our way through difficult or slow books, but when they are young I just want us all to enjoy the journey and fall in love with reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 We also started and then abandoned The Borrowers. It sounds like it should be a great little kid story, but the combination of the language, plot speed, need to draw inferences, and necessary cultural background information makes it hard going. I loved it as a kid, but I was an older kid. Try it again at eight or nine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 We were fine with it, but I think you have to stick with it past that first dreadfully boring couple of chapters that sets up that the old lady is telling the story. On the other hand, we like them, but didn't love them so I won't argue too stringently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 We loved the Borrowers, but not the sequels as much. However, I loved them when I read them myself as a kid. At any rate, I would just wait on it. It is a wonderful book, but I think may be appreciated more in a couple of years. I just read it aloud to my 9 yo and he was riveted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I read it to my 6yoba few months ago. It was a dreadfully slow start. I was bored and thought about quitting, but it did pick up and DS enjoyed it. Maybe it's a good lesson on sticking with something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 My kids were fine with it,but by the end they were done. I had to force the last two chapters, at that point they just didn't care. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 We listened to the audio CD when my girls were 7 and 9. They both liked The Borrowers, but I have abandoned books before when the kids thought they were boring. Different people like different things. If you are a fair way into it, aren't enjoying it either, I'd choose something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thank you, everybody! I think we'll pause it ... Button used to just detest being read to, and reading, so having him learn to love books is a huge goal of mine. We have the Nesbits on hand from the library, and also Jungle Book (which I don't adore completely, but he was entranced by the sample in WWE) so we'll do something he likes. Am so appreciative of the support for jettisoning an unliked book at this age! (I'm afraid we started the book b/c I wanted him to read it before we saw the Arrietty movie :blush:. I think we'll just let him watch the film and wait on the book ... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I don't hve a problem abandoning books that don't go over well. I started reading Charlotte's Web to my son but after the first chapter he didn't want to listen to it anymore. We'll try again some other time. If they aren't interested there is no point, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAM Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 We're reading the Borrowers now, but mine is 7. I don't think he loves it, but he hasn't asked me to stop either. It does pick up a bit towards the middle. We have given up books that didn't work in the past. I usually encourage them to stick it out for three or four chapters first. I'd rather keep the fun in reading, especially at a younger age, than risk killing a love for reading by insisting we finish something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I agree with all - dd *adored* The Borrowers in 3rd grade. Give it a couple of years. But I also completely get the dilemna - I want them to read books before seeing movies, I hate it when a movie "ruins" the book for a kid. I bet Arriety is different enough, though, that it will seem like two totally different experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 a little update: Button insisted on pushing through! So we are, though he doesn't seem to be following half the plot, sweet fellow. I think he just likes the tiny people. If he is still going strong at the end, maybe we'll try Afield soon; but I think I'll probably plan on reading them both together in 3rd, when he'll understand them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I think gr 3 is better. Its a wonderful book. The BEST one is Afield tho. Living in a boot was never so charming.:D My kids told me they didn't want to hear book #3. They apparently didn't like #2 but didn't want to tell me. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I loved that book as a kid, and so did my DD. We both read it to ourselves. Maybe it's not a good read-aloud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I started reading the first one to my son when he was about 4 or 5, and it was not enthusiastically received; he enjoyed it a lot about 2 years later, and actually both kids appeared to enjoy #2. That was what was so surprising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reign Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My girls are younger but we dropped it. I moved on to Pippi. They also didn't like charlotte's web enough to continue. They loved wizard of oz and Popper's penguins. We are just reading these books for fun. To grow their love of reading so if no one is enjoying it I dont see a need to continue . The even saw the movie and were excited to read it. I gave up around chapter 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 We read the complete Borrowers series several months ago and my 2 DC (who were 5 and 3 at the time) loved them! They would beg for more chapters (especially my 5yo, who is now 6). BUT every child is different, so I wouldn't have a problem setting it aside for now if it wasn't interesting to your child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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