Clarkd Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 My kids have a lot of fears. They were all adopted from foster care and are still working through many issues. Finding good books that don't become terrifying is difficult. Unfortunately, we have ended up with a lot of crap books. Now don't get me wrong, we have read some that are fabulous, but as they get older, it is hard to find complex stories that are in their comfort zone. Some books we have read that were comfortable for them, but I don't rec. include Magic Tree House series and Rainbow Fairies series. We are reading the Moongobble and Me series right now. Things we need to avoid right now include: violence, religion, weapons, harmed animals, hunting, orphans, evil family members, kidnapping, family members leaving. As I said, it makes it complicated. Any books with complex, rich language and plot sans issues listed above are greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 My kids have a lot of fears. They were all adopted from foster care and are still working through many issues. Finding good books that don't become terrifying is difficult. Unfortunately, we have ended up with a lot of crap books. Now don't get me wrong, we have read some that are fabulous, but as they get older, it is hard to find complex stories that are in their comfort zone. Some books we have read that were comfortable for them, but I don't rec. include Magic Tree House series and Rainbow Fairies series. We are reading the Moongobble and Me series right now. Things we need to avoid right now include: violence, religion, weapons, harmed animals, hunting, orphans, evil family members, kidnapping, family members leaving. As I said, it makes it complicated. Any books with complex, rich language and plot sans issues listed above are greatly appreciated! I think I might remember the Moomintrolls series being very gentle. You would have to pre-read to see if I am wrong. Mine liked the Thornton Burgess books, too, when they began reading to themselves and didn't want anything too scary, but again, I would pre-read because mine weren't dealing with the issues yours are. Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillian Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Winnie the Pooh? Wind in the Willows? -although a young otter does get lost and found again - in most abridged versions that is left out - there is mild violence though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Funny, my first thought was the Moomintrolls too (with the same caveat). I haven't read them yet, but I have heard TumTum and Nutmeg recommended so many times as gentle stories that I bought a book of them to read with my kids. Could be worth considering. There are hundreds/thousands of really good picture books out there. They tend to have complicated language and interesting stories. I don't know where to start in listing some of those. Non-fiction... Magic School Bus series. I think if you look for childrens' picture book lists here or generally online you will find good ideas. Then check your library and order them online (like I do) :). Picture books are easy to preread too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Gosh, I never thought about this before. The Moomintroll books are great but they have things in them like floods (that's the one I remember the most). I googled around and found this nice blog which lists some possibilities.http://nurturedbylove.blogspot.com/2008/03/gentle-stories.html Someone in the comments there mentioned Milly Molly Mandy. Those are great possibility too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyH in NC Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Some possibilities: All of a Kind Family Winnie the Pooh (I see others posters have mentioned this. It is a lot of fun.) Some of the older mystery series for kids such as The Happy Hollisters and The Bobbsey Twins. The mysteries are always tame (ie. helping figure out who is stealing from local business, etc.- no murder or anything like that but you may need to prescreen for ones involving orphans or animals the kids help. The Happy Hollisters is fun and my girls loved the few we did as read alouds. The siblings are so sweet to each other. My dd (12 now ) was sensitive when first reading chapter books on her own, and she really enjoyed the Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood. You might need to preread a couple but these are some that she remembers as sweet and fun. The author has written several and also some books about a boy named Eddie. When you mentioned gentle read alouds I thought of TumTum and Nutmeg, but after reading your criteria realized it may not fit. The 2 children are sort of neglected by their absent minded father - the mother is missing and I can't remember if she has died or what happened - and their is an aunt or some family member that the kids are afraid of that comes to stay for a while. Just trying to remember some of our favorites, I was a little surprised at how many classics involve orphans. Hope this helps, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieMarie Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Not sure what level you are looking for, but my kids have liked Beverly Cleary, the Betsy Tacy books, The Doll People series, and the Ivy and Bean books. They also liked the Mrs Piggle Wiggle books, though there is some spanking and bullying in some of the stories. I don't know what kind of library you have, but you might want to ask there. Our children's librarians are really good with questions like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I was going to suggest Ivy and Bean too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I can recommend a lot, when I'm at home and have access to my book lists. So give me two days and I'll recommend some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 What about poetry and non-fiction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimocha Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Magic tree house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions! My librarian is generally awesome, but when I asked this question she said they just need to experience life. You can't shelter them. All books have conflict; it's what makes a strong story. At some level I agree with her, however, we need to take it one step at a time. She isn't there for the night terrors, screaming, hiding, etc. Further, they hate scary stuff. I don't want them to start hating read alouds. Right now, that's just not the place for desensitization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Anyway, they are too young to process it if they have been traumatized. I would think the focus should be attachment and feeling secure now. They can learn to deal with 'reality' later. First things first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 My kids have a lot of fears. They were all adopted from foster care and are still working through many issues. Finding good books that don't become terrifying is difficult. Unfortunately, we have ended up with a lot of crap books. Now don't get me wrong, we have read some that are fabulous, but as they get older, it is hard to find complex stories that are in their comfort zone. Some books we have read that were comfortable for them, but I don't rec. include Magic Tree House series and Rainbow Fairies series. We are reading the Moongobble and Me series right now. Things we need to avoid right now include: violence, religion, weapons, harmed animals, hunting, orphans, evil family members, kidnapping, family members leaving. As I said, it makes it complicated. Any books with complex, rich language and plot sans issues listed above are greatly appreciated! Your sig says they are ages 3, 4, 5, 6. They seem young, even aside from fear/foster care background issues, for complex books. I'd suggest wonderful let's-all-cuddle-up-together picture books like Make Way for Ducklings, The Mountain that Loved a Bird (title may be a bit off) and so on. My ds also adopted from foster background at age 6 loved a sad, stunningly illustrated and gets happier at end, Mo Willems/Jon Muth book called something like City Dog, Country Frog (as well as other Jon Muth books like The Three Questions), and when younger than that especially liked things that were funny: Judith Viorst's Alexander books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Pig a Pancake, and Little Critter books. At those young ages, a picture book can be read many times over and it gives a feeling of comfort and security. He also loved E.B. White books (which certainly are complex and rich), but maybe they have too much of weapons or other issues you want to avoid. I'd also recommend Beatrix Potter--but maybe it is too violent in places. Dr. Seuss can be fun at those ages and has a lot of play with language. For longer and more complex, I second Winnie the Pooh. Why don't you like Magic Tree House? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 It is really tough. Even with sensitive/fearful kids there can be so many different things and what bothers one may not bother another. Magic Tree House was considered scary here - but I know it doesn't bother a lot of kids. So, I think you do have to preread everything at this point and see if it fits with what would work for your kids. I do think you are right to keep it gentle and not worry about pushing it right now. Some that occur to me. Picture books for sure - so many good ones. I'd ask the librarian also about collections of gentle poetry - I wish I had a good title in mind but I don't, but I bet there are some nice children's poetry collections that may be good exposure to rich language and with rereading over time develop that kind of comforting familiarity that can be so good for kids. Pooh - original AA Milne no Disney stuff. Frog and Toad Moomintroll Winnie the Pooh Milly, Molly, Mandy Teddy Robinson Storybook All of a Kind Family Dick King-Smith (hit and miss but there are lots of titles so you may find some good ones) Little Bear Homer Price (though I can't remember if it touches on any of the problem categories) Enormous Egg (again not 100% sure... it seemed safe here though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I think I previous poste recommended Thornton Burgess. Some of his books would be great for your kids, so wouldn't be. Hopefully tomorrow when I'm home I could look up my notes and tell you which ones to avoid. I know off the top of my head don't do "Little Joe Otter" or "Reddy Fox" or "Chattered the Red Squriel" and definitionly not the one about the dear. I haven't read a Burgess book in over a year, but at one point I had read all of the fiction ones at least three time, and some seven times. Right now I'm just thinking of which books you might think are safe and are not. For example, "Toys go out" might Look perfect and would not be. Right now I'm thinking of Mr. Poppers penguins. The only death is when a penguin eats some of the fish from the fish tank. That scene lasts about one sentence. Mind you my kids commented on it anyways. (insert eye roll) I think Raggedy Ann might be a good fit. But I'll have to double check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 What book are you on in the Moongobble series? Spoiler Alert In one of the books he goes after tears from the weeping werewolf and finds out his dad is the weeping werewolf and they are reunited. Turns out that had been seperated for years due to a witches spell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I love talking about read alouds and this is an interesting discussion becasue thinking back on our favorite read alouds there have been lots of death and unhappiness. DD and I both loved Carry On, Mr Bowditch and it had a death count that would rival a Chuck Norris movie. James Herriot's Treasury for Children is lovely. Wonderful pictures. Nice cozy stories. Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C Holling Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. Funny. Franny K. Stein series - The little girl is a mad scientist. Short, funny, and easy to read. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett Five True Dog Stories by Margaret Davidson Dolphin Adventure by Wayne Grover Capyboppy by Bill Peet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for the info on Moongobble. We just finished the first one. Do you know which is the one with the reunification? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 We did try Beatrix Potter. My 4 yo is terrified of Mr. mcGregor and the wolf. Didn't work for us. Magic Tree House worked except the ninja one and the snowstorm where Jack and Annie get separated. Magic SchoolBus has been good. Yes, Winnie the Pooh has worked well. Thanks for the great suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for the info on Moongobble. We just finished the first one. Do you know which is the one with the reunification? The weeping werewolf. After that thread is mentioned at the start of the following books and the reunification is also mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 If you can find Teddy Robinson it was fabulous. It has been awhile but we loved it. Same with Milly Molly Mandy and Raggedy Ann. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 what about the early Little House books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Beverly Cleary? Ramona and Beezus, Henry and Ribsy, ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Dbmamaz, are there little house books with no hunting or orphans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Your sig says they are ages 3, 4, 5, 6. They seem young, even aside from fear/foster care background issues, for complex books. I'd suggest wonderful let's-all-cuddle-up-together picture books like Make Way for Ducklings, <snip> I second this. I hadn't realized just how young the kids were. There are hundreds of picture books with wonderful language, well worth reading, and I've never met the kid who didn't like to read certain picture books again and again. Huge bonus, they are easily pre-read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Another vote for reading lots of picture books. Even at 8 yo DD loves picture books. At night I'll usually read a few chapters in our read aloud and then DH will read us both a picture book. I love picture books too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 the first little house book was, iirl, the youngest level one, but it does have bear hunting. Little Bear, someone suggested, is very sweet. idk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Paddington? I don't know if the underlying story would be difficult though: he sets off on his own from Peru when his aunt is too old to look after him. He's 'adopted' by a British family. Milly-Molly-Mandy? It's a while since I read her, but I seem to remember it just being very sweet stories. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Some Burgess books would be perfect, but some would be NOT perfect. It has been a year or two since I last read one so I would have to take a look to tell you which would be fine. If there is a book you want to do I just recommend you ask the hive for any warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 For your age kids anything by Mo Willems. They are light and funny yet do spark some funny discussions. For example" How would a pigeon walk a dog?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I love Mo Willems, dd loves the Piggie and Elephant books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.