sagira Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I want to start reading a "real book" to ds (5). So far we've been reading lots and lots and lots of picture books, together with some short books with limited pictures. I've also been reading The Boy and the Whale (Spanish author) to him in English and I have read a full-length book in Papiamento (our native language) when he was four. Which book can I start him off with? There are so many, but I don't know which one will be appropriate and interesting enough without pictures, short chapters, no really difficult words but no twaddle either. I have Honey for a Child's Heart, but there are mostly picture books for 4-8. Dh has tried Treasure Island but that was way over ds' head. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alana in Canada Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Hmmm. At that age my son enjoyed Dr. Doolittle. We also read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges(?) Burnett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I think one of the first chapter books I read to my boys was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Then, I followed with really good books I remembered being read to (or read myself) as a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I just asked and my boys (specifically my just turned 6 year old) recommended: Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Castle in the Attic, and The BFG. This was after I told him not to count Hank the Cowdog (which are all the boys' favorites, including dh, but they aren't exactly fine literature. Hysterical? Yes. Quality Brain Expanding literature? No.). Of the 3 he picked, I would say that Mr. Popper's Penguins would be the number 1 recommendation I'd give. I enjoyed the others, but Mr. Popper's Penguins had the most consistently engaging story line. A long time ago (4+ years ago), I read The Indian in the Cupboard to my older 2 boys and they enjoyed it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 I just asked and my boys (specifically my just turned 6 year old) recommended: Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Castle in the Attic, and The BFG. This was after I told him not to count Hank the Cowdog (which are all the boys' favorites, including dh, but they aren't exactly fine literature. Hysterical? Yes. Quality Brain Expanding literature? No.). Thanks. What's the BFG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I think both the Sonlight and VP catalogs have some great recommendations for read-alouds, if you look up the proper age/grade. We're not there yet, but definitely plan on using some of their recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 BFG--Big Friendly Giant, by Roald Dahl. The first chapters are scary for a sensitive child, but then it's typical, gross, funny Dahl. How about Little House in the Big Woods? Or Mary Pope Osborne's version of The Odyssey? (It's in several volumes--gruesome in parts, but deliciously so.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Thank you! I think I will either go with Mr. Popper's Penguins or Dr. Doolittle -- ds loves animals! Oh, and the reason I don't know about books at this age level too much is that I grew up reading books at this level in Dutch (in another country). You guys are a big help! I was probably reading books at this level at 13, but I'm not sure :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alana in Canada Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Mr Popper's Penquins is hysterically funny--and so for my son, it was far, far too stimulating for bed-time! But your little fellow may be different--so I hope you enjoy whatever you pick! Ambelside On-line is another great source for excellent read-alouds. One caveat: unless your little one would be willing to read the book gain, try not to read selections you will want him to either read on his own or study in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay in Cal Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 My Father's Dragon was a fun early read-aloud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 My Father's Dragon was a fun early read-aloud. That's a great first read-aloud. I would start off with a shorter chapter book, like My Father's Dragon or Jenny and the Cat Club and work up from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidlit Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 My girls are 4 and almost 3, and we have read Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, The Wind in the Willows (abridged), Winnie the Pooh (the original), and are now stalled in The Cricket in Times Square. We have also listened to the audiobook of Mr. Popper's Penguins. Their favorites have been Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and Mr. Popper's Penguins. The others, I think, were hard for them because of the vocabulary and the British-ness of the language. However, I am too stubborn to quit reading once we begin, so I finish because I'm interested in the story.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1MoreThought Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Both my kids loved, loved, loved The Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web, Mr. Popper's Penguins and The Cricket in Times Square for our early longer read-alouds. The language in The Wind in the Willows is more difficult, but they really liked it, too. We've since listened to most of them again (and again and again) on CD. Enjoy your reading! Jeanette 1MoreThought on our homeschool adventure ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldilocks Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My Father's Dragon was a fun early read-aloud. Another vote for this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 I have Charlotte's Web, The Cricket in Times Square and Little House in the Big Woods ready for next year! Like someone here says, "So many books, so little time." :D Wow, so many suggestions -- thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbasil Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My son really enjoys the James Herriot stories, Beatrix Potter, and Winnie the Pooh. They're all amusing and fun to read. :) We also plan to start Peter Pan in a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesiwins Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We loved the My Father's Dragon books. They seemed to be a good step into story books. I got a little too ambitious with our read aloud's lately so we went back to the classic Winnie the Pooh. It is going quite well and I am really enjoying rereading them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Our first "real book" was the Wizard of Oz. Dd was 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I would go with WinterPromise suggestions over Sonlight. They are generally more age-appropriate. My Father's Dragon is the only chapter book we have gotten through. We have started several. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 BFG--Big Friendly Giant, by Roald Dahl. The first chapters are scary for a sensitive child, but then it's typical, gross, funny Dahl.This is a wonderful read-aloud. Something magic happens when you're reading that book, and you turn into a storyteller without equal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I also want to give a thumbs up for My Father's Dragon and Charlotte's Web. I LOVE to hear the recording of E.B. White reading Charlotte's Web. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My Father's Dragon!!!!!!!!! And after that, Swiss Family Robinson, The Cricket in Times Square, The Mouse and Motorcycle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngraysmith Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Charlotte's Web or Trumpet of the Swan. We started with Charlotte's Web. I think that picking a book depends on your child and how well he deals with scary things and his attention span. I highly encourage parents to pre-read the book to determine whether it would be suitable. There is no way I could have started with the BFG for my son without skipping over quite a bit because of the frightening aunties, etc. And I find that some of the classics do not hold attention spans well because of the language. Another quick suggestion: The Cricket in Times Square. Got to go, the baby calls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 This is wonderful, I didn't expect so many responses -- thank you :) I'm going to make a list of these, as I have a one-year-old too who will be ready in four years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllSmiles Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Mr. Popper’s Penguins Shadrach A Bear Called Paddington Winnie the Pooh House at Pooh Corner My Father’s Dragon Pippi Longstocking Little House in the Big Woods Charlotte’s Web Pinocchio St. George and the Dragon Peter Pan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Mr Popper's Penquins is hysterically funny--and so for my son, it was far, far too stimulating for bed-time! But your little fellow may be different--so I hope you enjoy whatever you pick! Ambelside On-line is another great source for excellent read-alouds. One caveat: unless your little one would be willing to read the book gain, try not to read selections you will want him to either read on his own or study in future. Thanks for the tip! I was thinking the same thing, so I'm making a list of the ones to read in K for Literature read-aloud time (bedtime we'll do other ones, like Bible stories, picture books) and I'm keeping a separate list for next year, like Charlotte's Web. We have such a marvelous group here :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Or Mary Pope Osborne's version of The Odyssey? (It's in several volumes--gruesome in parts, but deliciously so.) Ooh, I'm saving this one for next year as we're doing SOTW1: The Ancients :drool: She's the author of the Magic Treehouse series, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Anna Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Sheila Burnford's Incredible Journey? It's the basis for the Disney "Homeward Bound," but without humanizing the characters so much and with a beautiful description of the relationships between the animals. Dd 5 and I read through it when she was 4. If he needs more pictures, there are always Marguerite Henry's horse books. They may not be the best literature, but they're historical novels, they usually involve boys and animals, and the frequent pictures might make a good transition to staring at nothing but words. In any case, have fun!! :) Mama Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asma_08 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 At that age my kids loved Charlotte's web and Winnie the Pooh. I recently read My Fathers Dragon and they seem to enjoy it but Charlotte's Web is definitely the favorite so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorothy Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My Father's Dragon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Three Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 You've been given many great suggestions already. I'll add that my children have also loved the Boxcar Children series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Just wanted to add a fun suggestion which I haven't seen mentioned yet but that my own dds 5 and 6 enjoyed: Ramona, the Pest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We're reading aloud the classic Winnie-the-Pooh and the boys love it. They also have enjoyed "A Child's Book of Virtues" and "A Child's Book of Heroes" by William Bennet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I would reccomend the Brambley Hedge series. Though it does have illustrations (which are wonderful, by the way) I would not call it a picture book. It is a chapter book, but would be a great transitional series. We only read Sea Story so far out of the series, but we all love it. I also suggest Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant. Some of the first chapter books my ds sat through (around age 5) were Little House in the Big Woods and The Borrowers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 For Kindergarten, I really like a lot of the Sonlight book suggestions. "James Herriot's Treasury" was enjoyed by both my boys and girls. Hero Tales are great as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Toys Go Out was always a good transition to short chapter books for my littles. It's such a cute book!! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djkapp Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I agree with Mr. Popper's Penguins. Great choice! Read-aloud time is still one of the highlights of my children's day. With 5 children (ages 11 - 17), we've covered numerous books over the years! A few others I'd think about for a boy would be Homer Price, some of the Beverly Cleary books like Ribsy, A Cricket in Times Square, or one of the old Thornton Burgess books. If your son doesn't seem to be interested in a book after a few chapters, I'd put it aside and try something else. Also, be sure you consider the length of the chapters. It's far better to stop reading and have him beg for "just one more chapter" than to heave a sigh of relief when the section is finally over! Good luck! I hope your read-aloud times will become as treasured as mine are. Yvonne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Oh my, thank you so much everyone :blush: I'm sure we will have a wonderful experience, with so many quality books to choose from :) I have compiled a list now, and plan to use it for all the early grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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