Happy read alouds for emotionally sensitive boys?

[PeterPan]

I've kind of missed the ball on this and that my ds is MUCH more sensitive than I realized. Whether it's books or movies, if they're dark, he's really grumpy the next day, almost like he's co-regulating with them. And about this age literature tends to turn sort of dystopian, dark, controversial, thematic, etc. He liked a mystery adventure series I read him but abhored a book I tried about a boy who gets sent off to live with relatives in another country when his mom is sick. Like it's really that basic, that he just needs happy, upbeat, fun. 

If your boys were like this, what worked for them? Any particular authors or genres or series? It can be stuff I read to him or books I get on audio to throw on his devices. So not crazy old I guess, as I'm limited on what I read aloud. We tend to do a lot more audiobooks. Level can be 5th to adult, whatever. 

We've already done a lot of Roald Dahl and all the typical younger children's fiction. Around this level my dd was going heavy on historical fiction and that's just not where my ds is. He's done fairy tales, but they tend kind of dark for him. I don't know if we've tried PG Wodehouse. That's probably a bit too high. Maybe something in the middle, lol. I tried Hardy Boys a year ago and he didn't bite. I go through the BARD (national library service) print catalogs and try things from there. He seems to lean toward the fun or funny. 

Any suggestions?  😄 

Edited November 9, 2021 by PeterPan

[Not_a_Number]

1 hour ago, PeterPan said:

We've already done a lot of Roald Dahl and all the typical younger children's fiction.

... I tend to think of Roald Dahl as kind of dark, lol!! 

[ScoutTN]

Half Magic is hilarious!

Swallows and Amazons

Little Men

The Trumpet of the Swan

Rascal

My Side of the Mountain

Owls in the Family - short and funny.

 

Edited November 9, 2021 by ScoutTN

[domestic_engineer]

Phantom Tollbooth

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Freddy the Pig

Hank the Cowdog (we're just starting this, so I can't say for sure it'd be OK.)

[domestic_engineer]

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake. This is a pretty new book and perhaps below your DS.  However, I thought it was fun. 

[ScoutTN]

Yes, Freddy the Pig!

Yes, Hank the Cowdog! 

The Secret Garden is good on audio - accents make it too hard ad a RA.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.

@PeterPan Have you checked on Read Aloud Revival? She usually has good suggestions. 
 

 

Edited November 9, 2021 by ScoutTN

[PeterPan]

39 minutes ago, domestic_engineer said:

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake. This is a pretty new book and perhaps below your DS.  However, I thought it was fun. 

Oh that is adorable!! BARD/national library service does have it (yay audio!) and they tag it as "friendship fiction." So I'm going to rabbit trail that a bit and see what else it gets me. They have 2000+ "friendship fiction" selections, so there ought to be something, lol.

 

[domestic_engineer]

8 hours ago, ScoutTN said:

.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.

 

We just finished this one, and there’s a character who’s living in the shadow of a sad event. It didn’t bother us, but maybe it would bother some kids.   The whole book definitely doesn’t have deep sorrow woven throughout it; I just wanted to pass along a heads-up. It’s a great book!

[domestic_engineer]

I assume you’ve already done Homer Price and the Centerburg Tales. 

[PeterPan]

49 minutes ago, domestic_engineer said:

I assume you’ve already done Homer Price and the Centerburg Tales. 

Ooo, he LOVED home price!! I didn't know about the Centerburg Tales. I'll see if I can get them. 😄 

 

Edited November 9, 2021 by PeterPan

[PeterPan]

This friendship fiction thing is kind of a winner. I'm googling lists here

https://www.readbrightly.com/books-on-friendship-for-tweens/

https://www.readbrightly.com/books-about-friendship-for-middle-grade-readers/

Looks like I should look around Read Brightly more, lol. Also I'm wondering what "feel good books for tweens" would turn up. Or maybe not, lol.

https://www.readbrightly.com/best-books-of-2020-tweens/  This list had a few. Tornado looks good. It's about a dc with sensory issues.

Well let's just say "positive thinking" does not turn up helpful stuff, lol. Apparently that means suck it up when the whole situation is bad, lol.

 

[ScoutTN]

Farmer Boy

The Penderwicks?

The Wind in the Willows?

 

[domestic_engineer]

32 minutes ago, PeterPan said:

This friendship fiction thing is kind of a winner. I'm googling lists here

https://www.readbrightly.com/books-on-friendship-for-tweens/

https://www.readbrightly.com/books-about-friendship-for-middle-grade-readers/

Looks like I should look around Read Brightly more, lol. Also I'm wondering what "feel good books for tweens" would turn up. Or maybe not, lol.

https://www.readbrightly.com/best-books-of-2020-tweens/  This list had a few. Tornado looks good. It's about a dc with sensory issues.

Well let's just say "positive thinking" does not turn up helpful stuff, lol. Apparently that means suck it up when the whole situation is bad, lol.

 

Well those are certainly newer books!  😆

Echo Mountain is a great book BUT probably not good for a highly sensitive child. Like you said, good stories are often based upon making the most out of a bad situation. 
 

Edit:  One and Only Ivan is on the middle list … amd it’s the first book that came to mind on what NOT to suggest for this thread. I was getting choked up listening to it as I drove down the interstate - not a particularly good combo. 

Edited November 9, 2021 by domestic_engineer

[PeterPan]

50 minutes ago, ScoutTN said:

The Wind in the Willows?

He LOVED this book! And yes, we read through all the Little House books.

20 minutes ago, domestic_engineer said:

One and Only Ivan

He listened to this a few times. The problem is that I hadn't made clearly the connection between what he's listening to and his mood. I sorta knew, but not completely. He's just pretty sensitive. So if he listens to a dark, scary book before bed (even one he likes!), he wakes up dark the next day. 

[HomeAgain]

Richard Peck books are a huge hit here. They are funny, sweet, and very boy-ish.  A Year Down Yonder, Here Lies The Librarian, and The Teacher's Funeral were some of our favorites.  Don't be put off by the titles.  They're not sad.  The Teacher's Funeral is about how their sister became their teacher at school, and all the frustration that goes with that.
Also:
The Great Brain series
Tale of A Fourth Grade Nothing series (Fudge, Superfudge, Double Fudge)
Mrs. PiggleWiggle
Wayside School series

 

[domestic_engineer]

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathon Rogers

[PeterPan]

22 hours ago, domestic_engineer said:

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathon Rogers

That looks like something to try tonight! 😄