Early Chapter Books
This is a much-mulled over post about books. I am so excited that Tater is finally becoming a little reader. We discovered that her aversion to sitting down to read is due to dyslexia, and now that we are starting to work on early interventions, her desire to read is growing daily.
Anyway, while the Nugget pretty much skipped the early chapter book phase, I am finding that Spork and Tater very much prefer a few pictures with their reading, and I've been struggling to find books that meet both their desire for pictures and my desire for quality children's literature. Tater has the added requirement for silliness. I've put up Amazon links for all the books, but I highly recommend to use the library when you're in this phase, because tastes change and my two don't have a lot of desire to re-read chapter books yet.
Spork's Picks:
The Mercy Watson series - these silly stories about a pet pig and her misadventures will surely become classics. The characters are very colorful and easy to put to silly voices.
Amelia Bedelia - has been revamped and rewound so that young readers are now following the stories of young Amelia who seems to be growing up in the present day. Spork struggles with being too literal at times, so he very much relates to little Amelia!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle - these magical stories are hilarious and fun to read. Some of the cures are a bit shaming, so we have good conversations about the cures I would and wouldn't use on my kids! Ann M. Martin released a sequel to the series called Missy Piggle Wiggle and the Whatever Cure, and I'd like to see more of these as well!
The My Father's Dragon trilogy - was completely new to me and incredibly enchanting! A lot of early chapter books have plots on families, friendships, and school, but this one is straight adventure that's not too frightening.
Spork was adamant that he would hate The Wild Robot but he was soon completely immersed and can't wait for me to get the next book. Peter Brown's illustrations are brilliant, and the plot about a robot stranded on an island is fascinating!
Mr. Popper's Penguins
The Cricket in Times Square and Tucker's Countryside - we are on round 3 of re-reads.
Tater's Picks:
The Ivy and Bean series - these girls are reminiscent of Ramona, but the emphasis is on the friendship and less on family dynamics. Like Tater, these girls aren't afraid to get dirty. Annie Barrows writes beautifully about their quirky adventures.
The Wellie Wishers series - I was expecting to hate these, but they are sweet and well-written, with gorgeous color illustrations on most the of pages.
Fairy Mom and Me - I was fascinated to see that one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, had written a children's book. It did not disappoint and left Tater in hysterics. She is hoping for more of these to appear in the library, and I see that there is at least a second book now!
The Zoey and Sassafras series - finally, an early chapter book series featuring a girl of color! Zoey has inherited her mom's ability to see and heal magical creatures with the help of her cat friend, Sassafras!
My Picks:
Anything by Beverly Cleary - one amazing thing about her writing is how it's so timeless. Although there are some giveaways to the era due to products and slang used, it still feels modern and relevant to today's child. All my kids have a favorite - the Nugget liked Ralph S. Mouse and his motorcycle series. Spork is partial to Henry Huggins, and of course Tater likes Ramona and her ongoing spats with Willa Jean!
Little House series - these are for the advanced beginner, and you may have to edit the racism and some of the scarier bits in book 2 and 5, but I think it's a rite of passage for young readers to discover with shock and awe how children lived long ago (and maybe they can be grateful they only have to sort clean laundry instead of churning butter and carrying water from the well.)
Charlotte's Web
Harriet the Spy
Anna Hibiscus - has the added benefit of cultural exposure, set in modern Africa
***********************************
Finally, not a chapter book, but here is our Halloween book of the year: The Dark. Gorgeous illustrations and a whimsical story about there personified dark and Laslo's struggle to meet it.
Anyway, while the Nugget pretty much skipped the early chapter book phase, I am finding that Spork and Tater very much prefer a few pictures with their reading, and I've been struggling to find books that meet both their desire for pictures and my desire for quality children's literature. Tater has the added requirement for silliness. I've put up Amazon links for all the books, but I highly recommend to use the library when you're in this phase, because tastes change and my two don't have a lot of desire to re-read chapter books yet.
Spork's Picks:
The Mercy Watson series - these silly stories about a pet pig and her misadventures will surely become classics. The characters are very colorful and easy to put to silly voices.
Amelia Bedelia - has been revamped and rewound so that young readers are now following the stories of young Amelia who seems to be growing up in the present day. Spork struggles with being too literal at times, so he very much relates to little Amelia!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle - these magical stories are hilarious and fun to read. Some of the cures are a bit shaming, so we have good conversations about the cures I would and wouldn't use on my kids! Ann M. Martin released a sequel to the series called Missy Piggle Wiggle and the Whatever Cure, and I'd like to see more of these as well!
The My Father's Dragon trilogy - was completely new to me and incredibly enchanting! A lot of early chapter books have plots on families, friendships, and school, but this one is straight adventure that's not too frightening.
Spork was adamant that he would hate The Wild Robot but he was soon completely immersed and can't wait for me to get the next book. Peter Brown's illustrations are brilliant, and the plot about a robot stranded on an island is fascinating!
Mr. Popper's Penguins
The Cricket in Times Square and Tucker's Countryside - we are on round 3 of re-reads.
Tater's Picks:
The Ivy and Bean series - these girls are reminiscent of Ramona, but the emphasis is on the friendship and less on family dynamics. Like Tater, these girls aren't afraid to get dirty. Annie Barrows writes beautifully about their quirky adventures.
The Wellie Wishers series - I was expecting to hate these, but they are sweet and well-written, with gorgeous color illustrations on most the of pages.
Fairy Mom and Me - I was fascinated to see that one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, had written a children's book. It did not disappoint and left Tater in hysterics. She is hoping for more of these to appear in the library, and I see that there is at least a second book now!
The Zoey and Sassafras series - finally, an early chapter book series featuring a girl of color! Zoey has inherited her mom's ability to see and heal magical creatures with the help of her cat friend, Sassafras!
My Picks:
Anything by Beverly Cleary - one amazing thing about her writing is how it's so timeless. Although there are some giveaways to the era due to products and slang used, it still feels modern and relevant to today's child. All my kids have a favorite - the Nugget liked Ralph S. Mouse and his motorcycle series. Spork is partial to Henry Huggins, and of course Tater likes Ramona and her ongoing spats with Willa Jean!
Little House series - these are for the advanced beginner, and you may have to edit the racism and some of the scarier bits in book 2 and 5, but I think it's a rite of passage for young readers to discover with shock and awe how children lived long ago (and maybe they can be grateful they only have to sort clean laundry instead of churning butter and carrying water from the well.)
Charlotte's Web
Harriet the Spy
Anna Hibiscus - has the added benefit of cultural exposure, set in modern Africa
***********************************
Finally, not a chapter book, but here is our Halloween book of the year: The Dark. Gorgeous illustrations and a whimsical story about there personified dark and Laslo's struggle to meet it.
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