letting kids choose their own books - Page 2

[LauraLoo]

We do a lot of holds at the library, too. I'd be broke without my library!

Also -- a librarian can also make suggestions for other books based on what your child(ren) like. We've found some great books that way. There are probably some websites like this -- along the lines "If you liked "x," then you might like "y."

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by jeteaa

the parents in the know how at our library seem to put on hold all the good books. The hold shelf is HUGE..... I need to start doing this. I'll need to do some research and make a long book list. Then when we go to the library I'll let my dc choose a few books on their own, but also (hopefully) check out the good books too.

I have started doing that.

the children's section at teh "city" lib is so much better, but it is 45 minutes one way if the traffice is decent. so I put a stack on hole, then i use the drive up window and pick them up -- not need to haul 2 active boys in (park on city street, walk in, grab them, leave again on busy city street). this is my idea of hevan.

I haveonly done it once, i need to make it a monthly practice.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by SagMom

I never said "no" to a book that my kids wanted. BUT I would also buy or borrow books that I thought they might like in addition to the ones they chose. They didn't HAVE to read what I picked, but it was there if they wanted.

I found they didn't need me to distinguish "good" literature from "junk"--they formed their own opinions rather quickly. For instance, none of my kids were into "easy readers" because the story lines were bland and the words simplistic. They recognized this. They also appreciated well-done artwork. They each informed me at some point that books (and games!) based on tv and movies were generally horrible.

I think when you've got interesting, well developed stories available kids will appreciate them and they will seek them out over the shallow, meaningless writing that's out there.

That was my philosophy and experience as well. It just seemed like a natural process. - Lillian

[VisionaryMom]

I don't censor. Period. If that means that one of my children chooses a Clifford book (which, incidentally, was a book series long before it was a commercial product), that's fine with me. Do none of you ever read "beach novels?" If not, I'm surprised. I can't think of anyone who doesn't, and my friends are pretty high-minded intellectual types. Sometimes you just want to breeze through a fun novel.

Because writing is my profession, I tend to think differently about buying only used books - no royalties for the creator - and about the idea of commercialized books (because I have friends who make a living writing for well-known character lines). I try to keep that in mind in discussions about writing, but those are issues I think about in terms of buying books. Where I draw the line is paying $25 for a children's book because of the toy that's on top of it. I really dislike books with toys because I don't think it should take a toy to convince a child that a book is worth it.

My children choose a large selection of both fiction and non-fiction books. I'm open to all of it.

[bbrandonsmom]

I get where you are coming from with the royalties

We put a bunch on hold as well. We are lucky that the libraries can transfer books to each other.
Also, we don't limit to just kids books. If my kids take an interest in weather we get out a weather book from the children section, but it's not a story book. Or we get out a bug book, animal book, race car book etc. It's amazing what they want to check out some days. Today we got out a book on water, even though it is advanced for my ds. Because he wanted to see all the types of water systems, how rain forms, how water is stored etc. Letting them pursue the books they want from their interests is one reason I'm loving h/s.

[zeldamomma]

Originally Posted by VisionaryMom

I don't censor. Period. If that means that one of my children chooses a Clifford book (which, incidentally, was a book series long before it was a commercial product), that's fine with me. Do none of you ever read "beach novels?" If not, I'm surprised. I can't think of anyone who doesn't, and my friends are pretty high-minded intellectual types. Sometimes you just want to breeze through a fun novel.

Because writing is my profession, I tend to think differently about buying only used books - no royalties for the creator - and about the idea of commercialized books (because I have friends who make a living writing for well-known character lines). I try to keep that in mind in discussions about writing, but those are issues I think about in terms of buying books. Where I draw the line is paying $25 for a children's book because of the toy that's on top of it. I really dislike books with toys because I don't think it should take a toy to convince a child that a book is worth it.

My children choose a large selection of both fiction and non-fiction books. I'm open to all of it.

FWIW, when I say "junk books", I'm thinking of the picture book versions of Barbie movies, books that are packaged with jewelry or toys, and tedious character "learning" books that are really focused on teaching children about character related trivia. I don't consider myself a censor-- my kids are allowed to read anything they like (barring some adult fiction that is not age appropriate), but there are some books out with great covers and AWFUL writing and story lines, and I don't want to invest in those books. I know that given exposure to a range of books, my kids will choose to read quality books, and that's all the more reason not to buy the junk-y books-- we don't read them, it's just wasted money.

I think that some character books are certainly better than others. The Disney fairy books are very good IMO. I do my best not to assume character based books are bad, but it often feels like the publishers of some of these books are putting far more effort into marketing them than ensuring the content is good quality.

[AAK]

I let them pick their own books when they check them out from the library. When it comes to the bookstore, (at that age) they could pull out whatever looked good to them but I made the final call. I occassionally allowed a "junk" book, but not often.

I love books, but storing books that are only going to be a 1 read only or one that annoys me to read just isn't feasible. Books storage is at a premium here. So, we really use the library a LOT. I have a lot of books too, but we do take a few things in consideration when making purchases.

Amy

[elizawill]

we have all sorts of books here, including junk. it doesn't bother me. it's just one of so many things they own. our reading isn't dominated by junk, and our choices usually consist of great literature, so it's no biggie to me.

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by VisionaryMom

I don't censor. Period. If that means that one of my children chooses a Clifford book (which, incidentally, was a book series long before it was a commercial product), that's fine with me. Do none of you ever read "beach novels?" If not, I'm surprised. I can't think of anyone who doesn't, and my friends are pretty high-minded intellectual types. Sometimes you just want to breeze through a fun novel.

Because writing is my profession, I tend to think differently about buying only used books - no royalties for the creator - and about the idea of commercialized books (because I have friends who make a living writing for well-known character lines). I try to keep that in mind in discussions about writing, but those are issues I think about in terms of buying books. Where I draw the line is paying $25 for a children's book because of the toy that's on top of it. I really dislike books with toys because I don't think it should take a toy to convince a child that a book is worth it.

My children choose a large selection of both fiction and non-fiction books. I'm open to all of it.

No, actually, i don't read fluff or junk -- sure i did before high school. i love to read and read a ton, but i have a stack and a list beyond that, sorry there is no time for fluff. Since High School (high school, colege and now) I have yet to catch up with an ever gorwing stack / list -- and that is without the Hawthore novles and such i love). if i "relax" with a non-importnat book it is Harthorn, or whertan or maybe Hienline or something .... Just me, don't have time to waest on a romance or something

I am not opposed to it fromt he lib -- within reason, but i won't pay for it.

(and by junk i mean the superman cartoon made into a book, or whatever -- not just simple fun easy books, even pictres).

[ocelotmom]

As long as some reasonable portion of their reading is non-twaddle (either at my direction or their choosing), I don't really care what they do with their own money and library card. I'm not going to spend a lot of my own money on that type of book though, unless they specifically request it as a birthday present or something.

I know that, as a kid, I read everything from total twaddle to classic literature written well above my current grade level and college textbooks. I was addicted to Babysitter's Club books, however my tastes in general voluntarily tended to fall towards the type of books that Sonlight uses - not necessarily great classic literature, but much richer than the standard TV show based book. I think kids who have exposure to both and enjoy reading manage to figure it out for themselves.

[nov05mama]

Originally Posted by SagMom

I never said "no" to a book that my kids wanted. BUT I would also buy or borrow books that I thought they might like in addition to the ones they chose. They didn't HAVE to read what I picked, but it was there if they wanted.

I found they didn't need me to distinguish "good" literature from "junk"--they formed their own opinions rather quickly. For instance, none of my kids were into "easy readers" because the story lines were bland and the words simplistic. They recognized this. They also appreciated well-done artwork. They each informed me at some point that books (and games!) based on tv and movies were generally horrible.

I think when you've got interesting, well developed stories available kids will appreciate them and they will seek them out over the shallow, meaningless writing that's out there.

Ditto this! I have never told DS "no" when it came to a book at the library. We normally have a vast array of choices from our library and we have an AWESOME awesome library system here.
As far as what we purchase, usually it just depends. I normally pick a great deal of books from our Scholastic Book Orders, mostly based on price and then DS will choose his preferences as well (within reason).

[meetoo]

My kids are free to choose whatever they want from the library. Although I might not read every single one of their choices. When buying books I let them have a say. We talk a lot about commercialism, so if they were picking a book based on the toy it came with I would have a chat with them.

Honestly though my kids are no dummies, they like good books. Both will pick out crap sometimes, but for the most part the books they beg me to read and sit and listen to, are good books. My son does love super hero's and comic books but I don't have a problem with that.....Well, I didn't when the rights were still owned by marvel.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by zeldamomma

FWIW, when I say "junk books", I'm thinking of the picture book versions of Barbie movies, books that are packaged with jewelry or toys, and tedious character "learning" books that are really focused on teaching children about character related trivia.

Yes, as I said, I don't like the books with extras on them because all that does is increase the cost for plastic junk that I don't want in my house anyway. The clutter!

Originally Posted by zeldamomma

I don't want to invest in those books.

I understand this, but a lot of people are saying they tightly control what their children get from libraries, which I don't understand. We check out such a wide range of books that I don't understand the idea of lording over what I allow my children to check out.

Children get different things out of books that we do sometimes as well. Reading through some classics, like Where The Wild Things Are, as an adult, I realize they're not particularly *good* books. I loved WTWTA as a child, and my children enjoy it, but it really isn't particularly well-written. The pictures and the potential for imagining the "wild things" is the issue. OTOH, I've discovered that the Berenstain Bears are more...progressive and thought-provoking than I'd remembered as a child. They do it in a very subtle way, but it's there, and it's fascinating to notice that now!

I do sometimes pick books I've read or that I've read reviews for that I want my children to read. I sometimes declare the right to choose what we're reading for the day because I want them to experience a book. I think all of that is fine; I just don't understand the idea of excluding books when they're free based on preconceptions about what's in them.

Originally Posted by zeldamomma

I think that some character books are certainly better than others. The Disney fairy books are very good IMO. I do my best not to assume character based books are bad, but it often feels like the publishers of some of these books are putting far more effort into marketing them than ensuring the content is good quality.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by Momma Aimee

No, actually, i don't read fluff or junk -- sure i did before high school. i love to read and read a ton, but i have a stack and a list beyond that, sorry there is no time for fluff. Since High School (high school, colege and now) I have yet to catch up with an ever gorwing stack / list -- and that is without the Hawthore novles and such i love). if i "relax" with a non-importnat book it is Harthorn, or whertan or maybe Hienline or something .... Just me, don't have time to waest on a romance or something

I consider sci-fi a relaxing, beach read. I've never read a romance novel, but obviously I'm aware that you probably could read one in 1-2 hours. I personally don't care for sci-fi, but along the same lines my fun reading is Kathy Reichs, John Grisham (old ones anyway, don't care much for the new stuff), Patricia Cornwell (again - she should've ended Scarpetta many books ago), WEB Griffin.

Those are easy books to breeze through, and I actually don't believe that someone who says reading is all important doesn't have time to read for enjoyment. Sorry, but I don't buy that because I know what my life looks like. I have 2 preschoolers, work, serve on a couple of non-profit boards, and organize a monthly arts fair. Yeah, I'm busy, but I still spend time everyday reading because I love it.

I think it's easy to say that what children are choosing is "junk," but it's not so easy to admit that what we're reading is just for fun sometimes, too. I always have at least one novel going at a time. Most are thought-provoking in some way. I've always tried to get something out of everything I read or watch, but honestly they're really for fun.