So I have a 5.5 year old who is starting to read, but has little interest in anything basic enough that he can read on his own. I'm looking for great books I can read *to* him, especially at bedtime. Quality stuff that will capture his attention and imagination. But if I go and just browse at the library with him, I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start! What books would you try with a kid who enjoys the following:
-- _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ by Roald Dahl. He has had us read this to him three times already; I think we've had enough for now. We've read some of Roald Dahl's other kid-friendly books, too. Strange and sometimes a tad dark, but always interesting.
-- Currently reading _Harry Potter_ (first book). It's a little complex for him, and so I do a little explaining and reviewing of who's who and what's going on before we transition to another chapter. But I would much rather that a book be a little too complex for him, requiring some adult explanation/interactive reading than something accessible but not captivating. He is really enjoying this book and is always bitter when I have to call it quits for the night.
-- Loves animals and science. We eat up books on geology/plate techtonics, evolution, dinosaurs, snakes -- that sort of thing. Best if well illustrated *and* the text goes beyond the basics with some fairly in-depth stuff. He wants detailed explanations of how things work!
-- Loves stuff about cars and buildings if it's detailed and explains how things work. Great illustrations, please.
-- He's fine with the facts of nature (predators and prey, that sort of thing), but generally doesn't like "scary" made-up stuff. Will be interesting to see if parts of Harry Potter bug him.
-- Loves Dr. Seuss, but we've done it to death and need to move on.
Thanks in advance for any advice y'all have!
-- _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ by Roald Dahl. He has had us read this to him three times already; I think we've had enough for now. We've read some of Roald Dahl's other kid-friendly books, too. Strange and sometimes a tad dark, but always interesting.
-- Currently reading _Harry Potter_ (first book). It's a little complex for him, and so I do a little explaining and reviewing of who's who and what's going on before we transition to another chapter. But I would much rather that a book be a little too complex for him, requiring some adult explanation/interactive reading than something accessible but not captivating. He is really enjoying this book and is always bitter when I have to call it quits for the night.
-- Loves animals and science. We eat up books on geology/plate techtonics, evolution, dinosaurs, snakes -- that sort of thing. Best if well illustrated *and* the text goes beyond the basics with some fairly in-depth stuff. He wants detailed explanations of how things work!
-- Loves stuff about cars and buildings if it's detailed and explains how things work. Great illustrations, please.
-- He's fine with the facts of nature (predators and prey, that sort of thing), but generally doesn't like "scary" made-up stuff. Will be interesting to see if parts of Harry Potter bug him.
-- Loves Dr. Seuss, but we've done it to death and need to move on.
Thanks in advance for any advice y'all have!
: for good 
ideas
