I liked books on tape for my daughter (and she LOVES them) because they really fostered HER to follow along and I'm convinced they helped her learn to read since she was looking the words while someone was saying them aloud as well. They were for when I needed a break though! Some libraries have a variety that you can borrow.
As for chapter books, we read Narnia when she was 4.5 and she was fine with it even though she didn't quite "get it." There are lots more younger fantasy books that she enjoys- there is one series in particular called The Weather Fairies and another she just started called My Secret Unicorn. They are pretty descriptive and a bit on the bland side for real magic, so it's not as "deep" as the Narnia stuff and no violence.
How about the other books by Beverly Cleary? There is Henry and Ribsy and Socks... to name two that we recently re-read. They are older though and I think one mentions spanking and Socks definitely mentions formula.
The thing is... if she isn't looking over your shoulder as you read, you can EDIT - I've done this heavily when we read books I haven't previewed and I'm reading at bedtime. If it says "gave the baby a bottle" you can say "nursed" etc.
She also likes the Choose Your Own Adventure books (sometimes violent) and the Cam Jansen series. Again, if you read older books, they aren't going to be politically correct for the times and you might have to use the opportunity to explain that some or edit.
I think it's awesome that you're introducing chapter books already- I did that early on too- my dd just had such an interest in longer stories. She began reading at 5 yrs old and is now 6.5 and reading everything in sight- even the chapter books we pick out that are on a 4th grade level! Yay!
If I think of any more, I'll let you know. If she were awake right now, I'm sure she'd be listing them all for me!
'Manda
As for chapter books, we read Narnia when she was 4.5 and she was fine with it even though she didn't quite "get it." There are lots more younger fantasy books that she enjoys- there is one series in particular called The Weather Fairies and another she just started called My Secret Unicorn. They are pretty descriptive and a bit on the bland side for real magic, so it's not as "deep" as the Narnia stuff and no violence.
How about the other books by Beverly Cleary? There is Henry and Ribsy and Socks... to name two that we recently re-read. They are older though and I think one mentions spanking and Socks definitely mentions formula.
The thing is... if she isn't looking over your shoulder as you read, you can EDIT - I've done this heavily when we read books I haven't previewed and I'm reading at bedtime. If it says "gave the baby a bottle" you can say "nursed" etc.
She also likes the Choose Your Own Adventure books (sometimes violent) and the Cam Jansen series. Again, if you read older books, they aren't going to be politically correct for the times and you might have to use the opportunity to explain that some or edit.
I think it's awesome that you're introducing chapter books already- I did that early on too- my dd just had such an interest in longer stories. She began reading at 5 yrs old and is now 6.5 and reading everything in sight- even the chapter books we pick out that are on a 4th grade level! Yay!
If I think of any more, I'll let you know. If she were awake right now, I'm sure she'd be listing them all for me!
'Manda
)
