wizard books

[twopinknoblue]

I may need to move this to the media forum, but thought I woud start here.

DD1 will be 4 in 2 weeks. With all of the Harry Potter frenzy lately she's been curious about Harry Potter and the likes. I've discussed very vaguely with her about Harry Potter, and now she really wants to read about him. I've read most of the series, and IMO, it's just not appropriate for this age. I was wondering if anyone knows of another, more preschool age friendly, wizard/witches series?? We are into chapter books, and sometimes do quite lengthy ones, so chapters and length really aren't an issues. I'm really looking to avoid the death/mosters/etc of HP.

Any suggestions??

[NoHiddenFees]

Originally Posted by twopinknoblue

I'm really looking to avoid the death/mosters/etc of HP.

The monsters part may be difficult. I'm racking my brain, but can only come up with Eleanor Estes two witch books: The Witch Family and The Curious Adventures of Jimmy McGee, though the latter isn't as much about witches. There's Gobbolino the Witch's Cat, except he's not really. DD1 really enjoyed the Measle series by Ian Ogilvy, but there are monsters. There are any number of wizard or magic related series meant for children not yet ready for the whole of HP, but no monsters... I dunno. The Greene Knowe series by L. Boston sometimes leaves us tingly, but it's a much older magic, and only comes out in the climax of the books. A young friend of DD's doesn't like scary books, but enjoys the Dragon Slayer's Academy series... I think there are wizards in it.

[twopinknoblue]

Thanks so much. I'll look into some of these. I guess it's not really the monsters that I want to avoid, as we've read plenty of books about monsters and DD is aware that they are only makebelieve. I think, it's more of the monsters attacking people, etc, IYKWIM.

I guess what's intrigued her about HP is the magic really. We have neighbors that have older children, and they are ALWAYS running around outside with capes and wands playing HP with each other, and she really wants to play too, but she just doensn't really have any concept of wizards/magic and the like. So, I'm looking to give her a "gentle" introduction to books such as HP.

[twopinknoblue]

Just checked out the Dragon Slayers Academy, I think that's the route we are going to take for now, seems like a great series. Thanks

[booboosmama]

I like Strega Nona books by Tommie de Paola and the "Dorrie" books by Coombs (which I remembered from elementary school) though neither are chapter books. Both have magic in them, in the Dorrie books they fly on brooms & own black cats but nothing scary.

[NoHiddenFees]

Not witches, rather fairies, but I'll bet she'd love No Flying in the House by Betty Brock.

[chicagomom]

The Magic Tree House series features a female and male wizard (Merlin). You might try these as well.

[flapjack]

Maybe slightly younger than her age range, but we Meg and Mog. There's also the Worst Witch books, which Alex was reading at 6.

[levar]

At 4 yrs old I assume you are reading these books to your children? Can you 'skip' the scary stuff? That's what I do. I just sort of change the story as I go and skip paragraphs, pages, and chapters altogether. I summarize nicely at most.