I'm having a hard time finding books for my sensitive 3.5yo ds reading at Gr 1-2 level... So far the ones that seem OK (after extensive web and Amazon searches) are "The stories Julian tells" series, and the Blue Bananas series... Some more Dr Seuss should be good too.
Can any of you suggest anything else, or comment on the above? I think he would prefer books with a decent story line, and without too many pictures. He likes reading our Curious George collection, but the pictures are distracting- which is fine too. I'm not pushing him to read, but he enjoys reading and I want to offer him a variety of books... We have a lot of picture books already- now I'm looking for the next step.
Also- since we're homeshooling, I would prefer books that don't deal with school.
I"m confused at how pictures could be distracting to a 3.5 year old. Pictures convey a lot of story that the words don't always even say, and it's really GOOD to spend time looking at the pictures, even if it means reading slower.
Frog and Toad
Little Bear
Mouse Tales
I Can Read series, levels 2 and 3
At that stage, I just browsed the Early Reader section at the library for appropriate books. It's a lot easier than buying them, and there are a lot of choices and good books out there. As well, finding appropriate picture books.
ETA: Picture books really CAN be the next step. Some picture books have much more complex vocabulary. I encourage my 7 year old, who has a reading level at the high school level, to read picture books. Good picture books have plot lines, good vocab, and pictures that convey a lot. Sure, he can read chapter books, too, but I think a good picture book is far superior to a book like Magic Tree House (which is fun for a lot of kids--mine included, a few years ago--but has pretty basic, sometimes even annoying, sentence structure and vocabulary).
Sorry about the confusion about picture books. We love them and we've got tons. Ds is very visual, and they're great. I just wanted him to try to read some books with less pictures so that he could imagine pictures for himself. If there are many beautiful pictures he sometimes would rather look at the pictures than read the words to figure out the story- which is fine. That's why I want him to have a choice of picture books and early readers to choose from- depending on whether he feels like reading or looking at pictures...
As for our local library- it's not that well stocked, but we'll give it a shot.
Originally Posted by Catherine CK I just wanted him to try to read some books with less pictures so that he could imagine pictures for himself. If there are many beautiful pictures he sometimes would rather look at the pictures than read the words to figure out the story- which is fine.
Why?
I think it's really easy to get caught up with linear progression of skills and encouraging children to acquire the next, apparent ability. Particularly easy with precocious children.
My POV is that reading is personal, and that when a child reads early we can have some faith that they'll move through the steps in their own unique way that is meaningful for them. There was a good thread here on this issue a month or so back.
If your local library isn't great, is there one a reasonable distance away that you could frequent instead? We regularly attend three different libraries and the kids just roam and select what appeals that visit (I'll weed out anything obviously inappropriate).
If you want your son to be able to spend time making up visual images to go with books, then you should probably be reading aloud to him. Most books on the grade 1-2 level aren't terribly descriptive or exciting, because they have a controlled vocabulary, in order for 1st and 2nd graders to read them. (I mean books that aren't picture books, obviously.)
It's tremendously important to keep reading aloud to a child even if he can read himself. You can stay ahead of their reading level, or read things that they might find more challenging, that uses dialects or vocabulary from the past. Plus, discussing books with a gifted kid is a great joy of parenting them.
Originally Posted by Bird Girl
If you want your son to be able to spend time making up visual images to go with books, then you should probably be reading aloud to him. Most books on the grade 1-2 level aren't terribly descriptive or exciting, because they have a controlled vocabulary, in order for 1st and 2nd graders to read them. (I mean books that aren't picture books, obviously.)
It's tremendously important to keep reading aloud to a child even if he can read himself. You can stay ahead of their reading level, or read things that they might find more challenging, that uses dialects or vocabulary from the past. Plus, discussing books with a gifted kid is a great joy of parenting them.
Along with Frog and Toad, Little Bear, etc. DD loved the Sophie books from Dick King Smith.
And yes, please continue to read outloud to your DS. It's such a great way for him to get to form pictures in his mind. DD1 is 8yo and she still loves to be read to despite the fact that she can read just about anything she picks up herself.
Originally Posted by Bird Girl
If you want your son to be able to spend time making up visual images to go with books, then you should probably be reading aloud to him. Most books on the grade 1-2 level aren't terribly descriptive or exciting, because they have a controlled vocabulary, in order for 1st and 2nd graders to read them.
: I just finished reading James and the Giant Peach to ds and thought the same thing -- that it was great that he was really listening to the language and creating the visual images in his head. That book (like Roald Dahl's other books) is illustrated, but the illustrations are simple, in black and white, and not on every page. I wasn't sure if he would miss the pictures, but he loved it.
When ds is reading stuff on his own, he does get many cues from pictures, I think, but I don't have a problem with this. He feels good about himself when he reads --sometimes I think that his "reading" is aided by memorization of the text or by the pictures, but he is enjoying himself and his books, and that's what counts. He'll have plenty of time to read books without pictures by himself someday...
We do read a lot out loud, and we read a lot of picture books together. Sometimes ds will help to read to his baby brother... I guess I was worried about "the next step." Our library is not great, and we live on a small island where there is not much choice. I have to order all our books online and have them shipped, which takes some time. And since I like to plan ahead, I wanted to start choosing some new books now. I don't want to force him to start reading chapter books if he's not ready. I just want them to sit there on his shelf, so if he wants to pick them up and try them, he can.
Thanks again! I'm really glad this forum exists so I can get some guidance!
Originally Posted by mackysmama
My son liked Magic Tree House at that age. Henry and Mudge are fun too. And, I second the Frog and Toad, Little Bear, and Mouse Tales books.
Ditto. All favorites. Magic Tree House might be just what you are looking for: predictability for sensitive kid, easy vocab, not so many pictures.
My very sensitive 4.5 year old is scared by most Magic Tree House, even though I tell him Jack and Annie are always fine. He's not reading them, though, but listening to them on CD. He loves the series, but he can't listen at bedtime anymore.
Have you seen the Lighthouse Family books, by Cynthia Rylant? My 4 year-old really enjoys them. I was going to suggest little bear, but that is already listed.
What about the classic Milne Winne the Pooh? My kids still love these stories.
And Beatrix Potter, but they might not be gentle enough for some children.
Have you seen any Elsa Beskow books? They're lovely, although they are picture books, but they usually have good vocabulary and the pictures are quite lovely for the imagination.
Originally Posted by carmel23
Have you seen the Lighthouse Family books, by Cynthia Rylant? My 4 year-old really enjoys them.
I'll have to look for this series. We have enjoyed the Cynthia Rylant books that we have checked out from the library -- the art is wonderful and the language v. poetic.
They are highly illustrated, but my 3.5 yr old is reading at that level and LOVES Eric Carle's books. He has a whole series about bugs (he authored The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and the intro has interesting facts about the insect featured.
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