I love reading to my kids. And, they love me reading to them. Partly because they love to hear a good story, and partly because it prolongs that kiss goodnight followed by their bedroom door closing gently. I’ve read everything from “Goodnight Moon” to them when they were infants, to every single Mercer Mayer book as toddlers. We’ve taken a pig to school and a mouse to the movies. Eric Carle made us appreciate the butterfly’s metamorphosis. David McPhail has charmed us with favorites like “Mole Music.”
“The Kissing Hand” saw my first-born off to his first day of Kindergarten. And, “The Giving Tree” still makes my eyes water.
We’ve progressed from me reading Dr. Seuss to John Henry reading Dr. Seuss. The book fair loves us. And, my Barnes and Noble member’s card has more than paid for itself.
When John Henry saw me reading my own book the other day, he queried, “Does your book have chapters?”
“Yes,” I told him.
“Wow! I want some chapter books!” He decided.
He didn’t have to ask for “chapter books” twice. So, off we went in search of new books. With chapters. And, I decided to begin reading chapter books to them at night. John Henry picked out his own to read himself. I chose the classic, “Charlotte’s Web” to read to both of them. Each night I read one chapter – sometimes two – to them. The anticipation that builds from night to night on what Wilbur is going to get into or what that wise, old spider is going teach is just plain fun. And, great bonding time.
We’ve planned a “Charlotte’s Web” party once we finish the book which includes the movie and popcorn. No party is complete without Junior Mint and Sour Patch Kids. Of course, you already knew that. Then, we’ll be onto our next chapter book. And, our next book party.
What are some of your favorite books you read to your kids?
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We read CSL…the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe series of books to the kids. elisha loves them.
Box Car Children; Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” (weird, but my boys loved it), I’ll have to think of more….its been a while.
My kids love reading. We’ve read all The Little House books. My boys love them too. Boxcar Children, A Wrinkle In Time, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Shiloh, Where The Red Fern Grows, Island Of The Blue Dolphins, The Witch Of Blackbird Pond, Orphan Train books, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys….. OK we read alot. We loved Charlotte’s Web too. Forgot Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and The BFG. My kids LOVED The BFG. James and The Giant Peach. Ok going to stop now. Anything you pick will be great!
Before chapter books, there was “The Color Kittens”. It is the best book in the entire world for night time reading. Margaret Wise Brown wrote it; “A Little Golden Book” was the series or publisher (they also did, The Gingerbread Man, The Pokey Little Puppy, etc.) They acutally have a collection of stories like that in a Nighttime Reader book. I know, that isn’t a ‘chapter book’. But, darn it was just such a good one.
As far as chapter books go, I was always a fan of the Encyclopedia Brown series as a kid…which has since been replaced by Law and Order, etc.
Oh I’m getting misty just thinking about the endless hours I read to my children. They are now 20 and 23 and would probably be happy if I read to them even now if I could get them both in the same place at the same time and to stay off their phones for 10 minutes! You’re doing an awesome thing giving them the gift of the love of books. I think I mentioned the Little House books in a tweet. I read the whole series to them twice – once when Angela was 5 and then again when Tessa was 5. Your son will love them too. They’re not girlie books 🙂 Esp. the one about Almonzo. Little Farmer Boy?
When I read them the Lion/witch/wardrobe series we were living in Bulgaria. The trip through the wardrobe into Narnia came in very handy as a metaphore when we returned to the USA. As a family we had gone through the “wardrobe” into a wild and strange experience. When we found ourselves back in the familiar USA, it helped us all to deal with reverse culture shock by comparing ourselves to the four children. We had experienced an adventure that no one but the four of us would ever fully understand or be able to explain. Books are awesome.
Oh my, I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.
CLASSICS!
We definitely do the classics, but I must say my Isaac loves the Captain Underpants series. And in my defense…Grandma Kaufman bought them for him! Curious George and anything by David Shannon instantly grabs his attention, maybe because he can relate so well 🙂
The Little House Books have been favorites of my 9 and 6 year olds – boys and girls!
Anything by Josephine Cunnington Edwards. Many years ago as a young bride, she went to Africa as a missionary and wrote extensively about her experiences. If you ever want some great chapter books, check her out.
My dad used to read to me a lot when i was a kid and then I took off on my own. The one I remember the most was Danny The Champion Of The World by Roald Dahl. Its basically about a boy that lives with just his dad and he thinks his dad is the greatest and stuff. I guess i remember that so much because it was just me and my dad till i was 9 and that book is kind of how we were.