As The Hamster transitions from picture books to chapter books, it’s been a challenge to find, what I consider appropriate reading material. OK- it’s always been a challenge but, now it’s a new challenge.
As I see the chapter books others read to their kindergarteners, I’m somewhat dismayed by both language and content – Do I really want to be reading him stories about kids upsetting their teachers? What will he learn from that? How about stories filled with children eating candy and watching TV? Not that my DS doesn’t have a piece of candy here and there or watch TV on occasion but, not on a daily or even weekly basis.
Fortunately, in my quest for appropriate and even educational chapter books and…ones that he will also enjoy, I happened upon Great Illustrated Classics .
Though these are geared for read-alone 9 years old, they make great beginning chapter books for the pre-reading set. Though longer then traditional chapter books, they feature a picture on every other page, so keep young children’s interest and help them to follow, the sometimes complex stories.
The pictures, in general are not terribly violent, but I still preview prior to buying, especially those that appeal most to boys – King Arthur, Ivanhoe, The Call of the Wild. I also do, I admit, edit when I am reading from time to time, depending my DS’s familiarity with certain topics.
We read the Wizard of Oz in one sitting and followed that with The Three Musketeers, reading a bit each night. An added bonus is I look forward to reading them too – over and over, of course!
Best of all, I’ve been picking them up at Michael’s for $2.00-$3.00 a few at a time, though you can also buy them used for pennies on E-bay and Amazon.
There are of course many other, perhaps better illustrated classics for children but the combination of easy to read and easy to find works for me!
For more great Works for Me Wednesday tips visit Rocks in my Dryer.
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As I see the chapter books others read to their kindergarteners, I’m somewhat dismayed by both language and content – Do I really want to be reading him stories about kids upsetting their teachers? What will he learn from that? How about stories filled with children eating candy and watching TV? Not that my DS doesn’t have a piece of candy here and there or watch TV on occasion but, not on a daily or even weekly basis.
Fortunately, in my quest for appropriate and even educational chapter books and…ones that he will also enjoy, I happened upon Great Illustrated Classics .
Though these are geared for read-alone 9 years old, they make great beginning chapter books for the pre-reading set. Though longer then traditional chapter books, they feature a picture on every other page, so keep young children’s interest and help them to follow, the sometimes complex stories.
The pictures, in general are not terribly violent, but I still preview prior to buying, especially those that appeal most to boys – King Arthur, Ivanhoe, The Call of the Wild. I also do, I admit, edit when I am reading from time to time, depending my DS’s familiarity with certain topics.
We read the Wizard of Oz in one sitting and followed that with The Three Musketeers, reading a bit each night. An added bonus is I look forward to reading them too – over and over, of course!
Best of all, I’ve been picking them up at Michael’s for $2.00-$3.00 a few at a time, though you can also buy them used for pennies on E-bay and Amazon.
There are of course many other, perhaps better illustrated classics for children but the combination of easy to read and easy to find works for me!
For more great Works for Me Wednesday tips visit Rocks in my Dryer.
Bookmark this post:
11 comments:
I'm happy to read your opinion of the Illustrated Classics. I often see them at the Goodwill for a quarter a piece and did not realize their value. Now, I hope I find some on my next visit which will probably be this evening. I find so many quality books at the Goodwill.
I agree with you about the quality of early chapter books. It is better now than it was even 5 years ago but I still cannot find much I would be willing to read to my children.
Goodwill- that's a great idea! I often pick up old "Little Golden Books" there, another favorite.
My kids love these books, there are so many they don't run out of good ones to read.
Also I'd recommend Classics Illustrated (I link to them in my Thursday post) which has comic-book style classics that my boys especially have loved.
I just wanted to say that I LOVED these books when I was little. I've even saved mine for my future children.
I also buy most of my books from thrift stores and have found some really great deals. Much better on the checkbook than the big bookstores! :)
I love to read. Since I love to read, my children see me reading. Which has sparked their desire to read. YEAH! Well, all except my youngest. LOL! He prefers to only read action/adventure books.
I bought the whole "Illustrated Classics" set and then realized that it's the abridged version. :o( Some of the stories have also been changed. :o(
With that said, it's far better than some of the chapter books children are reading in school. :o(
Thanks for stopping by. I went to the thrift store today to look for books!
I also thought for a bit about the abridged nature of these "Classics" books. Susan Bauer, of The Well Trained Mind recommends buying abridged versions in the early years so they will know the story when they read it in the original in later years. This made sense to me...though some would argue that point.
MC-I haven't read WTM but I agree with the idea of reading the abridged version as a precursor to eventually understaning the whole work.
I do plan to read The Well Trained Mind but haven't set aside the time to focus on just that one book.
The Well Trained Mind is one of my favorite books. As it is a reference rather than a "reading" book, you can pick it up and put it down over..well...a long time.
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