Kids and Harry Potter

[charlatti]

If I start reading the series with my daughter, is it cruel to make her wait until she's a little older for the later books? I had to wait a year between books and I survived the wait... barely.

Actual question: She's only 5.5, so I think she could handle the scariness level of books 1 and 2, but 3 would be too much for now. Has anyone else read it with kids yet or have kids who have read the series? What ages?

[rootbeerfloat]

I started reading HP with DS this year at 7. (DD is 4 and listens, too, but doesn't pay as much attention.) We're in the middle of 2, and I would be willing to do 3 as well (both b/c of content and because they get super long after that, lol). I figure by the time he's old enough to read them on his own, probably in another year, he'll be allowed to read them all.

[secretlyevil]

Maybe just drag it out?

[DarcyLongfellow]

I really can't wait to read HP with my kids!

My older DD is about to turn 5. I think she could handle the first two books, and I'd be comfortable reading them to her. She isn't quite ready for real chapter books yet (we've tried a few times, and she loses interest after a few chapters), so I'll wait a bit.

I see no problem reading the first two and waiting for the rest. Heck, she won't even know there are more unless you tell her!

[charlatti]

Jul 10, 2014 20:46:00 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

I see no problem reading the first two and waiting for the rest. Heck, she won't even know there are more unless you tell her!

She already knows from watching me read them too many times. We have been reading a few other chapter book series together too -- it has actually been hard to find stand alone books that we both are interested in.

[msmerymac]

Maybe use it as a special summer vacation treat every year. So you can do the first two books this year, then maybe book 3 next year, book 4 the year after that...

[booknerd]

I like msmerymac's idea a lot.

I have nothing else to add other than I am jealous that you have a kid to read them with. My nephew is finally reading them and it's the greatest part of the year for me so far.

[whitepicketfence]

I can't wait to read HP with my girls!

DD1 is 4.5 and is just starting to get into chapter books. We've been working through The Magic Treehouse series which has relatively short chapters. I don't think she'll be ready for HP though for at least another year.

I really like what msmerymac suggested. By the time you get to the longer, more adult-themed books, she should definitely be ready for them.