Chapter books for preschoolers (bedtime reading)

[welly01]

Does your preschooler let you read chapter books to them at bedtime? DS is almost 5 and won't let me read him books without pictures unless I make him. Is this still too young to follow a story just by listening?  We have longer books that he'll let me read to him but they still have lots of pictures.  I want to start moving into stuff like the Harry Potter books over the next year but it feels like he'll never want to sit down and listen to me read books like that. I'm just wondering what age kids usually start to enjoy (or at least tolerate) chapter books.

[justcheckingin73]

I couldn't get my son to sit for any kind of book until he was in Kindergarten. He's 7 now and in 2nd grade and they are supposed to be starting chapter books this year but its still hard to hold his attention. I need to find some that are somewhat suspenseful, yet not scary to hold his attention.

[twinmomma]

My girls are in kindergarten and obsessed with Magic Treehouse books. They're really great, easy chapter books that have some pictures sprinkled in. We read something like 15 of them over the course of the summer. The pre-k teacher started reading them last year during rest time, since most kids weren't napping anymore, and my kids got hooked.

We've also done a few Roald Dahl books, like The BFG and The Witches. Those are also easy, fun chapter books.

I also found some old Choose Your Own Adventure books from when I was a kid that they like. Sort of chapter book length.

Things we've tried that haven't stuck include Harry Potter, The Hobbit, and The Little Prince. They liked the stories, but the language was too dense for them.

[2chatter]

This struggle doesn't go away. My older two still would prefer illustrations. Where I have landed on this is they have to read at level at least some of the time, and can read below level for fun, too. The vocabulary and language in on level books is important to me, and easy reading is important for fluency.

But before they are actually reading I just read them what they want. For middle DD it was all short princess type books and specific topics. For DS it's a mix of popular children's fiction and encyclopedias. The first chapter books he actually reads are very very heavily illustrated. So would a mix work? "Listen to this for one chapter and then we will finish with a book with lots of pictures?"

[sudokufan]

My son is 4.5 and totally uninterested in books without pictures too. My theory is he just doesn't yet have enough life experience to picture what's happening while I read to him. I've had the best luck with books that tie in movies or other media he's already familiar with, so Winnie the Pooh (but NOT the original, too verbose), TMNT, Cars, etc, but even there I pick books that have some pictures but more text per page.

[vvvvvfee]

i think it is still a little young. I would ease into it by reading a beginning-reader level book (short novel) that isn't too long and still has lots of pictures. DS1 (who just started K) still needs at least a few pictures or he gets restless.

a few that DS1 really liked:
The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau
The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz

[kimberlybb]

My oldest turned 5 in July and likes chapter books but we don’t read more than two chapters at a time. We are reading Pippi Longstocking right now. I also want to do:
-Mr. Popper’s Penguins
-The Mouse and the Motorcycle
-My Father’s Dragon
-The Littles

[mommyatty]

I think it's way too young. In my family, we don't do chapter books until the kid reads them by themselves. I might start some smaller chapter books, but nothing Harry Potter length. That's just too long.

[akafred]

It is fine for some kids but not others. Try early chapter books with lots of pictures, like the "Branches" imprint. DD did well with Heidi Heckleback at that age (now she can read them on her own).

[hocus2]

Sept 15, 2017 9:55:02 GMT -5 welly01 said:

Does your preschooler let you read chapter books to them at bedtime? DS is almost 5 and won't let me read him books without pictures unless I make him. Is this still too young to follow a story just by listening?  We have longer books that he'll let me read to him but they still have lots of pictures.  I want to start moving into stuff like the Harry Potter books over the next year but it feels like he'll never want to sit down and listen to me read books like that. I'm just wondering what age kids usually start to enjoy (or at least tolerate) chapter books.

   I read chapter books to my 7 year old from time to time but she's still not that into them. She prefers really short ones like Cam Jansen. I read only picture books to me 6 year old. I was thinking of starting a movie based reading system next year to help them tie it all together (e.g, HP book/HP movie. We might start with A wrinkle in time since it is coming out). I feel like it will help them make some of those jumps into a mental movie.

  I'll be honest I see no reason to push this issue in K when many kids aren't able to follow a story with visual cues. The are picture books with a high level of sophistication/reading level. We're in third grade and we've still be able to find many books at my kid's reading level. 

[waverly]

I actually haven't tried to do chapter books with DD. Honestly with reading, I follow their lead because I feel like their interest/ motivation/ fun is most important. There is also some research out there that you don't have to be in a hurry to move on from rich language quality picture books to chapter books.

Easy readers or early readers are also a good stepping stone right now. Maybe level 1 or A.

As far as leveling. A pre-schooler- K would be reading on their own level 1 or A. Kindergarten gets into maybe Level 3 at the end of the year. DS is at level O from the A-Z system, D was the requirement at the end of K, and he just started reading on his own chapter books at the end of K.

[supertrooper1]

DS is reading chapter books. We started with Dinosaur Cove, a recommendation from our pedi of all people. We've also read Puppy Pirates. I've found it difficult with beginning chapter books for boys because they tend to be aimed toward girls.

He's been really interested in the National Geographic readers books. They're not chapter books, but different from a regular story. It's amazing how much of a sponge he can be with the facts.

www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Readers-Elizabeth-Carney-ebook/dp/B008OBRHOE/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505492513&sr=1-2&keywords=national+geographics+readers

[leap]

This really seems to depend on the kid. A year ago my Kindergartener had no interest in them, but she does now. We try to do shorter chapter books with short chapters and occasional pictures. I think Harry Potter is too long for her still and I'm not sure either of my kids would be ready for the content past book 2. DD1 is 7 and in second grade. She reads short chapter books by herself (Magic Tree House, Princess in Black, a fairy book series) and sometimes we read longer ones together (American Girl books).

[akafred]

hocus2, I recently reread "A Wrinkle in Time" (which was my childhood favorite book series) and it is actually a pretty challenging book both in the use of big words, long paragraphs, and sophisticated ideas. I can't wait for the new movie, but I would caution you on starting there.

I think the first chapter book I had success with was "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", which I chose because my mom read it to me when I was little. It's pretty old fashioned though, and no pictures.

[hocus2]

Sept 15, 2017 11:23:38 GMT -5 supertrooper1 said:

DS is reading chapter books. We started with Dinosaur Cove, a recommendation from our pedi of all people. We've also read Puppy Pirates. I've found it difficult with beginning chapter books for boys because they tend to be aimed toward girls.

He's been really interested in the National Geographic readers books. They're not chapter books, but different from a regular story. It's amazing how much of a sponge he can be with the facts.

www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Readers-Elizabeth-Carney-ebook/dp/B008OBRHOE/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505492513&sr=1-2&keywords=national+geographics+readers

   My older one loves the Nat Geo reaters. DK also has similar books. 

   There are Nat Geo chapter books now which can work well for kids who like that style of book.

  www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Chapters-Dolphins/dp/1426310315

[welly01]

Sept 15, 2017 11:15:36 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

Sept 15, 2017 9:55:02 GMT -5 welly01 said:

Does your preschooler let you read chapter books to them at bedtime? DS is almost 5 and won't let me read him books without pictures unless I make him. Is this still too young to follow a story just by listening?  We have longer books that he'll let me read to him but they still have lots of pictures.  I want to start moving into stuff like the Harry Potter books over the next year but it feels like he'll never want to sit down and listen to me read books like that. I'm just wondering what age kids usually start to enjoy (or at least tolerate) chapter books.

   I read chapter books to my 7 year old from time to time but she's still not that into them. She prefers really short ones like Cam Jansen. I read only picture books to me 6 year old. I was thinking of starting a movie based reading system next year to help them tie it all together (e.g, HP book/HP movie. We might start with A wrinkle in time since it is coming out). I feel like it will help them make some of those jumps into a mental movie.

  I'll be honest I see no reason to push this issue in K when many kids aren't able to follow a story with visual cues. The are picture books with a high level of sophistication/reading level. We're in third grade and we've still be able to find many books at my kid's reading level. 

The reason I'm asking is not because I want to push him to read more difficult books (he still doesn't read at all...not sure if I should be concerned yet).  But my mom read to use when we were little, old western and horse stories, so definitely no pictures.  It's just a nostalgia thing that I'd like to do with my kids but my feeble attempts so far have failed.  Maybe once he starts really reading on his own, he'll take some interest in a story being read to him.

[welly01]

supertrooper1, and hocus2, thanks for the recommendation of Nat Geo. We have a few board books from them, so these will be perfect to start moving up with.

[yummmy]

DS is 3 but loves to sit and listen to stories. He doesn't really look at the pictures much unless you ask him too, so we have started reading The Bobbsey Twins to him. They are old and sometimes hard to find, but the series is great. And geared towards young kids and they talk about real things that kids can relate too (going to the beach, picnics, etc). The words are easy but fun. If you can find one I would recommend you start there!

[hocus2]

Sept 15, 2017 13:33:47 GMT -5 welly01 said:

Sept 15, 2017 11:15:36 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

   I read chapter books to my 7 year old from time to time but she's still not that into them. She prefers really short ones like Cam Jansen. I read only picture books to me 6 year old. I was thinking of starting a movie based reading system next year to help them tie it all together (e.g, HP book/HP movie. We might start with A wrinkle in time since it is coming out). I feel like it will help them make some of those jumps into a mental movie.

  I'll be honest I see no reason to push this issue in K when many kids aren't able to follow a story with visual cues. The are picture books with a high level of sophistication/reading level. We're in third grade and we've still be able to find many books at my kid's reading level. 

The reason I'm asking is not because I want to push him to read more difficult books (he still doesn't read at all...not sure if I should be concerned yet).  But my mom read to use when we were little, old western and horse stories, so definitely no pictures.  It's just a nostalgia thing that I'd like to do with my kids but my feeble attempts so far have failed.  Maybe once he starts really reading on his own, he'll take some interest in a story being read to him.

   No I wouldn't be concerned your high 4 year old can't read. There are 4 year old who know words and can read short books but that is fairly rare. Around here teachers hope kids can read books like the one below by the end of K. There are usually several kids who don't get there and catch up in 1st. I feel like my older child spent most of first breaking the code and is now working on making the jump from picture supported reading to reading chapter books. She's about a half-step behind the target but making progress.

   sites.google.com/site/guidedreadingad/materials

[sudokufan]

Sept 15, 2017 13:39:02 GMT -5 yummmy said:

DS is 3 but loves to sit and listen to stories. He doesn't really look at the pictures much unless you ask him too, so we have started reading The Bobbsey Twins to him. They are old and sometimes hard to find, but the series is great. And geared towards young kids and they talk about real things that kids can relate too (going to the beach, picnics, etc). The words are easy but fun. If you can find one I would recommend you start there!

Oh I loved the Bobbsey Twins!  I had the purple hard covers from the early 80s.  First books I ever read by myself, and I was determined to collect them all.
Save

[mustardseed2007]

I tried Super Fudge with my DS (age 5). He actually liked it at first and then got bored. He really identified with the older brother, which i found pretty funny.

[yummmy]

Sept 15, 2017 13:50:56 GMT -5 sudokufan said:

Sept 15, 2017 13:39:02 GMT -5 yummmy said:

DS is 3 but loves to sit and listen to stories. He doesn't really look at the pictures much unless you ask him too, so we have started reading The Bobbsey Twins to him. They are old and sometimes hard to find, but the series is great. And geared towards young kids and they talk about real things that kids can relate too (going to the beach, picnics, etc). The words are easy but fun. If you can find one I would recommend you start there!

Oh I loved the Bobbsey Twins!  I had the purple hard covers from the early 80s.  First books I ever read by myself, and I was determined to collect them all.
Save

I have some of the purple hard covers, but I spent a lot of time as a kid (and a lot of my parents money) collecting the green hardcovers from the 50's! It was a lot of fun to find them and collect them! I have almost a complete collection of them! 

[sandandsea]

Ds loves us reading to him and will listen to chapter books. It started with Star Wars. We won't let him watch the movies but all the kids in his class have and they play it during recess. So dh bought the chapter books and is reading to him (with age appropriate edits and sensorship). I think I might try the boxcar children or the littles next. I also just bought charlottes web. So we will see but he enjoys it. And his vocabulary is amazing.

ETA he is 5.5 and just started k.

[waverly]

welly01, were you older when your mom read those books to you? I find myself wanting to do a lot of things out of nostalgia but then realizing oh I was older when we did that.

[welly01]

Sept 15, 2017 14:30:39 GMT -5 waverly said:

welly01 , were you older when your mom read those books to you? I find myself wanting to do a lot of things out of nostalgia but then realizing oh I was older when we did that.

I really don't remember. We were probably older though. Maybe 7-10ish?

[librarychica]

My almost 6yo shows sporadic interest in chapter books. Mostly on the short side (she likes the Princess Pistachio series). Like 4 short chapters with a couple pictures here and there. She did make it through a 10 chapter (Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures) but her dad did really good voices for that one. She also really likes the thicker Nat Geo books.

Harry Potter is far into our future, lol.

Once my dad made us do a family of Moby Dick. I have, like, anti-nostalgia for that.

[mae0111]

I started reading chapter books with my girls around age 4. DD1 really just wanted the snuggle time, and didn't retain much until I started reading Calendar Mysteries and A to Z mysteries. Chapter books, but chapters are short with illustrations. She also likes Cam Jansen and the My Weird School series. Also short chapters with pictures. When she got older, we did Ramona and the Clementine series. DH also got her into Harry Potter. She's a very big reader at almost 8 (2nd grade) but tends to read easy stuff. I push her now and then, and she will read something more challenging. Right now, she's reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by herself.

DD2 is 4.5, and we just finished her first chapter book - Ramona the Pest. It was fitting for her week, and she really retained it. We will move on to the next book in the series this weekend, but we will also keep reading the shorter picture books. She loves her books - more than DD1 ever did - so I hope she becomes a reader like DD1.

[freezorburn]

I love this thread.

DS had his first week of kindergarten this past week. And he is coming home telling me about the stories he has been hearing -- some of them are stories that I tried to introduce to him but he wasn't interested ... like Frog and Toad. He didn't like Owl at Home. He liked Ribsy, which I had forgotten about. Loves loves loves George and Martha, which are very short quick and pithy, but mildly chapter-y.

Seeing my son soak up his new experiences has me reminiscing about what I remember from that age ... I was definitely reading a lot, but I was much more shy than he is. He's not exactly outgoing, but over the last year he has at least become more comfortable with his peers. I probably started reading chapter books on my own in 1st or second grade. Maybe some E.B. White or Beverly Cleary? I have a vivid memory of reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing when I was in 2nd grade. I am a middle child and my sister would have been just crawling, so my mom was too busy to read to me anymore and I was trying to emulate my older brother. I vaguely remember the sense that a lot of my peers might have been hearing chapter books at home, but reading independently at the level I was, was a bit unusual.

[kbw]

Ds is 5 and just starting to talk about longer books. The thing he likes about the picture books still is because he can't read yet he has a way to identify with the book still.

I've ordered Stuart little, magic treehouse and frog and goad to do when he wants a little more reading.

[186momx]

DD really loved Ivy and Bean atarting around 4 but those are geared towards girls. We ready Harry potter last year during the read a thon in K but are stuck half way through the 2nd book as she has lost interest. I think it depends on the kid.