My boys are probably not as old as I like to think that they are but it all started this past summer. There are so many books that I never read as a child and I'm eager to read them now. Not to read them alone, all tucked up in my bed after a long day, but to enjoy them with others, mainly my children. So we started by reading the Little House series. (Yes, this was a series I never read growing up). I am probably more eager than they are to find out what happens. Once Almanzo entered the picture I couldn't repress the goofy smile that came to my lips and the irresistible urge to say, "You know who is here on the prairie? Almaaanzoooo......" Since I only have sons they humor me but don't quite share my eager anticipation to find out how he and Laura actually fall in love and get married.
We enter into these other worlds mostly at lunch and tea time (and sometimes when they are going to bed).
We recently took a break from "Little Town on the Prairie" and read "The Saturdays" by Elizabeth Enright. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure if the boys gleaned all of the wonderful sayings or the more difficult vocabulary but we all seemed to look forward to each chapter.
So are there any more great read aloud book recommendations? I would love to keep adding to my list.
10 comments:
I love The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo read aloud. It has plenty of opportunity for voices, and the author even addresses the reader. Maybe you've already read it, but it's great read aloud!
We are reading Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter, and it's a little over the heads but I just edit when needed. Also, all the Robert McClosky chapter books are fun for boys. And they loved the My Father's Dragon series. So many good ones, so little time!
Mrs. Pigglewiggle is great! And, Charlotte's Web :)
Oh and James and the Giant Peach!
A favorite at our house has been James Herriot's Treasury for Children or you can get them individually--like Blossom comes Home, etc. Other favorites--Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings (I see Brite already mentioned the McClosky books), Cowboy Small, etc. by Lois Lenski. Hmmmm, I'll try to think of some others.
Barbara
Other favorites of ours--
The Fire Cat by Esther Averill--I like this one because of the underlying values, like repentance.
A Fourth of July on the Plains by Jean Van Leeuwen
Theodore by Frank Keating
Boss of the Plains: The Hat That Won the West by Laurie Carlson
Growing Seasons by Elsie Lee Splear
Tin Lizzie by Peter Spier --he has written lots of others including Jonah
You're On Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt by Judith St. George--one scary/creepy drawing which you can skip over, otherwise a fantastic book
We found most of these at our library. Most of the above books are true and are a delightful read for younger kids. We love to read also and I love to read good books to the kids! I believe It's Ruth Beechick that says children learn to write well by reading well-written books. We're reading the LIttle House series now for history also!
Barbara
In thinking about my last comment, I realized it may sound a bit "preachy" but I didn't meant it that way. To explain, so many books, especially those written in more recent years, seem to be "dumbed down." Sentences are repetitive, choppy, etc. Nouns, verbs, etc. often lack "vividness" as our language book puts it. So I do get excited when I find a truly well written book for the kids--not only one with a subject to interest them but one that has good sentence structure and vivid word choices to paint a vivid picture in their minds. So now you know one of the things that bugs me! :) Hmmm, seems our language book frowns on being too wordy as well! Ouch! Guilty as charged. Please forgive my rambling.
Barbara
I loved The Little House on the Prairie books and I think my mom probably read them aloud to us too.
Our children like the Janette Oke Classic Children's Stories about animals. They are out of print, but you can find them on Ebay, Paperbackswap, etc. There are twelve in the series.
Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I'm writing these down! We are just finishing up "The Railway Children" and then will return to finish the Little House series. I like to read books out loud that are just above their reading level so you've given me some great ideas!
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