The day my 7 yo became able to read Dogman to himself was the best- I appreciate Dav Pilkey very much for fostering my kid’s love of reading but they were not fun for me to read aloud! Ricky Ricotta series is more enjoyable for me and my 5 yo has been on that kick since his birthday in June. All the Drew Daywalt Crayon series have been in rotation and I find them very engaging and well illustrated.
My kids started back to school last week and the first book my 7 yo got from the library was I Survived the Nazi Invasion- he’s read 4 in the series but we had been focused on Revolutionary War/Hamilton era interest and now appear to have launched into WWII. I read all the I Survived books with him so we can discuss.
They brought up Max and the Tagalong Moon by Floyd Cooped the other day when my 5 yo thought the moon was following us home- it was a Dolly Parton library book for us. the illustrations are so beautiful.
Wheneber my four year old sees the moon he says "that old moon will always shine for you, on and on". We got that wonderful book out of a little free library and haven't read it in a year but we both still think of it all the time. So good!
I love the distinctive voice of that book- ahhh so good! We read it every few months but it’s certainly one that stays present in our memories! I had a lot more books memorized when my kids were toddlers than now. I can still recite On the Night You Were Born though!
Thank you for your post. I am always on the lookout for mentor texts written for MG readers and fir books to recommend to readers of all ages. Beth Schmelzer
Also, DO try audiobooks! It’s how my kids jumped from picture books to chapter books, by listening to a few on audio first, getting hooked, and then wanting more to read with their eyeballs
Don’t underestimate your children is my favorite one on here! Nobody knows until they know! And tastes and moods can change and bounce and morph at their own speed.
A hearty endorsement of poetry! My three year old grandson only lives construction vehicles and trains, and somewhat to my surprise I was able to find a couple of volumes of poetry specifically on those topics. He loves them and will recite bits of his favorites along with me.
The day my 7 yo became able to read Dogman to himself was the best- I appreciate Dav Pilkey very much for fostering my kid’s love of reading but they were not fun for me to read aloud! Ricky Ricotta series is more enjoyable for me and my 5 yo has been on that kick since his birthday in June. All the Drew Daywalt Crayon series have been in rotation and I find them very engaging and well illustrated.
My kids started back to school last week and the first book my 7 yo got from the library was I Survived the Nazi Invasion- he’s read 4 in the series but we had been focused on Revolutionary War/Hamilton era interest and now appear to have launched into WWII. I read all the I Survived books with him so we can discuss.
They brought up Max and the Tagalong Moon by Floyd Cooped the other day when my 5 yo thought the moon was following us home- it was a Dolly Parton library book for us. the illustrations are so beautiful.
Wheneber my four year old sees the moon he says "that old moon will always shine for you, on and on". We got that wonderful book out of a little free library and haven't read it in a year but we both still think of it all the time. So good!
I love the distinctive voice of that book- ahhh so good! We read it every few months but it’s certainly one that stays present in our memories! I had a lot more books memorized when my kids were toddlers than now. I can still recite On the Night You Were Born though!
Thank you for your post. I am always on the lookout for mentor texts written for MG readers and fir books to recommend to readers of all ages. Beth Schmelzer
Sarah, this is SUCH helpful advice - nuanced and spot on.
Thank you, Julie! This means so much coming from you.
You are truly a genius, Sarah. I soundly, LOUDLY agree with every single bullet here. Take a bow!
Sri, you flatter the hell out of me 🥹
Not flattery if it’s the truth!
Well, I'm inclined to protest at the word "genius," but I'm going to force myself to set aside my discomfort: I'll take it 😉
Also, DO try audiobooks! It’s how my kids jumped from picture books to chapter books, by listening to a few on audio first, getting hooked, and then wanting more to read with their eyeballs
Don’t underestimate your children is my favorite one on here! Nobody knows until they know! And tastes and moods can change and bounce and morph at their own speed.
👏 per usual!
A hearty endorsement of poetry! My three year old grandson only lives construction vehicles and trains, and somewhat to my surprise I was able to find a couple of volumes of poetry specifically on those topics. He loves them and will recite bits of his favorites along with me.
If you don't know Digger, Dozer, Dumper by Hope Vestergaard, check it out ASAP -- it's my all-time favorite construction title, poetry or otherwise.
I also have a mini issue about construction books that might be of interest: https://canweread.substack.com/p/childrens-books-about-construction?utm_source=publication-search
Yes he loves Digger Dozer Dumper.