Big P has always enjoyed books, but lately reading together has been really fun. At 3 1/2, he’s able to focus better, follow story lines more closely, and make insightful and funny connections between the book and his own life. All of which has me thinking about when and what chapter book we should first attempt as a read aloud. Ideally, our first book will have some pictures and relatively short chapters, be a little (or a lot) silly, and most importantly be a story we both enjoy reading. A great audiobook companion or a movie adaptation is also a plus!
Here are my ideas, but I would love your recommendations:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Big P loves animals and who doesn’t love Charlotte’s Web (although there is a death which may be a little much for my sometimes sensitive kiddo)? Plus I think it’d be fun to read a book that has been turned into a movie, so we can watch it afterward together.
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett – This is a popular first chapter book I have heard mixed reviews about this one, but it feels like a book Big P would enjoy.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald – Big P has a very silly side to him, so I think this one may keep him laughing and paying close attention. I also like that each chapter contains its own story, so we can take breaks if needed.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary – I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book as a read aloud to preschoolers. Big P adores the Mercy Watson series which seems similar (a silly story about animals).
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl – Of course, I am hoping to read many Roald Dahl books with my kids, but I’m thinking this may be a good one to start with.
The Boxcar Children (The Boxcar Children, No. 1) by Gertrude Chandler Warren – We took Big P to see a children’s theater production of The Boxcar Children. He mostly enjoyed it, but I suspect the book may be a little dry for him (too realistic and not enough silliness maybe?).
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins – I keep seeing this pop up on lists of great first chapter books to read aloud with preschoolers.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren – I love Pippi, and I’ve heard this new paperback version has big, lovely pictures.
. . . . .
At what age did you start reading chapter books to your child? How did it go? Any book recommendations or tips for ensuring it’s an enjoyable experience for all?
guest
Thank you for this wonderful post. My daughter will be four in June and I have recently been thinking about when it will be a good time to introduce chapter books. I am looking forward to reading the responses of others regarding at what age their child started reading chapter books and what their first books were!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
Charlotte’s Web was one of our first chapter books and one of Charlie’s all time favorite books (at 4). We also read the entire Magic Treehouse series which is really great for sucking kids into an entire series. I would start with those!
nectarine / 2641 posts
We started at about 2.5. I wasn’t sure what he was understanding and we did a lot of talking about what was happening, but he loved it no matter what he understood. We’ve done The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, tons of magic tree house books, Charlotte’s Web, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, some Junie B Jones (though I edit a lot of dumb and stupid, etc. out of that one), Mouse and the Motorcycle, My Father’s Dragon, Flat Stanley, and I’m sure others that I can’t remember. It’s so beneficial to kids to hear fluent reading!
grapefruit / 4923 posts
i was doing similar research about 6 months ago! we actually end up listening to most books on audio while on our commute. big fan of my father’s dragon (minus the mention in the first few pages of the mom “whipping” the main character). but it’s written in a way that kids can clearly understand, and quirky enough to spark their imaginations. also, the books have really nice drawings every few pages.
we also really liked mr. fantastic fox by roald dahl.
i also saw toys go out pop up all over the place, and was so happy to finally get it from the library. we’ve read two chapters and i’m going to return it. i guess i’m in the minority here, but i didn’t find it enjoyable to read. it’s also very long compared to the other chapter books with not nearly enough drawings–for our 4 year old, it was too much.
GOLD / nectarine / 2884 posts
This is a great post! We are doing Stuart Little. Our oldest is 4.5. hoping to do little house in the big woods next..
guest
The Magic Tree House and Sophie Mouse series are both great! Sometimes I feel like I have to edit out bad language, behavior, etc (particularly for books written a while ago), but both of these series are very positive. Each MTH book is set in a new time and place – the Amazon, ancient Egypt, the moon, etc. – which means they are (gasp!) educational too.
blogger / apricot / 275 posts
@Mrs. Bee: I’ve been wondering about Magic Treehouse ~ we love series of books in our house! I’m so glad to hear your kids loved them.
guest
I just started doing this with my 3.5 year old boy a few months ago, and am learning lots about what works and doesn’t! (at least for him). I tried Paddingto, but there wasn’t enough action, and too much description. We moved into the Mercy Watson books by Kate Dicamillo, which he has really liked. We’ve also tried the Cam Jansen mysteries, and he LOVES listening to Nate the Great on audiobook. We have one MTH book signed out right now, and I’m planning on trying it next.
As a side note- audiobooks have become something I’m using a lot to keep him entertained when I need a break – it’s one of the only things (other than screentime) that he will do on his own. So, gives me some time to breathe, and helps him learn to love books! Win-win!
guest
Thanks for this post. I’m inspired to try.
guest
What about Winnie The Pooh?
pomelo / 5621 posts
Thank you for this post. DS is 4 this month & loves books yet reading a chapter book wasn’t even on my radar.
We are headed to the library this weekend I’ll have to find one to check out and see how it goes.
guest
Thank you for this. My son just turned four and I was wondering when and what chapter books to start reading aloud.