Check out Elijah’s little library of books in his top-bunk…
It makes my heart so happy to see Elijah turning into such a little bookworm! (I tell him this all the time too.) Right now he’s really enjoying The Magic School Bus books. They’re fictional chapter books, but have a lot of science facts in them…perfect for second grade boys who love science!
Although I really don’t have enough time to read right now in life, there was a time in my life – those adolescent years – when the ability to enjoy reading was such a blessing. In some ways, I believe it was a lifesaver. Among other things, being able to escape into a good book during my teens saved me from escaping into some other less, um… ”choice” teenage activities. I’ve also heard that research indicates that teenagers who read do indeed stay out of trouble. I’m hoping that Elijah’s beginning love of reading will grow with him into his teens!
I just found a copy of the first Harry Potter book in our campus Sally Ann, and plan on reading it soon. Elijah has been asking about reading the Harry Potter books, and while I think it will be many years before he’ll be mature enough to even possibly read them, I figured I’d get a head start on deciding if they’ll be suitable reading material for him one day. And, I have to admit, I’ve always been curious about the controversy surrounding them. I’d love to hear your opinion about the Harry Potter books, if you’ve read them.
mel
October 12, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Maren is really digging the Magic Tree House series right now, too, and is incredulous that I haven’t read any yet because “they’re so incredible!” It looks like you’ve got most of the series there.
Curiosity is exactly the reason that I began reading Harry Potter. I decided I’d rather make up my own mind about them. Mitch gave me the first three for Christmas and we’ve read all seven aloud to each other. We love them, but you’re right that it will be a few years before Elijah will be ready for them.
In thinking about when/if to share them with our kids, I definitely plan to read them aloud so that the pace can be slow and we can dialogue all the way through. And ideally wait until 11 or so. A major reason is that the maturity level required increases with each book–as Harry grows, so does the intensity of his experiences and confrontations.
Mitch pipes in to say that magic is a part of the stories the same way that it is a part of the Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings. It’s a device, but the thread of the story is about many other things.
In any case, happy reading to all of you!
Janice
October 12, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I notice the Dinosaurs Before Dark series in Elijah’s library. I taught some of those books to a group of Korean mothers who wanted to be able to read them with their children. I really enjoyed ‘em too!
As for Harry Potter, I put off reading the first one, because I wasn’t too keen on the idea of glamorizing witches and wizards. However, when I read it (to see what all the fuss was about) I laughed out loud. I haven’t enjoyed a children’s book like that in ages. The 1st one is pretty light reading (akin to the Wizard of Oz), but as they progress they get more complex, and much darker. Even so, I think that eventually, when your kids are old enough, the stories provide a good opportunity to talk about themes of redemption, sacrificial love, etc. There are enough parallels that it’s easy to make the point that although Harry is fictional and needs a magic wand to do certain things, in real life, Christ and the power of prayer are more powerful and reliable ways to battle evil.
Janet
October 13, 2007 at 8:03 am
Yeah, those Magic Tree House books are perfect chapter books for beginning readers, aren’t they? Does Maren read aloud to Malcolm? Elijah loves to read aloud to Zeke.
Thanks for your input on the Harry Potter books. You know, I think I remember the Christmas that Mitch got you those books! We were living together on West St., I think…wow, that sure seems like a lifetime ago!
Sarah
October 13, 2007 at 9:17 am
Isaiah is a little reader too… He reads an entire chapter book a day.
(He really likes the Frank Peretti jr books)
They have an advanced reading program at his school, where the students can ask to be tested on what they’ve read for points. He loves that he is getting points by doing something he loves.
Anyhoo… I’d never heard that readers stay out of trouble, but sounds good to me!! Here’s to trouble free teenagers!!
Janice
October 13, 2007 at 7:15 pm
My sister was a voracious reader from the word G-O. She stayed out of a lot of trouble. I, on the other hand, didn’t start to love reading until much later. I DIDN’t stay out of all those troublesome teenage activities. Maybe there’s something to it afterall.
mel
October 15, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Yes, Maren likes reading aloud to Malcolm and is very proud of herself for it. Makes for some tender moments. But she also likes to use reading as a retreat.
You’re right, it was the year that we shared a house… long ago and far away (well, not so far away from us, but from you). Back when you had only Elijah and Maren was a bun in the oven/a freshly baked bun from the oven!
Maren also loves Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, and we’ve picked up some from the Nate the Great and Olivia Sharp series.
Janet
November 12, 2007 at 9:56 pm
why’d it half to be bookworm central