Read aloud decision time, opinions please

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 37 total)
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  • Jennifer
    Member

    We also read Understood Betsy.  I read it aloud to them when they were each around 8.  They LOVED this book and so did I.  The first chapter may be a little tiresome at first for the younger kids, but it’s VERY worth it to keep going.

    suzukimom
    Participant

    Understood Betsy is wonderful.  It is in Year 2 of AO (so kids around 2-9ish) – and on the AO boards when I was on there, everyone said it was great, whether it was boys or girls.  The first 1-2 chapters is a little slow (setting up the story).  

    Pollyanna is also really great…. and I really enjoyed another book by the same author called Just David.  (and a bonus for us parents that have violin students, David loves to play the violin….)    We are just about to start Just David so we will see if the kids like it.

     

    my3boys
    Participant

    @Sarah,

    I read it to myself…I had it on my kindle (and I have a paperback of it as well) and while I was out somewhere I just had to see what all the hub bub was about with that book.  Yes, it takes a minute for the “story” to get set up, but I actually enjoy that process and I love the way the book is written.  It’s such a sweet, funny, thought provoking book.  I would love to have been raised in the way this little girl was, or at least some of her upbringing!

    My kids are 12, 9 and 5 and I would read it to them right now…I wish I had read it to them, but we already had/have so much going.  I may read it next semester, we’ll see.  I know my 12yo may seem too old, but I don’t think he’s ever read a book like that. The way they talk and how it’s written in the first person, okay, maybe third, I don’t know  (correct me if I’m wrong, please) would be so different for him.

    Anyhow, I’m super glad I read it.

    Wings2fly
    Participant

    Thanks Suzukimom, I just downloaded free kindle for PC of Pollyanna, Pollyanna Grows Up, and Just David. Does anyone know if Pollyanna Grown Up is any good?

    thanks my3boys. I have Understood Betsy in pb.

    Leah IL
    Member

    We also loved Understood Betsy!!  Oh, now I want to go back and read it again 🙂 

    Update …

    We just finished Black Beauty….my kids loved it! It pleased my 12 year old all the way down to my 2 year old who enjoyed kissing “Back Booie” on the front cover picture. 🙂

    So, is the movie good? I thought of getting the DVD.

    Now on to Understood Betsy!

    Rachel White
    Participant

    Well, there are basiclaly two worthwhile BB movies to choose from. The Mickey Rooney version from 1979, considered a family classic that more members of the family could watch, considered a wonderful movie. Then there’s the 1999 version, considered to be more closely reflecting the book; however, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone under 8, as the horses go through some rough, Victorian England treatment that is disturbing. It is an excellent movie, though- absolutely moving.

    So I recommend watch both and make comparisons to the book and enjoy!

    Rachel

    morgrace
    Participant

    About the 1999 movie verison of Black Beauty, which we own… yes, I agree that it does follow the book closely (which I personally like), that does mean though, that in order to follow the book that the rough treatment Rachel is referring to is included. HOWEVER, I feel that this was handled tactfully in the movie, and did not think it was over emphasized or gone into great detail in any particular scene. I love horses, have my whole life, and spent the majority of my “working career” before children in the horse industry, having said that I feel this particular movie was well done, and personally have no concerns on how the horses were treated in filming (I know that can bother some people) but I’ve always been amazed at how well they were trained.

    My own children have yet to see the movie in it’s entireity, the barn fire scene and washed out bridge upset them the last time we watched it, so I skipped those parts. There are parts of the movie that are just priceless – the beginning with Black Beauty as a foal in the pasture, etc. I am planning to read the book and have my children see the (whole) movie when they are ready. There really is no substitute for previewing yourself to see how it would fit your own family. Each person has their own idivdual life expeirences and things they are or are not sensitive to – and that effects choices in both books and movies, as to which ones are a good “fit”. Especially for young children. Hopefully your library as both films and you can find one that works. Rachel’s advice, as always is spot on!

    Rachel White
    Participant

    What kind words, morgrace; thank you.

    She is correct; the movie isn’t gratutious at all in it’s depictions. I like that it’s not white-washed concerning the topic; it was handled so well. It’s tense (the bridge scene), will make you sad (Ginger), make you mad ( the idiot elitist woman demamding the arched horse) and cause you feel joy (multiple places). You know how sensitive your children are, so preview it and go with your mommy instinct.

    It is an excellent movie and we’ve watched multiple times. Now I feel like watching it again!Smile

    Blessings,

    Rachel

    Thanks ladies, I will look into both versions.

    Just finished Understood Betsy yesterday and totally loved every minute! Thanks for the recommendation.

    Now I am thinking Trumpet of the Swan will be our next one. If any of you have other suggestions though, I’m listening. 🙂

    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Oh, too many to begin to list!!  We loved all of the above, even Peter Pan.  Two other ones, which were Sonlight suggestions, are Stone Fox (a bit heart-wrenching) and The Great Turkey Walk (very funny).  Those are two of our favorites.

    blue j
    Participant

    I have skimmed over several responses, and though your first question is a choice between Black Beauty and Peter Pan (we liked both), I would like to add some of our favorites.

    I did see Understood Betsy listed in some posts.  We have read that book aloud 4 times – went through SL for several years, and always made sure to read that as it was one of my children’s favorites. 

    Also we like:

    The Great Turkey Walk

    Caps for Sale

    Ginger Pye ( and all of the others that go along with that)

    The Secret Garden

    Anne of Green Gables

    Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain

    Christmas with Ida Early

    Henry and Ribsy (we’ve read this aloud as well as had children read this themselves)

    Red Sails to Capri (my daughter insists this should be here, she enjoyed this from the time she was 7-ish)

    Any of the Thornton Burgess books – Old Mother West Wind, etc. (we have the kids read some themselves, but they also enjoy all of them as read-alouds)

    Miracles on Maple Hill (again, this one the girls all insist should be here since some of them heard it and enjoyed it at about age 6 or 7)

    Toothpaste Millionaire

    I could go on, but that’s quite a list, and I need to redirect ALL of our activities, here. Cool

    Pax,

    ~jacqleene

    Wife to P for almost 23 years
    Mom to a nearly 22 yo & nearly 20 yo homeschool graduates; 17 yo, 15 yo, & 11 yo still learning at home
    Using SCM, MUS, Apologia Human Bio (Adv. Bio), Biology 101, Italics

    Thanks Jacqleene and jeaninpa. I love having many choices for read alouds! I haven’t heard of a few of those.

    I like how you put your name with basic info Jacqleene. Is that an automated signature, or do you have to type it every time?

    We just finished Trumpet of the Swan, my kids LOVED it and so did I.

    I have The Secret Garden book collecting dust on my shelf. I think we will read that one next. But I really like the way Miracles on Maple Hill sounds, I may have to see if the library has it.

    What about you all, finished any favorites lately?

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 37 total)
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