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Really Good Books……Really?
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I am disgusted time and time again by some of the books that are written for children these days. My son is really having a hard time finding something at the library if I let him pick it out. Thankfully both my children will stop reading something that is offensive and bring it to me to put away. Even early chapter books have things like “What the heck?”, rude humor, lying to parents, and immodesty! I want my kids to be able to enjoy going to the library, but it seems that lately it has not been much fun since I have to continually say no to most of the books they bring to me. What do I do, and how can I help them pick good books? I know I could look up some things on the SCM bookfinder, but my library does not always have those books. Also, it kind of takes the fun out of going to the library when every thing we are getting has been put on hold and is waiting for us at the front desk. Any suggestions?
I try to steer my kids to authors or illustrators that we’ve previously enjoyed and at least they get to feel like they’ve chosen something, but I’m comfortable with who has written it. A well-written series is a good option; try The Boxcar Children (the first 19 are by the original author), the Sugar Creek Gang (my kids’ all time favorite, though we have these on audio), etc. We also love anything by Robert McCloskey, Don Freeman (picture books), and classics like Black Beauty, etc.
HTH,
Christie
PS – I’m afraid that most libraries are getting rid of the good/great children’s lit. and replacing it with twaddle. There are still some gems, but it requires more search time.
One thing that bothers my son (age 7) is that he wants to read “big books” like his sister. He says that the picture book section at the library is the “baby book section”. However, he is not ready for big chapter books. He can handle something like Nate the Great or Little Bear right now on his own. How can I encourage him without pushing too much and making him read “for fun”?
There are several authors who have written short chapter books that your son may be interested in.
- Clyde Robert Bulla: The Sword in the Tree, A Lion to Guard Us, Three-Dollar Mule, and many more.
- Lois Lenski: Strawberry Girl, Coal Camp Girl, Houseboat Girl, and other “girl” books. Though each book has a girl as the main character, the books are more about life on a houseboat, in a coal camp, etc.
- Janette Oke: Spunky’s Diary, Ducktails, The Prodigal Cat, and others.
- Jan Karon: Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny.
- Kenneth Grahame: The Reluctant Dragon.
- Russell E. Erickson: Warton and Morton series.
I always try to pick up the Library books that I ordered when my husband can watch the kids, this helps from not letting them pick out junk. Its harder because we started out letting them read whatever.
Thanks for the authors and ideas. I think I may put some on hold that I pick out (that way I know we will get some good ones), and let them choose a couple themselves. If what they pick is not okay then we’ll just get what’s on hold. It is just so much work to search for something good every time!! Is there not a list somewhere of good books according to reading levels? It seems like I saw something online like that, but am not sure where….
What I did is I gathered all the book lists I could find online (cm lists), bought or checked out the book book lists (like The Book Tree and Books Children Love) and made my own “library book wish list” form and keep that list for checking books out. There are also certain authors that we already,veer to, inc. the children, since we’re familiar with previous work. I keep lists for history book authors and regular lit. It’s also good to keep the list handy or at least the authors memorized so when you come across a used book sale you can get some good buys.
I also preorder them on the library site on the computer. I have to keep an eye on my dd since she’s the one that is attracted to the showy, colorful covers that are below her reading level and are miserable twaddle. I agree it is frustrating that to get good reading we have to go out of our way to get them; same goes for good food that nourishes our body. The vast amount out there is junk-books and food, while we are trying to develop their pallets.
Rachel
Well, I have spent a big chunk of my time today making lists….1. Home library list 2.Good books in public library list
I used the Sonlight lists and descriptions, books listed on this site, and books suggested by some of you guys. Now I feel much more prepared and able to choose some good quality reading for them at this age.
Oh, and I also had a grand idea about what to do with library time! We are studying Apologia Zoology 3 (day 6 animals of creation) so we are gonna make lapbooks to go along with our studies. The kids are going to begin tomorrow at the library choosing books on one animal that they want to make their lapbook about! I went to homeschoolshare.com and printed several free lapbook templates and they are so excited! They are both really into what they call “pocket books”. You know, the $30 books at Barnes & Noble with all the little gadgets stuck in pockets all throughout the books…..Well, I told them we will make our own “pocket books” about animals! They are thrilled and wanted to begin tonight. I let them look thru all the books we have at home and write down interesting things they found on a notebook page.
So now I am hoping that our library trips will be more focused on the animal of choice and I can put some good books on hold for them to read too.
Thanks for all your ideas and help!
Amanda
There are several good books with lists, but I compiled my own list using AO, HIFI and Honey for a Child’s Heart lists – you can find it here – http://www.box.net/shared/td1zum6012 – if that is helpful.
Blessings,
Christie
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