Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

This topic has 17 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by leann_in_TX.

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April 19, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Questa7
Member
I am wanting to start setting aside a short period of time each day to read longer chapter books with my four year old boy. He listens well for our ten minutes of Bible reading each night, and has a fantastic attention span for picture books.
The problem is, he is very sensitive…any mention of violence, pain, or intense emotion is difficult for him (he is extremely tuned into emotions, and while I love this about him, I am trying to protect him a bit at the moment from the intensity of his own empathy).   I am sure that I could find wonderful recommendations through various book lists, but wanted to check first and see if anyone with a similar child had some great recommendations.
BTW…as an example of something that has worked well for him, he has listened to Charlotte’s Web on audiobook and loved it. The emotions expressed seemed to not be too overwhelming. I started the Chronicles of Narnia, but they were far too disturbing for him (in Chapter 1.) All recommendations would be appreciated…thanks!
April 19, 2011 at 10:46 pm
MamaSnow
Participant
Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner were among the first chapter books that I read to my dd when she was 4. They are still among her favorites. We also enjoyed Stuart Little (by the same author as Charlotte’s Web), the Thornton Burgess animal stories, My Father’s Dragon, and Milly Molly Mandy. We’ve read others but that’s a few off the top of my head. I’d agree that the Chronicles of Narnia are better suited for older children…particularly a sensitive child. I probably won’t introduce these in our family until the upper-elementary ages. (That’s just my thoughts on that though.)
Jen
April 19, 2011 at 11:13 pm
6boys1girl
Participant
I second the Winnie the Pooh books and My Father’s Dragon series. Trumpet of the Swan would probably be good too (same author as Charlotte’s Web). The Moffat’s is about a family of 4 kids and their adventures-my kids really enjoyed those (it has sequels). Little House on the Prairie is another series.
Definitely save Chronicles of Narnia. It can be rather intense.
April 19, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Questa7
Member
Thanks to both of you for the suggestions; they are all duly written down to look for on our next library trip. I actually think I may already have Trumpet of the Swan, and I definitely have the Winnie the Pooh books. The others look good too.
I felt so badly about the Narnia books. I had remembered enjoying them myself as a very young child; but I was a somewhat precocious and definitely adventurous reader. I made the mistake of pulling them off the shelf and just starting into them one day with him, a decision based solely on my beautiful childhood memories, and not on adult pondering and research (an unusual thing for me, since normally I research each decision involving him quite extensively). Lesson learned. *sigh* You may be sure I will do better with that from now on. Thanks again for the ideas…I look forward to checking them out. 🙂
April 20, 2011 at 12:25 am
sheraz
Participant
I read Mr. Popper’s Penguins to my family – and the 3 yr old loved it too.
April 20, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Questa7
Member
Duly noted….thank you! Tried-and-true’s are much appreciated. I can’t wait to go to the library tomorrow. 🙂
April 20, 2011 at 7:24 pm
LindseyD
Participant
We also enjoyed the Pooh books, Stuart Little, Trumpet of the Swan, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins. They’re wonderful reads without being too full of emotion or intensity. All beautifully written, especially Trumpet of the Swan. The Little House series is also fantastic.
With respect, I think Narnia is a little too much for that age. I am still considering whether to read it to my kids next year, who will be 6 and almost 8. Have you taken a look at the SCM Curriculum or Early Years Book List? Those might give you a few more helpful suggestions.
Blessings,
Lindsey
April 21, 2011 at 12:13 pm
amama5
Participant
I agree with all the books Lindsey and others listed above, those are what we have made it through so far. I am personally enjoying Trumpet of the Swan very much. My son doesn’t like Narnia and he’s almost 7. He gets fearful with certain books, especially if they are audio books. I think he will enjoy Narnia very much when he’s 9 or so. My kids also really enjoyed James Herriot’s Treasury for Children.   Adrienne
April 21, 2011 at 2:30 pm
NoeMom
Participant
It is important to remember that children mature in different areas of their lives at different rates, and generally not all at once. Just because my 12yo daughter is an amazing reader with a large active vocabulary does not mean that she is ready for the themes of most books written for older teens or adults. In fact, we have had to encourage her to branch out in other areas of her life at this time and limit her reading time in order to keep her from becoming bored with her choices or reaching out to overly mature books that are in the house for others to read. And likewise, just because my 4yo son can sit still for 10 minutes does not mean that he is ready for many of the themes in chapter books written for older children. There are some longer picture books, such as the ones written by Robert McCloskey, that work well with a longer attention span and still remain appropriate for a 4yo. There are also many little-one friendly chapter books such as the Little House Series that not only make great reading but open up exciting possibilities for activities to try. I would start with Farmer Boy since he is a boy.
I am often amazed at the number of homeschoolers who love Mr. Popper’s Penguins. If I remember correctly, at the end Mr Popper leaves his family for an extended trip to the north pole to be with his penguins. I do not imagine that most of us would be thrilled if our husbands left us to provide and care for our families while they made a trip such as that. I would far rather my family read Little Britches, coarse cowboy language and all!! I can explain that language, and explain why we do not use it, far better than I can explain a father who runs off from his family for selfish reasons and is praised for doing so; likely they have already heard some language out and about town anyway and it needs to be explained. When choosing books for my family, I have not shied away from real life or real life situations, but rather glorified sin or poor choices that do not reap the appropriate consequences. I am especially wary of books (or movies, on those rare occasions where we watch one) with children who run off and have great adventures or blatantly disregard their parent’s authority and are rewarded for it.
Of even greater concern to me in reading the original post would be an overly sensitive 4yo boy with a mom who loves that about him and wants to protect it. I would arrange for him to have a whole lot of one-on-one dad time doing the things that men do at this point: mowing the lawn, changing the oil, washing the car, chopping firewood, painting the walls, building a bookshelf, laying tile, fishing, hunting, whatever. Preferably without mom along to make the activities sterile. As my neighbor used to tell me, they need to get a little dirt in their craw! If dad is not able or willing to do those things, maybe Grandpa or some other trustworthy male could have him tag along. Our eight boys spend as much time with their dad – and now their grown married brothers – as they can when they are growing up in order to learn the things that are best taught by men. Its one of the advantages of home schooling! (And yes, at one point long ago it meant a career change for my husband as he realized his career path was taking him further and further from his family. That was his realization and his decision, not mine. In fact, he told me about the decision after he resigned his corporate position:-) You see, my husband grew up without a dad, even spending many years in a children’s home, and he wasn’t real sure what a dad did when he became a father. Now that I have grown married sons with children of their own, I can see the benefits that those long-aso decisions have reaped.
Sorry for the long post. I am a tad passionate about the subject.
April 21, 2011 at 2:57 pm
sheraz
Participant
Ummm, my focus on Mr. Popper’s Penguins was the penguins, so I never got caught up about him being selfish…although, if we are on real life, there are lots of that kind of thing happening everyday – selfish people making those kind of choices…  it’s still a matter of explaining real life whatever book you read.
I think that I read Little Britches when I was younger. I am going to have to hunt it up again! =)
April 22, 2011 at 12:36 am
Questa7
Member
Lindsey and Adrienne–Thanks for the suggestions. Lindsey, I have looked at the Early Years list and need to again. I was hoping to gather a few sort of “best loved” personal recommendations in order to direct my list-reading. 🙂 And Adrienne, thanks for reminding me of James Herriot. I loved him as a child! What a great recommendation, especially since my son is definitely an animal lover.
NoeMom–Thank you for the warnings on a couple of books. I appreciate knowing what to look out for.
I do have to say, though, I was a bit surprised by your post. You seem to assume based on my post that because my son is sensitive (and please note, I said in my OP “very sensitive”, not “overly sensitive”…I think there is a big difference), he does not get enough father-son time or somehow has his activities “sterilized” by me. I find this very confusing, but realize you were speaking with very little information. Let me tell you a little about my son and our parenting choices.
DS is a young 4. He is very empathetic, very loving, very sensitive….all traits that both my husband and myself love about him and encourage. I am proud of him every time we pass a crying baby or child in the grocery store, and he asks if they are okay…or every time he sits down and cuddles the dogs because they are “feeling sleepy”….or encourages me to be happy. I think this is a beautiful thing given him by God, and certainly not to be squelched because he is a boy. And I also don’t think that, at barely 4, his feelings of disturbance at negative emotions (anger, pain, etc.) or violence should be negated either. That said–DS is also a VERY “normal” boy who loves trucks, trains, animals, rough-housing with Daddy, yucky things, dirt, the works. (Again, this is where I was very confused about the “mom along to sterilize the activities” comment. If anything, I encourage him to get dirtier than DH does! 🙂 ) And, he spends huge amounts of time with his father. In fact, my husband tries to spend at least as much time with him as I do, if not more, when he is not deployed or otherwise away, in order to make up for the significant time demands that his job in the Army puts on him. (For example, he is currently out of town for another 2 months.)
All that said, I would also like to mention that my son has sensory-avoidant Sensory Processing Disorder. This makes certain aspects of life very difficult for him, and does tie in to some of his other sensitivities (i.e., if a child is screaming in a restaurant, he will both be concerned for the child’s emotional well-being, and unable to stand the noise level). This also, because of his intolerance of loud noises and slightly delayed fine motor skills, makes most of the “male” activities on your list impossible for him. Again, though, this does not mean that he does not get TONS of quality time with his father, reading books, going for walks, going to the playground, walking the river and observing the wildlife (their last activity before DH had to leave last month), digging in the dirt outside, learning to kick a ball, and so on….all activities in which I happily engage as well.
Sorry for the long post, but I honestly was a little hurt by your evaluation (you seemed to feel I was somehow doing my son a disservice) and felt that it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of our family. I understand the raising of your boys is something you feel very strongly about. But I do hope that this has helped you to understand our situation and choices a little better.
April 22, 2011 at 1:40 am
sheraz
Participant
Check out the selections on the Five In A Row website. They are excellent – chosen for content messages and artwork both. Lentil and Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McKlowsy are really fun – actually I have yet to find one of his that I didn’t totally enjoy. His artwork really adds to the story. As he gets slightly older, be sure to read Homer Price and Centerburg Tales. He will enjoy the adventures of Homer in the 1940s or 50s. My daughter is completely enjoying them now – and she is very sensitive to things. I have tried to give books I loved at her age and she doesn’t enjoy them – won’t go past the first chapter. She has something in her that takes some things and turns them into nightmares. I didn’t even consider them as scary, either. Sigh. =)
I am glad that you explained your situation better. You sound as if you are doing well with your son. I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your sacrifice of “normal 9-5” life while your husband serves. We honor his service and appreciate yours! =)
April 22, 2011 at 4:25 am
Questa7
Member
Sheraz–Thank you for the recommendations! It’s nice to know that the Five in a Row recs are based on content AND artwork. I’ve noticed that (in books that have artwork), the quality and style really makes a difference to DS. (He prefers clear, elegant, simple artwork…a lot of the newer books with “loud” pictures with a lot going on are just overwhelming to him. And I agree!) I’ve also filed away Robert McKlowsy’s name for our next library trip. We have read “Make Way for Ducklings” but none of the others.
It sounds like you have to think carefully about selections for your daughter too. I am grateful to hear from someone a little bit further down the road than we are! And thanks for the kind words regarding my husband’s military service. It is an interesting life, but I am proud of him and of what he does; and I think if anything, our times apart over the years have strengthened our relationship and made us appreciate each other more. 🙂
April 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm
MamaSnow
Participant
We absolutely LOVE Robert McCloskey too. They are true “keepers” (as in, worth actually owning, not just getting from the library, IMO). I just didn’t mention them before since I thought you were looking or Chapter books. Happy reading!
Jen
April 28, 2011 at 4:27 am
Questa7
Member
Jen–I just realized I didn’t respond to this last comment. Yes, I did originally ask for chapter book recs, but am open to all suggestions, especially since a lot of you have so much more experience. 🙂 Unfortunately our library didn’t have much by Robert McCloskey….I think I’m going to check Alibris. Thanks!