Read aloud decision time, opinions please

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.

@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.

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

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

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!

Blessings,

Rachel

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.

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