transitioning to small chapter books…

Welcome to Simply Charlotte Mason Discussion Forum CM Specifics Living Books transitioning to small chapter books…

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  • Tia
    Participant

    my dd is almost 7 and reading quite well.  we have used readers and such up to this point but i feel like she needs to be transitioning to more challenging literature.  I am looking for some engaging beginning chapter books for her that are twaddle free.  Any suggestions?

    nerakr
    Participant

    Has she read the Little Bear series (Minarik) or Frog and Toad, etc. (Lobel)?

    Megan
    Participant

    Some that we recently checked out from the library…

    Mouse Tales (Lobel), Grasshopper on the Road (Lobel), and the Cork and Fuzz series of chapter books (Chaconas).  These are great for kids who aren’t quite ready for the lengthier chapter books.  My daughter really feels a sense of accomplishment at being able to finish a chapter somewhat quickly…if it’s too long without coming to the end of that chapter, she gets discouraged and wants to give up (even when she’s reading it just fine!)   Plus, she still really enjoys the pictures that go along with the story.  

    Little Bear and Frog and Toad are favorites at our house, too!  🙂

    Megan

    labellavita
    Participant

    my DD was an early reader, and, she read so well!  But hated chapter books, I think all the text on a page was overwhelming to her.  So what I did was get quality picture books, they are often meant to be read by the parent to the child, so they were definitely not beginner reader type books, and with all the wonderful illustrations (which she just loved), the text wasn’t overwhelming to her.  She was challenged, and it was fun. 

     

    LindseyD
    Participant

    The Pathway Series of books, along with Little Bear, have been favorites at our house. They are very reasonably priced, and one book will last quite a while, when paired with other readers.

    Tia
    Participant

    thanks so much ladies! those are all great suggestions. originally,i think i was thinking of something beyond the frog and toad type books, but i see how a more lengthy chapter book could frustrate her quite easily. 

    question: she reads the frog and toad books fluently.  should i try to challenge her with something harder so she doesn’t get stagnant, or is it better for her to gain confidence continuing this way for a while?  maybe this should be a new topic…lol

    LindseyD
    Participant

    I think once she’s fluent at a particular level, challenging her is appropriate. My dd5 found the Dick and Jane books a piece of cake, so I decided it was time to up the ante a little. Now she’s reading Little Bear, and it’s challenging her. She’s not frustrated, but it’s definitely causing her to slow down and learn some new words (i.e. robin, flew, garden, story, paws). Reading Dick and Jane gave her the confidence she needed to know that she could make it through longer books, even if there were only a few lines on each page. Armed with confidence, she knows she can read longer passages and harder words, even if it takes longer. Sometimes she doesn’t get through an entire chapter of Little Bear in one sitting, but that’s okay with me.

    Hope that helps,

    Lindsey

    art
    Participant

    It is really hard to find books in between Frog and Toad and “no picture” chapter books. We’ve found a few for our 7 year old that he has loved:

    Tornado

    My Father’s Dragon–his favorite!

    Gooney Bird Greene

    Sarah Plain and Tall

    He just finished a Magic Treehouse book. I think this was a little hard for him, but he pushed through

    He also loves the longer Dr. Suess books that take a while to read to himself. They crack him up.

    I wish they were easier to find for this in between stage. 

    I find that especially after we read a book he likes to read it to himself. He had heard My Father’s Dragon read two or three times and then read it to himself. This is a really good one to start them with.

    I would challenge your daughter, but also keep giving her ones that she can easily read. Everyone needs variety.

    Have fun!

    mommasmurf
    Participant

    We also used and enjoyed Tornado as my son progressed to reading chapter books. After that, I believe he read Bears on Hemlock Mountain and Nate the Great. Courage of Sarah Noble is good also.

    Joy

    Tia
    Participant

    this is great info! thanks ladies! 🙂

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