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Vintage Children's Books
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Using sites like the Baldwin Project and the Rosetta Project, what are some really good books for my children? I have gone through and printed a chapter or two of a few of them just to let the kids try them out. I have a boy (age 8) and a girl (age 10). Boy- reluctant, not so fluent reader who loves “books about real stuff and real people” (he loves the Miller family books, btw) & Girl- very fluent reader who love fairy tales and “pretty stories”
These are the one I have samples of for them so far. Are these good choices?
Boy:
Robinson Crusoe for Children by James Baldwin
Boy and Girl Heroes by Florence Farmer
The Sandman: More Farm Stories by William Hopkins
Girl:
The Story Book of Science by Jean Henri Fabre
Among the Forest People by Clara Dillingham Pierson
Among the Meadow People by Clara Dillingham Pierson
Amanda, I am not familiar with the titles you have listed under the boy section, although I generally dislike the “famous classic dumbed down for children” genre–even if it’s James Baldwin, it’s usually worth it to just wait and read the real thing. The three books you listed for your girl, all my children loved. The Story Book of Science was a real favorite here, as is anything else by Fabre. The Clara Dillingham Pierson books may be a little young for a 10yo. I read them to my son when he was six or seven. The stories are sweet and “pretty” but not very challenging. She may enjoy them, but they won’t be on her intellectual level most likely.
Oh..that’s just not what I wanted to hear LOL!! (just kidding) Of course, my son read one chapter of the Robinson Crusoe and LOVED IT! Daughter read one chapter of Among the Forrest People and wants the whole book now…..I am aware that they like them because they are easy to read and understand. My son is having trouble with comprehension when reading by himself. So I’m not really sure what to do now……..
I guess I need help with some suggestions for what an 8 yr old reluctant reader should be reading on his own at this point.
Thanks,
Amanda
For your daughter, maybe “Baby Island” and “The Ordinary Princess.” Also, any of the Frances Hodgson Burnett books (“A Little Princess,” “The Secret Garden,” etc.)
If you don’t have any objections to Harry Potter, your son is probably old enough for the first couple of books in the series. I also found this list, with lots of books that look pretty promising: http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Books-for-Reluctant-Readers/lm/R3P7NKDLZB1MXT
Amanda, if he really liked it, I would consider it. I personally think the story is best enjoyed “full flavor” but if he is struggling to find something he likes, then there certainly could be little objectionable in it. I think many readers go through a “practice” phase where they need some extra reading practice and it doesn’t all have to be Dickens, you know? That is an area where my kids read some things like some of the Magic Tree House books, which I didn’t really care for, but they had a short little phase where they read a few, and then after a little bit they were ready for some more challenging, more living books. If he’s that excited about it, I doubt it’d do any harm. Just tell him you want him to read the “real thing” in a few years! If he likes that, look for other titles by him and see if you can get him hooked.
Amanda, my son (around 7 or 8) started out listening to the Baldwin version of RC (it was part of a Homeschool freebie) and it just peeked his interest; he felt like he was missing something. So I went to Librivox and downloaded the entire reading which will do until he’s ready to actually read the book.
As for other “Baldwin Online” books, I recommend going to Yesterday’s Classics (YC) and getting a review there. The Pierson books are youngish, but enjoyable, but their are other living science books (W.Long) available at BO, that you can get the original synopsis at YC. The Fabre books are for 9 and up; wonderful. I would say most of the books are ones that you would be happy with. I think you can get a lot of history and bios there, too. I use the website alot. If you go to the YC and AO, you will get links to certain books at certain ages. If you have a reluctant reader, alternate easier adn harder stuff, otherwise he’ll never be challenged enough to improve. Remember Librivox, too for those stories not reay to be read but are ready to be listened to.
Rachel
Rachel
Hi Amanda,
I too had a reluctant reader (8yo at the time); When I gave him a copy of Baldwins Robinson Crusoe for Children, he devoured it. Now, almost 10, he still treasures that book. We also enjoyed the listed Fabre and Pierson books. My boys were especially fond of the Story Book of Science.
Blessings, Heather
Thank you for all of your comments. Okay, now, do you all print the books from your computer or is it better to buy the Yesterday’s Classics bound copies?
I’ve printed copies of a few chapters so far, but I am thinking I’ll just purchase a few of these titles that I am sure they will enjoy. Any opinions here?
Amanda…
I just went ahead and purchased them off of Yesterday’s Classics. I prefer the bound book. My boys and I enjoy cuddling up on the couch to read together. Plus then for us I can pass the book on to them, or it’s easier to loan out to fellow homeschoolers. I would of spent more on ink and paper printing them off.
I just bought four books earlier today. If you purchase at least four you get free shipping right now. I bought the following, and I’m praying/hoping my boys love them. (my two boys will be turning 9 & 8 in Oct/Dec).
The Story Book of Science, Just So Stories, Poems Every Child Should Know and By Pond and River.
What books are you considering getting? I’m thinking of a few more possibly.
Carrie
I ordered 4 today too! Yeah for free shipping!!
I got:
The Story Book of Science, Madame How and Lady Why, Robinson Crusoe Written Anew for Children, and Among the Forrest People
I looked at By Pond and River too. I think my son would love that series. However, I spent about $46.00 and had to get off that site!! LOL
I’m sure I’ll be ordering more later. Let me know how your children like the ones you bought!
I must admit, I can’t stand to read off the computer and can’t see how 8.95 is more than printing off the books in paper and ink, so I do end up buying; plus I like a real bound book in my hands; reading something from a computer just loses something. Yes, I adore the selections from this company, along with Bethlehem books. So I
reserve money for books from these two companies and check everything else out at the Library or find used.Carrie, with your boy’s ages, your choices are good; you can get the “Poems…” at LIbrivox, too for listening.
Amanda, here are some links to follow-up with the “Madam How…” book for further study (credit-someone from the AO site):
MADAME HOW AND LADY WHY LINKS
Chapter 2 Earthquakeshttp://www.crustal.ucsb.edu/ics/outreach/understanding/http://www.exploratorium.edu/ls/pathfinders/earthquakes/http://www.scecdc.scec.org/recenteqs/ – has a map with current and recent earthquakes in CA & NV.http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/ – lots of fun stuff for kidshttp://www.suzy.co.nz/SuzysWorld/Factpage.asp?FactSheet=30http://www.thirteen.org/savageearth/animations/hellscrust/main.htmlhttp://ology.amnh.org/earth/plates/index.html
Chapter 3 Volcanoeshttp://kids.discovery.com/games/pompeii/pompeii.htmlhttp://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0312/main.htmlhttp://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0405/quickflicks/ http://www.suzy.co.nz/SuzysWorld/Factpage.asp?FactSheet=196
Chapter 5 The Ice-Plough (glaciers and the ice age)http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/earth/glacier.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings/http://www.pbs.org/edens/patagonia/tglacier.htm#Instructional%20Objectives: http://nsidc.org/glaciers/Also, another book that goes along well with this topic is Life in the Great Ice Age sold by Answers in Genesis http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Life-in-the-Great-Ice-Age,4327,185.aspx and has lesson plans available http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/archive.asp (scroll down to the bottom of the page for lesson plans for this book)
Rachel
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