i need chapter book recos for DS

[wellyes]

I don't remember when we switched to chapter books - I think we went with Easy Reader books first (and even some DK books - he's more into non-fiction than I ever was).

I do remember when DS decided he wanted to play instead of being read to before bed. He created a game called "puppy" where he pretends we are some type of animal (real or from Pokemon or whatever) and he is the baby and I am the mommy, DH the daddy, and we talk about where we live, when the baby can see, walk, eat "real" food, etc. It was still very much a calming, bonding type activity between us so it worked for me. I think this corresponded to when he started watching Wild Kratts (we still have his two favorite episodes on the DVR). http://pbskids.org/wildkratts/home.html

We switched to reading to him during bathtime instead of right before bed.

My kids, especially my son, LOVE Wild Kratts to a ridiculous degree. It's really good. It's on Netflix now too.

[anonomom]

My just-turned5yo loves elephant & piggy, Froggy, any of the Pigeon books, George and Martha. Basically anything silly and/or with repetitive or participatory aspects. She will only occasionally sit for chapter books. Often, she'll beg me to read several chapters of a book in one sitting, but then never express interest in the book again.

[Tondi G]

I would get some easy readers maybe about current tv shows he likes to watch? When DS2 was 5 he loved the ones we got from scholastic that DS1 bought. Scooby Doo, SpongeBob, Hotwheels etc. like these

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-Sha...ords=hotwheels

http://www.amazon.com/Search-Scooby-...rds=scooby+doo

http://www.amazon.com/Scooby-Doo-Rea...rds=scooby+doo

DS2 even now loves the Skippy Jon Jones books. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ppyjon%20jones

Other chapter books that you might consider ... Wimpy kid series, captain underpants, Ghosthunters (Cornelia Funke),

STINK series http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...3Astink+series

Wayside school http://www.amazon.com/dp/0380791714/...I2VCWENRB70JQ5

Zack Files http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ENBLX6/...=IZ7S61W86ML35

[Tondi G]

Maybe the Indian in the Cupboard series? http://www.amazon.com/dp/0006749526/...=I4R25MF9CPNH1

[lmh2402]

thanks, guys! will look into everything suggested.

he's never liked the mo willems - no idea why. i feel like he's probably the only kid on the planet

but we'll find something. even if it kills me!

[BunnyBee]

Why is Chika Chika Boom Boom "way too young"?
Enjoyment of stories is the critical factor to making kids a lover of reading- not difficulty of text. If he loves it, encourage it!

Try The Read Aloud Handbook, it has great book lists for a variety of ages & interests.

I agree!

FWIW, my DS (older) is an excellent reader but hated being read longer books. He could sit through the shorter ones, but chapter books were not enjoyable to him. He didn't like when his teacher read to the class after lunch either. I've found it's (for him) an ADHD issue and if he has a fidget toy or ball to toss around or something else to do, he's fine. Honestly, I hate being read to as well most times. I can read it myself faster and the person's voice gets in the way of the book.

[Simon]

I agree that is a good age for Cynthia Rylant books.
Other series are Cork and Fuzz, Mole and Mouse, and the classic Little Bear books.
Mysteries with young Hardy Boys, Boxcar Kids, young Cam Jansen, Encyclopedia Brown.
You could also do the Junie B Jones Kinder year of books, our friends with a son (10/09) are enjoying those.

We also read a lot of non-fiction at that age. Magic School bus is a mix of fiction/science and we'd often pair it with something more strictly non-fiction.
My kids don't like Mo Willems either.

[lmh2402]

Why is Chika Chika Boom Boom "way too young"?
Enjoyment of stories is the critical factor to making kids a lover of reading- not difficulty of text. If he loves it, encourage it!

Try The Read Aloud Handbook, it has great book lists for a variety of ages & interests.

b/c, IMO, this book for him is just a perseverative experience. listing the letters. tracing the letters. i don't know. maybe i'm wrong. i just feel like there's not a story - it's really just the alphabet. he also likes to still look at alphabet books - like literally "a is for...apple!"

it feels not functional or progressive, KWIM?

[egoldber]

Chicka definitely has a story and many kids love it, just for the illustrations if nothing else. In general, I think that many people move away from picture books much too soon.

I actually thought you were looking for books for him to read to himself. I seem to recall that he is an advanced reader and/or hyperlexic? In which case, he may interact with the written word a lot different than other kids his age, so your mileage will definitely vary.

[wellyes]

b/c, IMO, this book for him is just a perseverative experience. listing the letters. tracing the letters. i don't know. maybe i'm wrong. i just feel like there's not a story - it's really just the alphabet. he also likes to still look at alphabet books - like literally "a is for...apple!"

it feels not functional or progressive, KWIM?

I get it. We do like a half dozen books a week from the library. They're mostly picture books, but, not the simplest kind, and the variety is good. Sometimes you get a quiet one, sometimes you get a funny one, sometimes it's a flop, sometimes they want to hear it over and over and over..... all good stuff to do with reading.

The only chapter books DD liked at that age were really insipid ones like the rainbow fairies. I had no desire to read them and it was like watching a tv show . This happened, she said this, she said this, blah blah blah.

My DD loved The Day the Crayons Quit, try that one!
Oh and Nate the Great.