My son is getting old enough now that we've considered reading a chapter book to him at bedtime instead of the traditional picture books. Do you have any recommendations on good books that he might like to have read to him?
The first chapter books I read to my son at five were My Father's Dragon, Two Times the Fun (Beverly Cleary) and the Story about Ping. They were shorter and a good transition into chapter books
My son, also 5, enjoys The Magic Tree House books, as well as old classics stories....like Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, etc...
If you are reading TO him, you can read "harder" books than what he would read himself. My dad read Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan, and Stuart Little to us. He also read Watership Down, Where the Red Fern Growes, and Little Britches.
I would focus more on subjects he is interested in than easy readers like Magic Treehouse or Boxcar Children.
Read horse books, or dog books, or magic books, or dinosaur books...
Books by Roland Dahl - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giat Peach
Books by Beverly Cleary - The Mouse and the Motorcylce, Henry Huggins, Runaway Ralph
The illustrated clasics - shorter versions of the clasics with pictures, Black Beauty, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, Treasurer Island
Charlotte's Web
A great series is "The Magic Tree House". My daughter starting reading these herself at that age.
Ask him what his interests are and look for those kinds of books. That is the advice our kids teachers gave us when they started to read. Our kids are older, 15 (spec needs), 12 and 9. We load up on books from the thrift stores. They are usually only 10 cents each and sometimes they have buy 2 get one free. So its not a waste of money even if they are books the kids won't read. I have a huge bookcase between their bedrooms in the hall that we call the "library". So they go and pick out books to read all the time. I hope you find some he will like. Its great that you guys are doing that. Good luck!
My son loves chapter books. We started with Charlotte's Web after he saw and loved the movie. Currently, he is obsessed with a series about Boba Fett as a kid. He LOVES it! We have also read Junie B Jones, but I know many moms who don't like the way she talks to adults. The Magic Tree House and The Magic School Bus are also well liked in our house. And both my two year old and almost six year old love, Hank the Cowdog. I have to explain a bit of the vocabulary to them, but they can't get enough of that silly dog and his side kick.
Depending on his interests and attention span:
Early reader chapter books (short chapters with pictures):
Henry and Mudge and Mr. Putter and Tabby books by Cynthia Rylant
Cam Jansen and Young Cam Jansen mystery books by David Adler
short chapter book series
Magic Treehouse books by Mary Pope Osborne
A to Z Mysteries, Capitol Mysteries, and Calendar Mysteries by Ron Roy
Flat Stanley
Mercy Watson books by Kate Di Camillo
Some picture books have more complex story lines than others too, like the ones by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji, Polar Express, Gardens of Abdul Gasazi, etc.)
And although I haven't read them - I've seen Arthur chapter books and Berenstein Bears chapter books at the school library so if he likes those picture books you can check your library for chapter books
When I taught preschool, my kids loved to have Mercy Watson read to them - they enjoyed all the crazy adventures that pig would go on and would always ask me to read just one more chapter! They could also help with some of the reading and each time we finished a book, we had "toast with a great deal of butter"! :0)
the magic treehouse series
junie b jones series
amber brown series
wayside school series
hank the cowdog series
ramona books
My son is 5-1/2. We are currently reading the Magic Tree house books. We have also read Charlotte's Web (read the first chapter yourself if you have not read it recently and decide if your son is ready), Stuart Little, Paddington Bear and almost all of the first Harry Potter (we got to one chapter from the end and he decided he wants to wait until he is older).
The first chapter book I read to my son at 5 or 6 was Treasure Island. he loved it!
Also, any of the Frog & Toad books, Weird School series or the Junie B Jones books...
Stink Series by Megan McDonald
Geronimo Stilton Series by Geronimo Stilton
Enid Blyton books.
I have read all of the following series to my son ( he loves them) and here are my opinions:
- Magic Tree House is hands down the best one I have read. It combines finction and non-fiction and you can also get the separate fiction books to go along with some of the adventure books.About 50 books in all. 2 kids go on adventures (often back in time) via their magic tree house.
- Cabin creek Mysteries - About a half dozen books. Non-fiction.3 kids go on adventures on a nearby island.
- Secret Agent Jack Stalwart - about a dozen books. A lttle non-fiction throughout. Kid beconmes a secret agent and goes on mission throughout the world (and beyond).
- Magic School bus chapter books- a great addition if your son has already seen the TV series.
We have started some other series like AZ mysteries, Blast to the Past ( bit old for a 5 year old in my opinion),etc but we have't finished those.
Happy reading.
My 5-year-old love love loves the Magic Treehouse books. They have inspired him to learn about all sorts of things (for example, yesterday we were at the Museum of Nature and Science and he wanted to check out the mummies because of the Magic Treehouse book where the characters go to Egypt).
My kids LOVE the Magic Treehouse books
I agree with Magic Treehouse.
My daughter also loves Franny K. Stein - about a little girl who is a made scientist. Her inventions should appeal to both girls and boys.
And of course, there is the Captain underpants series - if you are ok with those. My daughter found them unbelievably hysterical.
The Little House series is great for both boys and girls because it is a lot about life back then, not just about Laura.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Redwall books by Brian Jacques
If you are doing the reading, don't necessarily limit yourself to the "age appropriate" books as far as difficulty. It's good if he wants you to explain some of the vocabulary, it helps him learn. If you have never read one of them be sure to read the first chapter or two so you can decide if it would be something he would enjoy hearing and you would enjoy reading.
Good for you for wanting to read chapter books to him so early, but don't put away the traditional picture books altogether as they are a great example of quality literature!
