I'm wanting DD to get into reading more than she is. She is doing well but won't put the effort forth for any real amount of reading enjoyment. I told her we would start doing a 20min reading time everyday this summer vacation (starts mid May). She is not an advanced reader, just more like "right on target" for an end of 1st grade year.

I don't even know the last time I read a book. Usually I drop my life and spend my time ONLY reading when I find a good book. So instead, I opt not to read at all.

Thought it would be good for both of us to get on a good reading schedule. Thanks for any suggestions. She likes animals, so I am thinking along those lines. And how bout a book for me? Any suggestions for light reading? I don't enjoy romance novels much. I like nysteries and non-fiction. My favorite book of all was the Thornbirds. Not a mystery or non-fiction, but still my favorite.

By Marcia on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 11:45 pm:

I can't think of any chapter book series that are easy enough for that age. My kids were reading books like Little Critters, Robert Munsch, etc in grade 2. Also Dr. Seuss book. I read Junie B. Jones chapter books to them, and they loved them!
I bought the whole Lady Bird series, and they have enjoyed them. They start with just a few words per page, and advance until the last few are like small chapter books. I also bought the Dick and Jane series. I'm sure that would be too simple for her at this stage, though.
As for books for yourself - I am absolutely no help! I'm not into reading anything other than short stories, because I never seem to have the time to sit still. LOL I stick to Chicken Soup and other books like that.

By Tink on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 12:00 am:

The Junie B Jones books are very cute and easy for girls to enjoy. If you go to a local teacher's supply store the employees should be able to show you several easy readers and phonics series.

I've been reading J.D. Robb's books lately. It is the pen name for Nora Roberts but set as a series of mysteries. Very light and easy to escape into type books.

By Melissa on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 06:10 am:

Junie B Jones is perfect for that age I love Junie B! Also Magic TreeHouse which I don't love but Lexi did.

By Colette on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 07:32 am:

Junie B. is great, Nate the Great books, Beverly Cleary books, My Father's Dragon, a lot of kids love the Shel Silverstein books - really funny poems. I have 3 avid readers so I'll post some more a little later.

By Kim on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 07:38 am:

Henry and Mudge

Nate the Great

Arthur


Amelia Bedelia

These are some Kayla enjoys.

By Colette on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 07:55 am:

geronimo stilton books
Dear America books
American Girl books

Just asked my second grader for some ideas and that's what she gave me.

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 09:10 am:

Dd also loved Junie B and Nate the Great books.

By Debbie on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 09:39 am:

My ds(who is also in 1st grade) loves the Magic Treehouse books. They are about a brother and sister that go on different adventures together. Also, my ds loves the A to Z Mysteries books. They are a series of books about 3 friends(two boys and a girl) who solve mysteries. Can you tell my ds likes adventure and mysteries? When we first starting reading chapter books with ds, we would alternate reading pages with him. He would read one, and then we would read one. Now, he reads them all by himself. I think if you find a series of books that she really likes, it will definitley help with her reading.

By Cat on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 09:56 am:

Lots of great suggestions already. I like the Step Into Reading books. Wal-Mart sells them and they're probably available at your local library, too. If you're looking for light reading for you, I'd suggest the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Short stories that can be read (and finished!) almost anytime, and they're no-brainer reading.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 10:42 am:

Take her to the library and let HER look through them until she finds something she likes. By all means steer her, but let her pick them out without pressure. My 4 yo dd loves to be read to (we read every night at bedtime) but the other day she decided that she wanted to go to the libray. Don't know where that came from b/c the last time we went was very stressful. So we went and I sat and watched her look through books until she picked out 3. We've read them until I'm sick of them but she has loved them. Now it's about time to take them back and get more. She is so excited about it.
I remember I loved the library as a kid.
Oh and take her to story time at the library to. That may help with the reading interest.

By Alberobello on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:14 am:

How about Roald Dahl books? I have read two or three to my son and he loves them. He still doesn't read that well, but i know my friend's daughter who is 4 months younger (from 1998) than my son is reading R D books on her own. They are lovely and light and funny! Some are longer than others like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or James and the Giant Peach, but some are very short and easy like The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me or Fantastic Mr Fox. Try reading Matilda to her, you will love it and hopefully she will too and start asking for more.

By Claire on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:15 am:

The Romona books by Beverly Cleary are great.

By Dana on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

Thanks everyone! I will print this thread out to take to the library. We go to the library often. Mommyx4, I do let her pick her books as you suggest. Problem with that is she picks those below her reading level. I want her to stretch a bit and get stories that have some "umph" to them. The library starts their "Mother, Daughter reading group" during the summer. We did this last year and loved it. Can't wait for this year, esp since she now has a little brother that takes time away from her. It will be "just our night out" without the baby! It will mean so much more to her this year.

By Cybermommyx4 on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 01:03 pm:

Amelia Bedelia is great for her age...also the Judy Blume "Fudge" series (my 2nd and 3rd graders are reading the 3rd one now).....when DD was little she liked a series called "Babysitter's little sister" (the main character's name was "Karen" so we called them "The Karen Books") they have a green apple logo on the spine of the books (paperbacks) to let you know they are "easy to read" versus the ones with the "red apple" which are slightly more difficult (3rd grade and up) Have fun picking out books with DD