Friday, March 8, 2013

The Excitement of Reading!

As a children's writer, I have seen and appreciated children's books from many angles. Of course, I enjoy trying to write them. And of course I enjoy reading them. As a former elementary school teacher, I also love teaching children to read them. And now, as a mom, I am enjoying a new thrill...


teaching my son to read them! We have finally found the easy readers that motivate him (which in his case often involve vehicles and construction-- Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder and Trucktown books are super popular around here), and it is so exciting to see him on a roll. Now he has even started reading Daddy bedtime stories. :o)

He is so excited that he will likely be reading Magic Tree House books by sometime next year, and he was even more excited when I told him all the books that he would be able to read before Magic Tree House. Books like Little Bear and Amelia Bedelia. And soon after Magic Tree House, books like Dragon Slayer's Academy and Henry Huggins! These are books that he has loved hearing as read alouds and I am so excited for him to enjoy reading them on his own.

He has always loved being read to (which I plan to continue to do for many years to come!), and now it is so exciting to see the excitement of reading on his own begin to take hold!

Looking forward to listening to him read those awesome new Richard Scarry easy readers we just discovered!

So, what books have you found that can motivate a beginning reader? (I am eager to add to our collection!)

5 comments:

  1. Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie books are fabulous: There's A Bird on My Head, I will Surprise My Friend, My Friend is Sad, Pigs Make Me Sneeze... all great. Biscuit books by Capucilli are super popular (I work at the library) as are Ted Arnold's Fly Guy books. There are so many great easy readers out there.. have fun! (and don't forget Dr. Seuss! - his easy reader series, I mean)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My kids both loved Encyclopedia Brown and while they are now in college, they still love Captain Underpants!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for the great suggestions, guys!

    CL-- I definitely have to introduce him to the Elephant and Piggie books! I bet he will love Fly Guy too! And he has already read a couple of Biscuit books. Looking forward to Dr. Seuss!

    J.A.-- Can't wait till he is ready for Encyclopedia Brown! And I am sure that he will come to love Captain Underpants and Super Diaper Baby! (And you just made me think of The Great Brain. That will be another great series when he's ready. :o) )

    ReplyDelete
  4. Probably my favorites are the Henry and Mudge books, but I'm sure you have been through those already.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the reminder, Gale! The Henry and Mudge books are great! Looking forward to reading them with my son soon! (And Mr. Putter and Tabby books too. :o) )

    ReplyDelete