What My Kids Are Reading: August 18, 2017
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Smithsonian Little Explorer
The 8-Year-Old
Stick Dog
My 8-year-old has been asking for this book for awhile, and I’m glad we finally picked it up! The narrator, Tom, claims he is terrible at drawing and can only draw stick figures. Hence, Stick Dog. It is is similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in that it’s part graphic novel, part beginner novel, with lots of silly adventures. It’s funny, the writing is clever, and in a bookish world that can prove difficult to find book series that boys might like that don’t involve gross or violent storylines, the Stick Dog series sticks out (pun not completely intended), and I’m glad for it. This book is also fantastic for reluctant readers! The print is large, the story is funny, and there are a bunch in the series, so your reader doesn’t have to worry that their reading enjoyment will end after this book.
The 6-Year-Old
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Smithsonian Little Explorer
If your kid loves dinosaurs and you’re looking for a fun, informative book that doesn’t include blood everywhere (Seriously, we have so many dinosaur books that would fit right in with the Walking Dead cast.), this is the one! It’s perfect for young readers, and they will learn a lot about the T-rex. My 6-year-old loves it, and he loves to tell me what he’s learning about the dinosaurs, and show me the (realistic but not completely terrifying) pictures. The entire Smithsonian Little Explorer series is great!
What We’re Reading Together
This Book Will Not Be Fun
A very studious mouse is determined not to have fun in this new picture book, until a flying whale goes by and he is forced into an adventure. I took a chance on this one-my boys are in a weird reading stage. They still like big picture books, but they are too old for a lot of them. Unfortunately, this one was deemed “boring” by both my boys, and I kind of have to agree. I think it is perfect for the 5 and under crowd, and a wonderful read-aloud book for them. The drawings are cute, and the mouse ends up being silly and fun. But if you have kids who are really reading and are ready for more substance, I would suggest staying with picture books such as Those Darn Squirrels!
