What My Kids Are Reading: May 19, 2017

Posted on May 19, 2017 inWhat My Kids are Reading

 

The 8-Year-Old
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

From the publisher: “Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That’s because he’s being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he’s really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.”

This is a big one. For both of us. I have been waiting for the day that one of my kids (because they WILL both read the books, whether they want to or not) is old enough to begin the Harry Potter series, and last week was the week. My 8-year-old has been begging me to let him, so I read the first page of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and he made me stop. He wanted to wait until the next day when he could go out and buy his own copy and read it to himself. ALL OF THE FEELINGS. We’ve been doing a combination of reading it together and him reading it on his own, because he takes it to school and reads in his downtime. It is such a different experience reading it to someone, and if you have a kid or know a kid or can wave a kid down, read this to them when they’re ready. It is so good.
 
The 6-Year-Old
Calling All Master Builders!

From the publisher: “Who are the Master Builders? Do they have what it takes to stop an evil LEGO® tyrant from ending the LEGO world? This all-new Level 1 reader from DK’s levelled reading program follows the adventures of The LEGO® Movie, assembling in February 2014. DK Readers are a multi-level reading program guaranteed to capture a child’s interest while developing reading skills and general knowledge — compatible with the framework for teaching literacy.”

This one is a little tough for my 6-year-old to read (Vitruvius isn’t the easiest name to sound out) but he’s working through it! He loves the Lego Movie, so this book is perfect for him to practice sounding out more difficult words, and getting excited when he comes across words he already knows. And Benny the astronaut is in it, and who doesn’t love Benny?
 
What We’re Reading Together
Rumpelstiltskin

From the publisher and the New York Times Book Review: “Richly hued oil paintings complement a story simply and gracefully told. Children…love the story for its mystery, and its familiarity. Adults will find that, like most classic fairy tales, this one rewards periodic rethinking.”

This is such a classic tale that I often forget how much kids still love the story. I intended to just read this to my 6-year-old, but the 8-year-old ran over and said it’s one of his favorites! The version above is no longer available (since that was my copy as a kid, and we won’t discuss the publication date) but the newer version from 1996 looks beautiful.