The comic books of my childhood... are far different from the comic books of today! The 'comics' have given way to 'graphic novels' which include not only the old time classics, but also history reference books, popular fiction, and condensed chapter books. This ever-expanding genre of books provide a great way to ease older struggling-readers into the joy of reading. The content is age appropriate, but the number of words is decreased and picture-clues help with every single line! It's a recipe for success and an effective stepping stone to the expanded book titles that await them.
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My young reader has enjoyed these books as they have repetition of sounds, lovable characters, simple drawings, and kind humor. Most days I put my son in charge of the main text, and I take the speech bubbles of all the characters. It's just one more book series that can help him practice, build confidence, and smile!
Much loved by my oldest son, these books are now a regular favorite by handsome Obery boy #2. Henry is a young boy who loves adventure. Mudge is a big dog who drools a lot and doesn’t mind being dressed up or climbed on (as long as there are crackers to be eaten afterwards). It’s a match made in heaven. And now, I've discovered the Henry & Mudge 'Ready to Read Level 1' Series which includes the same character, the same author, and the same good fun -- but in a format designed specifically for beginning readers. Ah, Mudge! Good dog! Here is a recent find for Beginning Readers: I’m always on the lookout for books that beginning readers can successfully read on their own. These books offer clear photos that closely correspond to the text and offer enough repetition to build reader confidence, while also offering enough variety that the reader (and listening adult aren’t bored.
Hooray! It can be a tricky task to find reading material for beginning readers. You want to provide books with simple words for decoding, but not so simple that the storyline is boring. You want to have simple pictures to help the reader understand the story, but not so simple that they aren’t interesting to explore with your eyes. Recently, our family hit upon these lovely Brand New Reader Books that fit the bill perfectly. Sitting down with the 'Ethan' series, I found that my son was able to practice the three basic skills for young readers and also get a good giggle from the storyline. Spoiler alert: In "Ethan's Bike" each new picture shows an additional band-aide on the new bike rider. What are those three skills? 1) The link between letters and sounds. In fancy talk that’s called “Phonics.” In practice, it’s “Sound it out.” 2) Understanding the meaning and flow of the story. Teacher word= “Context Clues.” Mommy words= “Does that make sense?” 3) Understanding how the pictures correspond to the text “Visual Cues” or “Picture Clues” Saying “What is that?” while pointing to the picture. How does this look in action? (Give or take the adorable toes that bounce to each spoken word.) Where can your reader get these beautiful books? The publisher sells them directly at: http://www.brandnewreaders.com/ Amazon gives you a discount at: http://www.amazon.com The public library has them for FREE: http://catalog.ccrls.org When Joshua’s family leaves Missouri in hopes of finding a new home in the Oregon territory, his grandfather gives him a journal so that the young boy can record “the good and the not-so-good.” Thus begins the My America series by Author Patricia Hermes which illustrates the joys and tragedies of travel along the Oregon Trail. My eight year-old first found these books, but I too have enjoyed reading the first-person, journal-entry formats. The themes of life and death, growing-up, caring for others, and greed are explored through Joshua’s young eyes with a wonderful innocence. After several losses among the wagon train, the boy begins to understand a glimmer of the worry his mother must feel for him and his young sister. As an admittedly overprotective-mother, I was touched by the story that unfolds over the trail, in Oregon City, and as the family builds their new home.
After reading all three books in this series, my son and I talked about the relationships in the books and how they are similar and different than our own. In books (and life) I have great respect for any boy’s journey to becoming a man. Lately, my five year-old and I have been talking a lot about Boo Hoo Boone. Boone is one of the main characters in Lynne Reid Banks’ The Indian in the Cupboard. This wonderful chapter book (and movie) tells of a fifth grade boy who uses a magic key and an old cupboard to bring miniature, plastic action-figures to life. The story (focusing primarily on a ‘Cowboy and Indian’) has drama, humor, and action. It also has a few lessons about loyalty, the value of life, and relationships.
Boo Hoo Boone is the cowboy in the story. He gets his nickname as he tends to cry often. Boone cries when happy. He cries when sad. He cries in excitement and in boredom. Heck, this big ol’ lug of a guy just plain cries whenever he feels something deeply. The other cowboys may tease him – but I'm kinda sweet on Boone myself. My youngest son too feels deeply. In preschool, he would see another child get in trouble and immediately feel the sting of the scolding (as if it had been his own). Just this past month, I’ve seen my boy giggle and giggle and giggle until the tears rolled down his face. And last week as we drove home from school he asked, “Do you think it’s ok for Boone to cry so much, Mom?” My response: “Boone’s a sensitive guy. I have to respect someone who doesn’t overprotect himself so much that he attains complete apathy.” Looking in the rear view mirror I saw a very young, but wrinkled, forehead of confusion, so I restated my idea: “Yes. It’s ok for Boone to be sensitive. Boone is just telling us how he feels.” There was a pause of silence in the car as he considered that statement. The light turned green, I moved through the intersection, and a little voice in the backseat murmured to himself: “It’s ok Boone. I’m sensitive too.” My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Sharon Yeiter, introduced me to Where the Sidewalk Ends. I still remember the sheer delight in hearing Peggy Ann McKay explain why she couldn’t go to school today. I worked for weeks on memorizing that poem – all 214 words of it. Now I’m sharing this great book with my boys. Simply said: Any child's book collection is incomplete without it. This delightful book about a young orphan girl (and her adventures) is even better when followed up with the movie version (that brings Anne and her remarkable friends to life). The contrast between dreamy-eyed, talkative Ann and forever-practical Marilla and quiet Matthew (her adoptive parents) is both funny and heartwarming. Available from the local library – we give it a Dad/Mom/Sons stamp of approval. As the weather turns cool, there’s nothing better than getting cozy with a good book… and a bag of candy corn.
I shared this book with my kindergarten-age son and promised him a piece of candy corn every time those words were mentioned in the book. This silly-mom trick was a powerful motivator to inspire him to follow along with the text. “There it is,” he’d cry (even before I reached the end of the sentence). A good story; a seasonal treat; a beginning reader. I love fall. |
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