“I hate Winnie the Pooh!” was my son’s comment when I told him I was putting in that CD at bedtime. He’s eight, you know, and he’s way too old for such babyish things. But, that was before he heard it.
This is the real thing, the original from A.A. Milne, not a watered-down Disney version. A friend recommended this audio version to me and it’s great! The British actors are just perfect for the voices and it cracks the kids up!
I tried Pooh before, and it was always over their heads. I think age 6-8 is just about right to understand that world of childhood that Milne describes, and to actually get the jokes. I know I tried it earlier with my kids, like ages 3-5, and they had no interest whatsoever. Anyway, I bought this on Amazon, but maybe your library has this version. Here’s the
link for the info. Judi Dench and Stephen Fry are two of the narrators. I also really like Milne’s book of poems Now We are Six, but I can’t find my copy currently. I think my kids are at the perfect age for it, so I need to go figure out what I did with it!
I’ve requested These Happy Golden Years from the library, but haven’t gotten it yet, which is fine with me because I’m feeling a bit ambivalent about Laura growing up and getting married. Laura! You were just a five-year-old sitting on pumpkins in the attic in Wisconsin! You can’t get married yet! So, while I wait on the library copy and adjust to the passage of time, we also started The Boxcar Children.
I’ve been feeling neglectful of my children lately, and missing that snuggly reading time. Every time I tried to get everyone to cuddle up on the couch, my toddler would start squirming around, cracking skulls, flinging himself off the back of the couch, and lots of other really restful, peaceful activities. So, I’m going to try to have a thirty-minute Tea Time with my six- and eight-year old during the toddler’s nap time. Yesterday it went really well and we read four chapters of The Boxcar Children. They were begging to keep going!
I’m trying to get my eight-year-old son hooked on a series of chapter books. I don’t think he’s quite ready for the Hardy Boys or my dad’s old Tom Swift; I don’t really love the Magic Treehouse series, though I know many do; so maybe this will be a good one. We’ll see. Any suggestions for good boy books are appreciated!
In other news, can I show you the cutest thing ever?
Rainbow socks. My two-year-old likes to wear them as knee socks. And, in order to see their stripey-stripeyness, we must roll up his pant
legs so he can see them. Very Important! And, it turns out, I love the whole ridiculous outfit! Those chubby knees poking out are just begging to be gobbled up. I think I’m dressing him in lederhosen from now on. You think I’m kidding.
I haven’t discussed this with my husband yet, but I’m sure he’ll be on board.
And, look at that baby! Doesn’t that make you
want to just buy some red knee socks and go backpacking in Austria with your
kiddos? Sigh.
Spring really makes me want to live in a mountain village in the Alps. Or go on a train ride through the misty English countryside. Does this happen to other people? Sometimes it seems nearly impossible to just stay still.
Have a lovely rainy spring break, friends!
I am going to have to get some of those books on CD! And The Boxcar Children is going on the list as well.
Pooh has charmed his way into our hearts, too. Our olders even found themselves secretly enjoying it.
No lederhosen here, though : )
I’m not sure if you want suggestions for your son to read to himself, or if you’d read aloud, but my suggestion for boys would be Beverly Cleary books. Yes, it would probably seem like a girl book choice with Ramona & all, but my son loved them when I read them to him when he was 7-8 years old {he’s 10 now} and he couldn’t wait for more! (We read all Beverly Cleary books we could get our hands on, except the “Young Love” and the “Memoirs”) We liked how Henry Huggins was in both his own series, and also made cameo appearances in the Beezus books. There are a lot of books to keep you going
Here’s the link to her booklist: http://www.beverlycleary.com/books.aspx
that’s a great idea. I hadn’t thought of those. Thanks!!
My six AND four year-old are loving the read-aloud, “The Whipping Boy.” Rich vocabulary and a wonderful tale. He also loved, “The Sword in the Stone,” a chapter book about a young boy on a quest to avenge a wrong done to his father. “A Door in the Wall”–another medieval tale about a young boy who finds his place in life through great hardship and perseverance. My favorite of all from this year–”Mountain Born,” a beautiful tale about a young shepherd boy, learning the trade of his father. The language and themes in this book are achingly beautiful. It will make you want to move to the mountains and start your own sheep farm. : ) Homer Price was cute–more short story appeal per chapter, rather than an interwoven and developed plot. But what’s not to love about a spunky and creative young boy? What about “My Father’s Dragon” trilogy. Although not an example of literary genius, a cute, fantasy-ridden tale my son enjoyed. You’ve probably read all of these already, but I thought I’d share in case you haven’t. I “Kindled” your book after the Pioneer Woman rec., and I haven’t been able to put it down. As a homeschooling mom in exactly the same shoes (kids of similar age as well), I feel utterly understood and encouraged…and inspired to push on despite all odds! Thank you…and many blessings, Amy
Amy, thanks so much for that idea. I think we actually have the Whipping Boy but I’ve never read it. Great ideas, all! I’ve read none, so many thanks! I’m so thankful you are enjoying the Kindle book! Blessings, Charity