(Photos of Henry by Rachel Thurston from our family shoot )
Two years ago when Henry was around 4 we started reading real books to him, not picture books but chapter books. I have such fond memories of reading classic childrens literature with my parents and wanted to have that same experience with Henry as well. It’s so much more enjoyable to read with your child when you’re enjoying the book you’re reading, and we both look forward to it.
Jared and I are each reading him different books so we don’t miss something if the other parent puts them to bed. Jared’s currently finishing up Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I’m reading him Comet in Moominland. I’m always surprised with how much he understands and how long he can sit without having pictures to look at (although an occasional picture is always fantastic).
I got recommendations from our local librarian, friends, family, and also my own memory of course. Here are a few favorite chapter books we’ve loved reading together with Henry. Would love your recommendations as well, they make great gifts!
First of all: Anything by Roald Dahl
Keep reading to see them…
1. *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2. The Dangerous Book for Boys
(this was the first one Jared read with Henry. It took months to get through it but they loved it!)
3. *Toys Go Out
(we’ve read the whole series of these, highly recommend. They’re what the Toy Story movies are roughly based on, but completely different characters/plot. So sweet and charming)
4.*The BFG
5.Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (series)
(I have such fond memories of reading these books. Henry got such a kick out of it)
6. *Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon
(this was the first one we started with, it’s charming and lots of pictures so a great transition to chapter books!)
8.The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Others on our list to read:
Matilda
Danny the Champion of the World
The Great Brain Series
*favorites