Mumsnet Talk

I have a dd on level 5 (green) and a ds on level 10/11 (white/lime) and wondered whether any of those books would be achievable for them to read without my help? Neither have sat down and read a book cover to cover on their own, both will read bits of books on their own and then put the book down, in favour of toys or tv. Any other suggestions within their reach would be gratefully received!

I personally would wait a little bit til over Ort 13-14 or similar (think they go up to 12 rthen start different starting at levels 1 again a bit like shoe sizes!)

Think if you try a bigger book before they are ready they get turned off.

My DD is on the green level and I don't think she is anywhere near ready for chapter books yet (unless they are very heavily illustrated with limited, simple text). She is 6, and I am sure will continue to progress. We do find she can read most picture books - albeit wiht some support.

DD has just turned 7 and is on ORT level 10. She can read Horrid Henry, Rainbow Magic and the shorter Roald Dahl books (Fantastic Mr Fox etc). DS1 and DS2 were reading Horrid Henry, Beast Quest and shorter Roald Dahls when they were at around ORT Level 10 too.

DD's favourite books at the moment are The Owl who was afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson and Sophie in the Saddle by Dick King Smith.

Thanks v much for replies. I shall try and encourage my ds to have a go at horrid Henry. My dd is keener despite being many levels lower!

DS age 6 loves reading books on his own. I bought him some Book People early reader sets and gave them to him saying they were for him to read himself as and when he wanted to. All of them were nice short books - 1 lot a step up from picture books but similar length and the others were the Horrid Henry Early Readers. 3 days later he'd finished the lot! I would say he was probably around green level then. So I would say if they are keen, give them the opportunity but don't push it. Going to the library is also good as they are in control of what they choose and there are normally plenty of books at different levels. DS reads on his own at a higher level then his school books and has decided reading for yourself is fun. That to me is the most important thing about the whole process. But its up to them. See how it goes, its one area you can let them lead you!

There are Horrid Henry Early Readers, I think, which might be more appropriate, so a simpler text and lots more pictures.

My dd also liked the the Little Animal Ark series when she was just starting to read independently, again loads of pix and very simple text, but they look like a 'grown up' book rather than a picture book.

Our library had a shelf of books like that - ideal for dc to have a browse and pick something they fancy, then if they can't manage it you can just read it to them instead.

DD is on purple band so think that's around level 9? She has just started to read the easier chapter books independently - Horrid Henry Early Readers, Bug Buddies, the odd Wishing Chair chapter. She prefers non-fiction at the moment though, I think the shorter chunks of text in fact encourage her to read more.

12-13, probably. For the regular HH books,BQ & RF.
Roald Dahl is Free Reader material.

DD is also on purple. She could read the Horrid Henry Early Readers and Rainbow Fairy books when she was on turquoise. She's not ready for Roald Dahl yet.

Her main problem with chapter books is stamina - she is overwhelmed by the length and the amount of words and looses interest. If she's reading it herself she wants to be able to get to the end of the story fairly quickly.

She also says herself she prefers books with coloured pictures in. She loves comics but it's hard to find good comic books for girls of her age and reading ability.

My DD started reading Rainbow Magic when she was on white band - not sure what number band that is though.

I would steer away from Rainbow Magic - the same story told 100 times!

Rainbow Magic is ok as long as you don't only read those. Like bonzoed says, they are virtually the same But still good reading practice for young readers.

I let my DD read them because she loves them, but we intersperse with lots of other books. She's a good, but often reluctant reader who needs lots of encouragement to pick up a book. And she won't read unless it's to me or DH. Roald Dahl is probably just about ok for her with some help. She's Yr 2, green level (the second green, which comes after white)