Mumsnet Talk

Authors and Children's book experts, Susan Reuben and Leonie Flynn will be joining us on Monday 4th Feb between 12 and 1pm for an online chat about all aspects of reading with your children.

Susan and Leonie are Editors of 'The Ultimate First Book Guide' which provides advice from a team of experts and children's authors and illustrators on everything from when and how to start sharing books with your baby, to what to do if your child doesn't like reading. It also gives recommendations of over 500 top titles for all ages of children. You can put your questions and concerns about the importance of your child's reading habits to the experts Susan Reuben and Leonie Flynn on Monday, or feel free to post your questions in advance here.

Hello! I love reading to my 7 month old - or trying to, at least. Half the issue is keeping her from eating or damaging the book! Fabric is obviously a good way to go, but I rarely make it to the end.. not that she knows that, but still Any tips?

cheers, Sophie & Katelyn

Hello
I'm not around on Monday as I'm going to be having a special prenatal massage

I'm still pg with my first baby so this may be a bit premature but I hugely value the importance of books in my life (I'm a reader for the blind as I'm so grateful for being able to read) and the escapism that reading gives me. I love that I love to read.

My mother in law is similar to me but , despite her encouragement, my husband isn't really a book lover (though is quite the voracious reader on holiday).

How can I ensure that this passion is passed on without forcing it?

TIA

Hi

Sorry I can't be around tomorrow, but what I would like to ask is this:

I have a daughter who has just turned 5 a month ago and is a fairly fluent, confident reader (level 6 on the Ginn scheme).

She likes the "Tiara Club" series which are fun reads, but a bit heavy on the "SO totally cool" expressions. We've just discovered Felicity Wishes which is a bit better.

Can you recommend any series or single books for her that aren't too precocious and old for her, and yet will still hold her attention? (Obviously I don't expect you to give too much away from your book, it sounds fab by the way!)

Many thanks

kaphc

Hello. I would be interested in what books you would recommend for young children with language problems such as difficulties with receptive and expressive language.

can i ask what tv tie-in books you think are most worthwhile/fun, as they seem to be all my dd (3yr old) will touch at the moment

thanks

testing

kaphc have you done the dreaded Rainbow Fairy series? my dd2 loves them (also 5)

I still read to my eight year old daughter and nine year old son. They still enjoy books being read to them at bed time although they are very good readers themselves. Do you think I should be encouraging them to read to themselves at bedtimes or is there not an age limit on when you should stop reading to your kids?

I read to my 8 year old every night and will carry on doing so until she is 18 if she wants me to

Morning. Sorry I can't join you later. I wanted to know if you could recommend any books for my almost five year old son. Although he still enjoys picture books I think he's almost ready to start reading longer 'chapter type' books. I think he still likes pictures and couldn't cope with anything too long, but is there any kidn of in-between books or short chapter books with pics for those who are on the cusp?pter books.

I would happily read to ds (8) every night but it's an occasional thing these days as he is such a voracious bookworm he wants to be left alone. I know there are many worse reading problems to complain about though
Susan and Leonie, I'd love some guidance or views on what you do with a child who is capable of reading intellectually complex stuff but needs careful guidance in choice of reading material in terms of content and emotional maturity.
Please don't suggest the local library as they are so nice there but their cash-strapped stock is all Goosebumps etc, and we live in a part of London where you no longer have subject specialists sitting at the desk - they don't choose the stock either
He is 8 and just polished off the Twig Trilogy from the Edge Chronicles, in two weeks, to give you some idea. I am starting to get a bit harrassed about this tbh, because until now I've just about kept on top of it but I can feel my necessary parental grip slipping in recent weeks. Am not wanting to censor btw, just find him challenging and delightful stuff that is not aimed at teens

fab question, Marina.

<<Georget, my dd is nearly 10, I still read to her every night. Recently we have got a new system going where after I have read to her, she reads to herself for 20 mins or so. This seems to work really well for us.>>

Susan and Leonie, have you any recommendations for a capable reader, girl aged 10 in a few months. She loved St Clare's (Enid Blyton), pah-pahed The Mystery series though. Adored Harry Potter, Humphrey the Hamster and The Iron Man in more recent weeks. She isn't really interested in Jacqueline Wilson any more, hasn't been for a few years.

Many thanks.

dd1 (8) doesnt have much confidence in her own reading but loves me to read to her - she has been off school this week and I have read her Beowulf, some of 1001 nights (actually rather adult ) and Erik the viking (blardy Brilliant). But she can just about manage an Usborne Series One version of Puss in Boots to read aloud to me. I just hope if i can pack in as much good lit as I can she will get it from me if not from hersfelf IYSWIM

testing

I'd like some ideas for my 6 year old ds (you're going to say "buy our book!" aren't you ?) There seems to be a real dearth of boys' books for that age - he adored the Littlenose books, which I got him for his birthday (but there aren't any more, damnit!) and we've tried some Dahl (the Twits and Charlie) but he's really too old for picture books and not quite old enough for a lot of non-picture books. Ds1 loved Dr Seuss at this age but ds2 can take him or leave him.

I've just looked at the sample pages from your book and the 'Nicolas' books sound like something he might like.

It looks great I agree soren - I'd love to see one for older children too

Hello and welcome to Susan and Leonie who will be with us for the next hour discussing all things about reading with kids and children's books. Over to your Susan and Leonie....

Hi there!

Hi everyone,

We're looking forward to the chat.

Hi ChampagneSupernova,

The best way to pass on your passion for books is to start sharing them with your baby pretty much right from the start. Babies love nothing more than sitting on a parent’s knee, receiving their full attention, and if there are some colourful pictures to look at, so much the better!
As you suggest, it never makes sense to force books on a child, but the more you offer to share them and the more you have lying round the house (and also the more the child sees you reading books of your own), the more likely it is that they’ll become an avid reader.

Thanks for the invite, Rachel - I hope we can be of some help

Hi luminarphrases,
The Little Princess books are lovely. You could also try the original Miffy series, and the original Thomas the Tank Engine

Hello kaphc,

You could try Fairy House by Kelly McKain, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (these are fab) or Tilly Mint Tales by Berlie Doherty.

georget, I think that there is absolutely no age at which you should stop reading to your kids. Reading stories at bedtime is a wonderful thing in so many ways, and for as long as the child still enjoys it, it's a great thing to continue doing.