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Original poster

My dd(7) likes computers better than books. Help me with Joy of Reading stuff

37 replies

Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 11:02

she's a little bit behind in her reading, not particularly enthusiastic or, at the moment, very good at it

last night I was gently encouraging her to read and telling her how exciting books could be, when she put on a really serious face, as if she knew that the following news would hit me hard, and said solemnly: "I'm sorry to say this, but computers are more fun than books. You can see the Great Wall of China and all kinds of things, and have fun on the Cbeebies website"

she does love playing on her computer but I don't want to limit her computer use. Her disabilities mean that there are a lot of things that she can't play at unaided - for example to make craft things she needs really close help because of her fine motor difficulties. It frustrates her; her computer is something that she can use on her own, which is age-appropriate. I had always thought that books could fulfil a similar role

in the past we have read books to her at night, eg Harry Potter, Faraway Tree, but she is a bit scared of the next one as they are getting a bit old for her. I'd like to read something really good to her, to give her the idea that there are books out there really worth reading

any suggestions? books for us to read or things to say? dh and I love books and really want to encourage our children to love them too, and especially as she is behind with her reading, I want her to have some motivation to get better

OP posts:
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gingemum · 25/01/2008 23:35

Hi there ! Not sure if this thread is still going.
Came across this site a couple of weeks ago that might be good for your dd as she is so keen on the computer www.love2read.co.uk.
My dd has special needs and loves these books and with help has even created some books herself.The website lets you upload your own photos in to the template of a book and then you can add text. All the books are based on key reading words and it's really helped my dd.I've even created a few books for her on line and not had them printed yet!

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:25

DH has already read them all to him so he understands the plots already.

I took him to a bookshop today and gave him £10 to choose books as a reward for finishing the first Harry Potter. He chose some good ones including a simple Michael Morpurgo book. I asked him which of the new books he'd read first. He said he'd read them after all the Harry Potter ones which worried me. He seems too motivated by the Nintendo. I hope he doesn't struggle through the HP books. I suppose we could do what you say and change it to Lemony Snicket, although it's a bit like changing the goal posts.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:15

No he won't. He'll hate reading because he'll have struggled through four books which he can't understand. . . .

Do the first three and move on to Lemony Snicket? That'll keep him busy. There are 13 of those.

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:12

Oh dear. Looks like he won't be getting a Nintendo for a few years then. However he will then have discovered the joy of reading then, and will have no need for one. That's the plan anyway

You'll probably all shoot me down now.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:07

Ooh but Mimizan, If I may say, they DO get much more difficult after Azkaban, the third one. Honestly, I promise, they aren't for 8 y-o after that. I don't think.

Sorry. Just thought I'd mention.

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:02

We've bribed our DS 8 and told him he can have a Nintendo DS, when he has read all the Harry Potter books from start to finish to himself.

It's working. He read the first one in a week, and is now on the second. The great thing is he seems to be really enjoying reading now.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:01

LOL.

Though I did see that there is a children's drama on at 4.30 on Wednesday about Sunnyhill or whatever that school with no rules is called - which ds1 will ADORE.

So rather pleased about that. I can see its attractions.

Right more books for dd..

Original poster
Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:58

they are not desperate ffs

last week it was Dawn bleddy French in a wig

they are so diverse

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ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:56

They are desperate Capp. They want to believe they are something different.

They put JD on the cover. Why? Because Tim Burton is on South Bank Show.

desperate editor.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:55

Alice in Wonderland too nuts I think. I think she'll switch off. But what do I know, I keep recommending books written in 1946 for some reason.

Original poster
Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:55

oh yes 100x I must admit they do advertise some dodgy stuff

also hilarious catalogues filled with magnifying toenail clippers and microwaveable socks fall out

but the editorial is aimed at me

and I have no microwaveable socks

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RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 17/01/2008 22:47

Sorry, the thread moved on while I was looking up links!

RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 17/01/2008 22:45

I meant to respond to the rest of your post - about how to encourage her. I think you are doing the right thing by reading to her and not making her feel under pressure to do it herself - she will get there eventually. By reading to her you are reinforcing the fact that reading books is a pleasurable activity in the most positive way possible.
But from what she said about the computer it sounds like she responds to visual stuff so books with really good pictures are probably ideal.
I recommend the Helen Oxenbury Alice in Wonderland which I have also read to DD2 - it has lovely pictures. Also I got the Snow Queen for DD2 for Christmas and it is really lovely - and a real bargain if you are doing a Bookpeople order.
And finally a really fab picture book that every girl should own.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:45

Oh yes, I meant picture books to read to her, as well as chapter books.

I have read. I have looked. I have paid special interest to the adverts to see who they think their main market is.

I have seen old men on a boat, inviting me to discover yorkshire. And an armchair booster/rest cushion. [smug]

I shall wait for the grand opening on Friday though.

Milly Molly Mandy? DD is six, she loves those. Also Amelia Jane if you can take more Blyton.

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 22:40

We(dss are 6 and 8) discovered Michael Morpurgo recently and we love his books. His books are often about animals and the relationship humans build up with them.

If she likes Harry Potter she may enjoy the Lemony Snicket series. After the second one I found them dull but the DC can't get enough of them.

Original poster
Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:40

ooh 100x did you? have you read it? I haven't opened mine for next week yet, it is Friday night ritual

tbh I am looking mainly for books to read to her rather than books for her to read. Her confidence is low, her reading is slow and she's not really got the hang of sounding out words - she tends to guess a lot and needs support, so she doesn't tend to read independently

so if there are books that are nice to read together that would be a Good Thing

I want to show her there is this whole world of books to explore before she just shrugs and gives up; I know at some point the penny will drop if she keeps at it

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cazzybabs · 17/01/2008 22:37

clarence Bean - that is what we are reading at the mo - it is soo funny.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:34

She might like the new Pippy Longstocking then, because it's illustrated by Lauren Child. But then again, might be too much text. I think if she likes the picture books then keep going with them. I love the picture books.

Hey. I bought RT today.

I did.

MamaVonG · 17/01/2008 22:33

Am also making notes...!

Original poster
Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:31

thanks for lots of suggestions will be following up on lots of these

we actually did read a book together today; one of her Charlie and Lola ones, and enjoyed how the text went round and round so we had to turn the book upside down

she joined in with some of the words and I think was pleased with herself because the text is smaller and less clear than her reading books

so on we go

thanks again

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1066andallthat · 17/01/2008 22:29

What about Narnia? Or Philip Pullman? Or David Almond? They are all magical. Then again, Anne Fine or Judy Blume .....

We're reading "The Iron Giant" at the moment (Ted Hughes) and it is so much better than the film. Mind you, we also read "Scooby Doo" and other comics.

RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 17/01/2008 21:09

I am reading Ballet Shoes to my seven-year-old DD2 at the moment. She is liking. Red House has got some good stuff atm - I got DD2 Cleopatra for Christmas and she loved it. Clarice Bean is good too and I have not read Lily Quench but it is supposed to be good.

I also recommend Judy Moody books and if she likes ballet these are good.

Kirk1 · 17/01/2008 15:32

My DD (age 7 3/4) recommends the Rainbow magic series of fairy books although I agree with you about them. I got out of buying any more by getting her to help me write the next seven. It was depressingly easy and they sort of lost their shine after that

She also liked:
Charlotte's web, although watch out, it did make her cry.

Horrid Henry, although I personally can't stand him, he is funny and for a reluctant reader it's not too threatening.

Peter Pan and Wendy, a nice classic book

The My Secret Unicorn books by Linda Chapman are sweet, better than the rainbow magic books, and still a huge series sigh
DD has a very high reading ability, but prefers to read 'easy' stuff or science books. Father Christmas brought a whole stack of science books this year...

Original poster
Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 15:32

hmm comics

she does like Charlie and Lola magazine but never thinks to read it, tbh

might encourage

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singersgirl · 17/01/2008 15:29

Does she like comics or magazines? Both my DSs love comics and I think it's great as it encourages them to read, even if some of the content isn't fantastic literature.

DS2 sometimes gets the National Geographic Kids which has lovely pictures and lots of info about animals etc -your DD might like that if she is into stuff like the Great Wall of China.