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Original poster

What she did you introduce the first Harry Potter book?

42 replies

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 30/08/2018 07:14

DS just turned 5 and I’m trying to get him into fiction chapter books. He’s all about the non-fiction. What age do you think is ok for HP? I was going to wait until he’s the same age as the characters but apparently they’re 11. That’s so far away.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 30/08/2018 07:15

What AGE. Good lord. 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
BellsaRinging · 30/08/2018 07:20

I think 10/11 is about right. I am trying to avoid HP for a few years for ds7 as did it too early with the older one and he didn't really enjoy them until he picked them up again at 12...he is now obsessed!
For my 7yo the books he really loved and got him into fiction chapter books were the Jeremy Strong ones-they are well written and childish humour abounds! Also ate up the secret seven and famous five and now obsessed with reading and I'm constantly looking for good stuff to give him which is age appropriate. David Walliams good too.

TheHulksPurplePanties · 30/08/2018 07:21

Hard to say. I think the first book might be ok at that age, but not the others. Especially not #3 on.

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WhirlwindHugs · 30/08/2018 07:21

5 is too young imo some parts are scary even in the first book, it was originally marketed for 8-10yos which is perfectly reasonable.

We found we had more luck with chapter books aimed at younger kids for that age - olga da polga and magic faraway tree both went well.

GoatYoga · 30/08/2018 07:24

DS1 started reading them in year 3 and had read them all by the end of year 4.

MeetOnTheLedge · 30/08/2018 07:27

About 10 for HP here, they are quite long and complex, even the first one. Mine worked their way through Horrid Henry, Mr Gum and loads of Enid Blyton before reaching HP.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 30/08/2018 07:28

My dcs were around 7, mainly because that is when they could read well enough to read some themselves. My sister read the first 4 when she was in year 1 (so 5-6) then the others as they were released

ThePricklySheep · 30/08/2018 07:29

Nearly nine for mine.

Ploppymoodypants · 30/08/2018 07:31

Yep 5 is too young for Harry Potter. It’s too complicated and will ruin it for him. I would say about 8 or 9. I desperately want DD to read them as I adore Harry Potter books, but holding off to make sure I don’t spoil it for her.
I read on here once, from a teacher, if a child reads a book too early it’s ruined for them twice. The first time because they don’t have the comprehension skills and the second time because the suspense and surprise has gone.

Cousinit · 30/08/2018 07:37

I agree 5 is way too young for HP. I would say from 8-9 at the earliest, depending on the child. At that age my DS didn't really want to sit still long enough for most chapter books but he did enjoy some of the Roald Dahl ones (Esio Trott, Fantastic Mr Fox). I'm not sure if the Treehouse series is well known in the U.K. but both my kids loved these books from a young age. The 13 Storey Treehouse is the first one in the series. They're great fun to read and perfect for boys who think they don't like fiction.

serbska · 30/08/2018 07:37

10

ThanksHunkyJesus · 30/08/2018 07:38

What's the point in getting to read something he won't fully understand? There's millions of books out there.

serbska · 30/08/2018 07:38

The books are actually quite complex and before 9/10 I don’t think they will get the most out of them.

MeetOnTheLedge · 30/08/2018 07:40

Oh yes, Roald Dahl were great too.

TheHulksPurplePanties · 30/08/2018 07:42

I read on here once, from a teacher, if a child reads a book too early it’s ruined for them twice. The first time because they don’t have the comprehension skills and the second time because the suspense and surprise has gone.

I don't agree with that. I read the Wrinkle in Time books for the first time when I was 6. I struggled, but enjoyed them. When I read them again at 11, I enjoyed them even more.

As for HP, I've read them several times over now and pick up different things each time. Granted I was 19/20 when I read the first book, so I was already coming at it from a different perspective. It would have been nice to read them as a child.

Hufflefloof · 30/08/2018 07:43

8 or 9 for the first book, but he got to book 3 and found them too old from there. He’s started the series again at nearly 11 and is loving them now. Try Captain Underpants at that age, you can get the box set quite cheap and they’re really funny, lots of toilet humour and funny pictures.

AmabelleOnabike · 30/08/2018 07:46

I started reading them to DS when he was 5. We read the whole lot (it took two years of a chapter a night but maybe not every night) and he loved them. The first three were the easiest, i got bored after that but DS enjoyed all of them and didn't find them frightening.

BikeRunSki · 30/08/2018 07:47

DS (10 next week) is just finishing the last one. We started reading then at bedtime about 2 years/18 months ago. He’s read the last couple to himself.

I am reading the first to DD (7 in a few weeks). She is very mature for her age. I’m aware of the content, she’ll be OK.

We’ve been watching the films as we read the books. Up to film 4 now. I don’t let the dc watch them alone now, they are pretty dark, gothic and down right scary after the third one.

Lolly86 · 30/08/2018 07:55

I really want to start HP with my nearly 5 yr old DD but it is too early. She r3ally enjoys magic faraway tree, road Dahl and some Jeremy strong books for chapter books as well at still enjoying the quicker julia Donaldson etc type books.

TanteRose · 30/08/2018 08:00

another vote for Roald Dahl first at that age

AirandMungBeans · 30/08/2018 08:06

We started the first one when DS1 was 5. He loved it. He's now 6 and it's his go to book, I'd say we've now read it five or six times. I won't introduce him to the others yet, I don't feel that he's old enough, but the first is a firm favourite. I think it depends on the child. DS2 is 4 and I can't see him enjoying it in the next year, he's nowhere near ready.

Believeitornot · 30/08/2018 08:09

I absolutely love Harry Potter. My dcs are 8&6 - still too young imo. I’ll be waiting a bit longer!

ninnypoo · 30/08/2018 08:09

I read the first HP book before the film came out so must have been 7 or younger and I loved it. However the later books do increase in maturity and I wouldn't have understood those at 7.

happypotamus · 30/08/2018 08:10

DD is 7 and DH is reading the first one to her. She is capable of reading it herself but I think he just wanted to reread it himself! She claims that everyone else in her class has already read it or seen the films. We are happy with the first book at this age but not sure about the rest. I agree with other suggestions for chapter books for younger children: Roald Dahl, Horrid Henry, My Naughty Little Sister, some rubbish books about fairies and unicorns that a DS might not be interested in, Enid Blyton.

Babybearsporij · 30/08/2018 08:11

DC1 aged 7 has nearly finished the first book. I think 5 might be a tad too young.