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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let DD read the Percy Jackson series for the 4th time....?

80 replies

BraveMerida · 15/10/2013 13:58

I mean the whole rick riordan series from Percy Jackson through to the follow on series of the heroes of olympus for the 4th time? I loves them, but I'd rather she reads a wider selection of books.

Is this normal? Wwyd? Dd is 8.

OP posts:
WallyBantersJunkBox · 15/10/2013 14:23

I read the complete Narnia books as a child, and then started them all over again as soon as I'd finished.

Each time I read them I picked up a different understanding of the story.

I would leave her read them. Then perhaps drop into a book shop and go through the shelves together to see if there is anything she fancies? When my son chooses for himself he tends to read more keenly.

I read a couple of the PJ ones on hols this year (when DS was sleeping - the only way I got get my hands on them) and really enjoyed them!

exexpat · 15/10/2013 14:23

One of DD's friends re-read the whole Harry Potter series multiple times aged 8/9/10. DS and DD also read them all at least twice (and re-watched the films), and DD (10) has re-read lots of her other favourite books. I'd just let her get on with it, while obviously offering lots of other books that might appeal to her.

MinesAPintOfTea · 15/10/2013 14:24

I'm in the middle of rereading for about the 30th time a book I've had for 15 years. But inbetween rereads I read something challenging. The rereading fills an emotional need, sometimes reading something where you know what will be thrown at you is important.

So make sure she has access to other books, but don't discourage the rereading.

JudithOfThePiece · 15/10/2013 14:25

I do understand that you would prefer her to read a wider selection, but re-reading favourite books is much more positive that you think. If you want her to grow up to enjoy reading, I would suggest you let her read whatever she wants!!

Like many others on this thread, I'm a big re-reader and when I was a child would re-read books 20 or 30 times. I still adore reading. It has absolutely nothing whatsoever with having more books available to you and everything to do with comfort and enjoyment.

I really do think YABVU to 'not let' her read those books again. If you think about it, you could be turning a positive experience into a negative one and she might get the message that reading is about what you 'should' read, rather than about enjoyment, escapism, information and a million other, positive things.

As an English teacher, I have seen many enthusiastic parents try to get their children to read more worthy books, and it is very well meant, but not very useful. Of course, I have also seen many parents who put no value in reading whatsoever, so be proud that she has obviously picked up from you that reading can be so wonderful!

SaucyJack · 15/10/2013 14:31

YABU, and a bit of a control freak IMO.

I wouldn't even know if my 8 year old had previously read one of the books on her shelf 3 times, let alone stop her doing it again.

Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywrench · 15/10/2013 14:38

I have always had several books on the go that I read depending on my mood. DS does the same but DH and DD only like to read 1 at a time in sequence if it's a series Confused So long as she's enjoying what she's reading I'd leave her to it. Maybe you could introduce similar books or themes?

yoshipoppet · 15/10/2013 14:40

Your DD might like the Pegasus series by Kate O'Hearn.

pointyfangs · 15/10/2013 14:51

she reads like 3 or 4 books at any one time and drives me up the wall

I feel your pain - I have two of these children. However, if you can steer her so that one of her pile is something new and interesting, it's fine. My DDs love the whole PJ series, have read the Egyptian ones too (has your DD? They're good) and keep coming back to them and to Harry Potter but they read other stuff alongside. I think some books just become comfort blankets for the soul, and a good thing too.

pointyfangs · 15/10/2013 14:54

And yy to yoshipoppet my DDs love these. And DD2 (10) loves the Ingo series too and is reading the Cornelia Funke's 'Ink' trilogy for the second time.

Original poster
BraveMerida · 15/10/2013 14:57

Thanks for the reality check all.

Yes, pointy she's read the Kane chronicles too, twice now. RR recently published a new book to add to the heroes of Olympians series, so she'll have to start the series from the beginning again just so that she could read the new book brought out properly, Confused which I totally understand.

OP posts:
yoshipoppet · 15/10/2013 14:59

There is a brilliant book which may or may not be held at your local library (if you still have one of those) called 'Who next?'. It's published by LISU and is full of brilliant suggestions for books like the ones your children may already have read, all divided up by age ranges. It's a very useful tool for encouraging children to read more widely by steering them towards authors who write like their favourites.

lollylaughs · 15/10/2013 15:00

I was just going to say that the new book has just been released so I have ordered for ds who has been on about it for months now. Same here, he has read those books over and over and over. I leave him to it, after all he is ready.

He is very much into Greek Mythology so I have bought him other books - he likes them but still goes back to Kane and Percy Jackson books.

MadameDefarge · 15/10/2013 15:01

new percy jackson or the new kane one? Ds will be over the moon!

Original poster
BraveMerida · 15/10/2013 15:04

Heroes of Olympus series....the house of hades ....not Kane...madame

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 15/10/2013 15:06

brilliant!

PostBellumBugsy · 15/10/2013 15:06

I still read books I love multiple times (not just once or twice either)! Blush I give every appearance of being a fairly well rounded human being. Grin
Leave her to it & just be thrilled she is such an avid reader.

whois · 15/10/2013 15:11

I re-read books as an adult, what's wrong with it? Of you like the story and the characters you can get lots out of further readings.

homeagain · 15/10/2013 15:11

Let her reread. She'll be getting more and more out of them each time. You wouldn't feel able to appreciate a song or a piece of music if you only heard it once - reading is the same.

Retropear · 15/10/2013 15:23

Soooo glad I clicked on this.

DS 10 has been hoarding the last 2 Percy Jackson books as he doesn't want the series to end.Now I find there are 2 more seriesGrin.Xmas is sorted!

Dd 9 is re- reading the entire Harry Potter series for the forth time so feel your pain but I'm kind of going with it as it could be a lot worse.

anotetofollowso · 15/10/2013 15:32

As a passionate and lifelong reader, I firmly believe that re-reading books is an integral part of being a book lover. Especially in childhood. You get something different from the book each time, and it becomes a little more a part of you each time. Take pleasure in her pleasure and let her follow her instincts, I say.

HTH.

PaperSeagull · 15/10/2013 15:55

YABU. I can't even quite imagine how you would go about forbidding her from reading these books. Would you confiscate them and place them under lock and key? Being facetious, of course, but the thought of someone controlling my access to reading matter turns my blood cold. I would have felt the same as an 8-year-old.

I loved rereading my favorite books as a child. I remember one of my siblings laughing at me (in a nice way) after witnessing me reaching the last page of a book and without a moment's pause turning back to the beginning again. I think it was Little Women, a book I must have read a dozen times.

MissStrawberry · 15/10/2013 19:40

Those of you who "feel the pain" of their children rereading a book, what is the pain? What is the problem? Why do you have such an issue?

mrsjay · 15/10/2013 19:46

lost count the amount of times dd1 has read and re read Harry potter Let her read them she will eventually find something else she likes,

mrsjay · 15/10/2013 19:47

I used to know the Little house books back to front I loved them and wanted to be Laura Ingils

Retropear · 15/10/2013 19:47

Because as an ex literacy co-ordinator I know how important children reading a wide variety of books is.There is also so much else out there.

After my dd has finished the HP set for the forth time I will heavily suggest a break.

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