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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that my DD should be able to listen to chapter books?

55 replies

UndertheCedartree · 06/02/2019 23:45

At around age 4 I started reading my ds chapter books - things like the secret 7, famous 5, Roald Dahl.

My dd is 6.9 and still doesn't seem to have the concentration. I end up feeling like I'm reading to myself! She still loves picture books or a page or 2 of her Rebel girls book. Will she get there in her own time or should she be ready to listen to chapter books?

OP posts:
CrispbuttyNo1 · 06/02/2019 23:47

How is her reading ability?

28282ooooh · 06/02/2019 23:50

Try different chapter books.

My DD was not interested in Enid Blyton, still isn't.

I read the Emil and the detectives books to her at that age. Cannot remember what other ones there were.

Windyone · 06/02/2019 23:52

She may never be interested in books/reading/literature

Helix1244 · 06/02/2019 23:53

My dd 6.6yo still wont let me read mallory towers or famous 5 etc even though she could read them herself they just dont have any attraction yet. Same with the HP books.

I would just try building up or could you alternate her and you reading pages.
What about Squishy mcfluff or something as it has pictures too?

SpiritedLondon · 06/02/2019 23:58

My DD is 6 and mostly likes picture books if given a choice. She’s actually pretty good at reading and is meeting all her milestones but just prefers them. I keep trying different stories to try and find something to grab her attention. We had some success with fairy stories so I’ve just ordered some Unicorn based book ( I know, I know). I actually have other parents tell me their children are reading Harry Potter by themselves but I figure it’s not a race. Everyone has different things they’re interested in.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 07/02/2019 00:01

At that age I just enjoyed reading on my own. I wouldn’t have had any interest in audio books or my mum reading to me.

arethereanyleftatall · 07/02/2019 00:05

Have you tried any other books? Famous five and secret seven are very 'boys are great'; which might not appeal. Most roald dahl books are also about boys now that I think about it.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 07/02/2019 09:39

She is an average reader making good progress and enjoys reading her school books and others I have at home. She also really likes me reading to her but always picks picture books. And nothing wrong with that - but I guess I'd like to read her some of our chapter books!

I hadn't thought about she might not like the ones I've picked and yes I guess S7 and F5 are very boy centric. Although I did read her Ballet shoes recently (I persevered and read the whole thing). But she didn't seem to enjoy/have the concentration for that either even though dancing is one of her hobbies. I think a Unicorn story might go down well! #SpiritedLondon

OP posts:
Isleepinahedgefund · 08/02/2019 21:48

She really needs to be reading chapter books/books appropriate to challenge her reading level herself at that age. Also let her find and read what she wants to read, not what you want her to read.

My DD is about the same age and I encourage her to read chapter books independently. I hate the turgid fairy books she mostly chooses, but she's reading so I (try) to rise above it!

When we read together she always picks the big picture books, not chapter books. She can't really concentrate on chapter books if she isn't reading them herself.

StarlightIntheNight · 08/02/2019 21:52

My daughter is the the same age and we read the chapter books together. For example, I read two pages, she reads one page. We are currently on James and the giant peach. She can read mostly just fine on her own, but if she struggles on a word, I am there to help her. She likes to do it together though. If I just read and read and read...she might lose interest and get distracted. This way she gets her turn at reading and she really enjoys this.

Gatehouse77 · 08/02/2019 21:57

I think mine were happy with the (bloody) Rainbow Fairies and the like at that age.
We tended to do more of the classics as audio books. Likewise Greek myths, fables, etc.
Might be worth a trip to the library for her to choose something from the early readers section with shorter chapters?

Teaandtoastie · 08/02/2019 21:58

As long as she enjoys books just let her read/ you read to her whatever she likes. Personally I was reading picture books like Julia Donaldson etc to the DC long past the age of 6, they are fab and very comforting and familiar feeling for bedtime.

My DDs both loved the My Naughty Little Sister books at that age, each chapter is a story in its own right and has a few pictures. I think at that age they don’t always have the attention span to hold an entire story in their head and remember where you are up to etc so a whole book can get a bit boring.

You could try David Williams or some of the shorter Ronald Dahl books, you can get lovely illustrated editions.

But I really think you should be guided by what she wants and not what you think she ‘should’ be reading. —and I was devastated when neither of my DC liked the Enchanted Wood—

Teaandtoastie · 08/02/2019 21:59

Roald Dahl!!! Bloody autocorrect...

Ellieboolou27 · 08/02/2019 22:03

Dd6 year 2 is a free reader but hated Dhal and Blyton. I just let her read what she wants now, chapter or pictures books. Unicorn and fairy chapter books are more her thing.

Ellieboolou27 · 08/02/2019 22:04

I was also devastated dd did t line Anne of Green Gables, I read it myself in the end -ah nostalgia Grin

Bogiesaremyonlyfriend · 08/02/2019 22:05

My dd2 age 6 is far less interested than dd1 in chapter books, and reading in general. One day she told me she doesn't like fiction books as she doesn't see the point in knowing about things that aren't true! So she chooses a non fiction book for me to read and dd1 chooses a chapter book so she is still exposed to those. Maybe ask her what books she would like. Dd2 loves the you choose books and would happily chat about those all day!

JurassicGirl · 08/02/2019 22:10

I've just finished reading The Christmasaurus to my ds who's 6.5yrs.

He really enjoyed it but since finishing it a few days ago he's been choosing The Highway Rat, Zog etc

His class teacher is reading a lot of Roald Dahl books like Fantastic Mr Fox, The Twits etc so I'm a bit stumped by what to choose next.

Dontrocktheboat · 08/02/2019 22:11

My dd really liked the worst witch at that age. She was not a massively enthusiastic reader and didn’t really enjoy the famous five or roald Dahl particularly. The first chapter books she actually read herself were The Magic Animal Friends ones (terrible but at least it got her reading!)

TeddybearBaby · 08/02/2019 22:16

How about audio books? The Harry Potter ones are good and she could read the words in her book?

Chilver · 08/02/2019 22:21

My DD is the same age. She is a free reader but still likes me to read to her some evenings. The first chapter books she liked me reading to her were Enid Blyton books but the Magic Faraway Tree series. Then she started reading herself and we got a few different books like Ottoline, The Worst Witch, Dotty Detective and we changed between me reading them to her or her reading them herself. She loved Dotty Detective and Dogman first as quite light chapter books, now loves Ottoline etc. She Has devoured the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and we are both enjoying the Time Hunters series at the moment. So, my advice is to perhaps take her to a Waterstones or similar and select books with her (their staff are very helpful too on suitable books) and try some different things.

WonkySwan · 08/02/2019 22:27

Why do you want to rush past picture books and onto chapter books if your daughter is enjoying them? Picture books are brilliant at encouraging a love of reading. The illustrations are a core element of the story and you can get so much out of a picture book, talking about the illustrations and what might happen next, doing the voices, letting her read some if she wants to. My 8 yo still loves picture books and is achieving well in terms of reading. We also read other things together but regularly come back to picture books too.

IMO, the fastest way to create a lifelong love of reading is to let children find the books they enjoy and have fun with them, not put pressure onto them to move on to chapter books before they're ready. Honestly, if she loves being read to you're doing brilliantly already and she'll move onto other things in time. Maybe let her loose in the library with no pressure to choose a certain type of book - let her have as many picture books as she likes. She's only 6, after all.
And as for reading Harry Potter at 6, perhaps some children are, but I'd put money on them not really being able to grasp all the nuances of the story at that age (and also the later HP books aren't really suitable for a 6 yo.)

There's some interesting research here: clpe.org.uk/powerofpictures/research

TheShuttle · 08/02/2019 22:30

I think your DD will get there in her own time.

My dd was similar to yours when she was little but has always excelled in reading at school.

I think picture books just appealed more at this age and remained a great comfort to her till at least age 9-10.

Does your DD lack in concentration or is she just too young for the books you choose?

I would discretely watch what she picks up in the library/bookshop and follow her lead rather than push what you think is right for her.

I think the Enchanted Forest was one of the few E.B. that captivated my DD. And has short chapters. Also Amelia Jane to a lesser extent.

TheShuttle · 08/02/2019 22:33

Sorry, the Magic Faraway Tree series, not the Enchanted Forest!

llangennith · 08/02/2019 22:37

I run our school library and quite a few of Yr3 and 4 kids like the Winnie the Witch series of books and similar illustrated books.
They may (or may not) have had these books read to them when younger but they enjoy reading them for themselves now.
The most popular books are not what I'd call good literature ie Tom Gates, Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid but I'd rather they read something than nothing.
Don't put your DD off books by imposing your taste on her.

Applesaregreenandred · 08/02/2019 22:39

Please let her progress at her own pace. My DS wasn't anywhere near reading that kind of book at 6. He really picked up between about 8 and 11. (Then he went to secondary school, but that's another story ...)