Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

At what stage do you stop "reading" the books before your children?

35 replies

Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:09

I read roald Dahl before she did, I read Jacqueline Wilson beofre she did, "the boy in strioed PJ's" too

She bought a book home from Guides tonite (2nd time she went) & I want to read it first

When do you stop doing this?
Am I being an over anxious mum?

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:30

bump

OP posts:
JackieNo · 02/10/2007 21:32

You mean to vet them, or just because you want to read them?

ShaunOfTheThread · 02/10/2007 21:33

Why do oyu want to read them first?

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:33

To kinda make sure it's appropriate

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:34

I was terribly worried about the Boy in striped PJ's because the the history/issues and her lack of knowledge about that period

OP posts:
brimfull · 02/10/2007 21:35

you are being over anxious
have never done thiss tbh

brimfull · 02/10/2007 21:35

god How can you bear it...jaqueline wilson!

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:36

So you let your children pick books at the library without checking they are age appropriate or suitable?

OP posts:
ShaunOfTheThread · 02/10/2007 21:36

There were some books I worried about with my ds1 when he was in a phase of reading every single sleazy horror type book in the 9-12 sectuin of the library. But now I don't worry much.

Although I was a bit pale faced and worried when he decided to read 'We Neew To Talk about Kevin'

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:37

I know I am not a JW fan but I couldn't let DD read some of them at 7 - she was way to young to understand the concepts

OP posts:
brimfull · 02/10/2007 21:37

age appropriate section until she was about 12 I think,cos that what she was interested in.

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:39

She isn't 10 yet & I worry at some of the teen books she wants to read as they contain themes (predominantly sex, drugs, death) that I'm not sure she can deal with at 9

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 21:43

I seem to be in the minority

She could pick up anything at the library

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 22:04

Do you think it's because DD has always been able to read books that were for children older than her?

I don't know - I guess I am unreasonable

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 22:28

I am stressing about this now am I being a cow?

OP posts:
hennipenni · 02/10/2007 22:29

Katy, whilst I don't actually read the books that my DDs choose from the library I do have a quick "skim" through them, particularly DD1 (12.9)choice as she has always been an advance reader and seems drawn to the ones with sex, drugs etc, so I knida know where your coming from.

Tamum · 02/10/2007 22:32

I don't think you're being a cow, no, but I have never done this. I glance at the blurb at most. Dd is quite able to reject books herself if she thinks the content will be unsuitable- she selects JW books from the right age range on her own.

MaureenMLove · 02/10/2007 22:37

I'm afraid I'm not much help Katy, although DD is 12 this week, she's never been a big reader, so I've never had that problem. I don't think its unreasonable though, for you to have read some of her chosen books. She is still quite young. I think, make this latest one the last one you 'check'. Have a flick through, read the blurb on the back and make an informed decision. Thing is, if she's at Guides now, she'll start to hear things that are out of your comfort zone anyway. You can't stop it I'm afraid. How come she's started Guides already? They don't start til they're 10 at the earliest, most of them start at 10.5 or 11. Is she Yr 5 or 6?

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 22:39

Yr 5 - she is 10 in Nov & cannot enrol until then - but brownies are full to bursting and guides are empty

She wants to read schlinders list atm - & I have said no-way

I am still undecided about Anne Frank, it seems a lot of book for a 9yo

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 02/10/2007 22:45

Fair enough about Guides. She's certainly a very bright girl to be reading that well, but I think you're right, those choices are a bit much for her. Has she read the Moody Judy series? I know they are pretty harmless fun? As I said, dd doesn't do reading unless she really has to! She can read perfectly well for her age and got the grades to show, but its like pulling teeth!

Tortington · 02/10/2007 22:46

i never read them.

MaureenMLove · 02/10/2007 22:46

Actually Anne Frank might be OK. I know thats on the Yr 5 curriculum round here.

Original poster
Katymac · 02/10/2007 22:47

Judy Moody at about 7
JW ever since (over & over again)

Won't read swalloews & Amazons/Little women/Lion, witch & wardrobe/ballet shoes/Harry Potter ect

Wants to try Georgette Heyer (which I might let her)

OP posts:
bookwormtailmum · 02/10/2007 23:00

I think my Mum stopped checking my books when I was about 11 but then I used to pick up her books and read them. I was an avid Agatha Christie reader by the age of 13 amongst other probable unsuitable books. I haven't gone around bludgening vicars to death or avoiding Hercule Poirot's questions though.

ghosty · 02/10/2007 23:01

Katymac ...
I have never read DS's books before he does, but he is 7.

The problem I have with him is that he is an advanced reader and the stuff that is age appropriate in content doesn't really challenge his reading ability but stuff that he could get his teeth into ability wise is over his head with content.
What I have found is that if the content is too much for him and he doesn't understand it he says it is boring and won't finish it.

Have you thought of asking the librarian about what books there are that are suitable for her age? Or finding a recommended reading list from somewhere - ask the school perhaps?

I think that is what I would do.

And I read Georgette Heyer at 10 so I would let her read that - have been a fan ever since