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

[Cappuccino]

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

roald dahl? short stories? take her to the library and let her choose her books? Poetry by Michael Rosen? Let her listen to books on audio cd? My ds1 who is 6 reads comics and that really got him into reading.

I dont think there is that much she can do. Perhaps she is just not a bookworm and perhaps she will grow to like books later on?

god yes you are right about the library - we have got out of the habit of going there because I have been ill... (and also because dd2 had a habit of running away through the automatic doors and having to be tracked down in the town centre)

she does have audio cd books but doesn't seem too struck by Dahl, sadly

DD is 8 and loves reading, ranges from Roald Dahl, to Harry Potter, to Rainbow Fairies (rolls eyes). I KNOW they are desperately dull, but Rainbow Fairies might catch her interests.

How about non fiction - the I Wonder Why books are excellent, she can look at the pics AND do the reading

Pippi Longstocking? I find my children like books about children who stand up against the adults if you like. Especially DD likes feisty girls like Pippi.

I have been reading Rainbow Fairies to her altho I would rather poke out my own eyes

obv these are the kind of things that she should working towards reading to herself but her reading is not at that standard, and she knows it (she also has problems with finer print, and has decided that she can't read it whether she can or not ie even now she has glasses she will say "oh that's too small" while staring at the ceiling and not looking at the book at all

she really did enjoy Harry Potter, and I think she is ready for more complex novels, if we read them to her

I don't want to read through this pile of Rainbow Fairies. I want to read something I might like too. Dh had a whale of a time reading Faraway Tree to her

will look for those non-fiction books; that might be good actually because I have nothing to come back with re the Great Wall of China. How big is the text?

The Rumer Godden books - dd and I are reading these and loving them. Well, I am, don't know about her, haven't asked.

They are weird and wonderful and beautifully written and old fashioned AND and and and actually she won't love them more than the CBBC website will she?

OK. Let me have a think.

If she liked Harry Potter she might like the Diane Wynne Jones books?

Also:

Pippi Longstocking - agree

Little House on the Prairie - for you to read and for you both to dress up in gingham for.

Jacqueline Wilson - god ds1 loved those books, though I think all that emotional stuff went right over his house, he just liked all the defiance.

I'll have a look at size of text in the IWW books

cappy look - click on next page etc etc

this is teh set I bought - out of stock here though

My dd is 7 yo and although a good reader would prefer to do other things than read Father Christmas brought her Pippi Longstocking which she read over 4 nights. That is exceptional for her. She is now reading High School Musical which considering she has the DVD and seen the Ice Show isn't boring her yet. I am hoping the love of reading will hit her sometime soon

god yes Wynne Jones will try

like the look of those MamaG me old mucker

have noted Pippi Longstocking & everything 100x said

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.

hmm comics

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

might encourage

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...

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.

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.

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

Am also making notes...!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.