Is the first Harry Potter too 'old' for a 5-yr-old? I can't remember...

[Pruners]

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No first one not scarey. I expect he'll love it.

The only problem is that then he'll want the next one, and the next one...

Far too old imo. I think a good rule of thumb with those is that they are suitable for a child of the age Harry is in each book.

The audiobooks of Just William are lovely

Surely not! Both my DSs have grown out of HP and the youngest isn't even as old as Harry in 1st book. I don't think they are v unusual in this.

Horrid Henry is brilliant for 5-6 yr old imo. Francesca Simons. I love reading them!

I'm going to introduce Harry Potter when my dc is between 7 and 8. NOt for another year.

Agree the first is not scarey and a bit tedious to read aloud yourself, the audio book is a good idea. The hiccup horrendous the third series (Cressida Cowell) are great for five yr olds - and the CD is read by David Tennant in a lovely Scottish accent.

DS now reading Harry Potter on his own at 7 (onto Chamber of Secrets at the moment) - but the size of them is a bit daunting past no. 3. I'm not sure he'll get past the Prisoner of Azkaban - or maybe I should just say no? Trouble is, I have all of them, which he has now stacked up by his bed in anticipation.

The best audiobook I have ever, EVER come across is Derek Jacobi reading Tolkein's Roverandom. It is perfect. Jacobi is the perfect wizard's voice and the story is wonderful.

We got it in a charity shop though and I have no idea if it isstill available.

ds has never had an audio book

when do yours listen to it?
does it out them off reading on their own?

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I found the end of the first Harry Potter a bit scary

When Voldemort's face appeared on the back of the bad teacher's head it kind of freaked me out. But maybe I have an excessively vivid imagination. Actually, I do have an excessively vivid imagination.

no, the first one is gentle

I don't think there is anything particularly scary in it, but I don't think it would appeal to a five year old (I think they'd find it boring). I think there are better choices. CDs we have played over and over again are Paddington (read by Stephen Fry), the Owl who was Afraid of the Dark (read by Maureen Lipman), Winnie the Pooh (the BBC dramatizations) and the Just So stories (read by Geoffrey Palmer). All these are actually really quite enjoyable for adults too - they've done a lot of long car journeys for us. There are a few good versions of the Roald Dahl stories too.

DT1 loves harry potter, she will be 5 on sunday - it appeals to her imagination, she is also fond of hobbits

I had nightmares with most of the Harry Potter books...and I am 32ish

I did love them however (the books not the nightmares!!)

Ds (4 1/2) loves the first Harry Potter film, & he's not a toughie by any means - terrified by Finding Nemo.

Haven't started reading it to him yet (currently knackered from work & reading easy stuff that dd1 will like too..) but we're looking forward to beginning it over Xmas.

It might turn out to be too long/boring - we gave up on 'The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe' - but I think there's no harm in trying it & possibly abandoning it, then coming back to it in a year or so.

hairycaterpillar - I'm SO glad I'm not the only one. Loved them and also found them compellingly scary.

depends on your kid. I knew HP would be way too scary for DD at that age cos she could barely manage to watch Lady &the Tramp II

would have thought it a bit long to read to a 5yr old.

depends on your child

Does he like dr who and spiderman and so forth? if so, i think at 5 he'd be fine with harry potter

ds is a little...sheltered. I think he'd be terrified by it.

He likes stuff like the wind in the willows, the secret garden etc on audiobook (book people do bargain cd compilations sometimes, though audible is the best for unabridged versions imo. Another BIG hit is little house on the prairie (audiobookbargains)

I'm with cmotdibbler, my rule of thumb is to have DC read books about characters the same age as them (or close enough). Even if it's not too scarey, they don't (imho) appreciate the depth and breadth of what's there (typically) until they reach the book's target age.

We got through about a chapter when I tried (I think ds was six or so, and dd five). I found it clunky to read aloud (never a good sign) and they never asked for the next chapter (I was pleased). ds has now read the fist one and is part way through the second (he's nine) I think that's a good sort of age for them, although ds is dyslexic, so has had a slower start n the reading front.

One thing to watch for with younger children is shorter chapters, as they often lose concentration.

hmm we have always read books about older children.

I think jk rowling has said that harry potter is unsuitable in her opinion before age 7