Clinker Castle books

[manchestermummy]

DD1's getting a few of these. She seems to like them, and it's nice to read stuff with more varied and interesting vocab than the Biff, Chip and co. books. However, yesterday's book was a non-fiction book and she absolutely hated it. Not only was it dull beyond measure, she doesn't really give a monkeys about kings/princesses etc. and found it a bit of a trial. She read it well enough, managed completely unfamilair words and added a fair bit of expression, but really disliked it.

How do I deal with this?

I don't know Clinker Castle books. We haven't had any of those come home.

How old is she/what level is she on? Does she get to choose her book from a selection or does the teacher give her what she thinks?

It could just be that it was a bad choice for her and she will now choose ones she likes, it could be the teacher chose it and gave her it randomly in which case you could just note in her record that whilst she read it well she didn't enjoy that particular book, it could be that the teacher wants her to try and do non fiction (at some levels they try to introduce non fiction and focus on it because it is a different skill).

She's 5.11 and a solid level 5. I think the teacher choses it, although I could be wrong. I get that she needs to do non fiction too, but this was just sooo dull that I don't want her to be put off.

In that case then I think a comment that she really didn't enjoy the subject matter is perfectly justified, perhaps say something like 'read very well but she didn't enjoy this book, are there any about animals/nature (or something similar that you think she might like)'.

that way the teacher still will choose what they want but should they have a good range of books and want her to do non fiction then they might be able to pick something more suited to her. I suppose it is so near the start of term they won't yet know what she is interested in. I have had to put notes in my daughter's reading diary already this year and I just hope the teacher isn't thinking 'oh great one of those parents' but it has just been things like 'she found this subject heavy going and refused to read any more - it was political history! and I don't think teachers mind that. You aren't saying 'that is a rubbish book, what are you thinking of?' just giving them a bit more of an insight into her as a person and what sort of things she might be more interested in.

I am not sure we got much non fiction at book band 5. I think most of ours started from 6/7 and then as the levels go up there is more available (plus my daughter enjoyed non fiction more than Biff etc on the higher levels so I think we saw more of them)

actually looking at the packs they produce it seems to be a ratio of 5 fiction to 1 non fiction so she has probably now had the non fiction at that level

Thanks, that's really helpful. I did write a note to that effect but suddenly wondered if I was being that parent. All the books she's had from this series so far seem to be rather 'princessy' to be honest, and the complete opposite of DD1! And she's a little too young to realise she's been given the book for her own benefit.

Honestly, this reading book malarkey! Thankfully we have plenty of reading material at home.

I know - reading books are always an issue with some kids! Mine is VERY picky about her reading choices which often poses problems, I think it is because she has so many at home that she has already developed an idea of which ones she likes and dislikes. Teachers want them to learn to read, they won't give them books they hate if they can avoid it because it won't encourage them so the teacher probably is thinking 'oh a little girl, lets do princesses' without realising that your daughter doesn't like that. It is hard for them to know their personalities so early in the year. I always think that as long as you are polite and respectful towards the teacher and make them realise that you know they are the ones in charge then you probably will be seen as a caring and supportive parent rather than an awkward one.