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Children’s books as adults

94 replies

Numberonecook · 29/09/2018 14:29

I read some research in a magazine which suggested reading children’s books by yourself as an adult can be good for the soul. Taking the edge off stresses and strains of adult life and bringing a bit of fun back. Of course I read to my children when they were small but as soon as they because confident readers they just liked taking a book and reading by themselves. This study was about reading the book by yourself though for fun and not to your children.

I was a very keen reader as a child but once I got into my teens I stopped. I remember secret seven, rold Dahl, my naughty little sister etc back in the 80s but realised there was many classics I’d not read. My parents were very much ‘what do you want to read books for? Go play out’ Kind of people. The kind of people who scoffed when I said I was going to university because ‘people like us don’t do that’

So I’m just in the middle of the famous five series, I thought I’d give the reading children’s books a go. I can’t believe I’ve not read these before I’m hooked! I come away from the book with a warm fuzzy feeling. Maybe there is some truth in the study after all.

Maybe we should take some time to read a children’s book by ourselves from time to time. It felt a bit silly getting out my ff book on the train, I got some perculiar looks lol. But now I love them and I don’t care.

So I challenge more people to make the next book in their list a children’s book they havnt read before and see how it makes you feel. Let me know what you have read/ will choose to read.

OP posts:
Medianoche · 12/10/2018 15:02

My 8 yo Captain Underpants fan likes the Reeve/McIntyre books, especially Pugs of the Frozen North and Legend of Kevin. Also enjoyed Jennifer Killick’s Alex Sparrow books. Creakers and Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher are her current favourites.

PrivateParkin · 12/10/2018 15:08

Thanks for that info teapot - the house looks fab. Hope to make it there one day! I knew she had written the books when she was in her 60s but not much else about her, so will look out for her memoirs too - thank you for the tip.

I have to say that I felt quite differently about the book as an adult than I did as a child - when I read it recently I felt so sad for Tolly, farmed out to his headmistress for his school holidays, all alone in the world and wanting friends so much. Whereas as a kid it was just all about the ghosts and the pony!! Beautiful book.

PrivateParkin · 12/10/2018 15:11

PaintBySticker I have one similar! Mine loves King Flashypants, have you tried that? Will give Pugs... a try as well (thank you Medianoche)

PaintBySticker · 12/10/2018 17:16

Thank you! A King Flashypants and an Alex Sparrow in the basket!

silentcrow · 12/10/2018 23:20

Smile those are some fab suggestions! I had the great privilege to see Reeves & McIntyre perform recently, they are hilarious. I'd add the Amelia Fang series (very seasonal!) by Laura Ellen Anderson, Neil Gaiman's Fortunately The Milk, and the Dave Pigeon series by Swapna Haddow. My junior book club (Y3-6) have loved these.

I would suggest, on top of what's come up already, that you take a look at The Phoenix Comic. My girls have had a subscription for years, and I bought in a stack of the graphic novels last year. They are literally never on the shelves, I think every kid in school is on a mission to read the lot!

Much of what's been suggested are "illustrated books", so they're shorter stories which are great for building reading stamina. When they're ready to shift up a gear to "still funny but more to get your teeth into", try The Great Chocoplot, The Chocolate Factory Ghost, Max the Detective Cat, Mold and the Poison Plot, Who Let The Gods Out, and My Brother Is A Superhero. If you're on Twitter follow the #primaryschoolbookclub tag (aimed at getting teachers up to date with the brightest new books), and the TES class book reviews are always worth a look.

PaintBySticker · 13/10/2018 07:43

Thank you!

Yes he has a subscription to the Phoenix and enjoys it. Although I have noticed he’s not opening them with quite the same speed and enthusiasm on Fridays as he used to.

silentcrow · 13/10/2018 16:04

Yes, my two (13 & 8) have slowed down with it a bit, but if I suggest cancelling the subscription I get howls of angst Grin I've noticed they tend to dive for Minecraft when they get in from school on a Friday, but read it in a leisurely fashion with no bickering on a Saturday afternoon. Just growing up, I reckon.

PrivateParkin · 13/10/2018 18:58

Great ideas silentcrow thank you! We have a Phoenix comic subscription as well - my DS loves Tor Freeman (we had some of her picture books when he was younger).

Will definitely look into some of those ideas Smile. He has a book token that he still hasn't spent so I'll try and show him some of the ones you mentioned.

starkid · 13/10/2018 18:58

I love re-reading children's books from when I was younger, it's comforting. I also read a lot of young-adult books in general, along with some regular fiction.
I wasn't a very active/sporty kid, so I'm glad I've always at least enjoyed stories e.g. reading and writing :)

PrivateParkin · 13/10/2018 19:04

I'm listening to Gobbolino The Witch's Cat on audible at the moment (again!). Is great while doing boring jobs around the house.

Also thank you to the pp who recommended the Agatha Christie podcast - have subscribed Smile

silentcrow · 13/10/2018 23:49

I'll try and show him some of the ones you mentioned.
Bah, I forgot to mention Kid Normal - those are good fun too.

The biggest thing to remember is that if you want kids to read for pleasure it really has to be their own choice. Let them read down ("younger" than their ability) as well as encouraging them to read up. This thread alone is proof positive that reading "down" is both fun and good for you. Smile Don't forget non-fiction, too - look out for Flying Eye books particularly. Many kids who aren't much into fiction will be thoroughly gripped by lists, facts and diagrams.

Geekster1963 · 20/10/2018 21:42

I enjoy reading the books from my childhood I loved the Mallory Towers books. Me and my Sisters always wanted to have a midnight feast.

codswallopandbalderdash · 22/10/2018 21:44

I've just read The Bolds to my 5 year old. We both loved it. I read a lot of children and YA mainly because I want to know about new stuff (not just stuff I read as a child) as I want to be able to make recommendations. And my love of contemporary YA has helped my bond with teenage family members when they come to stay - they couldn't believe I liked / knew the books /authors they liked

EmmaGrundyForPM · 22/10/2018 21:53

I loved the Marlow novels by Antonia Forest and regularly reread them. When I was little they were out of print so I only ever had them from the library. Now I can afford them, Ive bought them from eBay over the years for stupid amounts of money but wenny.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 22/10/2018 21:54

Worth every penny that should say!

mousegirl1103 · 22/10/2018 21:57

Fly by Night and The Team by K M Peyton (also loved Flambards series) and the 'Jill' books by Ruby Ferguson.

Parker231 · 22/10/2018 21:59

Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner (although the end is dreadfully sad) and the trilogy by Kit Pearson - can’t remember the titles but it’s about a brother and sister evacuated to Canada during the war.

WitBeyondMeasure · 22/10/2018 22:39

I recently bought the entire Anne of Green Gables collection on Kindle, I had no idea there were so many,
Little Women, however, will always remain my firm favourite.

burnoutbabe · 27/10/2018 23:29

Re read the marlow series too, up to book 10 now and then the unofficial continuation spring term at the end.
Trebizon also gets a re read but honestly I can read one of them over a long 45 min bath!

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