Some of the books we get from the library can be hit or miss. My SO picked up “Someone Just Like You” by Helen Docherty and David Roberts [ISBN: 1665949589] (among others) this weekend. This is a cool little book. We had only skimmed it before reading it to the kiddo the other night, and it has a nice message. One that got me a little choked up, given current world affairs.
It’s about how similar we all are, despite our differences, and is a kind of call-to-action, one that encourages providing aid and care to others in difficult situations. The depiction of that difficult situation near the middle of the book is one of a children’s room, with a broken window, and a burning city beyond the window’s threshold. The room takes up most of the page, and the window a much smaller portion.
Far from the shallow inclusion story you might find in some kids books. I almost missed the city as I was reading it. A strong image for what is otherwise a book full of charming kids. The art in this book is really great. All the pages are super vibrant and colorful, and every kid is unique, fun, and cute.
What about you? I’m always lost in the stacks, trying to find something new and fun.
Also, I’m interested in knowing if this would be a good reoccurring thread for the sub. Maybe monthly?
We finished the first two books of Earthsea, which he absolute loved. Honestly, I wish someone had put them in my hand when I was a kid. So much more impactful than even Lord of the Rings, in my opinion, on a young reader. We are acquiring the third book, but in the meantime we’ve started up on the His Dark Materials trilogy. So far, he’s thought it’s a little boring. And indeed, it is a lot of scene setting, but I think once we get to the armored bears, his interest will pick up.
what age would you say is good to start Earthsea?
I would say middle school to freshman year of high school would be good if you want the child to read on their own. But if you’re reading together or to the child, like I was, I would say a seven or eight year old can enjoy it and handle the situations and prose just fine.
“Earthsea”. I’ll have to file that one away, they look cool.
Le Guin is one of my favorite authors, but I came to her as an adult, reading The Dispossessed first. But her Earthsea series is really good fantasy. Not to accuse anyone of plagiarism, but she wrote about a boy going to a magic school and having a connection to an unspeakable evil who scarred his face and the scar hurts when he’s near the presence of the evil back in the 60s. OK, so I am definitely accusing someone of plagiarism haha
Both those first two books were very good though. A lot of adventure, but the true conflict is within the protagonists. The evil that lays in the heart of all people and how you wrestle with that. Rather than a comfortable, external foe that you can just cast as evil and dark without self-reflection. Plus Le Guin is just so economical with words. She uses simple phrases to describe what guys like Tolkien would take a page to do with the same visceral effect.
tiny comrade is still on cardboard ‘bright and early’ books but ze has started babytalkin’ to the rhythm of the words which is hella adorable
Kiddo2 is at that age now too, and it’s such a cute time! Kiddo1 at that age was obsessed with this book called “Car, Car, Truck, Jeep” which was just a board book about different vehicles to the tune of Bah Bah Black Sheep.
that sounds fun, I’ll look for that one
We’ve picked this one up from the library a couple times, definitely a hit.
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Ha! I wasn’t going to say anything, I’ll be sure to add “Parents!” to the title next time.
Two topical ones for young readers are Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine and What You Need to be Warm
Toddler is obsessed with space right now but I’m having a hard time finding age appropriate stuff for them about things like black holes and quasars.
Also enjoying a scholastic learn to read bookset that have been super helpful for them. Seeing a kiddo get excited that they just read a word is wonderful.
Which book set do you have?
It’s this set. Repetitive but allows them to focus on one word at a time while still feeling accomplished.
Most underrated part of these are the “find the word” puzzles at the end. Can’t tell you how many kids I’ve taught who view different typefaces as separate languages. Wish the books themselves had a couple different fonts or ways to highlight the “star word.”
All-in-all a good recommendation.
Probably a bit too tough for them to read, but if you’re reading longer stories like chapter books to your kiddo, they might enjoy the George series of kid’s sci fi novels.
There’s some good basics of cosmology and physics but it’s targeted at kids that are younger than its reading level would imply, so I think it’s more of one to be read to kids, which would also help because an adult can help them sort fact from fiction.
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Any book or story recommendations about stopping when asked to do so by an adult or friend? Our 6yo tends to get really focused on things and not stop…but it’s also slipped into “cleverly” ignoring requests. It’s getting to be an issue at home and school and I’d like to work on it with him in a way that isn’t overly top down (“BECAUSE I SAID SO DAMNIT”)
He loves reading and to be read to, so stories that include this could be a big help if anyone has a suggestion.
Hear me out, we’re reading Disney’s Strange World novelization as part of our bedtime routine with our toddler. We also got the graphic novel version for them as well.
They watched the movie a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. While I’m not wild about letting them watch movies in general, I was pleased to see some queer representation in a children’s movie.
It’s been fun watching our toddler play-act scenes from the movie with her toys and us. And when they just want to chill they’ll flip through the graphic novel. At bedtime they’re excited to listen to the novelization. They’ve always liked books, but I think this approach is making them more involved in the reading process.
Anyone know of any other movie/book/graphic novel combos out there that might be good too?
