Need Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Five-year Old

Here is a link to the American Library Association's recommendation of books for families. You'll find award winning and appropriate titles here. How exciting to have such an eager reader/listener!!
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/summerreading/r...

Hi R.,

My daughter, too, loved My Father's Dragon. I'm not sure exactly the age, but she loved the Boxcar Children books too, and there are a lot of them. When he's a little older he might like Encyclopedia Brown. There's Charlotte's Web, The Phantom Tollbooth (my daughter still loves it and she's 24 now), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Henry Huggins series, Winnie the Pooh, and Mathilda.

V.

Try James and The Giant Peach, i don't remember who it is by but you could go to the library and ask them if they have it and then when your done reading it, rent the movie to watch w/ your son i love doing that with my friends and stuff,
(I'm not a mom, im only fourteen) anyway, the Giver is also a great book, and if he likes magical books Harry Potter is always good, but since the british people use what we think are cuss words, in everyday use, there will be some every once in a while, but there great, books 1&2 are just like the movie... but go to the library early in the morning one day and let him pick out some books, if you belong to the riverside county library system, (which means that you have a library card for the Riverside County) you can get 2 books your first time and like 30, after that... your daughter will love it too! i dont know where you live but on Mission trail and bundy canyon, they have story time wednesdays at ten... good luck!!!

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (The Secret of NIMH is the movie based on the book, which is also wonderful). The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (I think). Again, there are movies based on the book, but the book itself is WAY better. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett. The Bromeliad Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers, and Wings), also by Terry Pratchett.

Try All About Sam by Lois Lowry. It's about a boy from the day he was born until he is about 5 years old told in the perspective of the young boy Sam. There are several books to follow his life. Hilarious! I bet he can really relate to some of the parts of the book!

how about starting on the young adventures of captain jack sparrow
the pirates of the Caribbean series?

my favorite is Alice through the looking glass the original Alice and wonderland book.

you also can read the original peter pan book.
L. m

Everybody has great suggestions! I teach first grade and another one that my class loved was Poppy by Avi and the sequel is Poppy and Rye. It's pretty dramatic, but good. I love Rosemary Wells and she has put out some little chapter books, too. Her characters are great. There are also great picture books out there with amazing illustrations to change it up a bit. Chris Van Allsburg has some really fun ones.

I have been reading Flat Stanley to my five year old twin boys and they love it. I believe that there are five or six books in the series. And I like them because the boys in the book are polite:)

R. one of the funniest stories I ever read to my kids was the ones we made up together, Each night what I did when starting a new book , we talk about a subject I wrote it down, then who should be in it, wrote it down, then on & on, next night, again, who should be in the story, on the third night we starting the book like this ,

Once upon a time there was this green dog, the reason he was green is he ate to many pickles, his name was lucky, lucky had a master his name was john. And on & and on by the end of a couple of weeks we had written a story together, then I went to, each night I set the timer so I spent the same amount of time working on the book. Best idea I ever had worth a million smiles.

www.lulu.com
and for a small price I had the book published and mailed to my kid, I think it cost me about $ 12.95 to have the book made, to this day my kids both love to write and have already written a couple of kids books. It gives them something to brag about.

My son is a little older and I'm trying to remember what I read aloud to him at 5. He's now almost 7 and an avid reader himself and I'm having trouble finding enough chapter books he can read. He just goes through them so fast. Plus, I still read to him as well. Regardless, we've had tremendous success with the Magic Tree House series. I started reading these to him at 5 beginning with book 1 and working our way through. There are more than 40 books (I think) in the series. We continue to read these books together following the adventures of Jack and Annie. It's our own tradition. I know you've read some of them, but we'll sometimes do additional research on the topic to bring the stories more to life. My son has also loved the Black Lagoon series, but there are only 8 chapter books and my son finished these in a week. Don't confuse them with the picture books by the same author. My son as begun reading the A to Z Mysteries series, but he's not in love with these. We've also read the "Fudge" books by Judy Blume. They're a little old for him and I have to explain some of the vocabulary, but he thinks Fudge is hilarious. The first book is "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing". I would also try some of the classics. My son enjoyed James and the Giant Peach when he was 4 and then we had fun watching the movie. Charlotte's Web is another that comes to mind. Visit your local library and ask the childrens librarian for other suggestions. I haven't hear of My Father's Dragon and am going to seek those out. If you've read them twice, it sounds like your son really liked them. Maybe I'll have some success as well. Thanks and good luck!

What about Charlotte's Web....kids love that one!!!!

I have also read the "My Father's Dragon" series to my kids (5 & 2), they loved them. I love chapter books and the bonding that takes place reading them!! We've enjoyed 'Charlotte's Web', 'The Trumpet of the Swan', & 'Stewart Little' - all written by E.B. White. If you're interested in those they're usually available as a set on Amazon for a discounted price.
Also, I recently picked up Mary Poppins but think I'll hold off another 6 months - 1 year, it seems a bit advanced. I have to strongly recommend another series titled 'Fred the Mouse'.
These 4 stories are especially unique because they were written by a young boy (8 yrs old),
named Reese Haller. I believe he is the youngest published author; they are very well written and based on friendship, integrity, trust, etc. My 5 year old loves them as did her Kindergarten class when we donated them to their library. I think it's awesome because it showed her even children are capable of amazing success in whatever they are interested in! I think these books are available @ his website : www.reesehaller.com
My daughter also enjoyed Heidi, don't know if it's considered a "girls" book...
I love the old classics! I'm going to go pick up Mr.Popper's Penguins next (thanks for that one!)
Happy Reading to you and yours!!
M. Redondo Beach, CA

If he loved the Magic Treehouse series, then he might also enjoy the stepping stone series of chapter books that starts with Aliens for Breakfast. My son is 5 and a half and loves these books. I love that they are chapters so that we read as much or as little as we want.
It sounds like you're doing a great job with him. Reading is so important. With boys especially, it is really important to find stories that they like, so as to keep their interest.
Also, it's a good idea to read books that are above their reading level (I know that you are). This gives them the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and to learn new words by having them read to them. That is how they will learn to read them later.

R.,
Do you know of the "Nate The Great" series? There are 22 stories in all about a boy detective and his dog that solve all kinds of kid mysteries. They are so cute and so well written. You can get them at Barnes and Noble in paperback. Start with the original "Nate The Great" and then I would get "The Big Sniff", "Undercover" and the "Snowy Trail". My 5 year old daughter LOVES this series and we often read these to her in bed.

Also, there's another book with 8 chapters called "The Puppy Sister" about a little boy who wants a brother or sister. Instead he gets a puppy who chapter by chapter turns into a little sister. Kind of crazy concept, but so cute. Written from the point of view of the puppy!

Good luck and enjoy!

F. P

R.,

I had this same issue years ago as my kids are now 9 and 11. I suggest you go to the library or a book store where they have sections where all the books in that section are age appropriate for him and let him choose.Even though he might not be able to read yet he can still choose, maybe by the pictures, or by what catches his eye. This was one thing that my kids loved; they got to pick out there own books! They couldn't believe that I let them and I couldn't believe that they wanted to; after all they couldn't read yet. They couldn't wait to get home so I could read it to them.They even asked if I knew how to read and drive at the same time.I have to tell you though, the first time we went they chose books that I would have never chosen for them and almost offered my opinion and was going to say "No, you wouldn't like that book",but I refrained. It turned out that the books they chose were really inspirational and we all learned life lessons from them! I also noticed that their self esteem sky-rocketed. I didn't realize the impact that one little choice on their own at that age would have had in all areas of their lives! They were ready to take on the world. They began teaching themselves how to read when I wasn't able to read to them. They started cleaning up after themselves without me asking and enjoying it!

Hope this helps
All the best
Deb

Hi R., My son loved!! Hank The Cow Dog and I enjoyed them too. It is a great series.
Dana
southernlivingathome.com/danacarey

How about the Boxcar Children? A series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, originally written in the 50's and 60's I believe. The first 20 or so were actually written by her. Later ones are "inspired by" her and don't begin to compare. Also Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Make Way for Ducklings and other books by that author. How about The Bobbsey Twins and Five Little Peppers. Also The Wheel on the School. I found all of these at the public library. Happy reading!
M., retired home school mom of 4

Hi R.,
I see that you've already received a lot of suggestions, however, I didn't see anyone with my personal favorite for your son's age. I would highly recommend the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggles series. It's been around for over 50 years, and is a delightful classic that I still find relevant today. Really humorous, and each story always has a really appropriate moral lesson. Here's a link to check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Piggle-Wiggle-Betty-MacDonald/d...
Good Luck.

As a kid, I loved the Judy Bllom books. Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, Are You There God It's Me Margaret. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

The best books are the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series they were written quit a while ago but the stories are so funny and clever I'm sure your son would get a kick out of the please please check them out I know they sell them in paperback at Barns and Nobles for around 5 buks they weer my favorites as a kid , well they still are LOL.

My youngest just turned 20, so I don't remember specifics. However, head to your public libary -- so much cheaper than buying all those books. Librarians can give you great advise. And-- if a book is still around decades later it must be a GREAT book. Stories don't grow old!!!!

Many chapter books are not appropriate for a child that age. The Mouse and the Motorcycle as cute as the picture might have been is a seventh grade reading level, therefore your child probably didn't have the comprehension to understand the book. Therefore he was bored, too far above his head. If you go to a library, they will help you find more appropriate books. A very primary book would probably service you better. It could help him to learn how to read the repetetive words. This could be accomplished with the many, many books he already owns at home. Good luck. R-M

The Junie B Jones series is a lot of fun--now my son's 7 and he loves Judy Bloom--like Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, Super Fudge, etc.

How about the older classics from Beverly Cleary, Like Henry & Ribsy, about a boy & the stray dog he takes home?

It sound like you like to find series with repeating characters. I am a teacher and here are some titles that are enjoyed by the kids. Flat Stanley, Junie B. Jones, Nate the Great, Cam Jansen and Encyclopedia Brown. Keep him excited about reading! Good Luck

my daughter loves ready freddie, junie b. jones and anything by e.b. white. she will be 6 in 2 weeks.

Junie B Jones books are the best and are written for 1st through 3rd grade level of understanding. They are the books that got my son finally into reading. I made the characters sound different - Junie is the most fun my whole family got into, while reading books! A year later, we all read the Chronicles of Narnia together. It took most of the school year to read through all of the books, but we had finished the 2nd book in time for the movie coming out and we are re-reading the 4th for the next movie coming out in a week! Those books are awesome!!!! Have fun and God bless!

Judging from what you've listed, two books he really might enjoy are The Tales of Devereux and The Rats of NIMH. Can't remember who the authors are off the top of my head, but it should be easy enough to find.

If you live near West Los Angeles, there is a wonderful bookstore called Children's Book World. They are very helpful and can guide you accordingly.

Horrible Harry is a great series. Also, Nate the Great is another series that is a great easy chapter reader.

My kids loved Roald Dahl books. Some are really funny with good gross 5 year old boy humor. The magic finger, mathilda and george's marvelous medicine were the first they read.

Lots of great suggestions- I have really loved the "Box Car Children" series. I came across them @ Bookstar but I am sure you could find them anywhere. These books were written in the 40s and 50s, but are great.

That is great that he loves books! Anything from Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl, and EB White are fantastic classics. Then you can also read the Narnia chronicles and Fablehaven was also very cute (a new series for a younger kids than Harry Potter), He might also like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series, but those books seem to drag a little.

Hope this helps. I adore children's books And can't wait until I can read these to my little boy!

How about the Flat Stanley books, Frog and Toad, Boxcar Children. They are short and sweet.
Good luck!

The Toll Bridge Troll is a GREAT book, I bet your son would love it. The Author is Patricia Rae Wolf

Enjoy!!

How about a Cricket in time square. Goosebump books are good as well as Junie B JOnes (maybe too girly) Also Stuart Little and Charlottes Web.By EB White. Bobbsey Twins books are great, they have a million of them. Author Laura Lee Hope You can tell I have only girls. this may also be to girly but they have 2 boys in the story and lots of mysteries. The Captain Underpants series of books are funny but depending on your taste a little gross. Good Luck Also my favorite from when I was little The Boix Car Children Series, they are soooo good.I was going to name my children after the characters, when I was little. Good luck

I didn't see it mentioned (I might have missed it), but Judy Bloom's "Fudge" series (Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, Superfudge, Double Fudge....) and "How to Eat Fried Worms" would probably appeal to a 5 year old.

My six year daughter old also loves the Magic School Bus series (it's science-based, so they get a little content as well as reading material). It's got boys and girl students so it's fun for either gender. She also likes a series about a boy called Stink. (He is Judy Moody's younger brother) and the books are by Megan McDonald. Another great series is "My Weird School" by Dan Gutman. It's about a young grade school class and their crazy teachers - it's really fun.

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How about Charlotte's Web!

Hi R., my son loved for me to read to him the box car children series of books. There are lots of them and the children are always working together to solve a mystery. Also Stephen Bly has a wonderful set of three books about the pony express riders. Have fun reading. D.

Stuart Little, A Cricket in Times Square and sequels, Wind in the Willows, Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome may be a little old

Oh so many blessings you have ahead, the list goes on and on. Sighhhhhhhhhhh.

Mine are now 18 and 16!

My daughter loved the Cam Jansen series. Cam is a girl, but it is not a girly type book. She's this girl with a photographic memory that solves mysteries. She has a best friend that is a boy. I think he'd like them. I believe Nate the Great is similar to Cam Jansen. We never read any of them though. Ready Freddy is another popular boy series, but again, I never read one.

My dd is 7 and has read all of the Magic Treehouse, and is on to the Secrets of Droon. I'm not sure if those would be too old, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Hope this helps! J.

Hi R.! I am a 3rd grade teacher in Orange County. Some series chapter books that are good for younger children are Cam Jansen, Nate the Great, Jigsaw Jones, along with the Magic Treehouse and Horrible Harry . Some other good chapter books are classics like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, How to Eat Fried Worms, and the Chocolate Touch. Those are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

I remember enjoying Box Car Children. I loved "Mixed up files..." as a child, thanks for reminding me of that one!

dosen't matter that much what you read... you could read the phone book, it's the sound of your loving voice and the careful time that you take, your quiet spirit that makes all the difference to the happy little one ....... what's nice about your local library is that the books are already in groups according to age appropriateness.

My oldest son is 7 and he too loves to read! How about the Flat Stanley series. There is only 4-5 books in the series but a great story in each one!

When my son was younger we read the frog and toad series which he maybe able to read himself fairly soon. As a group family read we really enjoyed the Indian in a cupboard series, I think there were 5 in that one.

Try the Runaway Ralph series... about a mouse on a motorcycle. I loved them growing up.. and the stories are still cute and fun!

My 5 and 6 year olds love the Hardy Boys. We have read the first five, and even though they are old fashioned they are full of good vocabulary and they like the mystery and the boys club. My 6 year old is really into the Secrets of Droon chapter books (like a jr. Harry Potter, kind of) and also Magic Tree House. We also listen to TONS of books on tape. The library has all the magic tree house, and we listen to them everywhere we go. They also love the Judy Blume books like Superfudge, and Double Fudge and those (we listened to those first and now we are reading them) The boys also like Encyclopedia Brown and choose your own adventure books. Good luck, and congratulations for raising a reader.

The Junie B. Jones series are great books! Even though they are about a little girl they are great for boys too. I have a 12yr old girl and two boys, 10 & 5, and they all love listening to the books over and over again!

Hi R.,
Have you ever heard of Usborne Books? They are great, my son loves them and they have a wide variety of books. My friend is a distributor for the company and would be able to recommend just the perfect books for your son. Here is her contact information if you want to call her.
Ingrid Armes
www.bookskidsenjoy.com
###-###-####

I hope this helps!
A. (mom of a 4 yr. old boy)

You can't go wrong at your local library. If you need more, Borders, Barnes and Nobles.

I would highly recommend the magic treehouse series. When kids go into the treehouse they are transported back in time to the roman times (for example) and have a wonderful adventure. There is always a little bit of mystery and intrigue that is sure to hook your 5 year old boy. Ask a librarian where these books are located because they are usually in a special section for serials. An added bonus is that he will subconsciously learn some social studies and history as well. Happy Reading.

The Magic Treehouse books are wonderful! I would stick with those - there are over 30 in the series, so they have the potential to keep him interested for quite a while. And they're completely age-appropriate too - I believe they are geared towards the 5 - 8 year old set, whereas books like From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler (which I loved as a kid!) are for a little bit older, like 9 - 12 year olds. Both of my boys have LOVED Magic Treehouse. My oldest, now 11, read all the MT books over and over from the time he was about 5 to 8, and now my second ds, who is almost 6, is making his way through them.

Happy Reading!

Hi R.,
My son is five also. He loves Magic Treehouse - we read them in order and we're up to #18. He also loves Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta (by the same author). Finally, if he likes to factual info, check out the DK Publishing Books and the All Aboard Science Reader books. They have small chapters about different places, animals, etc. Also, some of these books are easy enough for your son to start reading to you.

Take care,

L.