https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:26:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2751182 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:21:46 +0000 chanzi 2751182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 3.75 with My Father's Dragon and sequels, and are now doing Mercy Watson. In retrospect I might have started with Mercy Watson since they're simpler and have more pictures. Pre chapter books we did big books of Beatrix Potter stories and James Herriot stories to kind of test the waters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750772 Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:20:49 +0000 JCCovi 2750772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read 'Little House in the Big Woods' to my daughter at 3.5. She loved it and asked a lot of questions because there are lots of historical things that she wasn't familiar with. If I really had my stuff together I would have arranged a trip to a pioneer museum right after reading it.</p> <p>Still trying to pick our next book. I started Charlotte's Web but it was super boring (to me) and lost motivation. </p> <p>We had been trying to read right before nap time while her brother plays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750716 Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:14:41 +0000 pinkcupcake 2750716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just read our first one - Charlottes Web - at age 5. I thought it was the perfect age because she was able to very clearly remember what happened yesterday and could retell the story as a refresher before beginning he next chapter. We also did lots of character analysis, plot discussion, what do you think will happen next questions. </p> <p>Now we're reading the magic treehouse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750536 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 19:03:57 +0000 Silva 2750536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>WE ARe waiting for chapter books but my four year old enjoys longer stories like Beatrix potter, brambly hedge, Winnie the Pooh.<br /> You might also consider telling a story. Some people think that story telling is less stimulating than picture books and a better way to wind down at night. You can even just tell a story about your kids day, doesn't have to be fancy or dramatic </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750528 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:50:13 +0000 caterw 2750528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Magic Tree House is a series of very easy beginner chapter books. There are zillions of them, and they are numbered so it's easy to know where to start. My 3.5 year old really enjoys them (although we usually do books on tape for that particular series). She also likes the WellieWisher series from American Girl and the illustrated Harry Potter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750505 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:02:24 +0000 Aria 2750505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is 2.5 and loves Winnie the Pooh. I like that each chapter is it's own story so it feels complete. At first we just read a new chapter each night but now she requests her favorite chapter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750445 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:36:57 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2750445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 4.5 we still haven't. Dh tried it once but really it's not as interesting for dd.</p> <p>We just got through 5 minute bedtime stories about biscuit (the dog) which was at least all connected. We also have a younger child listening in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750387 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:36:27 +0000 Adira 2750387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Dinosaurs before Dark is book 1! We just got the boxset with the first four and read them all in a couple weeks.</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Tree-House-Boxed-Books/dp/0375813659/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Tree-House-Boxed-Books/dp/0375813659/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750385 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:33:58 +0000 littlejoy 2750385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @Jess1483: @Alba4: It looks like The Magic Treehouse is a brand of books? Is there a starting point? Ha. I obviously need some hand holding here. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750354 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:36:02 +0000 Alba4 2750354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son turns 4 in August and we've been reading the Magic Tree House series. He loves them and has the attention span for them! The only drawback is that he wants to read them all in one sitting and that is a challenge since his brother is only 12 months old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750308 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:25:37 +0000 travelgirl1 2750308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Age 4.5. We started with Enid Blyton's The Wishing Chair and The Faraway Tree and she absolutely loved them and really bought into the magic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750288 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:06:57 +0000 Adira 2750288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a chapter book, but my son is really into dinosaurs, so we have this book:</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Little-First-Dinosaurs/dp/1426308469/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Little-First-Dinosaurs/dp/1426308469/</a></p> <p>That we read over and over and over again. It breaks the dinosaurs into small, big, giant, and gigantic, so each night we read one section. Maybe you can find something similar for her interests? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750284 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:03:31 +0000 looch 2750284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually never read chapter books to my son at bedtime. He's going to start Magic Treehouse, though, reading those aloud/alone to himself.</p> <p>Not chapter books, but have you done anything by Mo Willems ( my son likes Knufflebunny and Elephant/pig ones)? Or just change up the location where you read or the books? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750281 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:00:18 +0000 Jess1483 2750281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started around 3 with DS1. We did Magic Tree House books, My Father's Dragon, and Charlotte's Web first. DS loved them and did well. I think it really depends on the kiddo, though. We would have to do a lot of "what happened yesterday," but re-telling skills are important, so at least we got a chance to model that a bunch ;)</p> <p>ETA: I think the repetition with the MTH books was really helpful--the basic concept stays the same, so you don't have to introduce basic characters very often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750280 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:00:00 +0000 Adira 2750280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't start until Xander was 4, but he LOVES his chapter books.</p> <p>We're reading the Magic Treehouse series. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-chapter-books#post-2750276 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:57:19 +0000 littlejoy 2750276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 3.5, and we're still struggling with bedtime (forever and always). </p> <p>DH wondered if starting chapter books might be better than asking LO to pick a few story books before bed. 1) He thinks she'll enjoy longer stories ... 2) I think we're overstimulating her by inviting her to choose books, and then since she knows them by heart, she's "reading" them outloud along with us. By the time we're done reading, she's not seeming tired (even though she is).</p> <p>So, is it too early to start? If not, what are some series or books your LO's love?? She's very into imagination, fairies, unicorns, nature and animals. </p>