4th Graders Rock in the library!
The year is off to a great start, and the kids are back in the library, enjoying books and finding facts. The library’s blog and website are off to a slower start than the other classroom pages, but we are looking forward to a great year of resource sharing.
By “we” I mean Jenny, our fabulous TCPS Librarian, and me, Amanda, TCPS parent, and well, librarian. I have volunteered to help Jenny with the website and blog so that she can focus her library time on the library. Over this year I hope we can build a great place online for parents and students to come and find great information resources and book recommendations.
Dear Madame Librarian,
In my home I have a new reader who is hesitant about starting a new book. He reads constantly, but is reading the same 9 books over and over (the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.)
Do you recommend letting my reader continue in this re-reading until he decides he is ready to move on to something new himself? Or should I encourage him to branch out? While I’d love to have him enjoy other books, and get used to trying new ones, I am a re-reader myself and so can sympathize with him.
I have already tried to lure him into new books by reading aloud to his siblings, but he just goes in the other room and reads LIW to himself.
What are your thoughts on re-reading for the new reader?
Tiffany
I was a HUGE re-reader myself as are my daughters. My older daughter can often be found reading one of her old favorites (and since she is now 11-there are a lot of them). She does get into new books too, but always has old favorites on hand around the house and in the car (she was hooked on the Little House books too for a while-as was I).
Your child isn’t the only student who keeps checking out the same books from the library. He is in good company. I say as long as he is reading, and you (and his teacher and I) all continue to share suggestions and read to him, his love of books and reading will continue to grow.
I know first hand that it is hard to leave Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie,baby Grace, and that mean Nellie Olsen behind on the prairie, but with time, I am sure your new reader will grow to love some new characters.
As I recall (and second grade was eons ago!) sometimes I reread something over and over because there was some quality to it… or some part of it that I was internally exploring at the time and trying to figure out. Hmmm. You can’t move much further west… I also think series have a great attraction for many children at that age. Maybe there is another series our wonderful Madame Librarian can entice him to dive into!
Read and enjoy!
I think this is likely to be true of the “Little House” books. There is so much there. First you can read it for the story, and then again for the content on pioneer daily life, and then again for the political angle of “settling” the West.
Some farm/historic themed books that may appeal:
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Brink (This is another about a pioneer girl in Wisconsin)
Some”little house” books written by others and based on the lives of Laura’s ancestors and daughter. The authors of these are: Melissa Wiley, Celia Wilkins, and Roger Lea Macbride. I found the Melissa Wiley books at the San Diego Public Library, but not the others.
Good luck!!
Thanks for the suggestions, Amanda.
I did read Caddie Woodlawn aloud to the boys, I have the second book in waiting for the right moment.
I had seen some of the other “little house” books you mention. I think this might be a good route to go.
Something about those pioneers is so appealing!
Confessions of a compulsive re-reader: I can tell you the page numbers of scenes from Gone with the Wind, recite dialogue from Little Women, and still (yes, STILL) reread at least one of the Anne of Green Gables books annually. There is something comforting about revisiting a favorite book – it is a dependable friend who never strays from the familiar and always welcomes you back with no surprises or admonishments for being gone so long.
I think that, especially for children, when something new ( positive, negative, or just different) is in their life, the comfort found in retreating with this known quantity is of immeasurable comfort. And what a wonderful series to have befriended! I agree with Ms. Belk about the irresistibility of that Ingalls clan!
Ms. Barnes!
I have the entire Anne (and Emily) book sets ready for re-reading on my bookshelf too! I just had a couple of them out this summer . . .
I am so tickled that this series has been his choice. And was glad to hear so many voices of wisdom on re-reading.