Monthly Book Log {July & August 2018, Age 3.5 and 5.5}
Our summer reading, chapter book edition! We have been focusing on reading tons of picture books and nonfiction books this summer about all the topics that we’re interested in: firefires, camping, bats, ocean animals, scuba diving… the list goes on! The chapter books below have been read either in the car during road trips, or snuggled up at the end of a summer day.
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Books:
Monsters and Mold (Zoey and Sassafrass series) We’ve read several in this new series and love them all! You can read my earlier thoughts on the series here. In an accessible early chapter book format (with pictures), leading lady Zoey demonstrates the scientific method with her interactions with magical creatures (and growth mindset. bonus! Read my growth mindset booklist here). Fun AND educational.
Dinosaur Habitat by Helen Griffith. We picked this up at the Free Little Library at a local park. I suffered through it, but K Bookworm loved it. (I think we only completed it due to his persistence in reminding me to pick it up.)
Tree in the Trail by H.C. Holling. This is a long picture book (not suitable for one sitting) by the same author as Paddle-to-the-Sea (which we adored). This was a difficult reading and I can’t say I’d recommend it. Look for Paddle-to-the-Sea instead 😉
Audiobooks:
I continue to be impressed by how Laura Ingalls Wilder is able to hold the attention of my 3yo. The whole family enjoyed the next two installments in the Little House series. (After finishing The Long Winter, K Bookworm asked if we could please get the next one, predicting it must be called The Long Spring! Ha!)
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. This is audiobook perfection. I can’t believe I wasn’t previously familiar with this E.B.White classic, aside from vaguely knowing the title. The story is beautiful, hilarious, and exciting. In audiobook read by the author and enhanced by actual trumpet accompaniment, it’s a treasure to listen to! *I must share that there were two instances where the text did not age well; if you have a child with selective mutism or speech challenges I recommend previewing some of the early chapters in which Louie the swan’s father describes his “defect.” My 5yo receives speech therapy for stuttering, and I personally found those passages to be easy enough to move quickly past, but all families may not feel the same. (The second area was the treatment of math problems that were tackled by girls/boys. A teachable moment and very brief.)
Abandoned:
Although there’s something to be said for persevering through difficult text, when it comes to our shared reading at age 5, I don’t push it! These books we gave a fair try (more than a quarter of the story) but ultimately abandoned them at this time.
The Saturdays. We will revisit this! A great premise for a story and so much fun. Just a touch above our interest level at this time. I’d put it at mid-elementary level.
Firefly Hollow. We loved this at first but it proved too long for K Bookworm’s attention span.
Missy Piggle Wiggle. Although we love the original Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series, this modern retake on the series one didn’t get off the ground for us.
In Grandma’s Attic. Didn’t sustain our interest. We liked the first few stories, but we lost interest in pursuing it.
What have you been reading lately? Connect with me in the comments below, on my Insta account or Facebook page.
You can find the titles mentioned at your local library, or at the Audible and Amazon affiliate links provided.
