Hello!
I love to read out loud to my 7 year old. We have read through many children’s novels, but she is always particularly interested in the adult books I am reading. Right now I’m listening to Project Hail Mary on audio, and she joined in and is absolutely loving it. I’m about halfway through, and so far it has been appropriate for her. And it made me wonder, what other adult books are technically safe for children to read? I can censor some material for her as I read it, but books with a lot of death, war, or explicit content would not work. I am excited to start reading some more books that are enjoyable for both of us! For context, I read her The Hobbit when she was 4, and she never once lost interest. (I think The Martian could also work in this category, but I read that one by myself)
Thanks!
by Renee80016
3 Comments
Watership Down is a great read aloud. I read it to my son when he was seven or eight and he absolutely loved it.
I honestly think Great Expectations would be a great book to read with a kid. There are some nuances to the humor that you might have to explain (e.g. the running brought up “by hand” joke in the beginning) but it’s a really funny and touching read. She might even be able to relate to young Pip!
Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories is meant for children but enjoyable for adults, it’s wacky and bittersweet and a quicker read.
And I second the suggestion from another commenter with Watership Down. I read it as an adult in college and absolutely adored it. Perfect for a child but well-written and perfectly good for adults.
There are some good children’s fantasy series that are advanced enough that adults appreciate and read them now. His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Prydain, A Wrinkle In Time, A Wizard of Earthsea and The Dark Is Rising all spring to mind.