Hi all,
I recently read a proper chapter book to my kid (4.5 y.o) for the first time and we both loved the experience, so I'm trying to think of what to read next.
The restriction is that she's very sensitive and gets easily upset by anything mean/scary/violent. She's never seen a movie, never been exposed to standard fairy tales and so on where dreadful things tend to happen to people, had extremely limited screen time of only educational content.
The book I read her was The Children of Cherry Tree Farm (Enid Blyton) which I loved as a kid. She was upset near the start when it seemed like the children were in danger, and I censored some more problematic content like the story of some boys drowning an unwanted pupppy, but everything else was fine and she's keen for more.
It was such a joy to hear her beg for one more chapter and see her so entralled by the story. I can't wait to share things like Roald Dahl and Narnia with her, but she's not ready yet. I tried The Little Prince, but although the content is not really a problem, I had forgotten that the vocabulary is quite advanced, she had trouble following it.
What can we read together to keep this love of long form reading going until she is ready for my favourite childhood classics?
(FYI I'm not looking for suggestions to "harden her up", I'm fine with not desensitising her to the terrible things in life for now.)
by ShockBig8393
2 Comments
[This](https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/preschool-guide/preschool-foundations/favorite-read-aloud-books-for-preschoolers/?srsltid=AfmBOoow-FpkCC0FhB_OBCEqVkVVy87UC0JM13Ev8jjceWVNtX5GLzhd) is a list I come back to time and again.
Some of our favorite authors on the list:
Laura Ingalls Wilder, AA Milne, Beverly Cleary, Gertrude Chandler, Marjorie Flack, and Cynthia Ryland
My oldest was also extremely sensitive. She still is, but she isn’t swept away by it anymore. Reading has really helped! There are so many great, gentle books out there. Enjoy! 🙂
Enid Blyton has lots of great options options of course (the Faraway Tree & Wishing Chair books but also the Willow Farm books, the Six Cousins books, the Amelia Jane books all good for young ‘uns)… but if you want to move on from Blyton, maybe the Milly Molly Mandy books?