whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Oct 9, 2014 8:01:05 GMT -5
Your kids are little Lena. I think that's different. And yet, they try to bring so much garbage home from the library, it makes my stomach hurt. Not to mention my IL's sending them TONS of useless books. I never knew there were so much bad "literature" out there!!
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Oct 9, 2014 8:13:29 GMT -5
Lena, what are you considering garbage/useless? I'm curious.
|
|
taz157
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:50:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,939
|
Post by taz157 on Oct 9, 2014 8:23:42 GMT -5
Lena, what are you considering garbage/useless? I'm curious. Me too.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 20:22:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 8:29:01 GMT -5
Oh, ok. are you perhaps one who dislikes Junie B and Csptsin underpants?
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 20:22:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 8:48:46 GMT -5
As far as I'm concerned anything that gets them interested in reading is good. I let my son read everything and anything when he was little and by age 10 his favorite author was Jules Vern.
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Oct 9, 2014 8:51:53 GMT -5
Okay. I'm a teacher and I HATED captain underpants. The librarian, a friend of mine, said to let it go and I did. Wise choice on my part. DS was and is still very immature and he thought that humor was hysterical and I was too wrapped up in my teacher/parent mode to be cool with it. Because I let it go, he moved onto other and better reading but even my aunt whose child had trouble reading broke down and bought romance novels for her junior high kid because, at least, she was reading.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 9, 2014 8:57:20 GMT -5
Is Baby Bird interested in audio books? Can you have them as background noise?
She likes to read to us. Very rarely does she have the patience to sit and listen while we read to her. I love to read, and reading to kids is one of my favorite things. So this is frustrating. As long as she grows out of it by 3 or 4, it'll be fine. I don't have a burning desire to read The Foot Book 83,509 times. But I do very much want to be able to read her a chapter a night from bigger books when she's old enough to appreciate them. Some of my favorite memories with my mom involve her reading Ramona and Chronicles of Narnia and so forth. THE FOOT BOOK IS AWESOME, YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!!! I think I read it a million times to my oldest, that and The Pokey Little Puppy.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 20:22:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 8:57:26 GMT -5
My son used to read Captain Underpants...he thought they were great. Read them over and over. The other day we were going through the flyers for books to buy through school and I pointed out another new one (said something like, "yay, another Capt. Underpants. ). DS said he thought they were kind of stupid now.
|
|
The Home 6
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 21:24:57 GMT -5
Posts: 1,906
Location: Bourbon Country
Favorite Drink: Wine. With a wine chaser.
|
Post by The Home 6 on Oct 9, 2014 9:05:29 GMT -5
Junie B. Jones! ARGH. SO glad that phase is over! (at least for one kid). That girl is SASSY. At least with the Magic Treehouse books DD1 is getting a bit of historical knowledge.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 9, 2014 9:05:34 GMT -5
I found the Playboy's under Mom's side of the mattress too. I'm not easily traumatized, never have been. Probably a good thing.... Kama Sutra and Playboys in bottom drawer of dad's bureau. Couple more Playboys in the basement. Had lots of fun throwing those out after he died so my sister wouldn't see them. I did NOT want to hear her mouth running. Dad was an English teacher before he went into Social Studies. He wasn't going to restrict my reading. He did wish he could restrict how much I read and when I read. That would be pretty much all the time and using a flashlight under the covers is a real pain in the ass. Parent-teacher nights were just so delightful. Of course, trips to the bookstore were also excellent bribery materials when I had to do something I didn't want to. National Historic sites bore the crap out of me but hey, if he's going to take me to the bookstore afterward, OK!!!! You talking about throwing them out just reminded me that when Mom was actually getting rid of stuff once she wanted to know if I wanted that box full of Playboys, etc they had. I didn't have any kid safe storage so I said no. I think my sister has them. Lol
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Oct 9, 2014 9:20:05 GMT -5
Has anyone ever read the DEAR AMERICA series? Makes the kids ask about history because its a diary of someone roughly their age.
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 15,014
|
Post by raeoflyte on Oct 9, 2014 9:51:46 GMT -5
Lena, what are you considering garbage/useless? I'm curious. Me too. Me three. Admittedly I don't do most of the library runs, and some of the ones dh picks out make me roll my eyes and ask why he thought the kids would like it. Ones I don't like that we own end up in the back of the bookshelf not to come out very often, but I can't think of any that I've actually gotten rid of...
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 10:03:06 GMT -5
THE FOOT BOOK IS AWESOME, YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!!!
It IS awesome, I never said it wasn't! Just that I don't have a burning desire to read it 83,509 times. You have to agree, that's a lot of times to read anything. I'm probably up to 19,462 (give or take) at this point DH and I both read that one to her (when she lets us) but he's funnier because he does voices. Lena, what are you considering garbage/useless? I'm curious.
Me four. I think your three boys are all under five or six, right? What are they trying to bring home?
|
|
CarolinaKat
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 16:10:37 GMT -5
Posts: 6,364
|
Post by CarolinaKat on Oct 9, 2014 10:10:28 GMT -5
Junie B. Jones! ARGH. SO glad that phase is over! (at least for one kid). That girl is SASSY. At least with the Magic Treehouse books DD1 is getting a bit of historical knowledge. What would you say is the target age group for the Magic treehouse books?
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 22,150
|
Post by giramomma on Oct 9, 2014 10:11:42 GMT -5
Junie B. Jones! ARGH. SO glad that phase is over! (at least for one kid). That girl is SASSY. At least with the Magic Treehouse books DD1 is getting a bit of historical knowledge. Sassy, yes. But we still found her to be entertaining. One of my favorite parts is when she comes home from school yelling, and sees her mother looking awful after taking care of her new brother (hair a mess, bags under the eyes, missing a sock) . And then Junie wakes up her brother. That really hit home for our family. Lord knows when our third came along, I was not very put together. Neither was DH. We read magic treehouse books to DS when he was 4, and he was done with them by 6. My middle child has not gotten into them. But, she does love the AG books. So, I read those to her. I just wish she wouldn't want the darn doll that goes with it. I think sometimes it's OK to read without actually having to "learn" something. Reading can be entertainment. Just like, when I go to the Drs office, the FIRST thing I grab is generally People and other rags like that. Reading People magazine does nothing to broaden my horizons. I think that's OK. And my child that loves Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Simpsons etc is also enthralled with Ken Burns. ETA: There's also a "Who Was" or "Who Is" Series. DS really loved those books. He owns quite a few of them. ETAA: Another series he liked is the "I Survived" Series..It's historical fiction for kids. He owns several of those as well.
|
|
ohmomto2boys
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 9:25:38 GMT -5
Posts: 1,008
|
Post by ohmomto2boys on Oct 9, 2014 10:14:31 GMT -5
My oldest DS is into the Magic Treehouse right now. He has also read books about Navy Seals and he started asking questions about 9-11. I'm okay with that - it is a part of our history. He likes to read non-fiction as well as fiction. He is 8. I'm a reader - I hope my youngest DS becomes a reader too. Right now, I'm not sure.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 9, 2014 10:32:19 GMT -5
THE FOOT BOOK IS AWESOME, YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!!!
It IS awesome, I never said it wasn't! Just that I don't have a burning desire to read it 83,509 times. You have to agree, that's a lot of times to read anything. I'm probably up to 19,462 (give or take) at this point DH and I both read that one to her (when she lets us) but he's funnier because he does voices. Lena, what are you considering garbage/useless? I'm curious.
Me four. I think your three boys are all under five or six, right? What are they trying to bring home? I'll take reading it 83,509 times over 1 episode of Barney. Be glad the Teletubbies aren't still on. (they're not are they? I haven't seen them)
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 10:38:10 GMT -5
I'll take reading it 83,509 times over 1 episode of Barney. Be glad the Teletubbies aren't still on. (they're not are they? I haven't seen them)
Well, you've got me there. Barney is now a regular presence in my life and I'm not what you would call pleased about that.
We put on an episode of Teletubbies once for a change of pace and the little dictator wouldn't hear of it. I couldn't blame her, it was really weird and boring. I never understand some of the things kids like. At least Barney is somewhat peppy.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 9, 2014 10:40:47 GMT -5
I avoided Barney fairly well, but then again, I wasn't afraid of putting a tv in the kid's room either. Go watch it in there and let me keep what little sanity I have left! I always found Teletubbies kind of creepy, but my oldest liked it.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,622
|
Post by swamp on Oct 9, 2014 11:16:35 GMT -5
I avoided Barney fairly well, but then again, I wasn't afraid of putting a tv in the kid's room either. Go watch it in there and let me keep what little sanity I have left! I always found Teletubbies kind of creepy, but my oldest liked it. Yo Gabba Gabba wins the creepy award now.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Oct 9, 2014 11:56:31 GMT -5
I had a friend in high school that kept trying to get me to watch Teletubbies. He said it was amazing on acid. That's what I was missing!
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 12:06:26 GMT -5
Right?! The writers and creators were probably on it when they created the show, so of course it won't make sense if you watch it sober.
True of Requiem For A Dream, true of Teletubbies.
|
|
whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Oct 9, 2014 12:17:31 GMT -5
OK, I am not ignoring you guys but I am on my way out.
In short - most of the "character" books are very poorly written. Books where stories don't have a flow or an idea. Books that have a chopped language. things like that. Oh and don't start me on all the superhero "books"
It was super hard for me at first bc obviously I wasn't raised on American literature, so I did a LOT of research before I started bringing home books.
BTW, Magic Tree House definitely serves its purpose, but by no means I consider it good literature.
I do try to allow some of the "in" things bc I don't want them to feel left out of conversations, etc.
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 12:26:54 GMT -5
In short - most of the "character" books are very poorly written. Books where stories don't have a flow or an idea. Books that have a chopped language. things like that. Oh and don't start me on all the superhero "books"
I'm interested in exactly what books you mean, if you have time to go into specifics later. Because I actually find most children's books to be VERY well written in the context of specific age groups. Actually, the quality and range of choices available is pretty impressive.
I'll use Animorphs as an example since that was a "superhero" series... I have no idea if anyone else read it but it was one of my favorites and I think I started reading it around 5 or 6. No, I wouldn't call it "great literature." (It's a series for kids; there's a ceiling on how much I expect of it, and why should a book have to qualify as "great literature" to be considered good?)
However, if you read the series from start to finish there is actually a TON of character growth. Toward the end, especially, you start to see how being in a war at really young ages has impacted each of the kids individually, as well as the overall effect on them as a group. You also get a sense of how much of a toll the secrecy took on them.
Overall, I thought they were very well written. There were consistent themes that showed up again and again, from different perspectives. The kids found themselves in all kinds of sticky ethical situations, and their barometer for what was acceptable changed with time - just as it tends to do in real life.
So I'd be very interested in which specific books you don't think are any good - because that's an example of a superhero series that I found very meaningful, engaging and interesting as a kid. I still love those books today.
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 12:32:38 GMT -5
It's not supposed to be good literature, it's a kids book. 6-8 year olds aren't going to grasp good literature. I'm sure there's some weird ass little kid out there reading War and Peace and loving it, but most kids that age... no way in hell.
Exactly, and personally, I don't think a book has to be "good" literature to be quality reading.
One of my all time favorite authors is Catherine Ryan Hyde (author of Pay It Forward, which is not even close to being her best book). Does she write "great literature"? If by "great" you mean "on par with Shakespeare and Tolstoy" then no, probably not. But her books are amazing - they're awesome stories with beautiful language and I feel better about life after reading them. She has this way of nailing the spirit of humanity that I can't get enough of, even after reading her entire collection.
If that's not good literature, I don't know what is. And by the way, I don't get that awesome life-affirming feeling after reading Tolstoy. I'm usually too damn confused trying to remember the original point of a 20 page sentence. There's nothing wrong with "great literature" if that's what rings your bell but as far as I'm concerned, a book isn't a good book just because it's "important" or hard to read.
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 15,014
|
Post by raeoflyte on Oct 9, 2014 12:36:29 GMT -5
OK, I am not ignoring you guys but I am on my way out. In short - most of the "character" books are very poorly written. Books where stories don't have a flow or an idea. Books that have a chopped language. things like that. Oh and don't start me on all the superhero "books" It was super hard for me at first bc obviously I wasn't raised on American literature, so I did a LOT of research before I started bringing home books. BTW, Magic Tree House definitely serves its purpose, but by no means I consider it good literature. I do try to allow some of the "in" things bc I don't want them to feel left out of conversations, etc. Bolded part makes me stabby and every freaking Thomas the Train book is like that. I buy a lot of 2nd hand books and I'm always trying to figure out if a page (or a dozen) were tore out. But I just leave those in the back. Ds rarely asks to read them anymore thankfully! We just started chapter books so I haven't run into many of the other issues. I absolutely loved reading him a very much abridged version of The Secret Garden. Characters! Plot! It was incredible.
|
|
Pants
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 19:26:44 GMT -5
Posts: 7,579
|
Post by Pants on Oct 9, 2014 12:40:50 GMT -5
I've been thinking about this more, and there are books we try to hide because I don't like the messages. But once they've been given to her, they kind of take on a life of their own. Examples:
Curious George - Slavery is great! The Rainbow Fish - Physically damage yourself to get friends!
That's all I can think of right now, but man I hate those books. That and the christmas book my in-laws got her. That one the dogs ate. We were not sad.
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 12:41:29 GMT -5
Bolded part makes me stabby and every freaking Thomas the Train book is like that.
Obviously books for kids who just started reading aren't going to have much of a plot beyond "Time for bed Biscuit!" (OMG... DH and I felt so much anger toward that small yellow dog we considered writing our own sequel called "Biscuit Plays On The Freeway.")
But I assumed Lena was talking about older books since she mentioned character stories.
I've never heard of Magic Tree House.
|
|
The Home 6
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 21:24:57 GMT -5
Posts: 1,906
Location: Bourbon Country
Favorite Drink: Wine. With a wine chaser.
|
Post by The Home 6 on Oct 9, 2014 12:42:02 GMT -5
Junie B. Jones! ARGH. SO glad that phase is over! (at least for one kid). That girl is SASSY. At least with the Magic Treehouse books DD1 is getting a bit of historical knowledge. What would you say is the target age group for the Magic treehouse books? I would say 5-8 year olds. DD1 just turned 8 and she has no difficulty reading them. They are chapter books, though. My soon to be 6 year old has NO interest in reading at all. She can read, but says she can't. She's a stubborn one. I like to pick up the abridged versions of the classics for DD1 to read as well. She enjoyed Last of the Mohicans, Oliver Twist, and The Time Machine.
|
|
Firebird
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 12:55:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,452
|
Post by Firebird on Oct 9, 2014 12:43:38 GMT -5
|
|