My son is almost 5 and seems ready to read. What are some good books to start with?

Question

The books I read to him seem too difficult for him to read on his own. I looked around but don't really understand all the different reading "levels" and series. I want something easy but not too boring. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Answer 1

I've been a grade one to three teacher for seven years, and I've found that you want books that repeat themselves and are very predictable. One book that's great is Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle. He has a few others, too, like 'Does a Kangaroo have a mother, too?' and 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (your son can use the pictures to help him - you really want to encourage him to use the pictures to help him as he reads). Also, books that rhyme are great if you read them together. Read the whole phrase, except for the last word and let him fill it in. eg. A friend is a listener who'll always be there when you've got a big secret you just have to ______. (PK Hallinan 'That's What a Friend Is'. He has a lot of fun rhyming books. Books that are based on songs he's familiar with are great, too, such as Old MacDonald had a farm or Itsy Bitsy Spider. He'll feel successful because he already knows the words. Feeling successful and having fun is key for a child to want to keep reading.

Answer 2

The Bob Books Series
http://www.bobbooks.com/
I taught my son to read at age 4 with these books. They are GREAT. Each book adds a couple of new letter sounds until you get through all of the different sounds, numbers, blends, punctuation, etc. There are 5 sets of books.

Dr. Seuss books. "Hop On Pop" is the very best one for a beginning reader, IMO. My son used these a lot as well.

Dick & Jane books.

There is also a short series with a little mouse that is good. (I think 3 books?)
"Mouse Makes Words"
http://tinyurl.com/hyu92

Answer 3

Cat in the Hat over and over Will learn by site and by sound

We also write a story on paper with pictures of people and places ours knows Use simple words no more than two or three on a page.
It gets everyone involved they know and they can read their book to friends

Answer 4

Dr. Seuss - kids seem to like the rhythmic sounds of it and it's simple enough to start with.

I can STILL recite some of 'em - like "Inside Outside Upside Down" and "Marvin K. Mooney - Will You PLEASE Go Home!" and I haven't read them in more than 25 years.

Otherwise, any book by Richard Scarry would be good. He writes simple stories and the illustrations are also labeled. My brother and I loved those books as kids.

Answer 5

Clifford Books

Answer 6

I've seen the old Dick and Jane books making a come back. Try Dr. Suess and the Little Golden Books.

Answer 7

Yes, of course Dr. Seuss, but start with:

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Go on to :

A Fly Went By -- and -- Green Eggs and Ham

Then blow his mind with:

The Cat in the Hat -- and it's amazing sequel.

Answer 8

Robbert Munch

Answer 9

The books with only a couple of lines on a page is more than enough. Don't push him to learn reading otherwise he will end up hating it and refusing to learn.

Answer 10

Dr Seuss