More Ideas for Moving Beyond Picture Books
I wrote yesterday about my trouble coming up with book ideas for my friend who wants to find longer books that aren’t violent, scary, or disturbing to read to her son.
One suggestion I had was to read longer picture books than the ones usually recommended for three year olds. I found this article from Child magazine helpful, and Drake has enjoyed many of the books they recommend.
Easy reader chapter books are also a good bet. I forgot to mention the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, which have been favorites of Drake’s. Also, there are some classics that may not have troublesome passages. Mr. Popper’s Penguins, The Cricket in Times Square, and Caddie Woodlawn are all good possibilities.
A friend wrote to suggest the Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl books. The Potter books have some of the same issues as the Milne books, though they do portray a wonderful tenderness to animals. And the Dahl books are also problematic. They’re funny and dark, and they empower the child characters, but they can be scary. Also, I found James and the Giant Peach positively creepy in its fear of female physicality.
But the one thing I’d recommend above all is to make friends with the children’s librarian at your local library. S/he is likely to be the best and most constant resource for book ideas.