So has anyone actually read past book 3? Anyone over the age of 25 that is? He read books 1 and 2 last week and is halfway through book 3 now. At this rate he will have finished them all in a few weeks time. Apparently some of the later books have themes for an older audience and I have had a number of well meaning people suggest that I stop him from reading the rest of the series. (He is 7 turning 8 at the end of October). I am loath to interfere in his reading interests though. Considering that I put up with his previous obsession with Beast Quest when I have spent a lifetime amassing a collection like this:
And that, my fellow collectors isn't even a quarter of it ( just some of my favourites!), which he could have worked his way through instead but has shown only a fleeting interest in. Sniff. Anyone with any thoughts on this? Am I going to end up with a child having nightmares about you know who?
Can't help you with the Harry Potter problem, as I haven't read them myself (but had heard the ones later in the series might not be suitable for young children, more like a 10-12 year old). LOVE your collection of vintage books. I have a huge stack of (girls) books that I bought as a child from various Fetes - lots of girl's annuals and school stories from the 30's which I loved to read. It'll be interesting to see if my daughter likes them too... My oldest is exactly the same age as yours too and is into all the Roald Dahl books at the moment. The "How to Train your Dragon" series has also been a big hit with him. xx
ReplyDeleteOh Heidi I truly hope your daughter likes them! Any Chalet girls books? I so wish that I had collected them as well, I remember reading all of a friend's collection. The Captain loved all of the Roald Dahl's but I have never heard of the How to Train Your Dragon series. I will have a look at the library this afternoon for him. Thanks for the tip. x
DeleteMy daughter was also smitten with Harry Potter very early on and stopped of her own accord around book 5 and only just picked up the later books a couple of months ago (she is aged 11.5)....so just see what happens however maybe it's different with boys. Love your Enid Blyton collection....I bet they'd smell really good too! Rx
ReplyDeleteHa ha Romy, love that old book smell too!!! It is almost an essential part of the reading experience. Shall cross my fingers that he does as your daughter did and loses interest fairly soon. x
DeleteIt's wonderful that your boy is enjoying reading so much, what a great reader at such a young age. What a shame that he doesn't want to read any of those gorgeous books you've collected, perhaps his interests may change and he might want to read them. I know that my little one is enjoying an old series called Milly, Molly, Mandy and loves them. It might have something to do with her new interest in all things old fashioned and handmade:) x
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine, I have my fingers crossed that he will make his way through them all one day. Love that your little one is reading Milly, Molly, Mandy that is completely adorable!! x
Deleteif he can handle book 3, which is where it starts to get a little darker, he will be able to handle the rest, but I would suggest he wait a couple of years - but then if he is such a good reader already at seven to read them both already perhaps he might also be mature enough!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an excellent reader, but the maturity is still quite questionable!! I am wondering now if he will move onto something else like Romy's daughter did in a couple of books. x
DeleteI haven't read Harry Potter so I can't help you out but I WISH Xav was a bookworm like N. He is just not into reading at all and we have massive fights to get him to sit down every afternoon to read a few pages. It's a nightmare. My Dad has the greatest collection of Enid Blyton books and I'm hoping Frankie will be my bookworm so I can share them with her! xxx See you soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Pen, lets get together next Mon? x
DeleteYes! Will text you. xx
Deletemy kids grew up with harry potter.. they both read them all, some a few times. i find the movies pretty dark, especially the later ones.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen any of the movies, although I think that Emma Watson is stunning!! I will probably sit down and watch them with the kids sometime, maybe not for a few years though by the sounds of it. xx
ReplyDeleteThis over-25-year-old has :). I'd let him read to his level of comfort - discuss with him that if he gets scared, he should stop and have a chat with you. I've known 12-year-olds that are too scared, and very bright seven-year-olds who have devoured the whole series. Each to their own (and Mum's guidance :)
ReplyDeleteI have read all of the books but I must admit I can't really remember them...or at least I can't remember which book was which.
ReplyDeleteI was a book crazy kid and I read many books that were above my age level and I think I turned out okay! I do remember a few Nancy Drew's which left me feeling a bit spooked but I think as long as he knows that they are just books and aren't real life then he will be fine!
I have read all the books and am all in favour of kids reading excessively. I do think from book 5 on gets pretty dark and scary though. I would just monitor the situation or grab some copies and have a read and decide. They are truly brilliant books.
ReplyDeleteI think the books get much darker from 4 onwards and the violence definitely increases. There is no direct depiction of death in the first 3 books but 4 ends with Harry tied to a gravestone in a cemetery while Voldemort tries to kill him, having just killed off another kid. There are deaths of significant characters throughout 5, 6 and 7. It depends if you think he is likely to dwell on or be upset by the unpleasant parts. Personally I would be encouraging him to read something else for a while then come back to the later books.
ReplyDeleteI've read all of the Harry Potter books and couldn't read the later ones at night, because I was too scared, but then again I screamed during Jurassic Park! My daughter who is 10 and an avid reader, was waking with nightmares past Book 3. LOVE the vintage books, I found My Friend Flicker for my daughter the other day. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the last book. Book 4 was tough going and I know parents of boys in our school that have just let their 10y/o read the 5th and 6th book. I, too, have a ferocious reader but Harry will wait a few year, Mr Potter isn't going anywhere and will still be on our book cases when she's better able to cope with the content.
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of your book collection!
We don't do Harry Potter, but I have found my kids turning their noses up at the older books and would rather read newer fresher books- much to my disgust as I have spent years building up a collection of 2nd hand classics!
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating isn't it! xx
DeleteI've read the whole series and yes, after book three things definitely become darker. I think your little bookworm may still be a tad young but I know what you mean about not wanting to deter his enthusiasm having found a book series he is so into. I'm very envious of your collection above!! x
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