What’s so great about chapter books? For Pre-K

[Anonymous]

Both picture books and chapter books are good. Some picture books have more complex themes and sophisticated language than chapter books.

A longish chapter book is good for stretching a child's attention span and comprehension of longer plots. But I don't think it matters in the grand scheme of things -- neither of my kids were into long chapter books early on (when their friends parents were reading them Harry Potter and Narnia in pre-K), and both are great readers reading books way above grade level now.

[Anonymous]

I think some parents might enjoy reading chapter books to their kids and that's okay!! I have very fond memories of my dad reading me the Hobbit in Kindergarten and my mom reading me Little House on the Prairie. What matters isn't always the content, but the feeling of being important enough to be read to and being close to your parents. I can't WAIT to read Harry Potter and Little House books to my kids, but they're not there at 4.5.

DD loves Princess in Black. I'm really not a fan, but she likes it and her younger brother sits for it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are considered chapter books? I am confused. Are those books with many words, no pictures, or certain level A to Z or reading level assigned?

It depends. The Princess in Black books are chapter books that can easily be read in 20 minutes or so. There are pictures on almost every page. It’s fun and silly and a good transition to longer books. Then you progress to books with a couple pictures per chapter where most pages are only text. Things like Magic Tree House and you get fewer and fewer pictures as the books progress in difficulty. My Father’s Dragon, Matilda, the American Girl books, How to train your Dragon, etc.

Personally, I liked chapter books after my kid learned to read in kindergarten. She still enjoyed picture books but could blow through one in 5 minutes. It was nice to have longer stories that we could talk about and it took the pressure off constantly finding new material. We read more difficult chapter books like Harry Potter out loud together which was a nice bonding experience—but it’s also wonderful to have you kid read on their own while you read your own book!

[Anonymous]

We do both!
Lots of picture books during the day, but before bedtime and on long car trips, we love diving into chapter books with the kids.

[Anonymous]

There's something to be said about merely reading words or listening to them, and allowing your mind to extrapolate whatever images it desires.

That said, my 5 year old reads at second grade level (if those early readers are to be believed) and yet prefers to see pictures, since, as we all know, a picture is worth many words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's something to be said about merely reading words or listening to them, and allowing your mind to extrapolate whatever images it desires.

That said, my 5 year old reads at second grade level (if those early readers are to be believed) and yet prefers to see pictures, since, as we all know, a picture is worth many words.

Yes, and with many picture books the pictures are telling another story than the words, or bringing forth something that isn't quite said in the words. It's submersive, and you really need to see the pictures and look at them to see what's happening that is building on, expanding or even going somewhere else than the writing does. it's what makes picture books amazing pieces of literature!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's something to be said about merely reading words or listening to them, and allowing your mind to extrapolate whatever images it desires.

That said, my 5 year old reads at second grade level (if those early readers are to be believed) and yet prefers to see pictures, since, as we all know, a picture is worth many words.

Yes, and with many picture books the pictures are telling another story than the words, or bringing forth something that isn't quite said in the words. It's submersive, and you really need to see the pictures and look at them to see what's happening that is building on, expanding or even going somewhere else than the writing does. it's what makes picture books amazing pieces of literature!

Oh my, I just submersive when I meant SUBVERSIVE!! Where is edit when you need it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both picture books and chapter books are good. Some picture books have more complex themes and sophisticated language than chapter books.

A longish chapter book is good for stretching a child's attention span and comprehension of longer plots. But I don't think it matters in the grand scheme of things -- neither of my kids were into long chapter books early on (when their friends parents were reading them Harry Potter and Narnia in pre-K), and both are great readers reading books way above grade level now.

This. Early chapter books are easier to read than a lot of picture books, which are intended to be read TO the child. Both have a role but many parents want to rush past picture books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's something to be said about merely reading words or listening to them, and allowing your mind to extrapolate whatever images it desires.

That said, my 5 year old reads at second grade level (if those early readers are to be believed) and yet prefers to see pictures, since, as we all know, a picture is worth many words.

Yes, and with many picture books the pictures are telling another story than the words, or bringing forth something that isn't quite said in the words. It's submersive, and you really need to see the pictures and look at them to see what's happening that is building on, expanding or even going somewhere else than the writing does. it's what makes picture books amazing pieces of literature!

Oh my, I just submersive when I meant SUBVERSIVE!! Where is edit when you need it?

But a wonderful example of how illustrations might be helpful 😉

[Anonymous]

My k kid is assessed at with reading level of grade 24 (DRA) from school, and I have confirmed with his teacher that it is correct. I thought it was a mistake because I never see him reading at home. We have 90% picture books, and 10% of chapter books at home. I only see him picking up picture books to read once in a while at home, should I push him to read chapter books instead? Should I re-do his library at home? Can reading regress if a kid does not read at home? He is not interested in any chapter books because most of them have too many words, no/little pictures & they are in black & white print.

[Anonymous]

Sure I love a picture book with lyrical prose and beautiful pictures. But when you kid picks up some book you hate reading that you have still read at least 200 times, you may weep with joy when they are interested in listening to longer more involved stories.

My 6 year old like having longer books read to her. She can't read them on her own yet. But we've worked our way through some Roald Dahl, Ivy and Bean, Dory Fantasmagory, and now are reading the Ramona books. A lot of these are written about kids her age, so she loves hearing about it. I like that i get to read something interesting FOR ME occasionally.

I still love a lyrical, beautiful picture book. I try to get my 4 year old to choose those over the "superman vs mongol" books he pulls off the shelf. But I don't always get that choice.

[Anonymous]

I was happy when my children started to like having chapter books read to them because I like them better than the short picture books. I was very happy to read "The Twits," "Charlotte's Web," and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" over and over again.

I would read Dog-Man or Lego chapter books only when begged.

[Anonymous]

What a strange post.

We do both. Chapters are great for the storyline. And it's fun to read a few chapters each day, and pick it up the next day for more of the story. There's character development. Conflict resolution. Mystery and intrigue.

Picture books are awesome for short stories, or for the art work, or for something that doesn't take too much involvement to explore.

There is place for both on your bookshelf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My k kid is assessed at with reading level of grade 24 (DRA) from school, and I have confirmed with his teacher that it is correct. I thought it was a mistake because I never see him reading at home. We have 90% picture books, and 10% of chapter books at home. I only see him picking up picture books to read once in a while at home, should I push him to read chapter books instead? Should I re-do his library at home? Can reading regress if a kid does not read at home? He is not interested in any chapter books because most of them have too many words, no/little pictures & they are in black & white print.

OMG let your kid read what he likes.

They’re going to be working on reading all of K, all of 1st and most of 2nd. He’s only going to regress if you start banning the books he likes at home and making reading a chore.

For what it’s worth, my kid didn’t get interested in chapter books until we read them out loud together. We read Harry Potter first which wasn’t the best choice because it’s super long. Still, she really enjoyed snuggling and having me read a chapter every evening. We used a really cool illustrated version. Even now that she’s read tons of chapter books, she still enjoys being read to. In the beginning it started with “You read a chapter, then we’ll read a chapter.” It didn’t just start with her picking up a chapter book one day. She liked talking about the stories together too.