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Post by arizonastamplover on Nov 3, 2014 17:35:41 GMT
I've decided that I want to connect more with my niece and nephew who live on the other side of the country. My niece who is 8 knows who I am, and we've spent time together on vacations etc. I'm not as worried about her knowing who I am. My nephew turns 2 in a month, and I'd like him to grow up knowing who I am. I was around more with my niece when she was that age and a little older. He, on the other hand, I haven't been around as much, and he has severe stranger anxiety, so I don't want to be a stranger to him.
I have a few ideas, but I need book suggestions to do this. I'd like to video myself reading a story or stories during the month of December so they can hear and see me a little bit every day. For longer stories, I would do it over several days. I want to gear this more towards the almost 2 year old, but I know my niece will want to watch as well. Any ideas for books, probably preferably holiday stories, maybe even with pictures that I can show?
Second thing I want to do is read in tandem with my niece, maybe a book a month or something like that. Something that I can communicate back and forth with her on. She is 8, and I want the books to be fun - maybe something we can giggle about and will keep her interested. I'm tempted to get her the babysitters club books, but I really think she's too young for that - maybe in a couple years. Any suggestions on a book series that I could do for this? I don't mind trying out older series books with her either - it doesn't have to be the new ones. She is also home schooled, so this would give me a good chance to participate in her learning, which I really want to be a part of.
Thanks for any advice or ideas!!! I don't have kids (and thus my desire for involvement with my niece and nephew), so I'm a little lost on what are the best options out there.
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Post by rst on Nov 3, 2014 17:47:36 GMT
For the two year old, I think that short and sweet is key. I'd recommend Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot -- 3 sweet and fun books by Amy Krausse Rosenthal. I also love Sandra Boynton books for kids that age. Your niece might enjoy a series I recently found when looking for something for my 8 year old niece -- The Penderwicks. www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=penderwicks&sprefix=pende%2Caps%2C375 There are countless delightful series for girls that age-- she might enjoy little house books, or narnia, maybe even begin Ann of Green Gables or Secret Garden? I think your idea for connecting via books is lovely. |
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Post by Laurie on Nov 3, 2014 17:55:54 GMT
I think the Junie B. Jones would be a fun series and there is plenty of opportunities for giggling in that series. My youngest dd is 2 1/2 and right now her favorite book is I Know a Wee Piggy. I have read it every night for the past month.  |
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Post by shanni on Nov 3, 2014 18:02:40 GMT
Check with her mom first if you go the Junie B. Jones route. Sorry, but I can't stand Junie B, and I discourage my kids from reading them. I have a lot of friends that feel the same.
My 8 year old has just discovered Amelia Bedilia and is LOVING her! Lot's of giggling opportunities in those. I know there is also a new Amelia Bedilia series where Amelia is younger that my dd has read at school and really likes as well. I haven't seen the new ones personally yet though, so I don't know how good they are.
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Post by craftygardenmom on Nov 3, 2014 18:07:45 GMT
This is a lovely idea. My oldest DD is 7, almost 8, so here are a few suggestions based on what she has enjoyed:
Independent Reads:
Magic Tree House series, Ivy & Bean series by Annie Barrows, Ramona the Pest, Sew Zoey series by Chloe Taylor, My Weird School series by Dan Gutman
Reading Together:
Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlotte's Web
Pippi Longstocking
Anne of Green Gables (I read most of this to her)
Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Lovelace
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
The Magic Half and Magic in the Mix by Annie Barrows (DD is really loving this series)
Hope that helps!
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Post by arizonastamplover on Nov 3, 2014 19:24:34 GMT
Thanks to everyone for their great ideas. I'm going to research some of these and talk to my sister tonight. I'd like to incorporate the books perhaps into her homeschooling. That might help out my sister a little bit as well.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 3, 2014 19:43:53 GMT
For a 2.5-year-old? Mine loves the Sandra Boynton books, Where the Wild Things Are, Bark George, the Moe Willems books, and the Barefoot Books-type board and preschool story books.
For the eight-year-old, mine really likes the Suzanne Selfors "Smells like.." series.
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Post by Laurie on Nov 3, 2014 19:55:01 GMT
Adding on to my first post. Emily's favorites were Magic Tree House, Little House and Nancy Drew. She read Junie B Jones and I can see why some might not care for the books. I thought there was bratty moments in them as well. I don't really care for the Ramona books for the same reason. Thankfully Emily preferred more of the serious books. She is a 6th grader now and she still doesn't do the light reads.
Charlotte's Web would be a good starter. I remember when we read that one I had Emily read a chapter to me each night. We did the same with the Little House books.
The Jan Brett books would be good for your nephew.
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Post by Skellinton on Nov 3, 2014 21:32:31 GMT
Mo Willem and the Pigeon Books are just about the best books out there for a small child. Oliver Jeffers books are others that I think are just amazing and I think even the 8 year old would listen to and enjoy those.
For books for the 8 year old to read with you, I think the classics would be really fun. Anne of Green Gables is the best book ever written, so I would highly recommend that one! I also think the Ramona books are fun and age appropriate. Secret Garden, Wind in the Willows, Charlottes Web, are all great and would easily incorporate into a curriculum.
You sound like a fun aunt!
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Post by ahiller on Nov 3, 2014 21:51:05 GMT
I don't think she is too young for The Baby-Sitters Club books. I loved those as a kid.
My 2.5 year old DS's current favorite books are hands-down Little Blue Truck and Little Blue Truck Leads the Way. They have a Christmas one as well.
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Post by hennybutton on Nov 3, 2014 22:12:03 GMT
My granddaughter spent the night with me once when she was about two. My daughter packed a book called "Click, Clack, Moo." I loved that book! My granddaughter loved it, but I think I loved it more. One that I used to love reading to my kids when they were preschool age was "The Spooky Old Tree" by Stan & Jan Berenstain. I think all three of us can recite that book by heart. I used to read it with a spooky, creepy voice. The kids loved it.
I don't have any suggestions for the older child that haven't already been suggested.
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Post by alissa103 on Nov 4, 2014 4:10:55 GMT
My 2.5 year old loves:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Pete the Cat
Any of the Curious George books (as long as the stories aren't too long. The pizza party, library and rides a bike are his favorites right now)
DS is also shy and freaks out at strangers. Take it slow and just keep working at it! Don't be sad if it takes a few tries for him to warm up to you. DS loves the Little People Lift the Flap books. They aren't the greatest to read as in a story time reading, but maybe you could send him one and FaceTime/skyp while he looks through it and talk to him about what he sees. It usually helps DS open up when he's interested in something and the new person shares the experience with him.
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Post by librarylady on Nov 4, 2014 4:23:18 GMT
You have been given some good suggestions. Regarding Junie B. Jones--kids love her. She makes a wonderful book for discussing limits, bad choices and "Junie is funny because she makes the wrong choice." For the younger kids: The Texas Library Association creates a list each year called Two by two (2 x 2) and it is suggestions for kids age 2 to second grade. Here is a site for the suggestions (and you can see past year's recommendations) www.txla.org/groups/2x2-current |
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Nov 4, 2014 5:44:14 GMT
The Magic Half books previously mentioned are fantastic!
Please look at Emmy and the Incredibly Shrinking Rat and the sequels. My dd loves these books!
Depending on her reading level , the Sisters Eight books can be fun but might be a bit easy for an 8 yr old. They are, IMO, a lot better than the Junie B series.
I highly recommend the Humphrey series. Very popular at our house!
The Lemonade War series.
Eight years old is also a good time to start reading aloud Harry Potter.
My 8 year old also enjoyed Wonder, which is thought provoking.
For the two year old:
Pete The Cat
Anything by Julia Donaldson (monkey puzzle / the gruffalo, room on the broom)
Anything by Helen Cooper. We love the boy who wouldn't go to bed.
Bear Snores on, bears new friend, etc. there is a bear snores on Holiday version.
Paige.
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