Books We've Read Aloud

Somewhere I want to keep a running list of books we have read aloud during the school year. Our reading aloud has nothing much to do with our homeschool, since I would be reading to the kids even if they went to school. I was going to add a list to the side, but there is already a lot over there. I think I'm going to just do a post like this one each month, adding the new books that we have read over the month. Unfortunately, I have already forgotten what we have read this past month, so I'll have to keep better track next month. This won't include picture books read to Basia because it would be crazy to try to list all of those, and it won't include school books or books the kids read to themselves. This list will include the books I read to them before quiet time in the afternoons and before bed time. I have just started reading chapter books to Basia, so I am starting with short, fun books to get her used to sitting still for longer periods without pictures to look at. I do ask her questions about what I've been reading, and she seems to be following along pretty well, even if it doesn't always seem like she is focused on the book. She is a busy girl, in mind and body, so this is a big step for her.

To Both:
A Bear Called Paddington
Winnie-the-Pooh

*I just started this read-aloud time. I have always read a book or two to Basia before her nap, but I decided to turn it into an enjoyed family experience before we all part for some quiet time to ourselves. It will be somewhat difficult at times to choose books that both kids will enjoy, being 5 years apart in age, but good literature should be enjoyed by many different age groups (even mine). Until Basia is an experienced listener, the books will be geared more to the young side. I also have to try to make sure the themes are light-hearted and not scary. I will try to choose classics, though, instead of the silly ones I read to her at bedtime. This is where I will stretch her listening skills the most. She enjoys sitting next to Brishen and feeling more grown up, so it is working really well so far.

To Basia:
Junie B. Jones is a Beauty Shop Guy
Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder

*I love how Basia looks eagerly at my face as I read these books, like she can't hear what I have to say quickly enough. Great literature? No. A fun introduction to sitting still and listening without pictures? Yep. I also like that the chapters are very short, so we can read one or more, depending on how loooooooooooooong it took her to get ready for bed. We are now going to try other short chapter books, but we will go back to Junie B. many times, I'm sure.

To Brishen:
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Om-Kas-Toe
Sign of the Beaver
Carry On: Mr. Bowditch

*Brishen sometimes takes over a book I'm trying to read aloud to him. He can't always wait until the next night for another chapter and takes the book to bed and finishes it himself. I started Om-Kas-Toe, but he read more of it to himself. He also read some of Sign of the Beaver to himself and a few chapters of Mr. Bowditch. These three books are from the time period we are studying in school. It helps to sometimes read some of the novels aloud at night, so he doesn't have quite as many books to read for school--have you seen my shelves? Brishen doesn't know that those are books I wanted him to have read/heard for school. He just knows they were good books. Mr. Bowditch was a great read for Brishen, the math mind. "Simple matter of mathematics" was how Mr. Bowditch solved most navigation issues. We didn't even realize that it was based on a real man until the book was almost finished.