Monday, January 24, 2011

D.E.A.R.

It's been a while since we've updated our D.E.A.R. list, so excuse the catching up.
In fact, I'm going to continue D.E.A.R. over on So Buttons, so if you are interested in what we're reading and our simple reviews, check it out over there.

Here are a few of the chapter books that we've read in the past year:

Pollyana is a story loved by many, but this was actually my first time reading the story. I had never ever seen the movie. I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true. Katie & I read this around the time Brooke was born. If I remember correctly, Grandma Jensen read a few of the middle chapters with Katie.

This was a great story, very well written, and full of humor. I loved it. I think Katie was too young at the time to follow the story or to understand the humor. I'm not even sure that after watching the movie she understood the story any better. We will definitely try this one again now that she's older.

Pinnochio is also a classic that I had never read. My only experience was the Disney movie - which is very different from the book. This, in my opinion, in not appropriate for little kids. Pinnochio is very naughty! In the movie Pinnochio seems more innocent to me - as if he finds himself in trouble or in sticky situations. In the book, Pinnochio gets himself into mischief and is not a very good boy. How he ever turns into a real boy? I don't know. He definitely doesn't do anything to deserve it!

This was another story that was a bit too mature for Katie (we read it when she was barely 4). I found myself substituting a lot of words and skipping parts while reading it to her because I thought some of it was inappropriate for her.

Peter Pan I loved! Again, I was only familiar with the Disney movie and the stage production - never had read the book. But I loved it! And I think Katie & McKenna loved it too. They were also fairly familiar with the story which I think helped them follow along with the storyline. The pictures in our copy also helped. I'm pretty sure McKenna was more interested in the pictures than the story, but that's ok.

We love the fantasy, adventure, and imagery of Peter Pan. Reading it made us want to fly away to Neverland and play with the Lost Boys and Princess Tigerlily. We had a lot of fun reading this one.

The girls favorite part: the word "nincompoop." They couldn't get over how funny that word is and kept asking for me to "read the part that says nincompoop" over and over again. What can I say, it is a hilarious word!

Alice in Wonderland is a strange book. It is just strange. There is a lot of fantasy, strange characters, confusing conversation and riddles, and definitely a lot of intrigue. Did my 3 & 5 year follow the storyline? I'm pretty sure they didn't. Most of the time I don't think they had any idea what we were reading about. Not to mention the book hardly resembles the Disney movie that they are familiar with.

The biggest upside for the girls? This book also used the word nincompoop. :0)

Speaking of Disney's Alice in Wonderland...we just barely saw the latest version with Johnny Depp. I have to admit, I didn't think I would like it at all, but I loved it!

So what are we reading these days?
We have fallen in love with the Magic Tree House series. Fun, quick reads that are perfect for our little ones to follow. Brookie even likes listening and looking at the pictures.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Peter Pan!

Here are two books to read as well...

First, how about a continuation of Peter Pan that comes from Barrie's own notes for more! Click!

And here's one just for Mom & Dad - it's a grand "What if?" adventure that takes all the characters down a very different path. (But really, it's not for the kids!) Click!

Both are excellent. Hope you like them!

BELIEVE!