This past year I began to transition our group read aloud time to include chapter books. Novels require a longer attention span than picture books and an ability to imagine without visual prompts. With my boys being seven, five, four, and two, I wanted to find books that would easily help them develop the practice of painting pictures in their heads based on word imagery. After getting a little insight from Sarah MacKenzie's Picture Books to Chapter Books podcast over at the Read Aloud Revival, I knew I was looking to start with short chapters, memorable characters, and lots of dialogue. I also had the idea that if I could find books that met this criteria and had also been made into movies, we could celebrate the completion of each chapter book with a popcorn and movie night. The boys loved this idea!
I found that watching the movies was more than just a fun activity; they took our learning to another level of comprehension and discussion. Some of the new vocabulary was further introduced and illustrated in context which I think really helped cement their understanding. We talked about the similarities and differences between the books and the films. The differences were quite vast in most cases, and I heard quite often "That's not how it happened in the book!"
One last helpful tidbit. My first grader had already read the first three books listed below, and he thought his brothers would enjoy hearing them. He was eager to experience the story with them, and it gave me the opportunity to further explain vocabulary that my little speed reader probably skipped right past. By reading it aloud, I was also better equipped to deepen his comprehension through our discussions.
Balto and The Great Race
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Caleb suggested this book, and when we finished it, he asked if we could please read it again! There are two stepping stone books on Balto; this is the more advanced novel. Balto is an unlikely hero who rose to the challenge when the opportunity presented itself. The movie is really good too, though the storyline drifts far from the book. Without the book you miss out on some incredible incidents that make this a great story.
The Iron Giant
Ted Hughes
This movie was suggested for boys ages 5-8 by author David Thomas in his parenting book on raising boys, Wild Things. I was thrilled to find it was based on a children's chapter book. The movie was very different from the book. Two completely different villains, but the same ending theme of self sacrifice for the sake of others. I wasn't sure about the movie as it started, but it ended with quite a redemptive theme. Think Big Hero Six.
Robin Hood
adapted by Annie Ingle
There are lots of different versions of Robin Hood, but I went with this one because we had it on hand since my oldest had already read it. This version of the movie was also suggested in Wild Things as a great one for young boys. They LOVED the movie! There is a wonderful combination of heroics and humor!
Stuart Little
E.B. White
Stuart Little took us into a slightly longer chapter book but the character kept the boys continually asking to hear more. The movie was fun and carries an adoption theme that can open doors of great discussion. However, be aware the movie is rated PG for brief mild language (that I was not expecting) and scenes of peril.
Charlotte's Web
E.B. White
Like Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web is a bit longer of a read aloud but the characters kept even my little guy looking forward to hearing more every day. We had already seen this classic movie and were excited watch it again comparing what we had learned from all the new details in the book.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia books have comparatively longer chapters with lots of descriptive narrative, so I had low expectations starting these books. I was amazed at how quickly the kids were drawn into the story. My husband was the primary reader which made it extra special. He and I had already seen the movie and knew the boys were not old enough yet to watch the stone table scene. The boys knew going in that there was a specific scene we would fast forward. I can't tell you how many times the boys have watched the climatic battle scene laughing, shouting, and smiling as good triumphs over evil. Incredible theological discussions from this story.
Prince Caspian
C.S. Lewis
This movie is much less scary than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We've watched the whole thing with the kids several times. (*actually I was reminded the one part in the film that I would consider unsettling for little eyes, regarding images, is when a conjuring up of the white witch is attempted.)
As a disclaimer, just because my boys were able to enjoy a film does not make it an automatic fit for any child of the same age. Maturity and experiences vary among children, and we all have to apply our parental discernment.
Hope these recommendations and brief reviews are helpful!
No comments:
Post a Comment