Recommended Early Reader Chapter Books

Last Easter Magnolia got her first chapter book in her Easter basket (Little House Chapter Book, Laura and Jack).  I knew she was ready to begin reading longer books and wanted to her to have one to start.  Since then she has poured through book after book and has really established a love of reading.

She began learning to read using the BOB books when she was 3.5.  Sometimes she would get frustrated and not want to read and I didn't push her.  I was scared she'd end up hating to read if I pushed it.  I'd let it go for about a week and then ask her to read with me again.  We did that all spring and summer until by September before she turned 4, she had finished the BOB books and was ready to move on.  Having an early reader has been a benefit to me too as I could have Magnolia read to Boothe when I needed to tend to Henry when he was a baby.  Boothe has now started the BOB books but my experience with her is a whole different story!  Haha. If you know Boothie, you can understand.  And it's not a big deal, 3 is very young to read and I don't feel like she needs to read this early at all.  Each child at their own time will embrace it, crack the code, and will be reading.

Here are some early reader chapter books Magnolia has enjoyed over the past year.  They are all about 60-120 pages.  She began with shorter ones and has moved in to longer ones.  We are always looking for other recommendations of books to read so pleae share if you have a favorite!

1. Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne This series was recommended to us by a cousin who also had an early reader.  Perfect for boys or girls and full of adventure, Magnolia read the first half of this series (28 books) last summer, one right after the other.  The other half of the series gets a bit longer and so she took a break, but will probably pick this series back up this summer.  The Magic Treehouse also has a wonderful website full of quizzes and games about the books.
2. Nancy Clancy Series by Jane O'Connor A new series by the Fancy Nancy author.  The same Nancy is now the star of her own chapter books.  Magnolia got the first in this new series for Christmas and I just saw that book 2 was released at the beginning of the year.  One of Magnolia's favorites so far and she learned all about Nancy Drew so now I've been reading the Nancy Drew series with her at night.
3. Little House Chapter Books by Laura Ingels Wilder These are condensed versions of the Little House on the Prairie books.  They are shorter (60-80 pages) and focus on just a part of one of the big books.  I think it's safe to say that any young girl would enjoy books by Laura Ingels Wilder.
4. The Littles by John Peterson A great series for both boys and girls.  Do you remember the cartoon series on Saturday mornings as a kid?  Loved that show!  It's fun watching Magnolia reading about their adventures and the characters and telling me about it.  Netflix also has the cartoons and the girls like watching those too.
5. Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Magnolia loved this book.  I had no idea that there are more books in this series.  I may have to it one in her Easter basket this year.
6. Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park Written from the voice of a ornery kindergartener, most kids might miss some of the humor.  Don't give these to your kids to read if they are likely to pick up naughty words like stupid and dumb!  Magnolia is fine reading these and just enjoying the story...I probably won't encourage Boothe to read these though when she is ready! :)
7. The Little Mermaid by M.J. Carr An out of print series about Disney's The Little Mermaid.  I found one at a garage sale and since Ariel is Magnolia's favorite Disney princess, she loved reading this book.  Maybe I can find others in this series at garage sales this summer.
8. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren This one is next on Magnolia's list to read.  The girls love the movie so I have high hopes that she'll love the book too.  I'll let you know what she thought of it after she reads it.
9. Berenstain Bears Big Chapter Books Who doesn't love the Berenstain Bears?  I never even knew there were chapter books about the bears.  I picked up a couple at a garage sale and unfortunately they are out of print.  I'm hopping maybe the library will carry the rest of the series.

Recommended Books on Food and Life

This list should be much longer than only 5 books, but 4 of these I read in the past year and they were fresh in my mind.  I would love some other recommendations for books that would fit in this category that I can put on my reading list for 2013.  I have strong opinions having to do with eating REAL food...natural, God designed, in season, local, pure food.  I also have a strong calling to live more simply with less stuff and less distractions.  So the books below that I have read and LOVED all have taught me so much about real food and simplicity living.

1. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan  A must must must read for anyone who eats food.  If you fall into that category and haven't read this yet, please do yourself a favor.  An eye opening book at only 200 pages, it's a fast read.

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan Another gem by Michael Pollan.  Delve deeper into the food industry.  I think you'd be shocked by what you learn from this book.  The author should be Secretary of Agriculture of our country.  Things need to change in America's food industry and we all need to be on board.

3. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver  I read this book several years ago and have been on the seasonal eating bandwagon ever since.  In this book Barbara Kingsolver and her family pledge to eat only locally and seasonally for a whole year.  Before reading about her journey of seasonal eating, I had never learned about the seasonality of our food.  My eyes were opened and I have embraced this way of enjoying food.

4. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker  Inspirational book that makes you step back and really look at all that you have.  How excess has become a normal part of our culture.  How much do we really need?  I loved this book and want to read it again this year.

5. Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth  Another book about living a more simple life.  This author speaks to my soul with her quest for a slower, more simple, sustainable life.  Slower, Simple, Sustainable makes my heart go pitter-patter. 

Recommended Books for Raising Kids

I have read several books about babies and raising kids over the years.  Most of them probably when I was pregnant with Magnolia because I didn't care much about anything else at the time!  Some of the books I have read didn't really give me much insight on what babies and kids are truly like even though before having any kids (when I was doing all of this reading) I thought I was fully informed about what motherhood was going to be like.  The more kids we bring into our family, the more I realize that flexibility and being in tune to each individual child's personality is key, as well as not getting used to anything because kids (especially babies) change so often that everything is a phase, good or bad.  The following books are ones that I have read and would highly recommend to all of the mothers out there.  Some of these I have read more than once because they are good reminders at different stages of childhood.

1. Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson Its scary raising kids in our world today, especially little girls, and Dr. Dobson's advice on tackling all the hard questions is based on biblical principles.  This book is a wonderful guide to raising girls to make good decisions as they grow up.

2. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson No calling is greater, nobler, or more fulfilling than that motherhood. Every day, as we nurture our children, mothers influence eternal destiny as no one else can. Today’s culture minimizes the vital importance of a mother’s role. By catching a vision of God’s original design and allowing it to shape your life, you can rediscover the joy and fulfillment to be found in the strategic role to which God in all his wisdom has called you, for a purpose far greater than you can ever imagine. 


3. The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson Another great book by Sally Clarkson.  This book is about following Christ's example to reach the hearts of our children.  Because motherhood isn't a job, it's a calling.  Great reminders in this book that as mothers, we are to be the example of Christ to our kids. 

4. The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman  Please read this book!  It's a quick and easy read that MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!  Every person has their own love language that makes them feel loved.  There are 5 different ones and while you may think you are obviously showing your love for your child, you may actually be missing their language and not connecting with them.  Also read Gary Chapman's book The 5 Love Languages to find out what your and your spouse's languages are.

5. Simplicity Parenting by Lisa M. Ross  I strive to live a life more simply and raise my children that way, but more often than not the consumerism and materialism of our culture sucks me in.  I want my kids to grow up being appreciative of the simple things and not get bogged down and overwhelmed by stuff.  This book is a wonderful encouragement for pursuing a more simple life.

6. Bringing up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman   This book showed up on my doorstep one day courtesy of Amazon and my mother in law.  I began reading and couldn't put it down.  It's wonderfully written and reads like you are having a conversation with a girl friend.  The author finds when she moves to France with a young child that motherhood is a whole different experience in France.  My sister borrowed this book and loved it too!