This summer, I decided it would be fun to read a chapter book with Laney. I have always been a big Roald Dahl fan, so we started with The BFG. It also helped that there were little pictures on some pages throughout the book. We are keeping that theme going, therefore, next up we have Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and The Witches.
Here’s a list of other great chapter books to read aloud with your littles. Such a fun way to make them feel like a big kid and introduce them to more of the reading world at the same time!
Mercy Watson Series
Mercy watson is an adored large pig who has crazy and amusing adventures, such as accidentally becoming the driver of a car. Her owners treat her as more than a pig so read along for some wild fun!
Babe the Gallant Pig
When Babe arrives at Hogget Farm, Mrs. Hogget’s thoughts turn to sizzling bacon and juicy pork chops—until he reveals a surprising talent for sheepherding, that is. Before long, Babe is handling Farmer Hogget’s flock better than any sheepdog ever could. Babe is so good, in fact, that the farmer enters him into the Grand Challenge Sheepdog Trials. Will it take a miracle for Babe to win?
The Chocolate Touch
Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out….
Encyclopedia Brown
A Civil War sword…A watermelon stabbing…Missing roller skates…A trapeze artist’s inheritance…And an eyewitness who’s legally blind!
Theses are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him–the answer to all the mysteries are found in the back!
James and the Giant Peach
When James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it’s as big as a house. When James discovers a secret entranceway into the fruit and crawls inside, he meets wonderful new friends–the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the dainty Ladybug, and the Centipede of the multiple boots. After years of feeling like an outsider in his aunts’ house, James finally found a place where he belongs. With a snip of the stem, the peach household starts rolling away–and the adventure begins!
The Trumpet of the Swan
Louie is very popular. Who wouldn’t love a swan who can read, write, and play the trumpet? When Louie goes to camp, he meets a boy named A.G. who doesn’t like birds, and since Louie is a bird, that means he doesn’t like Louie. When A.G. pulls a dangerous stunt out on the lake, he realizes that Louie is a hero, after all.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie Bucket’s wonderful adventure begins when he finds one of Mr. Willy Wonka’s precious Golden Tickets and wins a whole day inside the mysterious chocolate factory. Little does he know the surprises that are in store for him!
Matilda
Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she’s knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she’s a super-nerd and the teacher’s pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda’s world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there’s the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Miss (“The”) Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.
B is for Betsy
Betsy is scared about going to first grade, but it turns out school is a great place. She learns about tadpoles and the true meaning of Thanksgiving, makes new friends, and has more fun than she’d ever imagined.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Living in a knothole in a hotel room, young Ralph has seen plenty of families come and go, some more generous with their crumbs than others. But when young Keith and his parents check in to the hotel, Ralph gets his first chance to check out. He has always fantasized about venturing beyond the second floor, maybe even outside. Curiosity overcomes caution, and Ralph must have a go at Keith’s toy motorcycle. Soon, the headstrong mouse finds himself in a pickle, when all he wanted was to ride a motorcycle. Lucky for him, the boy understands how it is. When he discovers Ralph in his thwarted attempt to abscond with the toy bike, Keith generously encourages the rodent to ride. He even teaches him the simple trick of starting the motorcycle: “You have to make a noise… pb-pb-b-b-b.” The subsequent situations Ralph motors into require quick thinking and grownup-sized courage.
As a treat for finishing our first chapter book together, we tried a new coffee shop that opened near our house. In The BFG, the big friendly giant uses poor grammar and often mispronounces words as a result of him having to teach himself how to speak English. For example, he calls human beings “human beans.” Well this new drive-thru coffee shop is called Human Beans. I thought that was too funny and such a coincidence. I found that their menu is simple, yet really good! I think it’s a franchise, so check to see if you have one. Their mochas aren’t just made with a chocolate flavored syrup — they actually steam chocolate milk. Wow! I tried their caramel hazelnut coffee and the girls both had their frozen hot chocolate. We give their customer service and drinks two thumbs up! Definitely going back!
Do you have any other books that should be added to this list? Happy reading!
Book summaries referenced from Good Reads.
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