We love sharing some of our favorite book series with our youngest as a read-aloud activity. So everyday we take Bluey to Klickitat Street and Walnut Grove. He hears about adventures with Mr. Edwards, Uncle Hobart, and Picky-Picky. Bluey loves these stories and always wants more.
Although many of these books are actually marketed towards kids several years older than Bluey, we love being able to read them to him. He follows the plots quite readily and enjoys hearing about, and picturing, the trials and tribulations of kids a bit older than him. Since we are reading long series of books, it really gives Bluey a chance to connect with the characters and locations.
We started with the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. Ramona is a precocious and independent spirit with a love for art. Her struggles as the youngest member of her family resonate for Bluey.
After finishing all the adventures of Ramona, Beezus, Henry, and Ribsy, we moved on to the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Little House stories take Bluey to another time and he learns abut how people lived in the past. There is an amazing amount of detail about the settlers struggles that we had forgotten as adults. And, of course, Laura is really dealing with the same issues as people today: siblings, family issues, bullies at school… in many ways it is also very familiar to our Bluey.
Tip: Be prepared to discuss racism and sexism with your child when reading the Little House books.
We treasure these times, snuddled up together, experiencing these worlds with our young child. We think he does too.
When he is older, maybe Bluey will reread all these great books. Or maybe he’ll turn to other series, other authors. Regardless, he’s experiencing the worlds of Laura and Ramona now, and he loves every moment.