I Is The BFG

Ok, so I find myself with a 7 and a half year old (you've gotta add the half, cuz you know she's not just 7, lol) who is no longer just in to Disney picture books. Or the Little Golden Books. She's more or less left those behind and has graduated in to "Chapter Books" (dun dun dunnnnnn).

And I know (I KNOW OK?!?) that I've been writing WAY more about books recently than I ever have before (can I help it if I'm a booknerd?) but I just figured I'd share some "Chapter Books" that I used to read when I was younger, as well as some of the ones that Alanna is reading now. Just incase you're looking to graduate your little one from what he/she's reading now.

And if I DONT do it now, I probably won't remember to do it later, as I am currently running on about 6 hours of sleep in the last 3 days. All of those hours being in one night, so .... do the math. :-)

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park is a series of chapter books that follow Junie through Kindergarten and First grade (the first grade series being titled Junie B First Grader). Good for readers between the ages of 4-8. I must admit I have never actually read one of these books, but Alanna seems to love them, so I buy them for her. One of these days I'll either have a sit down with her and read one to her, or have her read it to me. From the descriptions of the books and from the webpage, they look totally cute and easy to learn with. Go visit the webpage here and check them out. There are TONS to choose from. One of the most recent purchases for my Alanna was Junie B Jones is a Party Animal. Description of the book:

"Junie B. is spending the night! Lucille is having a sleepover party -- at her richie nanna's big giant house! Grace and Junie B. can't wait to see all the rich stuff in that place. Sleeping over at the nanna's is sure to be a dream come true!' Cause what could possibly go wrong?"

What could possibly go wrong indeed. You know whenever those words are uttered that probably EVERYTHING has gone wrong.

Ramona Quimby books, by Beverly Cleary. One of my all time favorite series. Everytime I went to the library in elementary school I had to snag one of these. And If I recall correctly, long long ago there was also a TV show staring miss Ramona that I was always captivated by. Description from Ramona Quimby, Age 8:

Ramona feels quite grown-up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus make dinner, and trying hard to be nice to pesky Willa Jean after school. Turning eight years old and entering the first grade can do that to a girl. So how can her teacher call her a nuisance?

These were always so much fun to read (and watch). Definitely a must have on the book list when you check stuff out at the local library.

The Baby-sitters Club by Ann M. Martin. This was one of my all time favorite book series EVER when I was younger. I bought as many of the regular books as I could, was always WICKED excited when I found one of the Super Specials or the Mysteries. This will definitely make your little girls wanna start their own babysitting club (even if they can't technically babysit yet). I might have to venture back to VA and go through my mother's garage to see how many of these bad boys I can find, and give them to Alanna. I had to have at least 50-75. And that wasn't even HALF of what was out there. This one was a TV show too, and there was even a movie that came out way back when. And I was tickled pink when I saw the BSC ice skating once during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.


Fancy Nancy books written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser have got to be some of THE CUTEST books I have ever seen. I love the brightly colored illustrations and the adventure in the books. They're totally fun to read (even Lydia likes this one!). In this particular book (it's not a chapter book, oops) Nancy and her friend go exploring. They explore trees, leaves, birds, bugs, wildflowers, and butterflies. And they have a secret clubhouse that is "to die for"! I wish these books had been out when I was little. The website is just as awesome to browse around as the books are to read. Very interactive and fun.

Honestly, anything by Roald Dahl is a great read for someone of the... younger persuasion. But one of the books that sticks out in my mind the most is The BFG (I had to throw one in that I thought little guys would like to read as well... sorry, I only have little chickies, I don't know what boys like to read!). It was one of the stories that was read to me first, and then I read on my own later on.

Sophie discovers that giants not only exist, but that there are a great many of them who like to guzzle and swallomp nice little chiddlers. But not the Big Friendly Giant. He and Sophie cook up an ingenious plot to free the world of troggle-humping -- forever.

Like I said, anything by Roald Dahl is a great read. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. James and the Giant Peach. Matilda. All tons of fun to read by yourself and to your little ones! All filled with fun adventures and magic!

Well, there you have it for now. Books for the older kiddies.

But chillens, my tank runneth on empty I fear. I'm about to sputter and die. So I must bid you all, adieu!