I finally turned my somewhat reluctant 7 year old into a reader. It took a while to find a genre he likes, but he loves silly books. He's read everything by Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants, Dogman, etc). Does anyone have any recommendations for similar books?
I've previously tried classics, etc, he doesn't read them and he doesn't want me to read them to him. Plus he gets very upset at anything sad (he cried for a long time when I read him The Ugly Duckling because the other ducks were so mean, he refused to let me read beyond the introduction of The Secret Garden because the girl's parent die, etc). I'm happy that I found an author that finally turned him into an enthusiastic reader - but haven't found anything to get him to move on from Pilkey. Ideas?
Where the Wild Things Are - so much fun.
The stories you read him are too "deep" for him. He can't get past the hard stuff to get to the good stuff. Maybe get some books that aren't necessarily silly, but "light"...
My kids liked Captain Underpants too, but if affected my older son's behavior.
First thing to remember: there are MANY silly classics! Children's books have included silly stories since the dawn of time! Don't think for a minute that he will not be able to read great writing of "silly" stories!
Here are some options:
Wayside School series ("Sideways Stories", etc).
Amelia Bedelia series.
The Magic School Bus series.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.
Half Magic.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Pippi Longstocking.
Mr. Popper's Penguins.
Henry Huggins series.
Alice in Wonderland and series (Through the Looking Glass, etc).
Mary Poppins series.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
(One nice list: look online for "whatdowedoallday funny chapter books for kids" - or click the link here -http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/funny-chapter-books-for-k...)
One of mine was very into Captain Underpants - I think there was a caveman series by same person/people too.
He liked the Geronimo Stilton books very much - I think he moved on to those around that stage. They are adventure type books - a mouse goes on to help friends around world, so they are kind of educational in that respect, but he's always getting into predicaments. Not too serious, and there's a nice series so if he likes one, the school will have a ton and library.
He also liked the Roahl Dahl books - those are pretty silly, but a bit more advanced than Captain Underpants. Think of Chalie and the Chocolate Factory.
He loved the Hogwarts series . Harry Potter.
Another one of my kids loved the Guiness World Record books (I think they were big encyclopedia type things for kids) - never really loved reading so much as looking at silly/cool pictures and reading up on where and when.
Dav Pilkey has another series called "Ricky Ricottas Mighty Robot."
https://www.amazon.com/Ricky-Ricottas-Mighty-Robot-Book/d...
At that age my kids also liked "Bad Kitty", "Fly Guy", "Lunch Lady", "Stuey Lewis", "Notebook of Doom."
Sideways Stories from Wayside School (and others in the series)
Goony Bird series
Dr. Seuss
Where the Sidewalk Ends and other books by Shel Silverstein
I don't know a lot of these books, but this list looks like it might have some good choices: https://imaginationsoup.net/best-books-7-year-olds/
Here's another good list: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/funny-books-for-kids
To get both lists, I just googled "silly books for 7-9 year olds" and there were many other links you could try.
I know what you mean! My 8 year old wasn't interested in reading anything besides Thomas the Tank Engine or Cars until recently ... when we found out Captain Underpants was being made into a movie. That motivated him to read the first book. Now he's hooked. And now I can't get him to try anything else.
My 11 year old was into Captain Underpants when he was 8 :-)
We have a wonderful librarian at our school. My son would bring home all kinds of different books. Maybe once school starts, encourage him to ask her (or him) for suggestions. I've almost never been able to help my son find things to read, but he is willing to ask the school librarian.
Try not to worry that he's only interested in Pilkey's books. One day he will decide that he's tired of those books or he'll just find something else that interests him. He will be introduced to so many other books at school or by his friends. It will happen! For now, let him read what he likes and just enjoy reading.
My son was like that at this age and the teacher said just get him the kind of books he likes for now because the most important thing is to just encourage his love of reading and enjoying it! I have great advice for you - go to the kids (not adult) graphic novel section of the library. Our library has SO many funny and fun books that both our kids just love! Plus they have both read all the old Calvin and Hobbes books (your son will love these!). My daughter is 7 and reads and rereads them. Adventures in Cartooning is so funny and cute. Owly is adorable. There are so many funny/cute ones and I can't remember the names. Hopefully the library near you is as good as ours is! These are not graphic novels, but they are sweet...my son loved the Catwings series at about age 8. Right now both kids like The Tin Tin Adventures books. Have fun finding books!
Dan Gutman's "My Weird School" series is funny in that silly sort of way.
I do understand the appeal of Mr Pilkey. My own son loves him. :) "Snarf Attack, Underfoodle and the Secret of Life" by Mary Amato was another favorite.
The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parrish; The Mrs Piggle-Wiggle books by Betty Macdonald are fun. Calvin and Hobbes, The Teacher from the Black Lagoon series, The 13 (or 26 or 39) Story Treehouse (the Andy Griffiths book... my son and his friends like these). It depends on what your son's reading abilities are. Also, check out graphic novels! There are a lot of fun ones out there. Good luck!
Mine really likes the Diary of a Wipmy Kid books. I like them too. They are really entertaining.
For sure take him to the library! The children's librarian will have lots of suggestions.
My son liked all the Pilkey books as well, we actually met him once at an author signing at our local bookstore, he was such an engaging guy :-)
My son also really got into Roald Dahl (Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Witches, Matilda, Willy Wonka, James and the Giant Peach, etc.) and the Adventures of Tin Tin. Later it was A Series of Unfortunate Events and Harry Potter, and Artemis Fowl.
