Ammon learned to read, and read well, when he was pretty young. But I have not been able to get him interested in chapter books. I have checked out various types of books from the library--he'll read them if I force him, but he'd rather not. A while ago, I was pretty worried about his lack of interest in reading for fun on his grade level. I e-mailed my friends, Neal and Kristi (who have 8-year-old twins) for some book ideas. I couldn't even get him into the ones they recommended. (But I haven't tried all of them yet!) Then Chris brought home a book called "Rocks and Minerals." Ammon couldn't put it down. And he comprehends it. I decided not to worry. He just has different interests.
Later, he got some different chapter books for Christmas. He was uninterested. But Grandma JoAnn gave him a Garfield book. He loves it and reads it constantly--over and over. Maybe he just has different interests. But come on! He's got to learn to read real books at some point. As I started to worry about him again, he surprised me. He took the new Bible he got for his birthday to bed with him. In the morning, he said, "I read the first chapter of Genesis by myself." I asked him some questions and found that he has a good comprehension of King James' language. So, I decided not to worry.
One book Ammon got for Christmas was the classic, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Since he wasn't going to read it by himself, I decided to read it to the family. Of course they love it! Nathan hangs on every word with his eyes as big as his ears. (I couldn't think of a good comparison.) Everyone laughs and wants to read another chapter. And then another. After we finished the 2nd chapter, Ammon stole the book. He took it to bed with him two nights in a row and had it finished! It's like a little dream come true for me. Ammon read his first book. Ammon read his first book. Hurray!
By the way, now the kids want to watch the movie. We tried showing them the Johnny Depp one about 4 years ago and it scared the chocolate out of them. I didn't watch the whole thing because it was traumatizing my children. Those of you (with normal children) who have seen it, do you think my kids can handle it now that they know the story?
7 comments:
I love that movie. We quote it all the time. I think that it captured Roald Dahl better than the original did.
I've never seen the movie. But I don't really like the book either. It kind-of freaks me out that no one seems to care that all the kids keep disappearing or turning purple, or blowing up or whatever happens to them.
Oh come on, Rachel. Like Willy Wonka says, "They all come out in the wash." Besides don't bratty kids deserve it?
"Scared the chocolate out of them." Hee hee hee! My kids love the movie. I agree with Kathryn that it does a better job capturing the book than the original, but I do love the original too.
I am so happy for you and Ammon! Reading as a family is a great way to get them hooked on a story. It is amazing how often they will reread certain books.
We have watched both movies with the kids. I think that is the way to go. The old version isn't so creepy as the new one, which sticks to the dialogue better. You can build on the movie night fun by getting some Wonka Bars for a treat. They are yummy.
Way to go Ammon!
OK, Gene Wilder isn't as psychotic as Johnny Depp. Depp's Willy Wonka has an air of menace about him, not appearing to like the kids or value Charlie's family (the biggest gripes I have with departure from the source material). Along with the questionable origin story (having Saruman as his OCDentist father) tips the balance for me in favor of the original (though it's still not my favorite movie and I do love Johnny Depp).
Post a Comment