When my friend Kelly (herself the mother of two awesome boys) recommended Alvin Ho to me, I knew Max would appreciate it. He, like Alvin, is afraid of many things. We talk about those things a lot, and he works through them (i.e. he no longer has to wear socks to bed because he is afraid crabs will pinch his toes in the night)... but I just knew he would enjoy reading about someone who thinks like he does.
Max writes (with spelling help from mom):
It was funny, really funny because it reminded me of everything. And it is always good when the bossy guy gets it.
My list:
1. Feral children (editor's note: Thanks a bunch, NatGeo! http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/is-it-real/2706/Overview)
2. Cougars (editor's note: He means cougars of the feline variety...)
3. The dark
4. Talking to grown-ups
5. Getting lost
6. Floods/tornadoes/hurricanes/earthquakes/volcanoes
7. Bears
8. Rats
9. Big Foot/neanderthals/hairy men/werewolves/sasquatch
I think most second-grade boys would like this book. I didn't understand all of the words, but I knew enough to understand and like the story. And don't forget it is really funny.
Oh, Alvin Ho -- how I love you! We finally made it through the second Alvin Ho -- in which he is allergic to camping, etc. Some nights, Andy would listen intently, other nights he would hide the book and say "Alvin Ho has left the building!" We both love the illustration of what Alvin thinks you have to look like in order to go camping! We're reading Charlotte's Web right now. I had forgotten what an excellent read-aloud this is!
ReplyDeleteYou should try the Mercy Watson books with Toby -- written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.
I've seen the Mercy Watson books- and I LOVE Chris Van Dusen's illustrations- so now with your recommendation, we'll actually take one home next time. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI adore CHARLOTTE'S WEB as a read-aloud because it is so entertaining for the adult AND the child. My boys, of course, get annoyed by my sobbing, but they are pretty used to it.
We read Alvin Ho aloud and all three enjoyed them greatly. Lenore Look's Ruby Lu books are fun too (and appear to be set in Seattle). Alvin Ho is a great next read after the Scaredy Squirrel picture books (highly recommended).
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