What We're Reading Lately - Together and Independently

Now that school is officially out for the summer, we have more time on our hands than ever before. With most of our regular summer activities cancelled, we are pretty much home all the time. This leaves lots of time for reading, which just happens to be one of our favorite things to do! I thought I would share some of what we're reading both together and independently! This list is far from exhaustive but here are some of our current favorites (you'll notice a lot of summer themed) by age. 

The books listed under together are those that I read with or to the kids. Those listed as independent are those that they are reading on their own (throughout the day.) 

Teddy is really getting to the point where he will sit for a few minutes and look at a book. He's much more into moving around though so we keep it short and sweet. 

Together: Peek-A-Boo! | I Can

Independently: An older version of this IKEA fabric book

I anticipate he'll be at this stage of a few minutes of reading then crawling off for awhile! 

Gus is super into picture books and could read for hours together. There's never enough books in a pile to satisfy him! He's at the stage where he really is happy with any board or picture book, but not quite interested in picture-less chapter books. 

Together: The Ladybug and Other Insects | Jabari Jumps | One Hot Summer Day | At the Beach

Independently: In the Town All Year 'Round (yes, still) 

I think Gus will mostly be into picture books for awhile. The other kids started to enjoy shorter chapter books around age 4.5 so I'll keep trying with him as he gets older. 

Nora is in that wonderful place where she will still happily read picture books for hours on end but also loves a good chapter book. She is an emergent reader so her independent reading is practicing her new skills. She and Henry also listen to audio books for a few minutes before bed, so I've included their current audio book. 

Together: The Relatives Came | Come On, Rain! | The Name Jar | More Milly, Molly, Mandy 

Independently: Rhonda's Readers  

Audio Book: Boxcar Children Book 1

I anticipate that Nora will start flying through early readers soon and move on to reading us picture books. But that will be in addition to lots of reading together. 

Henry is a strong reader and really enjoys reading alone. While he will listen to the younger kid's picture books, he's mostly past being super interested in them on his own and prefers longer chapter books. He's in a strong Harry Potter phase and read all 7 books between Christmas and March, now he re-reads them via audio book constantly. 

Together: More Milly, Molly, Mandy (Henry, Nora, and I read this together) | Bummer in the Summer (just Henry)

Independently: Harry Potter Illustrated additions | Calvin and Hobbs Complete Collection (this is Morgan's and Henry loves it) | Magic Treehouse Merlin Missions (he can fly through these but loves the stories) 

Audio: also all of the Harry Potter books 
 

It makes me sad but I think Henry is pretty much done reading picture books with me, but we do like to dig into a good chapter book together. He loves when I can sit and listen to Harry Potter with him since the audio book narration is way better than my own read-aloud skills! 

And, that's it! A look at some of our current favorites. These change all the time (especially as we finish a chapter book) so I'll be sure to share again.