“Mommy, I can picture it now…”

That’s what I’ve heard from my 5 year old son each time we’ve read aloud for the last two weeks.   Because of his older sister, I thought it was normal for all children to enjoy the Narnia books at 4 and listen to two hours of Little House on the Prairie tapes by age 5.  On the contrary to his very auditory older sister, prior to the past few weeks, the boy always groaned when I pulled out a chapter book and he’s just begun to enjoy books on tape but mostly prefers music not long well-written prose.  Finally, he’s tracking a lengthy story with enthusiasm, stopping twice in thirty minutes to say, “Mommy, I can picture it.  I can see the fence and the tree and the dogs trying to get the coon.  I bet Billy’s going to win the bet, don’t you?”

The book that has won him over is Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.  Well, it has the right elements to capture a boy’s heart-a determined boy with an adventure, puppy and woods style.  Even my girls are roaming through Billy’s world in their mind as we read, anxious to see who will win, coon or dog.

So I’m here to encourage you.  If your boy needs to jump and drive cars while you read, let him. Throw in great picture books along with your chapter book while he’s still growing into his listening and comprehension skills.  Keep trying GREAT books, and eventually I hope you’ll hear those sweet words, “No, don’t stop, another chapter, plee-ase!”

Readers note:  This book does contain tragedy, some detailed passages of a fatal injury to a human and a heart-wrenching ending that is worth tears of sadness and joy as Billy struggles with the ways of God.  I edited those two passages for younger ears.