I started reading chapter books to Emilia when she was 2, so you can imagine my surprise when along comes Jonny who doesn't want to sit and listen to long, boring, picture-less chapter books.
A couple weeks ago, I thought I'd give it another go. He and I were quietly alone. A rarity indeed. About two or three pages into Farmer Boy, Jonny interrupted me.
"How long is this going to take?" He didn't quite moan because he knew I was excited. Kind boy.
"Oh, not too long. I'll only read a chapter. Don't you want to know what those mean boys will do to the teacher?" I'm coaxing him. Trying to appeal to his boyish interests, which center on righteous things like... fighting.
He reluctantly agrees to listen some more. We make it through a chapter, but I've never seen a boy jump up so fast when I close the book. You'd think I was reading...oh, I don't know...instructions on how to crochet a large afghan.
Later, I got a call from my sister-in-law, Juliet, who happens to be the mother of Jonny's bestest cousin/friend in the whole world. Jadon and Jonny were born a week apart and they are inseparable (when they're together, which isn't that often because they live 2 hours apart).
In this phone conversation with Juliet, I found out that my mom had been reading My Side of the Mountain to Jadon. I happen to own that book and quickly located it on my shelf.
Once off the phone, I animatedly told Jonny that Jadon and Grandma were reading this same book and Jadon really likes it. Jonny's eyes immediately lit up as he grabbed it out of my hand. "When can we start reading it?!" He was smiling. He was actually excited about a chapter book! I couldn't believe it! I shouldn't have been so surprised. Those boys could get excited about collecting broken pencil leads if they find out the other has that as a new hobby.
I wasn't about to waste time. Scrapping any plans I had for the day (which, if you know me, isn't that hard for me to do), I immediately sat down and started reading My Side of the Mountain to Jonny. I finished a chapter. He asked for more. I finished another chapter. He asked for more. Glory, glory! We finished that book in a week.
Jonny will turn 6 in mid February. It took him a little longer than his sister, but I think he may have caught the chapter book bug. At least, I hope so. What fun to see him delighting in a book...
Even if only because of his cousin.
Now I just have to find out what book Jadon will read next. ;)
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