Recommended English Books

[mrswongtuition]

coolit:

Hi TAS,


If there is a movie version of a book, do you advise that we let the kids
see it first and get them to read the book or get them to read and then see the movie. Spiderwick is also a movie and I was wondering if I should get the kids to view the movie so they will be more excited to read?

I normally encourage them to read first, then the movie will be the 'reward' for reading the book.

[buds]

coolit:

Hi TAS,


If there is a movie version of a book, do you advise that we let the kids
see it first and get them to read the book or get them to read and then see the movie.

Heyya coolit, i got my girls to read the Wizard of Oz after they watched
the original movie. I even got them the pop up book to help them recap
the scenes. There are some books where the description of the places r
a little far fetched form of imagination especially for younger children.

I guess it varies from one child to another.
No two children are alike. They'd each have preferences.
Try it out first and see which works for your child. Book 1st
or movie 1st and vice versa. Good luck, coolit! :celebrate:

[The Alternative Story]

jasmineong:

Hi TAS, can you give examples of how to use descriptions from storybooks to help children to write well like what you told BigDad, thanks, by the way I am also joining the queue for the book sale.

Hi jasmine,

You can use phrases from storybooks to show your children how to
write well, they can also use these phrases and apply them to
their writing.

Eg:

Description of a hot day
(taken from They never came home by Lois Duncan)

- The Cotwells' small house gathered the morning heat and held it
close within itself while the sun moved in a high arch above its roof.
Daylight clung to the sky for long hours.

Adapt to writing:

- The school gathered the morning heat and held it close within itself
while the sun moved in a high arch above its roof. In the classroom,
the heat seemed to smoother me as I struggled to listen to
the droning voice of the teacher.

TAS

[The Alternative Story]

coolit:

Hi TAS,


If there is a movie version of a book, do you advise that we let the kids
see it first and get them to read the book or get them to read and then see the movie. Spiderwick is also a movie and I was wondering if I should get the kids to view the movie so they will be more excited to read?

Hi coolit,

Like what mrswongtuition and buds mentioned, there are different ways
to do this. A lot depends on your child, if your child is already a reader,
then it would be good to show the movie after the book to help the
child to further visualize the story and to also throw up some thinking
questions like:

1) What are the possible reasons that the producer did
not adapt certain parts of the book for the movie?

For a child who is not so interested in reading, it can be done in 2 ways:

- One way would be to let the child know that a certain movie is based
on the book and you heard that the book has a lot more scenes in it and
he or she might want to read the book to find out more.

- Another way would be to read a little with your child first and then
get the child to watch the movie and tell the child that the ending of
the movie is not really the end, the book has another version or it
provides more details of the ending.

Basically, with a reluctant reader, you want to use the movie
to inspire the child to read.

With a child who is an avid reader, you can use the movie to
bring up questions that would get him or her to think deeper about
the story.

TAS

[jasmineong]

The Alternative Story:

jasmineong:

Hi TAS, can you give examples of how to use descriptions from storybooks to help children to write well like what you told BigDad, thanks, by the way I am also joining the queue for the book sale.

Hi jasmine,

You can use phrases from storybooks to show your children how to
write well, they can also use these phrases and apply them to
their writing.

Eg:

Description of a hot day
(taken from They never came home by Lois Duncan)

- The Cotwells' small house gathered the morning heat and held it
close within itself while the sun moved in a high arch above its roof.
Daylight clung to the sky for long hours.

Adapt to writing:

- The school gathered the morning heat and held it close within itself
while the sun moved in a high arch above its roof. In the classroom,
the heat seemed to smoother me as I struggled to listen to
the droning voice of the teacher.

TAS

TAS, thank you once again! Now I kind of get it..erm, do you mind if you give a few more examples, please

[coolit]

mrswongtuition,


Tks for your input!

buds,

I think I have 'talked' to you before at the newbies section, is that what
you call it? Anyway nice to see you again. Thanks for your
suggestions, ya, I guess it depends on the kids, cos I was thinking
of getting them to read Percy Jackson but they are resisting, so far, they have not really picked up reading yet, I am into lit and here they are resisting reading, but anyway, will keep trying to get the reading 'bug'

TAS,

Thanks for your input, it helps me to see how to inspire the reluctant readers- my kids

Coolit

[KingRascal]

I fully agree that watching the movie of a story book is one of the best ways to excite the children to read more. My DS is one example. It worked perfectly well.


He went into the whole range of Roald Dahl books after watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He read Harry Potter 3-4 times while he watched the movies, and often tell me the many details from the books that the movies failed to illustrate! He watched Alice in Wonderland and read the book with great enjoyment. It worked almost all the time.

Next I want to let him catch up on the Chronicles of Narnia movies as he read the books recently.

[hermes173]

Same here with dd.


She could read by 5 but she was rather disinterested despite the huge number of books at home.

But must commend dh for never giving up. He continued reading to her day after day, even embarked on Harry Potter. My jaw dropped and I asked him if he was being overly ambitious. Not one to be daunted, he forged ahead.

He was making little headway. But then the movie came out and we took dd to the show. After the show, she came home and picked up the book of her own accord.

Ever since then, let's just say that we did not have to urge her to read anymore. :lol:

[coolit]

Hi TAS,


Any thoughts abt Reckless by Cornelia something (same author as Inkheart)? Am also wondering if you are planning to bring in Lies (part 3 of Gone series?

[jeestan]

Hi TAS,


Could you bring in more Chris Ryan books, I find the creative writing phrases from there very good, thanks.