fluffyknickers Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Sorry if the spelling is wrong. I heard an interview with the author on radio 4 and speaking about the Lemony Snicket books and I wondered what you all think of them. My son is 5 and a half (the half to him is important!) and I wondered if he is too young or would enjoy them to be read to him. Dont know how scary they are! Thanks Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I saw Lemony Snicket (or his alter ego) on BBC breakfast earlier in the week. He is bonkers and didn't have a straight answer for any of their questions. But in answer to your question, I think 5 1/2 is a bit too young for the books. They are quite dark and sinister. I would wait until he is 8 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I'd also say he's a bit too young yet. Maybe you could get a series of unfortunate events on dvd and see what you think and then maybe let him watch that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I haven't read these though my family have and they are all adults. I think the main premise is the children survive against the odds. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong, whenever they find safety it gets taken away, usually by someone's violent death. This is great if you're older and therefore have the capacity to laugh at others misfortune but I don't think your little boy will. I think when he's about 10 he will love them! I used to read the Puddle lane books -which you can still get on Amazon- to them. Lovely stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I would agree that 5 is too young. DD started these when she was 8 and still loves them 2 years later. Also, i don't want to put my foot in it but would the vocabulary be a bit too much for a five year old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 They are great books but he would enjoy them more if he was a bit older. I think that perhaps 7 is a better age if he is a more advanced reader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I agree, 5 1/2 is a bit young. I have all of them and think they are great. BUT I am slightly older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 yes I agree, he's a tad young to really understand all of the parts in them at the moment but that aside I actually dont like his way of writing. It annoys me I have all the books except number 4 which mysteriously walked out my OS room.. was here, now its not. I am about to donate these books to the school with my YS's Horrible Henry. Now I would say at 5 and a very important half he would LOVE horrible Henry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Now I would say at 5 and a very important half he would LOVE horrible Henry. Oh yes, Horrid Henry books are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 sorry thats it Horrrid Henry rather than Horrible, see you can tell my son is too old for them now and they are just gathering dust on the shelf. Promised them to the school for their library though so they will be put to good use... when I can get them there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 Sorry for late reply... Taking your advise ditched the idea for now and gone for Roald Dahls books instead as always my favourite when I was little. So far nearly finished Georges Marvelous Medicine and he laughs out loud at it and really enjoying. My grandma voice is getting very good! Next we have the BFG and the Twits and Fantastic Mr Fox. All a bargain as most from Amazon and one on BOGOF from Waterstones. Thanks Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Sorry for late reply... Taking your advise ditched the idea for now and gone for Roald Dahls books instead as always my favourite when I was little. So far nearly finished Georges Marvelous Medicine and he laughs out loud at it and really enjoying. My grandma voice is getting very good! Next we have the BFG and the Twits and Fantastic Mr Fox. All a bargain as most from Amazon and one on BOGOF from Waterstones. Thanks Michelle Brilliant idea, Roald Dahl still has a certain darkness without being too scary. When my sister was little she had George's Marvellous Medicine on audio tape, the voices were brilliant and i still imitate them now Actually, we got a collection of Roald Dahl audio books on CD from The Book People, though it was a couple of years ago. They were really good value, might be worth looking out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I've been trying to think what my two liked at aged 5 and a half.... I'm pretty sure we did the Minchpins (Roald Dahl) and George's marvellous medicine but some of the books were just too scary for them. When DS starting to read for himself at aged 5 and a half the Bel Mooney books were popular, ...I don't want to.. etc.. Thing is of course, even at 5 and a very important half, tastes are personal and so what your child likes, another one hates... For us I think Mr Majeka rated quite highly but the best was Pongwiffy (the witch of dirty habits by Kaye Umansky) (these books are an absolute gift if you like reading with different voices.. and they contain a lot of humour. and there are loads of them so if they want to come back for more you don't have to disappoint!!) I'm feeling a pang of envy - those bedtimes stories were such a special time with my kids..whatever you chose to read..enjoy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 8-ish onwards about right. Both my kids adored the series with a passion. Try horrid Henry, and even better the Mr Gum series, beginning with your a horrid man Mr Gum. Absolutely hysterical and anarchic. My daughter an I fight over these when a new one comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 the BFG was one of my favourites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...