Chapter Books for Kids

I have been reading baby and toddler books every day since the start of 2016. That’s a lot of reading, right? Go me! However, that means I have read a lot of books that are just not that interesting to an adult. Recently, I decided it was time to step into the vast and wild world of chapter books with my 4 year old. I think he is just as excited as I am to transition from books with many pictures to books filled with words (and a few pictures because, again, he is only 4 years old).

We began our journey into chapter books with the Mercy Watson series written by the acclaimed author Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by the very talented Christ Van Dusen. (You can order the 6 book series from Amazon.)

Mercy Watson is an easy-to-love pig (yes, an actual pig) that lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson on Deckawoo Drive. Unknowingly and without any ill-intention, Mercy causes havoc throughout her neighborhood because, well, she is a pig living among humans. The vocabulary is more advanced than typical children’s books, yet easily understood by a 4 year old. The pictures are bright and brilliant. The characters are varied and relatable. With 6 books in this series, we have ample opportunity to learn about Mercy and her friends.

These books provide an added bonus - as an ex-teacher, I am excited to teach story elements and reading strategies to my 4 year old. We discuss the setting in each story, both by the illustrations in the book and by the images created in our mind as the words fill our brain. We talk about how and why the characters develop and behave the way they do. As the story progresses, we review important events and sequence them (this is the plot of the story). We also make predictions about what will happen next when we have to stop in the middle of the book. We retell the story to Dad when he gets home. My rascal even makes connections to parts of the story.

If you haven’t yet done so, consider moving forward into chapter books with your little rascals too!

Written by Brandi Stanton, mom of 2 rascals, ages 2 and 4.