Books on tape are like reading the book?

I grew up listening to books on tape on family vacations and have continued as I have had my own family. My oldest also loves Harry Potter and enjoys listening to the books as she goes to sleep. But since her older sister likes them my 10 yr old wanted nothing to do with them until she had to share a room again and was all but forced to listen as she went to sleep. She has discovered that there are parts that the movies left out and has enjoyed listening to them with her sister. Last night she came and asked me. "Mom, are the books on tape like the books?" I told her it was someone just reading them and she went right to the shelf and got book one. She read the first couple of chapters and is excited to see what else the movies left out.

Singing in Round

We have a great book that all of my kids love. Think classic tune with new fun words.


My kids know some of them by heart and after dinner tonight While cleaning up I heard this one.

Stinky stinky diaper Change, to the tune of twinkle twinkle little star.

Stinky stinky (Dad)
diaper change (12 yr old)
Boy My brother smells so strange ( 3 yr old)
He made something in his (10 yr old)
Pants (3 yr old)
Sure hope it doesn't attract some(12 yr old)
Ants (3 and 5 yr old)
Stinky stinky diaper change (12 yr old)
Boy my brother smells so (8 yr old)
strange ( all)

Not only did they all sing different lines but they were in several different room while singing.

Alan Katz also has a second book I'm still here in the bath tub But I like the songs in the first one better.

Reading Hour

Summer is now here, the kids are out and we have a few weeks until Daddy finishes and we can take a vacation. So what to do to keep the kids busy and not the TV or Computer.
Ok I will admit that they do use both but I also do other things.

We have a reading hour everyday. The older kids either read a chapter book or they can read books to the little ones. I also use this time to do reading lessons with the ones that can't read or are beginner readers. I love the book, How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons. If you decide to use it I would strongly recommend having it spiral bound first. I am on my second copy and need to get a new one.

Reading Closet?

My 10 yr old has cleaned out her closet and put in a pillow and blanket. She has decided that this is the best place to read and do homework. Its quiet, and no one sees you there with out first coming in her room then closing the door as the closet is behind it. I am thrilled that she has found a place to read, as reading is not always the first thing she wants to do. But I have discovered a down side. The other kid closets have also been emptied and turned into cool places to read a book, even if it is after bed time and the lights have been turned out.

But how can you tell a kid Don't read. I love to see them reading.