Monday, April 07, 2008

Bedtime Book Club

My kids are part of a nighttime reading group. It meets every evening in Agent 004's bedroom, and has three members -- Agent 002, Agent 004, and their Papa -- mr warillever. I am expressly prohibited from participation.

Once the agents are in their pajamas I give them each a kiss and send them up the stairs. Mr warillever leads them in prayers and then pulls out the book club selection. They are currently reading Farmer Boy, which is the second book in the Little House series. Agent 002 in particular likes this book -- maybe because it is about a mischievous boy like him.

It takes them about a month to complete a novel. Thus far, they have worked through Little House in the Big Woods, Stewart Little, Charlotte's Web, The Trumpeter Swan, Doctor Doolittle, and the Just So Stories. By next week they should have started in on Little House on the Prairie and then on through the rest of that series by the end of the year.

In addition to the amazing bonding time they get with their father, reading longer and more books (should) enrich their vocabulary, extend their attention span, and expand their geographic and historical knowledge. It also introduces themes that I weave through our "preschool" studies throughout the week.

Sometimes I am a little jealous of the family cuddle time that I am missing, but I love that mr warillever gets his special time with the Agents. It also doesn't hurt to have 45 minutes to myself every evening :)

For more posts about books, visit this week's Unplug Your Kids project.
Next week's theme: Food

10 comments:

Jenny said...

My husband reads bedtime stories to my daughter too! We haven't worked up to anything near as long as Farmer Boy yet, but I love the idea, esp. weaving themes from the book into your "preschool". What great food for thought!

Steph said...

I would be a little sad to miss out, too, but the 45 minutes to myself would more than make up for it! What a great tradition! I'm looking forward to reading longer books to Tatum someday, how much fun :)

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

I loved reading about this special bonding time! What fun! And the break for mom is an added bonus. :)

Michie said...

I love the book club idea. Too cute - and what a nice time with their dad! :)

momandkiddo said...

Time with dad is som important! I am really looking forward to reading longer chapter books with my son. I have a list of my favorites in the wings.

Gottfredsen said...

That is so wonderful that he gets that time with them. It will make for some really special memories when they are grown.

Chrissy said...

Oh, I don't think I could stay away from such a book club, although time to yourself is a nice consolation! My husband has a similar reading time with our toddler and I'm very excited to be able to start reading chapter books and eventually novels. Of course, our oldest isn't even two yet, so it might be awhile. Good thing there's Boynton and Seuss in the meantime!

Anonymous said...

Time to yourself, and the kids get time with Dad? Sounds ideal to me! Thanks for telling us about your "bookclub!"

Garden State Kate said...

I love that. P has started reading
to me of late and it is awesome.
Farmer Dad is more of the rough houser though, so bedtime together
time did not "help" me at all.;-)

Anonymous said...

love the book club idea!! thats terrific!