Beginning Chapter Books

Did you have a favorite series of books as a kid?  I loved Babysitters Little Sister when I was in about second grade and then later moved on to The Babysitter Club (which are being re-released now!).

I also have really fond memories of my Grandma reading chapter books to me.  She started this when I was quite young (probably not much older than Sam).  Everytime I would spend the night (which was pretty often) we would curl up and read a chapter or two.  I remember reading classics like, "Heidi", "Black Beauty", "Little Women" and when I was older, "Gone With The Wind".

Tonight, my husband and I went on a date to Barnes and Noble and I decided that it's time to move on to chapter books with Sam.  I've been giving it some thought for a while and after perusing all the beginning readers I reassured myself that Sam has in fact mastered most, if not all, the words in them (yes, he is 3 1/2).  So, we are moving on to chapter books starting with The Magic Treehouse Series.  It may be a bit of a challenge but I think it will be good to mix it in wit the other books that he is having such an easy time with.  I am excited to start reading them to/with him!

If you aren't familiar with these books, they are great!  Each book takes Jack and Annie to a different location and time period (I love historical fiction.).  There is a website that gives parallel activities too.  I'm hoping this will bring some excitement back to our afternoon activities because we have both been getting kind of bored.

So, what were the first series of books or chapter books you read?  How old were you?  Do you read them to your kids?  Are there books you are excited to read to your little ones?  (I can't wait to read anything Rahl Dahl, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter to the boys!)