I’ve taken several bloggy breaks over the last three years, but I don’t think any of them have been more enjoyable than last week’s. OH MY WORD. I went to the library and checked out about twenty books, and I can’t even tell you how many times the little guy and I climbed up on the bed in the guest room and opened our respective books and then read and read and read and read.
And read.
(Hey – anybody have some suggestions for chapter books that would be fun for Alex and me to read together? He’s been bitten by the book worm in a big way, so I’d love to read some great stuff this summer. And if the book is part of a series, all the better.)
In addition to reading All The Books, I also caught up on the last two issues of Southern Living (which, in my humble estimation, is Officially Southern again – I even felt a little giddy when I pulled the May and June issues out of the mailbox), watched Kris Allen sing “Heartless” about fifteen times, recorded a podcast with Melanie and Travis that we’ll never be able to use because I sound like I’m screaming in a tunnel made of tin, had a few a-ha moments about ye olde bloggy bidness and basically just had a whole bunch of laid-back fun with my people.
I also laughed my head off at this:
Do you know what that is? Why, IT IS A TREASURE.
Finally, I’ll be back a little later today with a deeeee-lightful giveaway:
OH YES MA’AM.
Stay tuned!
Have you and Alex read any of the Hank the Cowdog series? They were a HUGE favorite of both Sam and Ginny!
Glad you’re back! What about the Magic Tree House books?
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
The Mad Scientists Club by Bertrand R. Brinley and Charles Geer
ANY AND ALL of the books by Beverly Cleary (he’d especially love the Ralph Mouse series)
Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant is a cute book and I would recommend the Magic Tree House books too.
How about Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Yes that skit was sooooo funny.
And I know at first you may not agree for a boy but my son LOVES Junie B Jones.. They are so funny and you get to read with attitude.
And I am glad you took a needed break, just slow it all down to avoid blog burn out… We love you and missed you
My kids loved the Miss Piggle Wiggle books when they were younger. And of course Pippy Longstocking.
Oh my, the video is hilarious! SNL did a similar sketch last fall–my college-student daughter still laughs about it.
I enjoy your blog!! Count me as one of the “tens of people”who read. :)
Cathy
My sons (and daugter) like the Geronimo Stilton series. Also, I would second the Magic Tree House Series.
One of the first chapter books my son loved was The Boxcar Children. He has read a ton of them, but the first one is still his favorite. Also, The Tale of Despereux. The book is way better than the movie.
Welcome back, Sophie! You were missed, girl.
When my kids were little, I read “Dr. Doolittle” by Hugh Lofting to them–get the first one, although there are several in the series. I bet your guy would love that book with all the animals and adventure in it. Parts of it are a little weird, but mostly it was enjoyable.
There are lots of great chapter books out there! All of the above listed are good. My students also liked the Cam Jansen books (little mysteries) and the Magic Schoolbus has chapter books as well.
Sounds like an awesome bloggy break. Congrats! I think I am usually a lurker as I can’t remember commenting but I enjoy your blog. I too am “shredding” although unfortunately NOT MUCH. Oh I am doing the workouts but I don’t look shredded”. Ah well!
Enjoy your books. Me and my two little guys are headed off to the library this morning. I have two year old boys so I can’t recommend Chapter books yet but I am interested to see what comments you recieve.
Well the Chronicles of Narnia come instantly to mind. Along with the Bobbsey Twins and the Happy Hollisters. How about Farmer Boy since it’s about Almonzo?
Oh and Cam Jansen mysteries are fun. Plus all the Wrinkle in Time books.
Cowboy Sam readers are great too–with fabulous illustrations. They can be hard to find, though.
Or you could work your way through the Newbery winners.
Just a suggestion or eight!
Joanne
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett is a treasure. There are three books in the series. I remember this being the first chapter book that was read to me and it hooked me on reading for the rest of my life :)
P.S. If he likes science the Magic School Bus books are great and informative!
Oh, the reading makes me giddy. My girls just turned their room into a “library” and I can’t shake the warm fuzzies over it all.
I blogged a little review of Travis’s new CD today. LOVE it!!
http://www.marlataviano.com
if you are going to read to him, the hatchet books (gary paulson)are great…boys loves them
I have LOVED Nate the Great series as a starter chapter book series. They have lots of pictures still, but are broken up into small chapters! Very fun for little boys.
We’re not to chapter books yet. However, I do know that K- loves Amelia Bedelia and Flat Stanley. I can’t remember if Flat Stanley is in chapter form. Sorry. As for us, at the local discounter, I scored Hooked on Spanish (from Hooked on Phonics) for a whole $4.99 and we’ll be working on that this summer. (Along with the boring workbooks, so as not to forget what we learned during the year.) Preschool graduation is tonight. I’m going to be a blubbering mess. But summer. It sounds sooo good right now!
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne- hands down the best and a great start for 5-ish o 8-ish aged people. There are over 35 of them now- each one has 10 chapters- there are a few pictures interspersed. Trust me on this- I do this for a living- you want the Magic Tree House! There’s a fun interactive website too if you’re so inclined.
I was going to suggest Nate the Great and I see that has already been suggested. You are welcome to borrow M.K’s set. I think she has every single one and since she is 16 she has moved on in her literary choices. Let me know and I will bring them in for Howard. Or I can bring you just one or two to let him see if he likes the characters. Love ya! MC
Ok for chapter books I have a few suggestions – Magic Treehouse(you can start anywhere), Star Wars (duh! right?) And also, Jackson has found this series of sports books by MAtt Christopher. They are always a story about that center around a different sport/team. etc. I will let you know if we find anything else good. SO far Star Wars still rules at our house.
My son (he’s 6) has LOVED the Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant for years. We crack up every time and read them over and over. Mudge is a big dog, and Henry is his owner. Oh, they’re cute.
So glad you’re back!
Our boy LOVED Junie B. Jones when he was in K and 1st grade. Although the central character is a girl, she seems unobjectionable to boys that age. Also, the Young Cam Jansen books are a good intro to chapter books, sorta a junior version of her “older” series. And, Nate the Great is very cool.
Nate’s Mom
Isn’t that L.Welk skit great???
Missed reading your blog but totally understand needing a break. Glad you loved Kris’s song. Fingers crossed for our gentleman from Arkansas!!!
Magic Tree House is a hit with my bookworm.
As with many of the others, the Magic Tree House have always been a big hit, as well as the A to Z mysteries. My son always liked the Sammy Keyes books as well.
Welcome back! Mys husband started reading The Chronicles of Narnia with our 3 (soon to be 4) year old son, and they are having the best time together each night. I think there are 6 or 7 different books. Highly recommended :)
I missed you so very much! And I have been wringing my hands since Wednesday night 10 pm EST to hear what you think of Kris Allen making it to the finals! I declare that we will knock Adam out of winning! We just have to! Who’s with me?!
Dick King Smith is one of our favorite authors… he wrote “Babe” and “The Water Horse”, and a bunch of other great, funny, fun books. We probably have 20 of them. Here’s a B&N link if you want to check him out: http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?ATH=Dick+King-Smith
Also, Roald Dahl is pretty stinkin’ funny, and my boy LOVES his books. Link:
http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=roald+dahl&box=roald%20dahl&pos=-1
We have all of the Magic Tree House books, all of the A to Z Mysteries, and a bunch of Bobbsey Twins and Hardy Boys books. Love ’em all. Also, The Tale of Despereaux is wonderful. But my son’s favorite thing ever? Are the “Boy Hero” stories that I’ve made up for him since he was 3. He’s now 9 and can tell/write an excellent story himself now (but I’m sad that he no longer craves mine). Reading to your child is one of the best investments with the greatest rate of return that you can make!
Welcome back, BooMama! I’m glad you had a much needed break. All the book series I had in mind have already been mentioned, but if they hadn’t been I would have suggested the Magic Tree House books, as well as Henry and Mudge and Nate the Great. I’m just sayin’. :)
My kids (6 and 4) love Captain Underpants. The author also throws in some humor that only parents will get.
As a kid, I loved Bunnicula. There are several books in that series.
I’ve seen a couple of Clone Wars chapter books.
My boy loves to read. Some of his favorites…
The Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osborne
A to Z Mysteries, by Ron Roy
Encyclopedia Brown, by Donald Solbol
All of the Henry & Ribsy books, by Beverly Cleary
Mrs. Frisby & The Rats of Nimh, by Robert C. O’Brien
The Tale of Desperaux, by Kate DiCamillo
James & The Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
Charlotte’s Web/Stuart Little/Trumpet of the Swan, by E. B. White
I have two sons (12 and 11) and think it is such a a struggle to find good books for them to read. It also doesn’t help that they are not big readers… that is just until recently because we have found some books they love. I have just started following your blog and am not sure what age Alex is but here are my recommendations… The Chronicles of Narnia, The Tale of Despereux, My Side of the Mountain (there are three books in this series), The Isle of Swords and The Isle of Fire (Christian fiction), and there is also a series beginning with Redwall. These aren’t Christian books and are fantasy books about all kinds of animals, swords, and castles. My sons are on the third one and love them. There is also all the classics that are fun to read together too! Happy Reading!
YAYYYY! You had a great week!!!
Can’t wait to hear Travis’ new CD.
And can I just say it? Please go ahead with the podcast–tin tunnels and all. Missing those “tre-mend-ressly,” as one of my teachers in high school used to say.
The Cricket in Times Square
Loved the SNL skit! Thought of you immediately when it started and then cried because I was laughing so hard.
Magic Treehouse is a favorite at our house. My boys also love(d) Cam Jansen, Flat Stanley and Beverly Cleary.
My son loves the Hank the Cowdog, Magic Tree House and the Andrew Lost series. I was in my local(Tupelo, MS) Books-a-million yesterday and I noticed that they had alot of clearance kids books for $1.00.
My boys really enjoyed the Great Brain series. I think there are about 5 books to go through. Also, the Mouse and the Motorcycle.
Happy reading!
Both of my nephews loved the Captain Underpants series. Sissy is enjoying the Little House on the Prairie books (several different reading levels available), the Magic Treehouse books and the Cul de Sac Kids (I think that’s the name).
This summer, Sissy and I are going to read the Narnia books together. Not because she needs the help, but because I want to read them again.
In addition many of the ones mentioned, we love The Boxcar Children series. They are older books, but fun mysteries!
So glad you are back! Burn out is an interesting animal – how does one “recharge” from being a mother of two small children when there are no breaks? Tough stuff. Love the book suggestions! I have a 5 1/2 yr old. too and need to ramp up the type of books we’re reading.
Your “tens” of readers are really coming through for you here! I appreciate the great list…maybe you should blog the results of these comments for others looking for good preschool/elementary summer reading!! (I already copied them all down for our trip to the library)
I would second almost all of these, but especially Magic Tree House, Junie B Jones, and BOXCAR CHILDREN. I heart books!
My baby girl loved the Magic Treehouse series.
And the skit was a RIOT! Loved it!
Glad you enjoyed your bloggin’ break.
YAY! So glad you enjoyed your bloggy break :)
We nearly died laughing at that skit Sat. night.
The Boxcar Children series were my favorite books at that age. But anything by Beverly Cleary is usually a hit with kids at that age, and my nephews really got into The Magic Schoolbus series.
I vote for James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My son and husband read them together and they loved them.
OK…I’m really digging back into the archives for chapter books. Since I don’t have kids (yet), I have to think back to when we would have reading in school. Gosh, I could just sit there for hours when my teacher read to the class! How about:
James and the Giant Peach
Any of the Judy Bloom “Fudge” books (Fudge, Superfudge, etc. about a boy and his little brother named Fudge)
That’s all the comes to mind right now. : )
My boys loved Magic Treehouse books at that age…And if you are reading to Alex, then The Series of Unfortunate Events is just brilliant. Lemony is quite the wordsmith. :)
Welcome back..
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the office! I thought it was DIVINE!!!
Welcome back! I’ve been away too. I felt kind of guilty, but I was just empty and had to refuel…
I don’t know if this book is still in print or not, or if it’s only a “girl’s” book, but my mother read ‘The Bad Times Of Irma Baumlein” to my sister and I one summer and I loved it! Good lesson on the importance of telling the truth and being yourself. If you choose this book, please let me know how you and Alex like it! Happy Monday!!
I haven’t read every suggestion here (cleaning bathrooms! Hurray for me) but my son, who is almost 12 now, (go ahead cry for me-it goes by toooo quick) loved the HARDY BOYS! We started reading them to him when he was 4. He loves books–he never goes anywhere without one in his hand. Yes, doesn’t go anywhere without a book–I did NOT say his DS. He has very limited video game time (we don’t have a system in the house–he has a Nintendo DS) but he does have unlimited book time. Sometimes he gets too involved in a book and loses focus on school! But he brings it back around again to keep a straight A average. Ok, now I’m bragging–I’m sorry! I loved the visual of you two up on the guest bed reading together. Kudos and “mommy hugs” to you!
Twenty years ago, The Boxcar Children series was a favorite of my son. I’m pretty sure that the library still has them. They are classic reading at its’ best. Happy summer and reading to you both!!!!
I will not repeat all of the great books, but one collection I must give a shout out for is Cul-de-sac Kids by Bevely Lewis is a set of 24 and are super. Wayside school series is great too…glad you are back, missed you the most after last weeks AI show.
Are you gonna watch Gillian tonight meet her group of men?
Hi Sophie,
I love your blog. You make me smile and laugh. My son loved Stuart Little. He was about 5 when I read that to him. He also loved Ralph S. Mouse, Runaway Ralph, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Henry and Ribsy and other Beverly Cleary books. He also likes the Hank the Cowdog series. Hope these suggestions are helpful.
Someone already mentioned this, but I have to agree with the Magic Tree House books – great series, educational and FUN. My son devoured them!
As a 1st and 2nd grade teacher for the past 22 years, I would recommend the author Bill Wallace. He has written many books over the past 25-30 years that would appeal to all ages. For the young reader, he and his wife and daughter have written many books with animals as the central characters. When your son is older, he might enjoy the adventure books that Bill Wallace wrote like Danger in Quicksand Swamp. A Dog Called Kitty and Beauty are two absolutely wonderful books also, but you will need a tissue (or three). Happy Reading!
I don’t know if someone has suggested this yet but “The invention of Hugo Cabret” is the most amazing, magical, suck-me-in book for kids I’ve seen in a long time. You’ll probably want to buy it. It’s part novel, part history, and part graphic novel, so don’t forget to study the pictures. Little man will be mesmerized, and so will you.
I’d recommend the “Black Stallion” Series by Walter Farley & any book by Jim Kjelgaard (he wrote “Big Red” & a bunch of other dog books).
Favorite Books:
Dangerous Journey
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
The Penderwicks
Stuart Little
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Winnie the Pooh
Happy Reading this summer!
I highly recommend the Magic Tree House series. Both of my boys loved them. They are age appropriate for 1-3 grade. This series inspired my oldest to bean avid reader.
Hey, how about Magic Tree House? Because 8 million people haven’t already suggested them or anything. My girls (kinder and first grade) love them. I think the Narnia books would be good for reading together at this age. Oh I love the idea of children reading. Ask the children’s librarian for more suggestions. They’re in the know, you know.
Oh, and you forgot to tell us what book you managed to read in two days last weekend. Please, please share.
I haven’t read all comments yet but here are our faves:
Boxcar children – lots of them
Encyclopedia Brown
Hardy Boys
Beverly Cleary – even the girls ones we laugh out loud
Miss Piggle Wiggle – who doesn’t love that name?
I miss the times of reading with the kidlets! ENJOY!
Love the Boxcar Children and, of course, Narnia. We’re going to listen to Narnia on CD this summer, I’m determined.
Welcome back!
I popped in here just to read the comments, because my Kyle is a year younger than Alex, I think, but he’s wanting chapter books.
I agree wholeheartedly with Magic Tree House. Also — The first 3 Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder are pretty boy friendly. If you’ll recall, there’s lots of hunting and log cabin building.
My daughter never loved these books as I did, but I’m planning on unleashing them on Kyle this summer.
Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings series.
These would be read by you to him. Probably. My husband is reading them to our 4.5 year old and he loves, loves them.
Tra-la-la that was fun. :)
My first grade class enjoys reading these chapter book series:
Junie B. Jones, Cam Jansen, Flat Stanley, Magic Treehouse, Amelia Bedilia, Mrs. PIggle Wiggle, Frog and Toad, Little Bear…to name a few. If you are reading aloud, they like the Ramona books, Mouse on the Motorcyle books and E.B. White books (Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, Trumpet of the Swan). I love anything written or illustrated by James Marshall (my favorite children’s author/illustrator). There is a good children’s version of the Little House books available now (the real books are a little wordy for younger children). Have fun reading!
My kindergarten students *beg* for just one more chapter of Junie B. Jones every day at snacktime. She is says and does the most hilarious things. (Not things you’d want your little man to do, but she’s very entertaining!) They are very age-appropriate for Alex.
Thanks for the SNL link – hilarious, especially since I can remember spending the night at my grandparents’ house as a kid in the 70’s watching Lawrence Welk with a big bowl of popcorn with real butter and lots of salt.
Glad you had a good break! It’s great that Alex likes to read with you.
I have 3 boys, and we’ve read TONS of books. Repeating some of the others – the Magic Treehouse and Box Car Children series are both great.
Not as well known, and not really chapter books, but loved in our house are the Billy & Blaze books (about 8 of them) by C.W. Anderson, about a boy and his horse; and for just plain silly fun – the Fly Guy books by Tedd Arnold.
I highly recommend the Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. These are based on the life of David and are great read alouds if you can contain the laughter.
Must read Bark of the Bog Owl to your little man. It is a series and he will beg for more!!
http://www.wilderking.com/
Have you tried A Series of Unfortunate Events? There are 13 of them, all with 13 chapters and a mystery that runs throughout the series. It’s not for every kid. The series is pretty sarcastic in tone, but it’s also great for building vocab and it’s just a hoot all around. Good for kids who like Roald Dahl books besides Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
My boys LOVE the series “The Adventures of Benjamin Bartholamew Pith”. The author’s last name is Lethcoe.
I even read them to my older son’s class and they were a huge hit.
When I taught 2nd grade, my boys loved Captain Underpants; the Goosebumps series by RL Stine; and Magic Treehouse was the hands down fave.
My daughter and I love the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series. I read them when I was younger and love that I can read them with my little one now.
They may be a little hard for him to read on his own, but the stories are so funny!
Happy reading!
I’m saving the video till tomorrow to watch so I can laugh then. I can’t wait.
Chapter books–my boys and I love:
Sign of the Beaver
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Follow My Leader {boy goes blind, but it’s a great book!}
Pedro’s Journal {about Christopher Columbus}
And I want to take a blog break too! You lucky woman you. I have to save mine for when I move.
Books-
My daughter was about Alex’s age when Hubs started reading the Little House series with her. He went through all the Laura books. I think a boy would like it, too. Later on, she read them all for herself.
Others we love are Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Stuart Little, and Charlotte’s Web.
oh my gosh, these comments are like a treasure trove. Is that even a word? Trove? I obviously need to read more. I’m now dying to get “The invention of Hugo Cabret” thanks to one of the comments.
What a great conversation!
A list, in no particular order: Junie B. Jones, Cam Jansen, Nate the Great, Horrible Harry, Boxcar Children, The Littles. And take it from a fourth grade teacher, we are quite glad you are interested in CHAPTER books with Little Guy at this young age!
My kindergarten son and I are enjoying the Ready Freddy books by Abby Klein. I read them aloud to him and he loves them. They are about a 1st grade boy and things that happen at school. The first book is Tooth Trouble about being the last kid in his class to lose his tooth.
The Geronimo Stilton books are silly funny and wonderful reads, Hank the Cowdog is a series that kids love too.
Marvin Redpost books are hilarious for little boys- and for me :) They’re kind of a Junie B with a male character. My favorite is Why Pick on Me. It centers around a rumor going around school that Marvin is a nose-picker and so he does a project to see how many nosepickers there actually are. I laughed really hard.
Junie B Jones really can’t be beat for that age group and my fabulous first grader teacher bud reads them to all her kids to start them on chapter books. I still laugh now at them and have many 5th graders that love them.
Oh, and Horrible Harry books are hilarious too!
Those are the series that I always direct my lower readers (I teach 5th) to and have great success with. Everyone loves a silly little kid to laugh at :)
Hi – I’m pretty new to your blog but couldn’t help make a book suggestion – the Magic Tree House series is fabulous! I teach 1st-2nd grade and my kids get so into those books that they ask to skip recess to keep reading! I love them too, and they are really educational. There are non fiction guides that go along with several to give you more info. You do need to read them in order though (and there are 40 some books so it will keep you in books for awhile!). Another series that my kids really like (me not so much though) is the Horrible Harry set. Happy Reading! Kim in MI
I know a couple of other people have already mentioned her, but Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones books are HILARIOUS! As an elementary librarian, I constantly have to replace our copies of this series because the kids FLAT WEAR THEM OUT! They are the perfect length for younger listeners and they can totally relate to Junie B.’s antics. I think there are about 25 books in the series now…
My boys could not read the Magic Treehouse books fast enough! Plenty to keep him reading all summer!
so what were you reading????? i always love getting new ideas for something great to read! enjoy your blog :) you give my days a laugh. Bless you, heather
Magic Treehouse, Junie B. Jones – my kids loved when we read Charlotte’s Web together!!!
The Fabulous Flight / Robert McCloskey (totally hilarious for both kids and adults)
Rabbit Hill / R. McCloskey (good for animal lovers)
Mr Popper’s Penguins / can’t remember author
The Saturdays (series) / Elizabeth Enright (sweet series about 4 siblings in the ’40s)
Swallows and Amazons (series)/ Arthur Ransome (fun imaginative sailing adventures of British siblings)
Winnie the Pooh (series)/ A.A. Milne (the original Pooh is a thousand times sweeter and funnier than the Disney version)
just some of my faves – I love children’s literature! :)
p.s. also the Tintin books by Herge – especially fun for boys
Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
Wrinkle in Time series, Madeleine L’Engle
Little House series (yes, even boys love them)
Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Joan Aiken
Peter Pan
The Youngest Templar, Michael Spradlin
The Little Riders, Magaretha Shemin
So many readers have suggested great books, but here’s one for you: “Honey for a Child’s Heart” by Gladys Hunt. In it, she gives book lists for every age and stage of reading and they’re all books that have wonderful characters and stories. We have been using it for a year now, and my kids have become great readers and lovers of books. I highly recommend it for some great reading ideas. Happy book hunting!
Chapter books that we’ve enjoyed include Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (series), The Boxcar Children, My Father’s Dragon, Little House on the Prairie, and The Wizard of Oz (series). The Magic Treehouse are also a favorite, and there is passport that you can download and add “stamps” as you read each book. My daughter loves taking the three-question quiz and adding the stamps to her passport.
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/activities_passport.html
There are plenty of book ideas for you and Alex at Sonlight curriculum. They have lists by age level and most are available at the library. Plus. They’re all fabulous ;)
http://www.sonlight.com/read-alouds.html
This may sound like a gross book but it’s right up a boy’s alley! I remember my own son, Alex, checking this out at the library when he was about six or seven. We read it each night along with his two younger sisters and they all loved it! The name is “How to Eat Fried Worms” … by Thomas Rockwell. We also enjoyed reading the classics at that age too … Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, etc. Fried Worms may have been turned into a tv movie .. not sure and I haven’t done the research. You can read a chapter of Fried Worms here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Fried-Worms-Thomas-Rockwell/dp/0440445450
You should read the Junie B. Jines series for sure- nothing (but your blog) is funnier- you will enjoy them as much as he will! Also- Captain Underpants and Nate the Great. Happy reading!
Even though most others have suggested these, The Boxcar Children and Hardy Boys were always great! I remember sneaking into my brother’s room to borrow his Hardy Boys books. The Swiss Family Robinson might be fun too, as an introduction to the classics, just be ready to build a treehouse :)
Aliens for Breakfast (Lunch, Dinner are the sequels). Just about perfect for a little boy his age.