The Hobbit for a 4 year old

[CanonDjango]

My son is really interested in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings but he is only 4.

I started reading it to him and whilst he is really good at listening and I think is enjoying it I can't help but think the text is a little too long winded for a 4 year old. I was thinking of looking for an abridged or "childrens" version to read him instead at the moment untl he is older

any recomendations

I saw the graphic novel here and wondered if that would be much more suited

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hobbit-Graphic-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0261102664/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420711012&sr=8-1&keywords=the hobbit for kids

 

[pjm1]

My nearly 4 year old wouldn't be able to cope with that... it would take months to make our way through it and I suspect he'd struggle to remember the storyline from one session to the next.

However, all kids are different! Reading to them is great (especially if they can read words along with you - maybe not all the words at 4, admittedly) and to be encouraged.

As long as he's enjoying it and you're enjoying it then do what works

(Books with larger script are better because it's easier for the kids to see the individual letters and words and follow your finger)

 

[CanonDjango]

well he is good at his reading, but to be honest I'm doing it more for the story than helping him read this particular book. We read 4 pages each day so it will take a while to get through it

The story itself is pretty easy to follow it's just it's obviously not book written for a 4 year old - although I do think it is a childrens book to be honest (the hobbit that is, not lord of the rings)

 

[pjm1]

If he enjoys it then that's half the battle. Far better quality parent-child time than sitting down watching the TV together... Good to teach them quiet time too - and maybe 4 pages becomes 5 becomes 6 over time...

Sounds like a great idea.

 

[Nod]

Reading it to him will be faster than watching the films! IIRC, I read it when I was 6 but didn't really understand it until much later. If he enjoys it, all is good.

 

[CanonDjango]

He is enjoying it but I think he would enjoy an abridged "childrens" version more, just looking if anyone has a recomendation of one or if they have that graphic novel