When to start reading Potter to little ones?

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Katie" <anigrrrl2 at ...> wrote:
>
> Hey All,
> 
> I am interested in everyone's opinion. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year 
> old and one on the way. The kids know all about HP from me, because 
> they see me reading it all the time, though we do not watch the movies 
> because I don't let them watch TV. Neither of them has expressed 
> particular interest in having me read HP to them, although they like to 
> have me tell them the basic story and talk about it. They know I love 
> it, so they take some joy in sharing it with me. I am beginning to 
> wonder if it's time to start reading SS to my 4 year old? We have done 
> some chapter type books, reading one chapter each day, so he has the 
> patience...I just wonder if it's a little beyond him. 
> 
> He's the type of kid that would be very frustrated if he couldn't 
> understand it. I don't want to start reading it to him, have him get 
> frustrated, and have my own child not like HP!! That would break my 
> heart! What do you guys think? 

Geoff:
You have intimated that your childen are interested in the basic story. 
However, speaking from esperience with my own mob (many years ago 
sadly) I would be inclined to defer actually reading the book until one 
of your flock specifically requests it. 

When you tell them the basic story, you are probably pitching it to their 
level whereas - as you suggest - your eldest might get frustrated if he 
couldn't understand. Repeating myself, I think wait until they want you 
to read it.