When to start reading Potter to little ones?

[Andromeda]

--- 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? 
> 
> Katie
>

Andromeda now:

  I totally sympathize, I had the same problem.  I tried to read 
Sorcerer's Stone to my daughter a few times. She wasn't ready until 
about age 6.  At that age books 1-3 are ok (with judicious editing of 
scary parts, depending on your child; mine is sensitive).  I made the 
mistake of reading book 4 straight. She was completely devastated by 
Cedric's death - she had been so excited that they were going to win 
the tournament together... ugh.
 
So lesson learned, when we eventually read book 5, I told her in 
advance that Sirius would die so it wouldn't be a shock.  By the time 
book 7 came out, she was reading them all herself.  Though she did 
get halfway through DH and declare that she hated the books and never 
wanted anything to do with them, until I reassured her that Harry 
would survive and get his wand back and have a happy ending, and 
Hermione and Ron would be ok, too. Then suddenly she could finish it 
and be a fan again.  Personally I think she's too young (8) to 
understand a lot of it, but I wasn't going to stand in her way.  She 
started off as a very slow reader and the HP books really helped her 
take off.

My younger daughter is now four and I have no intention of reading HP 
books to her for years yet (well, ok, unless she really begs. 

For a four year old, I would recommend the Magic Tree house books by 
Osbourne.  They are great short chapter books with some pictures, 
lots of magic and excitement plus some history or 
something "educational" snuck in.  Don't rush into HP.  Chances are 
they'll love Harry eventually!

Cheers,
Andromeda