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I am putting together my order for DITHR Level 2 and see that we have already read Capyboppy and Dolphin Adventure as read alouds. Do I have ds read them again anyway or do I substitute? If we substitute, what titles do you suggest?

I think you could probably do either. How long ago has it been since you did it as a read aloud? That would probably be a factor for me in considering whether to have the dc read it again. It definitely will be different having them read it themselves and the activities that they do with the book will make it different as well. It might even be sort of nice for them to have the familiarity with the book. It might be like coming back to an old friend and like I said before it will be different for them reading it themselves. Both of those books have another book choice too that they will read for that genre so they would still be reading a new book for each of those genres as well as revisiting an old friend. However if you feel like they would really remember it too well and not enjoy it then you could always substitute a book choice from the Sample Booklist. I would recommend getting that when you do your order as it as lots of great book ideas for different genres and levels. It's nice to have when picking out free reading books as well as the DITHOR books if you end up choosing something that isn't in the book packs.

Thanks Patty for reminding me to get the sample book list. I had forgotten that. It has been about a year since we have read those two books. I do think ds would enjoy reading Dolphin Adventure again. He really liked it the first time around. However, he was less fond of Capyboppy which is why I hesitate to have him reread it on his own. I will have to think on that one some more. I will definitely get the sample book list though so I can browse some other ideas. Thanks again!

Pjdobro had some terrific advice already! The list is a great place to go for ideas! I'll just mention a few more options to consider too, in case you are hoping to have a complete package so you can get your big package savings with HOD. I am not sure if you have read "House at Pooh Corner," but that is a book in Beyond's Classic Storytime set that is in the humor genre. It has 10 stories and could be read over the 10 days to replace "Capyboppy." "Capyboppy" is a 4.1. reading level though, and "House at Pooh Corner" is a level 4.8, so it would be a little harder reading level. HOD's substitution policy would let you sub in Pooh Corner for Capyboppy, and still receive your DITHOR Level 2 Package savings as well.

For the 5 days of Adventure, you could either have ds reread "Dolphin Adventure," though it is a good rule of thumb to use books dc have not read with DITHOR. Or, you could spread "Stone Fox" over 15 days. Or, you could choose another 5 day adventure, such as "The Sword in the Tree" from Beyond's Boy Storytime set. "Sword in the Tree" could be subbed in for "Dolphin Adventure" too. Since Beyond has 3 Storytime options, putting together a set for that would not be hard down the road. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Hi Julie,

Thanks for the help! I think The Sword in the Tree will work great as one substitution. However, we have already read House at Pooh Corner as well. Do you think Mr. Popper's Penguins would work? I think it's 4.9 reading level, but I could always scheule it for later in the year. What do you think?

The optional book list that you can buy from HOD is a wonderful tool! I've enjoyed picking books off the suggestion list all year! I love it even more when a suggested book was one of my childhood favorite as well, and we happen to have it on the shelf! Love passing on literary wonder to my kids

My kids loved Mr. Popper's Penguins, so if the reading level is ok, I would highly recommend it. I don't remember what level my dc were at when they read it, but they did read it for DITHOR and it was one of their favorites of all time!

I agree with pjdobro - if your child can handle the reading - "Mr. Popper's Penguins" is a great book! As you said, you can do it later in the year since it is a higher level. Otherwise, as julsoliveira, the book list is great too!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks everyone! Looks like Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Sword in the Tree, and the book list will get us set for DITHR. I'm really looking forward to starting it with ds this fall!