Kingdom Keepers - How young is too young? - The DIS Discussion Forums

Kwaschitz · 01-19-2013, 07:07 PM

My son is 7 but is a VERY advanced reader...however just because he *can* read something doesn't mean he *should*.

We bought the first book this week and I haven't had time to read more than the first chapter yet. Is this something that is going to be TOO dark for a 7 year old? His academic advancement makes this very difficult because in some ways he's still VERY 7 so I don't know... Would you let a 7 year old in first grade (what he should be) read the series?

For reference, I've let him read the first Harry Potter, but none of the rest, though he's seen I think the first 3 movies (saw the movies at 4-5, read the book at 5-6).

TheoDawg · 01-19-2013, 08:40 PM

I've read all 5 of the books and it show a darker side to Disney, I think an advanced 7 year old will loved the adventure more than the darkness will effect his mind. Just space the books out they do get darker but not too much.

MOpGrad2013 · 01-19-2013, 08:51 PM

Congratulations on your Advanced Reader!

I completely understand your desires to keep the content appropriate. We have struggled with this throughout the kids' school years. And kudos to you for having the foresight to skim the books yourself and get input.

I just finished book 4 of the series. And I have to say that as it went on, there was a bit more violence from the villians in books 2 and 3.

Looking through book one "Disney After Dark" I find a fight scene with pirates and few other scary scenes...made me rethink riding the Small World ride.

I think the biggest issues are the discussion points (1)these are older kids so they have phones and computers to text and socialize (2)they tell lies and disobey their parents (3) sneaking out at night and into the parks...But as long as the lines of communication are open for you and your son, it doesn't matter which book. Look at all the classics that have some of the same "moral" issues. Tom Sawyer, Nancy Drew, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Indian in the Cupboard...

I would generally say age 8-9 (3rd graders), but only you know your child. And I can say I would've allowed my children to read these a bit earlier with us sitting alongside.

We started reading aloud as a family when they were younger and then when the little one came along, we ressurected the habit. So, if you imagine 3 teenagers, 1 toddler, mom, dad, pets and friends...lying on the living room floor listening to a chapter or two every night. We have more of their friends showing up after dinner suddenly.

MomToPirate&Princess · 01-19-2013, 10:03 PM

I read aloud book 1 and am now reading book 2 with my 8 year old. It isn't scary at all to her and she spooks easily. She has been to Disney 4 times and loves the familiarity of locations in the books. Should be fine for your reader I would think.

Kwaschitz · 01-19-2013, 10:44 PM

Awesome

Thank you so much!

Is it strange that I worried about these more than HP? I can't run the risk of him being afraid of WDW

I think it will probably be ok but I think I will finish reading before handing it over and maybe instead of letting him go with it on his own we'll read together.

nelsonjj304 · 02-15-2013, 08:37 AM

As an adult, I loved the books, but I must admit Its a Small World will never be the same! lol! We now laugh and look for them to come alive......

Babbletrish · 03-07-2013, 03:14 PM

Here be spoilers!

Kingdom Keepers is one of those weird cases where the reader must be old enough not to be freaked out by a scene where the main characters almost drown while trapped inside the Winnie the Pooh ride (as an aside, this author really has it out for the most innocuous rides in the park), and yet must be young enough not to roll their eyes out of their head when the author's explanation for everything is, "Holograms!!!"

I... did not enjoy this book very much. That ending.

Oswald lover · 03-15-2013, 11:24 PM

I think the first 3 or 4 are ok, but in the other ones there's a bit of kissing, not too bad, but for a 7 year old...idk.

01-19-2013, 07:07 PM	#1
Kwaschitz Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 247	Kingdom Keepers - How young is too young? My son is 7 but is a VERY advanced reader...however just because he can read something doesn't mean he should. We bought the first book this week and I haven't had time to read more than the first chapter yet. Is this something that is going to be TOO dark for a 7 year old? His academic advancement makes this very difficult because in some ways he's still VERY 7 so I don't know... Would you let a 7 year old in first grade (what he should be) read the series? For reference, I've let him read the first Harry Potter, but none of the rest, though he's seen I think the first 3 movies (saw the movies at 4-5, read the book at 5-6).

01-19-2013, 08:40 PM	#2
TheoDawg Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 105	I've read all 5 of the books and it show a darker side to Disney, I think an advanced 7 year old will loved the adventure more than the darkness will effect his mind. Just space the books out they do get darker but not too much. __________________ WDW Trips 1st Trip-Mar 2005-Off Site 2nd Trip-Mar 2006-POP 3rd Trip-Apr 2007-Off Site 4th Trip-Nov 2007-Marriott Grande Vista-SOLO 5th Trip-Feb 2008-OKW 6th Trip-Mar 2009-POFC 7th Trip-Nov 2010-POR/Marriott Grande Vista/POP-Family 8th Trip-Apr 2011-POP 9th Trip-Sept 2011-Sheraton Vistana-Family 10th Trip-March 2013-Vacation Village @ Parkway

01-19-2013, 08:51 PM	#3
MOpGrad2013 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 83	Congratulations on your Advanced Reader! I completely understand your desires to keep the content appropriate. We have struggled with this throughout the kids' school years. And kudos to you for having the foresight to skim the books yourself and get input. I just finished book 4 of the series. And I have to say that as it went on, there was a bit more violence from the villians in books 2 and 3. Looking through book one "Disney After Dark" I find a fight scene with pirates and few other scary scenes...made me rethink riding the Small World ride. I think the biggest issues are the discussion points (1)these are older kids so they have phones and computers to text and socialize (2)they tell lies and disobey their parents (3) sneaking out at night and into the parks...But as long as the lines of communication are open for you and your son, it doesn't matter which book. Look at all the classics that have some of the same "moral" issues. Tom Sawyer, Nancy Drew, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Indian in the Cupboard... I would generally say age 8-9 (3rd graders), but only you know your child. And I can say I would've allowed my children to read these a bit earlier with us sitting alongside. We started reading aloud as a family when they were younger and then when the little one came along, we ressurected the habit. So, if you imagine 3 teenagers, 1 toddler, mom, dad, pets and friends...lying on the living room floor listening to a chapter or two every night. We have more of their friends showing up after dinner suddenly. __________________

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01-19-2013, 10:03 PM	#4
MomToPirate&Princess Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 242	I read aloud book 1 and am now reading book 2 with my 8 year old. It isn't scary at all to her and she spooks easily. She has been to Disney 4 times and loves the familiarity of locations in the books. Should be fine for your reader I would think.

01-19-2013, 10:44 PM	#5
Kwaschitz Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 247	Awesome Thank you so much! Is it strange that I worried about these more than HP? I can't run the risk of him being afraid of WDW I think it will probably be ok but I think I will finish reading before handing it over and maybe instead of letting him go with it on his own we'll read together.

02-15-2013, 08:37 AM	#6
nelsonjj304 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 10	As an adult, I loved the books, but I must admit Its a Small World will never be the same! lol! We now laugh and look for them to come alive......

03-07-2013, 03:14 PM	#7
Babbletrish DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 591	Here be spoilers! Kingdom Keepers is one of those weird cases where the reader must be old enough not to be freaked out by a scene where the main characters almost drown while trapped inside the Winnie the Pooh ride (as an aside, this author really has it out for the most innocuous rides in the park), and yet must be young enough not to roll their eyes out of their head when the author's explanation for everything is, "Holograms!!!" I... did not enjoy this book very much. That ending.

03-15-2013, 11:24 PM	#8
Oswald lover Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 57	I think the first 3 or 4 are ok, but in the other ones there's a bit of kissing, not too bad, but for a 7 year old...idk.