I’ll just come out and admit it, I have been a snob about books based on television shows, especially shows found on Noggin and Nick Jr. The teacher and the English major in me has run away from the rotating shelves at Borders that display the Dora, Diego, Blue’s Clues and Backyardigans books and I have, until now, never recommended any of these books to a reader.
But the time has come to swallow my pride and say it: these “character” books are not bad. More than that, they can be an incredibly powerful hook for kids, a way for them to engage with books that they might not have found otherwise. Additionally, for struggling readers, these books based on T.V. can be a great help as they grow into more confident readers. But I’ll slow down here, explain how I got from one extreme to the other.
My son is 21 months old. I have been reading to him for his whole life – literally from the day I found out I was pregnant. He loves books and he loves listening to my husband and I read to him. But – and this is when I began to revise my thinking on this one – when he was old enough to pick out his own book from the bookstore, when he could crawl around and show me what he wanted (because I never steered him to the character books) he went right for a Backyardigans book. That was at 10 months (yes, I know it’s an entirely different story about why he knew and loved the Backyardigans at only 10 months old), and he still loves that book and the others we have about his favorite television show.
Kids want all kinds of things that aren’t always good for them, but these Backyardigans books seem to be great. Ethan sits with them for long chunks of time turning the pages, looking at the pictures and, now, saying words and short sentences that make sense for each page.
After I realized how much Ethan loved these books, we began to give him free reign at the bookstore, where he will almost always pick a book based on a television show that he watches – Dora, Diego, Blue’s Clues, Sesame Street. And he loves them. And he “reads” them. Over and over again.
And then I began to talk to other mothers and other, older readers about these character books and the consensus seems to be in line with what I saw with Ethan – kids like these books, and they like to read them. And in an age where television-watching seems to be taking up lots of time in the day, isn’t it far “better” to have kids read books based on their favorite characters than passively watch them on T.V. all the time?
So I got to the point that I was comfortable with these books as a mother, but the teacher in me wanted more. I came to understand that kids who are familiar with certain television shows will be more successful at reading books that are familiar to them. I often recommend that struggling readers work through a series of books so that characters and settings are familiar to them. Isn’t this the same but on an even more visual level? Hmmm… I never would have imagined that I might recommend Dora books to a struggling reader, that they might actually be just the thing to pull her back into reading.
I gave all of these ideas another run with Wow, Wow, Wubbzy. This is a show on Noggin that I had never watched before. I had decided that it was not worth my time or Ethan’s time – after all, if he’s going to watch T.V. than we might as well both get something from it. So I sat down with a Wubbzy DVD, A Tale of Tails, and watched it straight through with Ethan. And it was good! It was about learning to accept others, friendship and problem-solving. It was also funny, sweet and fun for Ethan to watch – the ultimate litmus test in my mind.
After the DVD we moved to two books. The first was based on one of the episodes in the DVD, A Tale of Tails. The book was very true to the show in that it captured the plot, characters, setting and tone perfectly. Ultimately, it tells the story of Wubbzy, who has a very long, bendy tail. He is ostracized by some kids he wants to play with because he is different, until his friends help him realize that his tail is cool and he should be proud of it. At the end, the kids who ignored Wubbzy in the beginning are eager to play with him. (From a plot point of view, the book is slightly predictable – but that’s my adult opinion, kids seem to love Wubbzy and, therefore, will love this book.)
For a child who may struggle with reading or who is learning to read, the fact that the book so closely mirrors the show is ideal. The knowledge that she already has from watching the show would help with reading the words and following the story in print. (This book also comes complete with stickers, which were a huge hit in my house!)
The second, and final, Wubbzy book that we read is called It’s Wubbzy! This is a book that works as an introduction to Wubbzy and may be best for younger readers. It’s a board book that talks when you press a button, saying “Wow, wow, everyone! My name is Wubbzy!” Each page introduces readers to a character in the stories with little text and bright, colorful illustrations. This one was a huge hit with Ethan!
So after getting over my wrong judgment about Wubbzy in general, I was able to learn something myself. These character books are engaging, fun to read and easy to understand – especially if your child is familiar with the show. Finding television in books is not such a bad thing after all. . . .
Jenny is the editor of Ethan’s Bookshelf, a children’s literacy site, and writes her blog Read. Imagine. Talk. When not in front of her computer, Jenny can be found chasing after her son, reading a good book, or watching really bad reality T.V.
Editor’s Note: Shortly after Jenny pitched this idea to me, we were contacted about doing a Wow, Wow, Wubbzy DVD and book set giveaway. I had the review copies sent to her so that she could include them in her review. Now three of you have the opportunity to win the books and DVD mentioned in this post. If you click over to 5 Minutes for Mom, you can enter to win over there, too!
Leave a comment, and we’ll draw the winners on October 1. Try to keep your comment on topic: what’s your opinion of these kinds of TV tie-in books?
This giveaway is closed.
I think it’s a good idea to have the same story in two mediums. I believe seeing it gives a child a better understanding of the story when it’s read and it also holds the child’s interest more because it’s familiar and they can picture the scene in their minds.
I can see how these books help not only at risk readers but kids who don’t really like to read. Anything that gets kids reading is a good thing.
Too much tv is bad for anyone.
I never turn mine on anymore.
This book would be a very nice win!
I too feel like the last poster there is so much bad that is mild and I have no problem with it
I too found myself cringing anytime my daughters would pick up a book from the library that was Dora or other tv related. But before I told them no, I realized that it was only because I, did not want to read Dora. I needed to cater to their interest. After all that’s what going to the library was all about.
i think tv tie in books help get kids (and adults) interested in reading
When my son watches TV and get interested in a character, and the show is derived from a book, he will then want to read the book.
This is a great idea my niece and nephew would love this
My boys would love it.
Young students in my classroom who were struggling readers were often drawn to the T.V. tie in books that I kept in my classroom library. The books had characters that were already familiar and well liked. They helped the children feel more confident about themselves as readers. These books served as a springboard to other books.
On the same note, my youngest daughter just turned two, and loves to sit and “read” while her older sisters are reading. She is fascinated by the character “Wubbzy”, and I’ve been trying to find books with that character for her. (Sad story: I actually passed up on my first chance to get a Wubbzy book back several months ago. We were at a book fair and my oldest daughter asked if the baby liked Wubbzy. I had never heard of the character back then and when I saw the book I asked her, “So what is it, like a tater tot with a tail?” Then I just walked away. If only I’d known!)
Wow, I never heard of these before. I love TV and would like books about tv, so yea, sounds good to me.
I think that anything that makes a child want to read is a good thing.
I never heard of these, but they sound interesting.
They are pretty cool. THis is the 1st time I hear about them. If it can get a child interested in reading, why not.
I know it is commercialism at it’s best but I don’t mind if my san wants to read a Blues Clues or Backyardigans or whatever book. At least it keeps him reading!
I have always bought my daughter books I enjoyed as a child. No that shes older she has been really into all the princess books. I feel if it encourages them to want to read then they are good.
Anything that gets kids to read is good.
anythings that gets a child to read is good
it’s a great way to encourage reading!
I have to admit I have the same oppinion of books linked to TV show’s as you did. Maybe I need to rethink it.
We love Wow Wow Wubbzy in our house. My son would love the DVD and I’d love to see if the books are as good as they sound.
i think its great it if is proper age reading material, with proper “grammar” and helps kids to love books more!
TV tie in books are allright, they develop the characters further sometimes.
like to win this
great way to encourage reading
Love it !
I love TV tie-in books. My son loves to watch watch TV, especially Wow Wow Wubbzy. My son also loves reading books, especially books that have characters from his favorite cartoons. I know that my son would love reading Wow Wow Wubbzy books if we had them. If it weren’t for books that included characters from TV, I am not sure my son would even be interested in reading. I do know they make those Ready- To- Read books with Diego, Dora, Backyardigans, but do they make them with Wow Wow Wubbzy. That would be great if there are.
Thank you for having this! I love these books as my daughter loves these shows. She is 2 and any book she wants to read I jump on the chance for her to show any interest in books. Thank you!
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When they are well done, I think these tie-ins are great. They encourage children to read.
great idea .
GREAT LEARNING TOOL FOR CHILDREN!
Great contest
I admit to buying a few but they always seem like a bit of a cop-out to me. I much prefer the classics BUT anything that gets your child to read is worth it.
ready for some new entertainment
I think these tv-tie-in books are good because kids who like the shows will be encouraged to read these books
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I think it is great to tie the books and learning together for the tv characters. Anything to get kids excited and wanting to learn more -I’m for it!!
My 2 1/2yr old son has learned so much from these noggin and nickjr characters. lessons on every day situations like feelings, listening and school activities like abc’s and counting.
He loves Wow Wow Wubbzy from the start and repeats what the characters say and do.
I can see some value to continuing the interest in the story line in a book.
As long as it’s encouraging reading..I dont mind. My kids watch tv, *gasp* and guess what? They all love to read! And my two oldest are well above grade level (my 7th grader is reading at a 12th grade level) so it hasn’t hurt them at all!!
anythign to get ’em to read
I feel they’re going to watch TV anyway. Or hear their friends talking about the different shows & characters. Really, I think any method that encourages reading is good.
When my brother & I were kids, my grandfather used to give us those big hulking Reader’s Digest Condensed books. But, he also provided up with money for comic books when we went on vacation.
My brother and I always read many grade levels above average.
I think the trick is to encourage reading no matter what the format.
I am all for any kind of books that encourage kids to read them.
Do not care for TV but Love anything that makes kids want to read….
If a book has good content and my kids like it, I do not care if it is TV based or not. My kids have a wide variety of books, and read a lot of different books from the library. I let them pick out some, but I also look for books that I think they will like and that I want them to read. For example, I introduced my son to the Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant, and he loves them. Once he read one, he would look for more in the series at the library. I think that as long as you are exposing your kids to all kinds of books, they will be fine!
I know any thing with wow wow wubbzy my grandaughter would love it.
Love to read, and love my kiddo to read!
Great prize, I hope I win!
Wonderful contest and prize – thank yoU!
I think the mix is good!!
My daughter loves these books too. I was a little reluctant with her always choosing tv tie in books at first. I thought she should read the classics and some of my favorites from my childhood. Those books would rarely hold her attention but she would sit still for a Dora story. Finally I just threw in the towel. She enjoys these stories and we will read them over and over again. Now I feel that this is more important to me. As long as she continues her love of books, I am happy. And now I won’t resist my son if he chooses to read Diego.
Wow Wow Wubbzy is my 1 and 2 year old sons favorite show. I would like to win this prize for them so that I can read them the books, which I know they will love. They never miss an episode. Wow Wow Wubbzy is the best!
I was a against tv tie-in stuff before my child was old enough to voice his opinion. But now he loves Wubzy, Diego, Max and Ruby, and many others. If this gets in interested in a book, I think that’s great!