Transitioning to chapter books

I wanted to start Andrei on chapter books as soon as I could. I thought that if I 'read above him' he would learn English quicker. Plus, there's no reason why he shouldn't get what the story was about, right? (except that he doesn't know english, duh!)

So when he was about 4 months home, I started reading Charlotte's Web to him. I didn't even require that he sit next to me - he could play with his Lego or something else but had to stay quiet. It was all fine and good, I thought he was listening and we got about halfway through when I caught him whispering to himself. I asked him if he liked the book? "yes" What is it about? "Don't know" hm. So I gave up.

A few more months passed, and I picked up Trumpet of the Swan. I read the first chapter and afterward I asked him what it was about? "A duck" Huh? Well, I knew he meant swan, just didn't know the word. But that's all he could tell me. So it was still above him.

I went to a convention in August, and when I got back, I scaled back my lofty expectations and was committed to learning on his level. If we had to read picture books fro the next year (God help me) for him to learn anything then so be it.

But I still wanted to read something for myself. So on a whim I picked up The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and read the first chapter before bed one night. After it was over, I said, "we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what happens next!" and Andrei piped up with, "I know - the, the,.... BAaaaaaa" Mr. Tumnus? "Yeah!" What was the difference with this book? He'd seen the movie about 10 times. So he knew the story ahead of time and already had the characters in his mind.

We still do read a lot of picture books, but more text per page then before. I think LWandW got his confidence up too. We're really both enjoying the book now, and I hope his listening skills will be all ready by the time we get to Prince Caspian.
We may have to wait until it comes out on DVD. :)