kerripat, you sound like a great parent who is sensitive to the needs of both your children. It is tough if you have a younger one who is catching up to, or outstripping, your older one in some ways. Still, I wouldn't hold either of my children back in any way, ever. That would be doing a worse disservice to the more advanced one. I'd probably not gush over your younger child's reading ability in a way that might discourage your older child, but in the long term I don't think there will be any harm in letting your younger read material that's more level-appropriate. Your older child might even be inspired to try harder at reading.
ETA: What Grinity said: take the sandbags off.
