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There are some pretty good non-fiction readers with stunning photos of insects and animals but are in the early reader category. There are a handful that has the parent part on the left side and the child part on the right side so they are getting a good deal of factual information and reading instruction as well. Those books are called "We Both Read" books. My boys loved them. There is a good one on the rain forest.

My oldest didn't read much Henry and Mudge or Frog and Toad either...hhhm.

Ok, y'all need to quit putting Henry and Mudge and Frog and Toad down!!!! I personally really get a kick out of both of those series and I know lots of bright kids that like them too. You make it sound like you can't be intelligent and like those books. Different people just have different tastes in what they like to read.

'Neato - I like that violin story! Especially since DD4 is starting violin next month. I'm a bit nervous about starting her since we started DS7 on piano at right around 5 1/2. She is very, very excited though.

DS is just like that with piano. Loves it when it's easy, complains when it's hard, gets tired of the everyday grind. I really work hard to keep practices light and fun. While trying to instill that when it's lesson time, it's all business. DS had a BAD lesson yesterday.

Edited to say - we happily had a Frog and Toad and Henry and Mudge phase!

I also like Frog and Toad but I do understand how the repetition can make the characters sound neurotic. These easy readers often get a bad rap (or is it rep?)...
Suggestions: MTH if she is ready (Magic Tree House) or at least, for you to ready together.
A series my DD5 loved at 4 (as did DS6) is the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo. Very cute and colorful. I often give them as gifts. If she is into princesses, etc. she might like the Fancy Nancy books by Jane O'Connor. Recently, Fancy Nancy stories have become available as easy readers too. My DD5 also likes the Barbie and princess easy readers. One other easy reader series she enjoyed is Minnie & Moo by Cazet. Good luck!
Oh, she also liked the Amelia Bedelia series too...

Let us know how she likes violin. I think it's perfect for DD6 for a variety of reasons!!

DD8 read Henry and Mudge. Although she seems to have never been at that reading level! She went from me noticing she could read Dr. Suess, to Junie B. Jones!

They both read below ability level sometimes, I think it's fine. I also think it's fine when a kid doesn't want to.

DD8 still likes me to read with her, especially: I read to you, you read to me books. Not my favorite, but she seems to love it.

I'm with you EandCmom. DS would only read Frog and Toad last year at 6, and it was Geronimo Stilton that got him really reading this past spring at age 7.5. We're all for animal stories in our house.

Thanks Neato, your story gives me a hope that DS4 may do ok with piano. I could see the perfectionist story ahead of us too, not when it comes to DS4 (I wish the kid took anything seriously), but it may be an issue for his brother.

Well as parenting perfectionistic children go, I'm a pro by now, let me know it I can help in any way!

Also, DD6 is sneaky, anyone that knows her would think she doesn't take anything seriously either, but she is actually the worst right now with perfection issues.

I think I will be back really soon We are sort of ok right now but last year we got hit really bad when he started Montessori.

I think learning to play a musical instrument could help with it. I don't think it's something which will come easy to him and he may need to work on it. I hope he will get the message that one can improve with practice and time.

Violin actually made dd6 a little worse, but at least I could address it. It's been a great learning experience for both of us.