oh I wish we had met MTH when DD was only 4.5...she didn't meet them until later, in kinder. By the end of the school year, she could read one in 40 minutes! I refused to buy anymore, but allowed her to get all she wanted at the library.
Personally, I say, let them read...and that's about it. As long as you know he is actually reading, I don't think it matters too much whether it's out loud or not. Many times, I feel the school wants that to slow the "skimmers" and encourage them to really comprehend, but you can save that for later, when school will "make" your child do it.
My girls choose a non fiction (but still juvinille) book along with the fun reading and picture books. DD4.5 doesn't read independently yet, so I read that aloud to her, DD8 reads her own then gives me an oral report...you could expand whatever time period of MTH he is reading with a low level nonfiction book (DK has some great ones for time periods) that you read together, exploring the historical facts behind that wonderful MTH fiction
