Can children appreciate The Lord of the Rings? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mithadan*** · 01-24-2002, 09:43 AM

I first read The Hobbit at age 11 and LoTR a year or two later (I did not know LoTR was a sequel to The Hobbit) and understood it all fine. My daughter read The Hobbit at age 7 and enjoyed it but I am holding off introducing LoTR to her, not because she would not appreciate it but rather out of slight concern about the battle scenes and scariness (I am probably being over-cautious). When a child can first read the books is a highly individual matter. The child must, first, have good reading skills and, second, be able to tolerate the goblins/orcs, Gollum, the dragon and the Battle of Five Armies for the Hobbit. Probably age 6-10 for most kids. LoTR, due to its length, writing style and complexity, should be held back a bit, in my opinion, until perhaps 8-12 or even later. The last thing you want is to have a kid start it and put it down as "too boring" or unpleasant -- he or she may not pick it back up again.

[ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

01-24-2002, 09:43 AM	#1
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,396	I first read The Hobbit at age 11 and LoTR a year or two later (I did not know LoTR was a sequel to The Hobbit) and understood it all fine. My daughter read The Hobbit at age 7 and enjoyed it but I am holding off introducing LoTR to her, not because she would not appreciate it but rather out of slight concern about the battle scenes and scariness (I am probably being over-cautious). When a child can first read the books is a highly individual matter. The child must, first, have good reading skills and, second, be able to tolerate the goblins/orcs, Gollum, the dragon and the Battle of Five Armies for the Hobbit. Probably age 6-10 for most kids. LoTR, due to its length, writing style and complexity, should be held back a bit, in my opinion, until perhaps 8-12 or even later. The last thing you want is to have a kid start it and put it down as "too boring" or unpleasant -- he or she may not pick it back up again. [ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] [ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.