A few months before Max turned 9 I read him The Hobbit. It was just the right level for him, with the right amount of action and adventure, so that he was immediately taken with it and all things Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He pestered me non-stop to be allowed to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It has been about 20 years since I last read it and I remembered it as enjoyable but so very long and thought it'd probably be quite difficult for a 9-year-old, but decided to let him have a go, expecting him to give up pretty quickly. I also started reading the books again at the same time, so he could ask me questions and talk about them with me. I have really enjoyed them, but am only just now nearing the end of the second book, when Max finished the third several weeks ago! It's amazing how being passionate about something is such a great motivator!
For his birthday we took him to Hobbiton, where the village scenes in The Hobbit were filmed. That was a magical place - even hubby who is not a Hobbit/LOTR fan enjoyed the tour. Needless to say, Max LOVED it!
Drinks at the Green Dragon. Beer and ginger beer brewed on-site.
For his birthday I even made him a Hobbit hole cake :)
