At the risk of sounding like I'm a bit precious - can anyone recommend a chapter book for a 3 yr old?

[robino]

DD has astounded me. She is 3.10. We have a copy of the Twits (Roald Dahl) in the house which she brought to me and asked me to read. I obliged, convinced that one chapter in she'd be bored and/or scared. I was wrong, she loves it - keeps bringing it to me for the next chapter.

I was thinking I might buy her another "big girl" book for Christmas - don't get me wrong, the picture books in all their glory will remain and be read but this really seems to have captured her imagination and I've quite enjoyed reading something a bit longer. Any ideas?

[bigTillyMint]

DS lover The Magic Faraway Tree when he was small. I know it's Enid Blyton....

[lovecheese]

All the other shorter Roald Dahls, The Magic finger, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Esio Trot, The enormous Crocodile etc etc. Should keep her quiet for a while!

[ilovehens]

Wishing Chair stories are nice. Also by Enid Blyton.

[Goingspare]

DD1's first chapter book was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (at about 4 1/2) and when we'd finished it, she wanted me to read it again (handed it to DH this time), so I agree with starting with the shorter Roald Dahls.

I think we got a boxed set from the Book People.

[exexpat]

A lot of the Dick King-Smith ones are good for little ones, particularly the Sophie series. Or My Naughty Little Sister series, or Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf (DD loved those ones at around 4). Or just move on to other Roald Dahl ones - I think I read the BFG to DS when he had just turned 4 and he loved it.

But both my DCs still enjoyed picture books too, at age 4/5/6. She might like some of the more 'wordy' picture books like Clarice Bean etc.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

Milly Molly Mandy.

[KittyFoyle]

Mie also like 'chapter' or short story books. I have two girls and a boy and they listen together but..

DS enjoyed Roald Dahl - esp. Charlie and the Choc Fac + Fantastic Mr Fox

DD1 enjoyed Milly Molly Mandy, My Naughty Little Sister stories (Both a bit dated but charming and she adores them)
Also Matilda (Roald D), The Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie (These are fantastic books - read them when I was little and she loves them about 7 in the series). The Story of Holly and Ivy is wonderful - great for Christmas (Rumer Godden) - not sure if it has chapters but you can make your own - it's long for one sitting.

[KittyFoyle]

Oh - now very very keen on Teddy Robinson - very funny!

[Takver]

Definitely Milly Molly Mandy & Teddy Robinson.

Also if you can find them the Danny Fox books by David Thompson are ideal to read out loud to a little one.

(btw Abebooks.co.uk is good for 2nd copies of all the old childrens books very cheaply)

[robino]

Ooh, thanks for the ideas. I might fancy a re-read of the Magic Faraway Tree first. Or I might just develop itchy fingers on Amazon. Takver - will def check out your suggestion too, thanks.

[SuePurblybiltByElves]

Plop - the owl who was afraid of the dark or any Jill Tomlinson
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf

[LadyBiscuit]

Milly Molly Mandy and Mary Bear (probably out of print but my 3YO loves it)

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

The wind in the willows?

[robino]

Oh, I LOVED the owl who was afraid of the dark when I was little.

Is The Worst Witch a bit old d'you think? Loved that one too.

[Takver]

Have just thought of a modern one! The Winnie the Witch chapter books are lovely (and of course the picture books are good slightly longer stories too).

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I think The Worst Witch comes into its own once they are at school and can identify with it more.

[DurhamDurham]

We bought box set of all Roald Dahl's books for children for £20 from World of Books. Has ten books, they've been v well read in our house!

[vesela]

The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren.

(It's the same as the Bullerby Children, but is the US translation - which is why I think it's available on Book Depository and not Amazon. Bullerby children not available new on either).

[vesela]

(not on Amazon UK, that is. Book Depository's UK site seem to send from the US at the drop of a hat, & without the postage, obviously).

[SuePurblybiltByElves]

The original Mary Poppins perhaps. Or Mary Plain or Paddington. Both excellent bears.

My all time favourites aren't chapters as such but are longer stories - the Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barker. I could climb into the illustrations.

[Elk]

dd2 loved the rainbow fairies at that age (sorry), 'The Naughtiest Girl' series by Enid Blyton and the Winnie the Pooh books (without the pictures.

[cazzybabs]

Mrs Pepperpot, the owl that was afraid of the dark, Milly Molly Mandy, taLES from end cottage, blackberry farm, Gobolino, litle grey rabbit (not technically a chapterbook)

[robino]

Oh, Mrs Pepperpot! Another one to add to the list for me her...

[robino]

I wonder if anyone can help me figure this one out. Am suddenly having recollections of some stories that happened in a garden (oh dear, this is vague) that I loved. Mrs Floribunda was one of the main characters...

[KittyFoyle]

Vesela - I have read All About the Bullerby Children to DD1 but it was my copy from the 1970's. Wanted to get it for a friend's daughter so will check it out. Great!