Chapter books for 5yo

[DillyTante]

Dd1 is 5 and a voracious reader. She really wants some 'hard' chapter books.

We have just finished reading her the Faraway Tree books, we initially read them to her then she read them (usually after bedtime with her torch!). She didn't manage all the words but most of them.

Can you recommend any other books that might be suitable in terms of content for an advanced reader but young 5 year old.

We have read her all the Sophie books and most Roald Dahls. What should we try next?

Also while I'm asking, best get a bit of advice. I don't want to hang over her shoulder while reading but if she is reading words wrong I'm worried we won't pick up on it. Plus, she tends not to enquire about words she doesn't understand, just carries on reading. Do we just need to keep getting her to read out loud?

[Binfullofgibletsonthe26th]

My ds was the same. He got very bored of reading out loud. Especially on chapter books.

I let him read in bed quietly for 20 mins before lights out a few times a week. Then I would use emotional blackmail on other occasions - telling him that listening to him read was one of the nicest things I got to do, or wouldn't it be fun to read a page each in turn etc.

If she likes Faraway Tree stories there are plenty more - Amelia Jane, Famous Five, Secret Seven etc that she could read?

[MrsJohnDeere]

Mr Gum

[GreenPeas]

My DD - now 7 - was the same. I still think there are words she doesn't understand in what she reads but as long as she gets the general context I'm quite relaxed - I think that will be the case for some time to come.

Am trying to remember what she was reading at 5... Amelia Jane, Worst Witch, Mr Gum (we love Mr Gum), Secret Seven and - dare I say it - those @&!@ Rainbow Fairies... Thankfully she's bored of them now but they were popular for a year or so.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

Worst Witch? the vocab is a bit more sophisticated though. we had to explain a few words.
Gobbolino and Pippi Longstocking went down well too.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

oh, and the horrific Rainbow Magic fairy books that you can buy by the dozen from The Book People. piss easy, very frothy, no substance whatsoever. but addictive. a bit like Jilly copper for 5 year olds I guess

[DillyTante]

We've done a few of the rainbow fairy books, they are hideous though. Never heard of Mr Gum.

Worst Witch is a great idea though. Are the Pippi books a series? We were given one recently which we've read.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

not sure if there are other Pippi books - we've only got the Lauren Child illustrated one
I forgot to mention the Jamie and Angus books by Anne Fine. They're perfect actually - proper chapter books, but with very young characters and themes.

My Naughty Little sister is good too.

[Dancergirl]

Dd, also 5, LOVES the Worst Witch books - reads them over and over again. Also:

My naughty little sister
Teddy Robinson
Gobbolino and Tales of the little wooden horse
Ramona books - Beverly Cleary
Naughtiest girl - Enid Blyton
Some of the younger Jacqueline Wilsons
Iggy books - Jenny Valentine
Usborne versions of classics - Secret Garden etc

[Leeds2]

The Iggy & Me series by Jenny Valentine is a modern day version of My Naughty Little Sister!

There is also a series of books by Sarah Hawkins about individual dogs and cats at Battersea. Called things like Max, Coco etc.

Milly Molly Mandy, too.