chapter books to read to a 5-year-old-girl.

[imaginaryfriend]

I'm seeking a bit of inspiration really as dd's only just got into me reading her bedtime stories which are not primarily picture books. I've had very few successes so far:

Hits:
Enid Blyton's Amelia Jane stories
The original story of Pinocchio

Misses:
Pippi Longstocking
All the Roald Dahl books I've tried so far
The Magic Faraway Tree
The Naughtiest Girl in School

Dd's not a terribly 'girly' girl although she loves 'magical' things like mermaids and Tinkerbell. I've looked at a few of the princess-type books in Waterstones and she'd hate all that pink, fluffy, friend / not-friend scenario stuff. She's mad on animals, especially rabbits.

Any / all suggestions really gratefully received.

[emkana]

Dick King-Smith? He does lots of animal-related books.

Mrs Pepperpot

[mazzystar]

My ds has just enjoyed having the Iron Man read to him, although I think he may mainly have been pandering to DH who remembered it vivdly from his own childhood. We are just starting with this kind of reading as he's a a wee bit younger than your dd, so will watch with interest.

[PortAndLemon]

Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf?

Ummm... will think some more...

[hatwoman]

how can Roald Dahl be a miss? what about more Enid Blyton. Famous Five is adored by my two (though you have to interject a modern commentary. something along the lines of "fancy deciding that somebody must be suspicious because they look foreign. what nonsense..." etc) Horrid Henry goes down well too.

[imaginaryfriend]

Ok, I'll check out Dick King-Smith.

mazzystar, dd liked the Iron Giant too!

I've never heard of Cleverpolly.

hatwoman, I know, I loved Roald Dahl but dd's just not into it. She loves the movie of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory though.

I wondered about Famous Five.

[windygalestoday]

my naughty little sister books are always good fun we are currently reading those

[zippitippitoes]

teddy robinson

milly molly mandy

my naughty little sister

[RosaIsRed]

The Sheltie books by Peter someone or other.
Dick King-Smith's Sophie books
Ramona the Pest by Beverley Cleary
Junie B Jones

[hedonia]

anything by shirley hughes esp my naughty little sister

[emkana]

Also, look on Amazon for Julia Donaldson books, of Gruffalo fame - she also does books for older children

dd1 loves Princess Mirrorbelle by her

[imaginaryfriend]

Naughty Little Sister we tried and it didn't appeal. We've got a Milly Mollie Mandy set that my mum bought for dd a while ago, I'll give those a go.

I just looked up Clever Polly on Amazon and ordered it, it looks very up dd's street.

[zippitippitoes]

a dog so small tho might be too old

the little wooden horse

[seeker]

Another vote for Sophie!

We hace a spare copy - CAT me your address and I'll put it in the post. I LOVE Sophie and would be delighted to spread her around!

[hedonia]

yes teddy robinson but soooo old fashioned!

[RosaIsRed]

Do try Junie B Jones - DD3 is loving her.

[snice]

the owl who was afraid of the dark by Jill Tomlinson and others in the same series

[zippitippitoes]

too old for her at the moment but the children of green knowe, minnow on the say, half magic all good ..still old fashioned of course

the little white horse

[imaginaryfriend]

This is so great, thanks, I'm nipping between here and Amazon. I've put Princess Mirrorbelle in the basket.

Hi Seeker, that's very kind of you, I'll CAT you now

[RosaIsRed]

May I also recommend Rumer Godden. I am reading my eight-year-old Miss Happiness and Miss Flower atm. And much enjoying it after the tedium of Emily Windsnap which was her last choice.

[seeker]

I'm REALLY not stalking you - I didn't notice it was you until just now!

[hedonia]

god rumer gooden - anyone read greengage summer? didn't know she'd done books for younger

[hedonia]

velveteen rabbit

[imaginaryfriend]

The Dick-King Smith books look great. I'm not sure about Junie B Jones though. What's it like?

[RosaIsRed]

See here and what a bargain too.

[imaginaryfriend]

seeker I CAT'd you. I don't feel at all stalked, I just think we're thinking about similar things at this point in time!