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Hi

what were the books that made your kids want to read and read on their own? What were the books that gave tham a kick/thirst for reading?

The shorter Roald Dahls (Fantastic Mr Fox and The Magic Finger). And the Rainbow Fairies. Those were the first ones that she demolished all on her own, just for fun.

A bit of a mix in literary terms, I'll admit.

But mainly I think she is just a natural bookworm.

Horrid Henry, both of them. And both at around the age of 6. HH was what got them staying in bed in the morning reading rather than coming in to wake me and reading under the covers with a torch!
I have one dd and one ds and Horrid Henr did it for both of them.

Louise Rennison did it for our oldest daughter, she was about 10 or 11 when she read the first one and it's snowballed from there.

DD2 is a bookworm already without any prompting.

Just forgetting about Biff and Chip. It was plain sailing after that................

Deffo Roald Dahl for DTD2. Starting with Enormous Croc and Fantastic Mr Fox. She has now read all but one of the childrens books over the last 2 years. Now she will read anything.

We have struggled with DTD1, but Rainbow Fairies and Tiara club seems to have hit the spot - but she will only read those and nothing else.

Horrid Henry, Rainbow Fairies and Malory Towers between dd1 and dd2. Strange mix but there you go!

Yes, the shorter Roald Dahls, and rainbow magic; very formulaic but great for making a child realise "I can read this"

malory Towers (DD!) and Alex rider andMuchamore's 'cherub' books for my boys

Beast Quest for DS. He's completely hooked on them, I can't get them from the library fast enough.

Same here Polgara2!

The Rainbow Fairy's completely did my head in but I know the formula works and am now so glad that we have progressed to Malory Towers - they are such fab stories and I remember them so well.

Biff and Chip don't work for us but my Mum found some of my old Peter and Jane books and both dds love them. (Some of them are apparently worth a fortune but of course they aren't the ones Mum saved!)

It was Harry Potter for my DD and a lot of others now in their mid teens.

Do you mean a book to get the hang of learning to read initially, or books for an older child who can read ok but isn't too keen to do it?

If it's to do with learning to read then I recall Dd2 struggled initially and we mined away with Biff and Chip <yawn>.

The first books that really got her reading on her own though were Dr Seuss. The stories bounce along and a bit like riding a bike you wobble then you're off..

Since then she's progressed no end and has left Dr Seuss far behind and now loves to read everything she can get. But I'll always remember it was Dr Seuss that got her started.

For my eldeset ds who is 7 - Beast Quest books, Roald Dahl, also the Mr Gum Books and Jeremy Strong (The Hundred Mile an Hour Dog and so on). Max Power books, Zac Flash, Horrid Henry. Not keen on the Blytons we've offered and enjoys reading amusing poetry such as Michael Rosen. Other DS5 is starting to read a little on his own and is getting on the same glide path - demanded The Twits at bedtime today.

Lucy Jessica Hartley books started one of mine off on her own. The other is still reluctant to read herself but has just got into Pony Camp diaries.

Horrid Henry, Captain Underpants, The Beano, TinTin, Jeremy Strong and Jack Stalwart really motivated my DS(7) to read. My DD(5) has just started reception and, unlike most MNers children, loves Biff and Chip!

One DD went about four or five years without ever opening a book, from when she first learned to read until about age 9, when she discovered Despereaux. She found short "I can read" books very boring. Books she found really appealing were The Tale Of Despereaux and Kate Di Camillo books in general, Sharon Creech books, and he Nicholas series by Goscinny and Sempe.

Another DD loved all the books she could lay her hands on from day one, especially the Arnold Lobel book featuring Owl (Owl at Home), plus the Mouse Tales, plus the Frog and Toad series. All quirky and funny stories. She worked her way through Harry Potter from age 7 on.

Posted too soon -- oldest red haired DD loved Nancy Drew (with the titian hair and the little red convertible)

Ds1 started on the famous five when he was about 7. He then went on to teh Alex Rider series.
Sadly he doesn't read as avidly anymore but occassionly he will take one to bed before lights out (He's 13 now0
Ds 2(10) is not interested in slightest in reading.

Boys Rule series.

I wish I could find the one that would work for my DD (yr 2). She reads fine (reads ORT 9 and Gold book band books from school with no problems), but is disinterested in picking up a book just for herself. She always has something she wants to more.
However, she is naturally inquisitve thing, and I know she would feel so good if she could read for pleasure and use books to find stuff out for herself. She loves being read to, but finds doing it heeself yoo much effort.
Any ideas ?

Dick King-Smith, particularly the Sophie books for DD.

Take her to the public library every week, Liberty. Stay as long as she's willing, let her check out any book half-way suitable 4 her age.

The Sheila McCullagh Tim and the Hidden People series.

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