Help with ideas of books for girl (age 6) and boy (age 8)

[Rebecca41]

My cousin's children both have birthdays coming up, and I wanted to get them books. I don't see them very often, so I don't know exactly what they're in to at the moment. But can anyone give me a rough idea of what's popular with 8 year old boys and 6 year old girls these days?

Thank you

[Takver]

I have to say I would be inclined to ask their parents - trouble is that if you pick something popular, there's a fair chance they might have it already, and also reading ability & tastes varies so very dramatically at that age!

A lot of 6 y/o girls are keen on the Rainbow Magic fairy books, so something associated with that might hit the spot - but the kids that don't love them generally seem to despise them! You might be safe with Astrosaurs (spacegoing dinosaurs - what not to like for a 6 y/o) but again they are very popular.

Both Astrosaurs and Cows in Action by the same author could very well appeal to a just 8 y/o too.

[Chandon]

my 8 year old boy LOVES the Mr Gum books, and Tintin (you can get beautiful hardcover versions, 3 tintin in one, for only around 8 pounds. Great presents they make!). Asterix too.

[Chandon]

you can get them on Amazon, here www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tintin&x=0&y=0&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[CeliaFate]

Jack Stalwart books by Elizabeth Singer Hunt. It's about an 8 year old boy who's a spy going on missions around the world searching for lost artefacts. His elder brother was also a spy and has gone missing in mysterious circumstances. Ds LOVES them and has read all of them, previously being a reluctant but able reader.
For the 6 year old girl I'd recommend Jill Tomlinson's books, such as The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, The Otter Who Wanted to Know etc.