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Early reader DD: alternatives to rainbow fairies, please?

25 replies

wearymum200 · 08/01/2014 22:20

Title says it all really. Beast Quest just isn't cutting it; shame, as we have loads from DS1's obsession. DD2 is just beginning to fly with books alone, but doesn't like scary books. Thanks to many helpful mumsnetters, we have Claude, Willow Valley (which I find a bit over cutesy, but she loves, though is also scared when the little sister goes missing..), Biff and Chip Time chronicles, Sally Gardner early readers; and of course we go to the library lots, but selection on view is always a bit random and it would be good to have some suggestions for reservations too.
All suggestions welcome!

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DeWe · 09/01/2014 09:56

My dd2 didn't like scary books-or books she thought might be scary. I found a good method, which has worked from when she was 5yo until even now at 10yo. If I think she would enjoy a book, then I say to her I'll read two chapters and then stop if she wants me to. As a general rule she's wrestled it out of my hand at the end of the first chapter to read herself.

At rainbow fairy stage, she loved Milly Molly Mandy, My naughty little sister, Dancing shoes, Tiara club and the library had a set of books about cats called something like "Timmy the Cold cat" (made up name, can't remember any of the actual titles) Enid Blytons are also good.

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Dogonabeanbag · 09/01/2014 09:59

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diplodocus · 09/01/2014 10:00

Anna Hibiscus series are good, although while very simple to read, they actually cover quite complex themes about cultural difference, so you may want to read and discuss with her so she gets the most out of them.

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diplodocus · 09/01/2014 10:01

Also "My Super Sister" series and the "worst witch".

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ClaimedByMe · 09/01/2014 10:02

I was going to suggest the battersea dogs home books or the rspca books if she is an animal lover.

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Tidypidy · 09/01/2014 10:03

My dd loves Winnie the Witch, they are funny and the illustrations are very good. Some Dick King Smith books are good for younger readers too. Does she like non-fiction? Usborne have a range aimed at early readers on wide range of topics, they're called Usborne Beginners, I picked up a few for pennies on Amazon.

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ClaimedByMe · 09/01/2014 10:05

Holly Webb is an author my dd has taken a shine too aswell.

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bryte · 09/01/2014 10:10

My daughter went through all the Jeremy Strong books when she was first reading.

What about the Holly Webb books. They're not all about puppies (although that is my DD's obsession!)

Michael Morpurgo? Some of his are for younger readers

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BlueChampagne · 09/01/2014 13:22

Second The Worst Witch
Katie Morag
Janet Reachfar
The Witch's Dog
Jamie & Angus

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 11/01/2014 09:20

Didn't know there were Katie Morag books, think my dd might enjoy those Smile

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wearymum200 · 11/01/2014 19:42

Have just downloaded a Holly Webb to Kindle to try, thanks. Janet Reachfar will be new to us too. All further suggestions happily received!

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nonicknameseemsavailable · 11/01/2014 22:32

the Katie Morag books are great Jiltedjohnsjulie. They certainly used to get used quite a bit in schools in KS1, think it was a geography topic.

Holly Webb books are lovely and a big hit with my daughter. Dick King Smith is popular here too.

Corgi pups books are good, agree with the Witch's Dog, Worst Witch also the Lighthouse Keeper.

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BaconAndAvocado · 11/01/2014 23:38

My 5yo DD loves the My Naughty Little Sister books, they're such a trip down memory lane for me too!

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beatricequimby · 13/01/2014 18:48

YY to Milly Molly Mandy and My Naughty Little Sister. Pictures books but similar level might be Little Grey Rabbit and Brambley Hedge.

My dds have enjoyed the Sheltie books by Peter Clover (about a pony), Beverley Cleary's Ramona books and lots of Enid Blyton eg Naughtiest Girl, Faraway Tree, Secret Seven.

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RememberYoureAWomble · 17/01/2014 10:03

I'd second the Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke - brilliant!

Also:
Oliver Moon (Junior Wizard) series by Sue Mongredien
Dinosaur Cove books by Rex Stone
Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne
Mudpuddle Farm books by Michael Morpurgo

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BlueChampagne · 17/01/2014 16:09

Second Dick King-Smith, especially the Sophie books.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 21/01/2014 20:24

Dd has discovered the Daisy the trouble with... Books by Kes Gray and is loving those. Might be worth a try?

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wearymum200 · 24/01/2014 21:02

We have Daisy and the trouble with burglars, but DD is now rather anxious about burglars in the house! Sophie books and Milly Molly Mandy have gone down rapidly this week. She knows my naughty little sister off by heart but I had forgotten the Magic tree house books, Thanks!

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 24/01/2014 21:42

That's such a shame. We are reading that one with dd at the moment. When it got to the bit where daisy was so scared she nearly pooed herself, we thought dd was going to choke she laughed that much.

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bbkl · 27/01/2014 11:11

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LydiaLunches · 27/01/2014 11:14

The witch baby and me books by Debi Gliori are good. Ramona and Beezus?

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hels71 · 02/02/2014 20:24

My DD is enjoying many of those mentioned above as well as Horrid Henry and The Secret Mermaid books. We got quite a few sets of things cheaply from the Book People. She is also enjoying books from the Usbourne Young Readers series.

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IndianMummy · 03/02/2014 10:10

Ah yes Katie Morag - those books were good! A great way to choose books that your DD might like is by looking at the characters page, here: www.randomhousechildrens.co.uk/index.php/category/characters

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wearymum200 · 04/02/2014 21:43

Have been exploring lots of these, thanks again. Slightly bemused by DD's degree of involvement in the story such that she is weeping over Holly Webb's "Lost in the snow" even before the kitten is lost. DS1 has nerves of steel and, while he gets swept up in a story appears never to be frightened or emotional about it. New experience for me.

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blueberryboybait · 04/02/2014 21:48

The Bake a Wish books are brilliant.

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