Recommendations for fun, interesting chapter books to read to DD2 that make no mention of fairies, rainbow or other wearisome stuff.

[Issy]

Having just read a 'Sophie' book by Dick King Smith to DD2, I've realised, with appropriate angst and guilt, that we can no longer fob her off with a shared book-reading with DD1. The deprived Neglected Subsequent Child has been getting one baby-ish picture book and then listening in to whatever inappropriately mature story we happen to be reading to DD1. She needs her own bed-time reading with chapter books aimed at 6 year olds rather than 8 year olds. Any ideas?

Looking through DD1's stock of books for that period they almost all involve the Rainbow Sodding Fairies (TM).

[tarantula]

Dd is 5 and we are reading Paddington, My naughty little sister, Little house in the big woods. Also have on the shelf but not yet read are Pippi Longsocking, Gobbilino the witches cat and load fo books about someone called Mrs whizz (these might be crap tho, charity shop bargain). Cant think of anything else just atm

[marialuisa]

Mr Majeika, Clarice Bean, Sally Willow (and others by Sally Gardner), The Owl who was`afraid of the dark, The Worst Witch, Fanny and the Monsters?

Not sure there's much difference between 6-8 year old type books TBH, what do you think of as inappropriate? DD found Gobbolino really grim for example but liked The Secret Garden.

[hana]

Charlotte's Web
Little House books (there are quite a few)
My Naughty Little Sister
Alice in Wonderland

I would have thought that 6 7 8 year olds could share stories?

[Hulababy]

My Naughty Little Sister
Horrid Henry
Worst Witch
Roald Dhal books
Seriously Silly Stories
Usbournes series of the classics aimed at newly confident readers but ideal length for bedtime story - things like Black Beauty, Heidi, Midsummer Nights Dream, etc.

[babster]

Various stories by Jeremy Strong - dd2 loves My Brother's Famous Bottom (fairly short chapters too, very handy when desperate to get the kids into bed ).
Mrs Pepperpot by Alf Proysen - my childhood favourite
Animal Ark - churned out in the manner of Rainbow Magic, but far less nauseating!

[bozza]

What sort of thing is DD1 reading? At that age we read to DS things like Charlotte's Web, the Magic Faraway Tree, Roald Dahl (lots of), Flat Stanley, Captain Underpants, Horrid Henry. Realise these latter are not very girly - but no fairies either!

Sadly DS (7) now reads to himself in bed. He reads loads of fiction books based on football, secret seven, astrosaurs and is currently reading the 3rd Harry Potter. DH read the first one to him, he read the second on holiday and is now on the third.

[yellowvan]

wizard of oz (there's no actual fairys in it i don't think)
secret 7/ Brer Rabbit- if you can stomach E. Blyton (these both popular with my 6yo atm)
Jeremy Strong books
Winnie the Pooh

[LackaDAISYcal]

Paddington? each chapter is a story in it's own right.

[maidamess]

Pippi Longstocking. A really strong girl character with not a fairy in sight.

[Issy]

Thank you for the suggestions. I agree that DD1 and DD2 can share stories (there are 18 months and two academic years between them). They both enjoyed Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and The Worst Witch. It's not that DD1's books are 'inappropriate' in a lip-pursing way for a nearly 6 year old, but I get the impression that with something like Harry Potter DD2 is understanding it in snatches but is unable to carry the whole narrative arc (as it were). That's a skill that needs to be built up and it's probably easier to start with simpler narratives.

[Issy]

Sorry, I haven't been responding to all the suggestions I've just been working out for myself why I don't think we should always read to both the DDs together. There are some really good suggestions here; I'll come back and make a list!

[marialuisa]

Just thought of Rumer Godden, e.g. The Fairy Doll, The Story of Holly and Ivy. You're lucky DD1 lets you read to her, not allowed in our house.

[giraffescantdancethetango]

boobela?

[bozza]

Yes I agree that Harry Potter is a step up from most of the books mentioned on here. But I think you should have enough to go at until DD2 gets old enough for HP. DS has just been complaining that the kitten has got on the bed and "wasted 5 minutes of my reading time". I have told him lights out at 8.

[Hulababy]

On a wizard theme - how about Oliver Moon?

[katch]

My first thought was Rumer Gooden also - we didn't discover her until dd was 10, but she loved the stories (as did I).

Definitely suitable for both dds, no fairies or witchcraft or bogus superheroes.

Also My Naughty Little Sister; and Milly Molly Mandy lasted for years, from about six to nine.

[Anchovy]

Hi Issy. I think you know my views about sodding fairies - we are a "fairy free zone" here (much easier when you fluent reader is a boy, though!)

If you enjoyed "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" have you tried "The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me" also by Roald Dahl? Its absolutely brilliant!

[Earlybird]

Two possibilities come immediately to mind:

Mrs. Pepperpot
Enid Blyton - Magic Faraway Tree (though there is one fairy there, so perhaps no good?)

[LittlePushka]

Danny Champion of th world
The Twits

Try Roald Dahl Childrens verse book. Brilliant!

[TooTicky]

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.

[EachPeachPearMum]

Another vote for Pippi here!
And The Moomins
Milly Molly Mandy
Just William
My Naughty Little Sister
Little Women (abridged prob)
Ramona Quimby
The Wishing Chair (maybe has fairies in, but not the modern insipid type!)

[Issy]

Hi Anchovy! Yes, both DDs loved 'The Pelly etc.'. Wish I could find such an effective window-cleaning outfit.

I shouldn't knock those Rainbow Sodding Fairies. Their mass-manufactured charms did persuade DD1, always a reluctant reader, to read her first whole chapter book.

After reading this thread, I remembered a rather nice hardback of Paddington that some thoughtful guest gave to DD2 as a christening present languishing on a high shelf. DD2 is loving it.

[Jacanne]

What about the Bel Mooney books about Kitty - they're funny and no fairies as far as I know

[bundle]

dd2 (8) loved a Daisy Dawson book, think it's by Steve Voake, who normally writes for older children

[LadyG]

Pippi is fab. Also Milly Molly Mandy My Naughty Little Sister and Ramona Quimby-loved Ramona. Rumer Godden-Miss Happiness and Miss Flower one of my childhood faves. Looking forward to all this now we have DD although she is only 5 weeks old! Have read Pippi to DS 3 though and he loved it.