Which kids books do you recommend?

[KatieM22]

I want to become a primary school teacher and I've been thinking about the authors it would be good to introduce the kids to. Please would you let me know which books you think are great for kids in Years Three to Six and why? Big thank you!

[notanidea]

chris Riddle, Michael morpurgo, Eva Ibbotson, Enid blyton, Roald Dahl,Lucy Hawking - My DD in year 3 loves them all.

[alardi]

Great in what way? Literature that adults aprove of or books that make kids love reading?
I think love to read is more important, so on that basis, these are books/series/authors DC and some of their mates sunk their teeth into:

Astrosaurs
Dinosaur Cove
Indie Kidd
Warrior Cats (Erin Hunter)
Harry Potter
Roald Dahl
Diana Wynne Jones.
Frank Cottrell Bryce
Robert Westall (some of these not suitable for primary age, mind)
Swallows and Amazons

DC find Michael Morpugo and Robert Swindells quite dull, but some of their friends are keen.

[KatieM22]

Thanks loads for replying. I'm interested in books that make kids fall in love with reading. When I was at primary school I remember loving Pippi Longstocking and Just William and the Narnia series, but I'm trying to build up a list of modern authors whose books I should look at. It's really helpful to hear from mums which books are inspiring their kids, and the age that the kids are. Thanks again - and please let me know if there are any other books you think would be good.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

Katie, have a look at the children's book forum on this site - there are lots of ideas there.

[maggievirgo]

My son loves anything to do with eating. Always has done, first the hungry caterpillar when he was smaller and now he still loves The tiger came to tea and 'six dinner sid!'

any book that lists off what food somebody ate is going to be a winner!

[KatieM22]

Ah - The Hungry Caterpillar - great book! Thanks for those and for the heads up about the books forum.

If anyone else gets the chance to reply, please do let me know any favourite kids' books (or ones to avoid!)

[BarkisIsWilling]

Judy Blume's Fudge series: age appropriate and funny.

[cazzybabs]

Now... there is a difference between good books to read and books that are good to be read to... there was an article in the TES a few months ago...sorry Idon't have a link or even the article

[cazzybabs]

ohh and also my adivce is to be careful off the differences between boys and girls. You are alwaus onto a winner with Raold Dahl but some a dark for Year 3..

and the historical fiction - winne the pooh, the wind in the willows has some hard old fashioned words

[londonartemis]

Lots of schools do suggested reading lists for their pupils.
Also, local libraries are packed full of children's books you can take out on an adult ticket and see what might appeal.
Lots of children prefer non fiction to fiction, especially boys.

[danthe4th]

Jaqueline wilson finally got my dd to enjoy reading and a set of books called indie kidd not sure who they were by. I have recently bought my reluctant reader ds age 7 the star wars books from dk I found them on amazon and they do them in different stages.I'm not really sure why my children were reluctant readers as we have always gone to the library and read with them, but I,ve always put it down to the fact they prefer playing outside and there is never enough time to sit and read but my eldest dd's both read for pleasure now and I tend to buy complete sets of books from the book people as they love keeping them.

[danthe4th]

Anne fine is also very good, Ann Bryant is another one who writes fab ballerina stories and the Sandy lane stables series is fab for horse lovers. I just popped and had a look at the books the girls were reading in year 4,5,and 6 I think.

[KatieM22]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions - they're really useful. Have started reading!