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Original poster

At the risk of sounding like I'm a bit precious - can anyone recommend a chapter book for a 3 yr old?

31 replies

robino · 01/12/2010 14:29

DD has astounded me. She is 3.10. We have a copy of the Twits (Roald Dahl) in the house which she brought to me and asked me to read. I obliged, convinced that one chapter in she'd be bored and/or scared. I was wrong, she loves it - keeps bringing it to me for the next chapter.

I was thinking I might buy her another "big girl" book for Christmas - don't get me wrong, the picture books in all their glory will remain and be read but this really seems to have captured her imagination and I've quite enjoyed reading something a bit longer. Any ideas?

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DandyDan · 05/12/2010 08:27

Definitely Milly-Molly-Mandy, Teddy Robinson and Naughty Little Sister books, and the Danny Fox books.

Possibly Gobbolino the Witch's Cat - Ursula Moray Williams (same as the Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse), or Michael Bond's Olga da Polga guinea-pig stories.

randomama · 04/12/2010 13:36

probably should have clarified I do, of course, change some of the more horrifically offensive language, and I skip the leopard one completely. Shock

TooTiredtoGoogle · 04/12/2010 13:06

DD (also 3) loves Flat Stanley - Stanley Lambchop becomes flattened one night by his noticeboard and gets up to all sorts of adventures, like being posted in an envelope for a holiday in California.

Fantastic Mr Fox was also a hit, as was an abridged version of Beowulf Confused

AnyFuleSno · 03/12/2010 23:50

..

simpson · 03/12/2010 23:45

fantastic Mr Fox

The BFG

The Witches

The giraffe,the pelly & me.

Can you tell my DS is a massive RD fan Grin

Whoever mentioned Mrs Pepperpot (I remember it as a child) cheers, I think he will love that.

I may get one for his Xmas stocking Smile

randomama · 03/12/2010 23:40

DS (3) loves Rudyard Kipling's Just So stories and they are a genuine pleasure to read

KittyFoyle · 03/12/2010 22:06

Vesela - I have read All About the Bullerby Children to DD1 but it was my copy from the 1970's. Wanted to get it for a friend's daughter so will check it out. Great!

Original poster
robino · 03/12/2010 15:28

I wonder if anyone can help me figure this one out. Am suddenly having recollections of some stories that happened in a garden (oh dear, this is vague) that I loved. Mrs Floribunda was one of the main characters...

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Original poster
robino · 03/12/2010 15:25

Oh, Mrs Pepperpot! Another one to add to the list for me her...

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cazzybabs · 03/12/2010 13:41

Mrs Pepperpot, the owl that was afraid of the dark, Milly Molly Mandy, taLES from end cottage, blackberry farm, Gobolino, litle grey rabbit (not technically a chapterbook)

Elk · 02/12/2010 20:57

dd2 loved the rainbow fairies at that age (sorry), 'The Naughtiest Girl' series by Enid Blyton and the Winnie the Pooh books (without the pictures.

SuePurblybiltByElves · 02/12/2010 20:42

The original Mary Poppins perhaps. Or Mary Plain or Paddington. Both excellent bears.

My all time favourites aren't chapters as such but are longer stories - the Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barker. I could climb into the illustrations.

vesela · 02/12/2010 20:00

(not on Amazon UK, that is. Book Depository's UK site seem to send from the US at the drop of a hat, & without the postage, obviously).

vesela · 02/12/2010 19:59

The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren.

(It's the same as the Bullerby Children, but is the US translation - which is why I think it's available on Book Depository and not Amazon. Bullerby children not available new on either).

DurhamDurham · 02/12/2010 19:21

We bought box set of all Roald Dahl's books for children for £20 from World of Books. Has ten books, they've been v well read in our house!

sethstarkaddersmum · 02/12/2010 19:15

I think The Worst Witch comes into its own once they are at school and can identify with it more.

Takver · 02/12/2010 19:11

Have just thought of a modern one! The Winnie the Witch chapter books are lovely (and of course the picture books are good slightly longer stories too).

Original poster
robino · 02/12/2010 18:50

Oh, I LOVED the owl who was afraid of the dark when I was little.

Is The Worst Witch a bit old d'you think? Loved that one too.

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DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain · 02/12/2010 18:47

The wind in the willows?

LadyBiscuit · 02/12/2010 18:46

Milly Molly Mandy and Mary Bear (probably out of print but my 3YO loves it)

SuePurblybiltByElves · 02/12/2010 18:42

Plop - the owl who was afraid of the dark or any Jill Tomlinson
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf

Original poster
robino · 02/12/2010 18:40

Ooh, thanks for the ideas. I might fancy a re-read of the Magic Faraway Tree first. Or I might just develop itchy fingers on Amazon. Takver - will def check out your suggestion too, thanks.

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Takver · 02/12/2010 13:00

Definitely Milly Molly Mandy & Teddy Robinson.

Also if you can find them the Danny Fox books by David Thompson are ideal to read out loud to a little one.

(btw Abebooks.co.uk is good for 2nd copies of all the old childrens books very cheaply)

KittyFoyle · 01/12/2010 14:49

Oh - now very very keen on Teddy Robinson - very funny!

KittyFoyle · 01/12/2010 14:49

Mie also like 'chapter' or short story books. I have two girls and a boy and they listen together but..

DS enjoyed Roald Dahl - esp. Charlie and the Choc Fac + Fantastic Mr Fox

DD1 enjoyed Milly Molly Mandy, My Naughty Little Sister stories (Both a bit dated but charming and she adores them)
Also Matilda (Roald D), The Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie (These are fantastic books - read them when I was little and she loves them about 7 in the series). The Story of Holly and Ivy is wonderful - great for Christmas (Rumer Godden) - not sure if it has chapters but you can make your own - it's long for one sitting.