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Original poster

I started reading to my kids again, and I love it. Suggestions please.

55 replies

PippiL · 25/02/2013 21:43

I am so ashamed to say I got out of the habit. Their dad did it whilst I did "more important" things. I have missed out for a year or so now. Dd is 8 nearly 9 and ds is 5 nearly 6.

So I kicked my own crappy behind and started reading The Indian in the Cupboard. We are loving it. Day 4 and halfway through the book.

I have some years to make up for. I'm sad that it won't be long before they don't want a story.

What else can/must I read to them to make up for lost time?

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lilachair · 20/03/2013 22:50

The Secret Garden!

The chapters are just the right length. My two were asking to go to bed for the story

jamaisjedors · 20/03/2013 22:47

I've just finished reading Olga da Polga to my 6yr old and 8.5 yr old.

Not babyish I don't think (although I think my eldest is quite "young" in his tastes!) - I enjoyed it too.

Harry the Poisonous Centipede by Lynne Reid Banks is good too (although I prefered Olga da Polga) - the copy I bought had illustrations which meant my younger DS could follow more easily.

They both followed Harry Potter but had seen the film so knew the story - I found it a bit clunky to read out (not a fan).

Leeds2 · 14/03/2013 20:33

Mr Majeika.

Hattifattner · 14/03/2013 18:33

DS (10) is in the middle of Suzanne COllins' "Gregor the Overlander" series, which he is loving. Its billed as "Young adult" but I would think its 9-12 age. Its got plenty of action and a sarcastic giant rat who is a brilliant swordsman. Plus giant bats, cockroaches, spiders......and a small girl called Boots.

DuchessofMalfi · 14/03/2013 18:25

I managed to find a copy of Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce yesterday, in a charity shop. So happy :) I remember loving this one as a child.

MercedesKing · 14/03/2013 07:11

Animal Farm, The Little Prince, Sophie's World, I was grown up by hearing my mom reading those books for me. Wink They might of some help. Smile

PeasandCucumbers · 13/03/2013 23:33

I am currently reading Stig of the Dump to my 2 and they are both enjoying it & asking for more. The Railway Children is next on my list to read to them

alibeen · 11/03/2013 12:52

I've found reading to dd and ds a way of re-reading the books I loved best when I was their age. DD and I have been reading Pippi Longstocking, The Borrowers and Little House on the Prairie series recently - non of which I read as a child but we've both loved them.

Grumpystone · 09/03/2013 16:56

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DuchessofMalfi · 03/03/2013 08:34

We're nearing the end of The Magic Faraway Tree trilogy, and have loved it all the way. I don't remember reading it as a child, so it seemed new to me. Will definitely want to read it to DS when he's old enough too.

I love threads like this - gives me even more ideas for bed time stories :)

Thewhingingdefective · 02/03/2013 23:37

My DTs are 7 and have enjoyed recently:

Abridged versions of...
Heidi
Black Beauty
Treasure Island
Around the World in Eighty Days

Also

Billy Bonkers (by Kes Gray I think)
Daisy books (Daisy and the Trouble With...)
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf
Mr Gum
The Sheep Pig
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
The Magic Faraway Tree trilogy

mrspink27 · 02/03/2013 22:20

Marcus Sedgwick is great - also Agatha Parrot series and Penny Dreadful

sandycloud · 02/03/2013 21:48

You must read mr gum. We were camping when we read one. Me and dh carried on when the dcs were asleep. It was so funny. Had drunk wine. We used to fight over who could read it.

vesela · 02/03/2013 20:43

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh.

UnrequitedSkink · 25/02/2013 23:50

I can't believe no-one has mentioned the How to Train Your Dragon series! They're brilliant for sharing, really funny and some fantastic language. Rather a lot of shouting though (well, they ARE Vikings Wink)

Dromedary · 25/02/2013 23:45

My DD loved all the Little House books (as did I when that age).

Neither DC would listen to the end of Alice in Wonderland (not a big fan of that kind of fanciful stuff myself).
The Moomins.
Ballet Shoes (wonderful).
Thursday's Child.
The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, and Gobbolino the Witch's Cat (would suit your younger DC) - my DCs both loved this series.
The Little Prince.

Rowlers · 25/02/2013 23:28

Narnia

thornrose · 25/02/2013 23:23

Im tired and on the wine too, Sorry, didn't mean to make you feel bad, it was genuinely amusing.

womblingalong · 25/02/2013 23:16

piprabbit your post made me Smile. Both DD and DS really enjoyed it, and I don't agree with dearcathyandclare, they are really interesting.

I do agree that Eva Ibbotson is fabulous, I have just read the Abominables to DD, and she loved it!

TaggieCampbellBlack · 25/02/2013 23:15

I'm v tired and had Wine

Michael morpurgo - some of them ok (Adolphus Tips) some of thrm dead dpressing.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 25/02/2013 23:12

Mr Gum definitely worth a try - I bought DS (just 9) a set of the audio books of these for Christmas and he and DD (just 7) love them.

dearcathyandclare · 25/02/2013 23:10

I still read to mine when they were teens especially if they were feeling overwrought.

piprabbit · 25/02/2013 23:08

wombling I just started reading Little House in the Big Woods to my 4yo DS tonight and he sat there with wide eyes and a look of rapt attention. Then he made his dad read chapter 2.

dearcathyandclare · 25/02/2013 23:06

Roald Dahl is great to read aloud, but resist Little House on the Prairie as very dull.
Michael Murpurgo's Kensuke's kingdom was great, also Eva Ibbotson
Alice in Wonderland still works even tho it is 150 years old.
My lot also loved poetry and fitted the bill when we were all tired, especially The Highwayman by Alfred (?) Noyes.
Clarice Bean also good for something more modern.