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Original poster

Bedtime reading for 3yo-musn't be scary!

35 replies

Fckthis · 19/05/2014 20:55

We need a new book or collection of stories for ds bedtime (3yo) who doesn't like books in which anything scary happens, he doesn't even like the grufalo! So must be as gentle as possible, and not in verse (like dr seus) as I read to him translating and translating verse is a pain. There must be some wonderful, gentle stories we just don't know about! Anyone?

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Sundaedelight · 23/05/2014 18:39

The Tiger Who Came to Tea - not scary at all and quite funny.

Handa's Surprise/ Handa's Chicken - beautiful illustrations

Apple Tree Farm series

Topsy and Tim series

Maisie series

BertieBotts · 23/05/2014 18:36

I read DS "The Big Big Sea" tonight. I had to choke back tears. He was unmoved. Said it was boring Hmm

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 23/05/2014 18:24

The Hairy Maclary series - about a group.of dogs.

thegambler · 23/05/2014 18:23

Just in case those pics don't work, "Gorilla" by Anthony Browne
"Floss"
"Little Baa"
"One summer day"
"Friends"....all by Kim Lewis.

BlueChampagne · 23/05/2014 12:36

Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs is pretty gentle, and there are quite a few.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 22/05/2014 22:18

Dd has just read the Dixie O'Day book and really enjoyed it Smile

Original poster
Fckthis · 22/05/2014 14:38

Thank you all, list is compiled! I bought yesterday Winnie the Pooh and read three chapters last night, also bought 'Alfie' but ds said he didn't like books with other boys in them...Confused I'm sure he'll come round to it.
Thanks all.

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paneer · 22/05/2014 10:32

DD loved Shirley Hughes at that age. Think we had the Nursery Collection, they were really good and not scary at all.
She gets scared easily (even now).

emmaMBC · 22/05/2014 10:24

Hmmmm, I think you should give this one a go -

Shirley Hughes has a new series of chapter books she co-wrote with her daughter Dixie O'Day the next one is out very soon. These are lovely, lovely tales as you would expect from Shirley Hughes!

Bedtime reading for 3yo-musn't be scary!
MrsCosmopilite · 20/05/2014 18:05

Just remembered:
Troll Swap - Leigh Hodgkinson
Mr Pod and Mr Piccallili - Penny Dolan

winnertakesitall · 20/05/2014 16:57

There are 2 books which were firm faves with my ds at that age I can remember the authors but: love monster (not scary- really sweet), and what does daddy do?

insanityscatching · 20/05/2014 16:43

The Little Princess I don't want........ series are nice books that I would think would be easy to translate. Dd like Blue Kangaroo series too.

gamescompendium · 20/05/2014 16:35

If you are looking for slightly longer stuff (early chapter books?) then My Naughty Little Sister is a great series with very gentle stories. Or how about Milly Molly Mandy? Sophie's Adventures by Dick King Smith? All similar to the shorter Shirley Hughes books in that they are realistic gentle adventures of children and although they are chapter books each chapter is an individual adventure. Oh, what about Katie Morag, they are longer picture books with gentle realistic stories. Anna Hibiscus is also suppose to be fab but it's sitting in the 'to read' pile so I can't fully comment.

weebarra · 20/05/2014 16:23

You Choose is great! My 3 yr old DS loves it and I also gave it to a friend's daughter whose mum speaks to her in French and Dad speaks English. They said it was the perfect bilingual book.

cyberfairy · 20/05/2014 16:18

Oh No George! is a particular fave with my boy (and I) and funny with great illustrations too. A few more by the author (Chris Haughton) might also be good.

KatoPotato · 20/05/2014 16:15

but green eggs and ham is brill.

Mr Men is great, with loads of great words for expanding vocabulary. But avoid 'little miss lucky' that shit is scary!

Cluelessat30 · 20/05/2014 16:15

The Usborne phonics readers are good, big pig on a dig, etc. otherwise go to a good independent bookshop and ask for recommendations, mine always come up trumps. There's a lovely book called one night in the zoo, by Judith Kerr which is lovely. Stanley's stick is a good read too.

MrsCosmopilite · 20/05/2014 16:14

DD is three. Current favourites include any Elmer books (nothing scary), The man on the moon (by Simon Bartram), The baby who wouldn't go to bed (by Helen Cooper) and The true story of Humpty Dumpty (by Sarah Hayes).

KatoPotato · 20/05/2014 16:14

Bust my Buffers! Cinders and ashes!

We were working our way through some Dr Seuss books, and got to 'Oh the places you'll go'

Both our faces fell when it got to the 'Well, of course life is shit, and not everyone will like you...' parts... (paraphrasing!)

PeterParkerSays · 20/05/2014 16:11

The Big Big Sea - Martin Waddell. Avoid Owl Babies as he might find it a bit frightening.

Also, "And if the moon could talk" by Kate Banks or "Goodnight moon" by Margaret Wise Brown

cyberfairy · 20/05/2014 16:07

Bob, Story of a Spaceman by Simon Bartram- gentle and funny. Winnie the Witch? She is a very pleasant witch!

Original poster
Fckthis · 20/05/2014 16:02

Yes Hairy Mc is in verse, Thomas the tank E also has too many language based stuff (all the railway related sayings, expressions etc, too much work!) he does love the trains though.

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JuniperTisane · 20/05/2014 15:52

The Flying Postman? I don't know anyone in real life who remembers this book. My dad was made to read it to me every night for months as a little girl. It was my favourite story.

Anyway, DS1 likes the Apple Tree Farm books, also The Bad Tempered Ladybird, Postman Pat and The Little Red Train.

BertieBotts · 20/05/2014 15:46

Hairy Maclairy is in verse, though.

Richard scarry is very good. DS used to be obsessed with Thomas the tank engine, they aren't scary.

I used to like The Flying Postman :)