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Original poster

Book recommendations for 4 year olds.

35 replies

AwfulBeryl · 25/01/2015 21:37

My Dts are 4 and are interested in most things that other 4 year olds are interested in - space and rockets, Knights and Princess's, bin men.
They have out grown their toddler books now, but are still a bit young for chapter books. I think they really like to have colourful pictures along with a story.

I picked up an abridged version of The Lion the witch and the wardrobe at a book sale that they loved, but I don't really want to do that too much because I think it would be nice for them to read the full version in a few years time. I remember the first time I read books like Rebbeca's World and The Magician's Nephew and being mesmerised by the story. I don't think it would have the same impact if they already read the basic story.

Can anyone recommend other books they might enjoy ?

Tia

OP posts:
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AuthorSusan · 01/03/2015 17:08

I am a new children's author. If you would like a book about daily routine eg brushing teeth with an adventure by a funny cheeky bean. Give Jolly Quickly The Jumping Bean a go. Available on Amazon and Waterstones. Can buy on eBay for personally signed copy.
Thanks Susan

redcaryellowcar · 01/02/2015 22:51

Sharon rentta animal firefighters and animal doctors are lovely beautifully illustrated books. I can't remember author but 'mouse and the moon made of cheese' is lovely too. We also really like the lighthouse keeper series by Rhonda armitage, also wave the flag and blue the whistle

TheRealMaryMillington · 01/02/2015 22:41

DS 2 (4.5) and I love Dr Seuss - especially The Lorax and The Sleep Book

He still very much enjoys picture books (The Runaway Dinner and Iggy Peck Architect are his favourites, and will sometimes till ask for Where the Wild things are, Mog books, Graffalo etc).

We have tried slightly longer things, such as Hiccup the Viking who got seasick by Cressida Cowell which is like a shorter "junior" version of HTTYD, and a lovely reworking of Jack and The Beanstalk, some books of short stories (Jackanory ones that DH had as a kid).

BlueChampagne · 01/02/2015 22:40

By the way, you'd be surprised. Sometimes they're more receptive to a longer book if they're already fakirs with the basic story, so don't dicount those condensed versions.

Alison Uttley has some sweet longer books like Enchanment.

A Necklace of Raindrops is a lovely collection of short stories.

BlueChampagne · 01/02/2015 22:36

Traction Man
Claude books
Beatrix Potter

bakingtins · 29/01/2015 19:39

Pedro the Brave
There's a yeti in the potting shed and Smelly Bill by Daniel Postgate
Percy the park keeper
Wonderwise series (non fiction collection from the Book People)
Usborne see inside flap books, esp see inside your body and see under the ground.

Original poster
AwfulBeryl · 29/01/2015 19:33

Thanks again everyone, great suggestions.

OP posts:
couldhavebeenme · 28/01/2015 19:10

I posted earlier on the thread but just came back to add paddington and Winnie the Pooh. Both v popular here.

LoblollyBoy · 28/01/2015 15:18

We have had surprising success with Fact books. DD started by borrowing loads of books about people's jobs from the library, and before I knew it we were committed to reading the whole of a detailed Usborne account of pre-history, complete with the fish walking out of the sea and the mammals trudging back again.

Brambly Hedge stories are a bit longer, but fully illustrated.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/01/2015 21:32

Manfred the baddie that should read!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/01/2015 21:31

DS is 6 now and likes a mix of books - he still goes back to some longer picture books - things like charlie stinky socks, captain Flynn and the pirate dinosaurs, the Pirates next door, mandated the baddie...

There are some nice versions of roald dahl books with colour illustrations - the twits, fantastic Mr fox and the giraffe, pelly and me.

He loves Dr Seuss books which I hate

He'll still read some julia Donaldson - superworm and the highwayman one (I forget what it's called).

Flat Stanley books (colour illustration version) also a hit.

Lovelydiscusfish · 27/01/2015 21:19

No direct experience but would have thought Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter suitable for this age? Slightly longer stories (and words!) but still have pictures and are individual short stories not chapter books,

TheAuthoress · 26/01/2015 18:33

I love owl babies! My DS is 4 too and I think he's starting to outgrow Julia Donaldson et al, or maybe just bored as he's had them since he was a baby and now his little sis has adopted them! He got a dr Seuss book for Christmas, a fly went by, and loves it.

The book people are great for ideas, I searched for 5+ and got him the seriously silly colour series which he's really enjoying.

Artandco · 26/01/2015 18:25

Mine like:

  • the magic faraway tree - the shortened ones with pictures every couple of pages but chapters still
  • the roald Dahl books - same type as above.

I understand what you mean, the Julia Donaldson type we have been reading since weeks old so getting a bit bored now!

TwoLittleTerrors · 26/01/2015 18:16

Hmm actually I can't remember what owl babies is like.... I might have confused it with another book. Too many of these I've lost my mummy ones Smile

TwoLittleTerrors · 26/01/2015 18:12

awfulberyl I see. Then many of the Julia Donaldson mentioned in the thread would be great.

I tend to buy books from the big authors since I buy them from Amazon sight unseen. I take DD1 to story time in the local library and it is great for discovering new books. Our local one reads a range of difficulties, from owl babies/dear zoo type one line per page type to something like the gruffalo. They even do one on Saturdays. Cant recommend the library enough!

quirkycutekitch · 26/01/2015 17:55

My DS likes Charlie and Lola books at the moment - he will be 4 in April.

littlelime · 26/01/2015 17:51

The book with no picture's.
It makes the reader say silly things.

Sid77 · 26/01/2015 17:46

Anything by Richard Scary is a hot for us at the mo. They are old (50years!) and American but really detailed pictures and silly stories seem to really capture DS imagination

Original poster
AwfulBeryl · 26/01/2015 17:38

Thanks for all the suggestions, they are great. We have been meaning to join the local library for ages and will have to now.

I used to love the my naughty little sister books when I was younger, I will definitely get them for the Dts, thank you for reminding me about them.
By toddler books I mean picture books with a very short basic story, something like owl babies which is lovely (one of my favourites) but I think they want something with a bit more of a story to it.

I have a copy of the magic faraway tree trilogy, I tried to read it to them but they were not that interested. Maybe when their a bit older.

Thanks again.

Smile

OP posts:
couldhavebeenme · 26/01/2015 09:25

Jill murphy books - the large family series, whatever next, mother knows best
Katie morag
Angelina ballerina
Oliver Jeffers - lost and found
Spot
Anything by the Alhbergs

TheHouseofMirth · 26/01/2015 09:14

Definitely the Magic Faraway Tree
Iggy Peck Architect
Magic Shoebox Farm
Tim Ted and the Pirates

DilysDerwent · 26/01/2015 09:03

Time to get out of the bath Shirley
That's not my hat
I want my hat back
This moose belongs to me
Rosie's walk
Voices in the park, or any other Anthony Browne
The day the crayons quit

simpson · 26/01/2015 07:45

Mercy Watson (on OMG's list) was also a big hit with DD.

simpson · 26/01/2015 07:43

My Naughty Little Sister was a big hit when DD was 4.