Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Never read a book!

26 replies

OllyBJolly · 27/05/2015 22:50

My 8yo niece tells me she has never read a book apart from her reading books at school. This makes me really sad - I was an avid reader as a child and both my (adult) DDs are still voracious readers. I did buy her some picture books when she was younger but she can't remember them.. Last time she stayed with us she was totally engrossed in DD2's collection of Horrible Histories comics.

Anyway, I have her for the whole weekend soon. What books would be good we could read together? I'm thinking David Walliam's Awful Auntie (because she calls me Auntie - not auntie Olly, just Auntie) - is it feasible we could make a good enough start on that to hook her in? Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
badRoly · 30/06/2015 22:24

Ah read back properly and seen your update Blush

Just came to me too that my older 2 have loved Michael Morperho's books. We tend to pick up the sets from The Book People.

badRoly · 30/06/2015 22:21

Skim read so apologies if I'm repeating suggestions.

David Walliams and Roald Dahl are probably the universal favourites in our house.

However, I was going to suggest you get her a Beano - one without all the gifts etc on the front. If she likes it, you could get her a subscription! My Mum has paid for The Beano (and The Dandy when is was printed) for years and all 4 of my DC have loved it arriving in the post each week Smile

ppolly · 30/06/2015 22:12

I love Goth Girl, it is such a fun crazy read. There is also 'fortunately the milk' by Neil Gaimon and illustrated by Chris Riddel.

DeeWe · 29/06/2015 10:25

That's lovely. Thanks for the update.

Original poster
OllyBJolly · 28/06/2015 22:10

So - update!

We had 8yo niece (and her 2 yo brother) all last weekend. I gave her Goth Girl, and we read the first few chapters. She loved it. It's a glorious book - beautifully illustrated and the little secret letter was fantastic. Her favourite colour is purple so the purple pages helped.

Saw her yesterday and she tells me - all wide eyes! - there are vampires and she has read up to Chapter 12. That is really quite amazing for a child who doesn't read for pleasure. Thank you so much for all your suggestions.

I have Awful Auntie here which I'll give her once she finishes Goth Girl. Didn't want to overload her all at once.

OP posts:
meglet · 01/06/2015 13:17

Tom Gates books. The main character is a boy but I know girls who enjoy them. It's quite 'comic like', makes me laugh when ds reads it to me Grin.

BlueChampagne · 01/06/2015 13:13

Do keep us all posted, Auntie!

Imperial · 29/05/2015 20:26

Horrid Henry might also appeal

Jenijena · 29/05/2015 17:38

If she did have a kindle app, is it possible you could set it up in her name, and add books to it occasionally? You could even have s mini 'book club' if you think she might enjoy it.

Harry Potter...

pissedglitter · 29/05/2015 17:34

If she has a tablet can she get a reading app? Kindle app is great it's what I use on my iPad
I'm sure there is plenty of free books you could download for her

iwantavuvezela · 29/05/2015 17:29

The Ottoline books are wonderful. Three in the series, beautiful drawings, not too much text. Same author as goth girl (Chris riddle) and my DD (a reluctant reader) loved them.

schmalex · 29/05/2015 17:26

If she likes Vikings she might like the How to Train Your Dragon series.

Leeds2 · 29/05/2015 16:26

If she likes history, she might like the My Story series (by various authors). They are fictional accounts telling how things were at a particular time from an individual's point of view e.g. a soldier in the trenches, Anne Boleyn's maid etc.

Original poster
OllyBJolly · 29/05/2015 16:15

BlueChampagne when I saw your recommendation my first reaction was "She's only 8!" but just looked at the book on Amazon and it looks right up her street. One of the games we play is that we are princesses in a castle so I think she'll love this. Thank you!

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 29/05/2015 15:49

Goth Girl might be tempting, especially the beautifully produced hardback.

On a different tack, you could get her a magazine subscription for her birthday (Aquila for example).

If she lives locally, how about taking her to the library and signing her up, if she isn't already.

balletnotlacrosse · 29/05/2015 13:27

I have a 7 yr old niece who just does not want to read. She has been given lots of encouragement, has a house full of lovely books because her two older siblings are avid reader, has always had stories read aloud to her, is only allowed limited time in front of telly, on the ipad etc.

But she just has no interest at the moment. My mum said my sister was the same. My brother and I loved reading but DS just had very little interest.

Original poster
OllyBJolly · 29/05/2015 11:49

Her parents don't read and she has a tablet she plays games on. I think there are too many distractions for kids now for them to focus time on reading. Also, when the TV is constantly on in every room it's not very conducive.

I'm hoping that if I find that first book she absolutely loves, it will start her reading books for pleasure. I do think reading is a habit - if you get the habit you make time and space for it.

Just remembered how much my kids loved Roald Dahl - good shout MrsSmiling!

Never heard of Ramona - I'll look out for that.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
mrssmiling · 29/05/2015 10:40

DD adored Horrible Histories books - still does! She loves fact books, but at 8 was hooked by David Walliams books, the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series, Roald Dahl ('Matilda' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' in particular) and the Mr Gum books by Andy Stanton.

ladygracie · 29/05/2015 09:46

I agree with the Ramona books & ive just read the first Sesame seade mystery book to my 7&8 year old class - they absolutely loved it.

BritainsNextTopStudentWarden · 29/05/2015 09:43

If she likes the Horrible Histories comics, a book from the same series would be a good bet for one of her read-alone options. If she was truly "engrossed" in the comics, you probably don't have too much to worry about. Does she get as much encouragement to read at home as your DC do? (Not meant as a judgement.)

For other options, my mother stuck with my interests for read-alone (Animal Ark, Ballet Shoes, The Worst Witch, etc) and would choose something of slightly higher reading age, often fantasy, to read to/with me. Perhaps your DN would enjoy the content of unfamiliar genres more if she's allowed to poke fun at the characters and situations - this encourages critical writing skills for later, and it's possible that she's daunted by books (as opposed to comics, TV, etc) because school has somehow taken the fun out of reading for pupils who do not currently read for pleasure.

Enjoying HH might indicate that she'd devour something non-fiction, e.g. I collected Beanie Baby magazines; my brother had Pokémon game guides, and the closest he came to fiction through choice most of the time was the dialogue in the actual games. He's off to uni for a science subject, so no harm done!

Starlightbright1 · 29/05/2015 08:42

I have a 8 year old DS.

It is an avid reader but things that put him off a book are been to thick and tiny words.

I also find he still really enjoys reading a chapter each.It helps with them learning expression

Araisaris · 29/05/2015 08:36

That is sad ohwhat

Imperial · 29/05/2015 08:33

The Ramona series/Tom Gates/Enid Blyton Naughtiest Girl Series - might all be slightly young but that's probably better than a read that's too tricky and puts her off.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 29/05/2015 08:17

On the back of this I heard the saddest thing yesterday, dad and dd about 5. Dd heads into waterstones. Dad-"why do you want to go in there, it's a bookshop?"

Original poster
OllyBJolly · 29/05/2015 08:14

Thanks Deewe

The Horrible Histories is a great idea. She seems to enjoy history at school. She did Vikings last year and is doing castles this year. I might try Enid Blyton - DD2 loved all of that although DD1 not so much.

I'll have a wander around Waterstones on Sunday.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread