Please or to access all these features

Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Simple chapter books for 6 and 7 year olds

33 replies

Kitsandkids · 31/10/2015 01:38

My 2 boys are 6 and 7 and I am trying to move them on a bit in their comprehension and enjoyment of books. Until the summer holidays I always read picture books at bedtime, but once the oldest went into the juniors I kind of insisted we move onto me reading chapter books to them.

I don't want anything too complicated for them. I know some children can handle Harry Potter at 4, but my 2 just wouldn't understand a story like that. My 7 year old is on the special needs register at school and is emotionally quite young for his age. My 6 year old isn't on the register but isn't particularly high achieving (on Level 5 Oxford Reading Tree books) and still seems very 'little' for a Year 2 child.

So far we have read Paddington, The Worst Witch, The Enchanted Wood and a couple of books of short stories. What other recommendations do people have? I keep seeing books and thinking, oh yes that will be great for when they're about 9, but I'm not sure what to read to them now. I don't want Horrid Henry as the youngest used to have some behaviour problems, which now seem much better, and I don't want him getting any ideas!! He got given a Captain Underpants book for his birthday and I thought it was a load of dross!

I think a relative is buying them some Roald Dahl books for Christmas but I would love some other suggestions too. Many thanks.

OP posts:
Seawig · 31/10/2015 21:14

My 5 year old is loving the Beast Quest series. There are about 100 so if the first 6 go well you're sorted! Adventure books with magic, magical creatures, a leading boy and girl character and the same tried and tested formula of danger, friendship and against the odds bravery.

I read them to him at the moment but they are short chapters and he can read a lot of the words himself.

EATmum · 31/10/2015 21:13

All my girls have liked the Iggy and Me books - kind of an updated My Naughty Little Sister style. My six year old loves them.

neolara · 31/10/2015 21:12

Magic far away tree. Mr Gum.

JimmyGreavesMoustache · 31/10/2015 21:09

dd2's just started Clever Polly and The Stupid Wolf, which is simple and fun

the How to Train Your Dragon books are good as well - would be independent reading for an older age group, but I think would work well for younger DC if read to them.

Believeitornot · 31/10/2015 21:04

Flat Stanley hasn't gone down well with my 6 year old!
He absolutely loved dear hound by Jill Murphy

Oh and the Rascal series by Chris Cooper. Brilliant.

EnaSharplesHairnet · 31/10/2015 20:58

My boys liked Flat Stanley. Also Astrid Lindgren books were well liked and I enjoyed reading them!

GreenSand · 31/10/2015 04:20

Dinosaur Cove series.

Woolleymammoth · 31/10/2015 02:54

Dirty Bertie? Similar to horrid Henry but Bertie is a nicer and funnier character who is not as naughty as HH.
My older 3, (4, 6, 9) all like them.
Secret 7?