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Children's books

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Original poster

Something between Gruffalo and Roald Dahl?

35 replies

drspouse · 23/12/2016 21:16

DS is nearly 5 and he tends to want picture books, not too long. I've tried reading him BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but he can't pay attention for long enough.
I'd like to move on from things we've been reading for 2-3 years, with a bit more story, fewer pictures.
Any intermediate type ideas? We did just get him Harry and the bucket of Dinosaurs for Christmas (or may save it for birthday).

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Original poster
drspouse · 20/02/2017 15:56

Quick update as a friend was asking!

A book of short stories for 5 year olds was a mixed success - some were a bit long.

Claude took a couple of goes to get into it but now I've ordered some more.

He does NOT like Katie Morag unfortunately.

Still more here I have not yet tried!

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Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2017 11:45

Well so far The Grunt and the Grouch is a big hit. I'll try and get some more of those.

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funmum167 · 04/01/2017 11:16

Has anyone else seen Bobby & Morph on FB?? my DS loved the first book (its free to read online) but can't seem to find anywhere I can buy them or the others in the series!!!!

The drawings are lovely and the story has a great message I think xx

1busybee · 29/12/2016 22:10

You could try Quenin Blakes treasury.....includes Mr Magnolia etc

Natsku · 24/12/2016 18:41

My 5 year old is quite into factual books at the moment - I got her the "I Wonder Why...?" series from the Book People and she is really enjoying those. Also got Ladybird books series and a Walkers books collection that are short stories with a few pictures but not like toddler books but she hasn't been so keen on then yet.

Wild card but how about poetry? I'm really keen on getting DD to know poetry and hopefully grow to love it like I do so right now she's enjoying the Wonder Book of Mother Goose and I just got a book of poetry that has a poem for every day of the year that I'm going to read aloud at teatime every day.

Original poster
drspouse · 24/12/2016 18:27

Have ordered a few, crossing fingers some arrive in time! Claude on the Slopes as we are going skiing!

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Sadik · 24/12/2016 15:18

IKWYM about My Naughty Little Sister, dd didn't like it & used to get upset by the things she did.

Teddy Robinson though in some ways dated is IMO still lovely and absolutely perfect for reading aloud at that age. Its so nicely non-stressful - eg Teddy gets left out in the garden overnight, but then he gets to look at the stars and the rabbits and mice come and talk to him.

Also, might he like Katie Morag? Definitely picture books, but aimed at older children and longer stories.

MissClarke86 · 24/12/2016 13:42

Order them now you won't regret it!

says the teacher with no children of her own who buys picture books as a hobby and doesn't let the school children touch them, ever

Original poster
drspouse · 24/12/2016 09:19

MissClarke That's really helpful thanks.

I've realised I need to have a browse online and order now, and/or go to Waterstones, because his birthday is really very soon and there are loads of bank holidays first. Oops.

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Original poster
drspouse · 24/12/2016 09:17

We had a book of short stories and those worked quite well so I'll have a look got some more of those.
I do like picture books but as I say he tends to pick baby books.
I'm not keen on Horrid Henry and he's got quite enough interest in yukky things without too many books with naughty deeds!
He wasn't a fan of My Naughty Little Sister but maybe he'd be more interested now DD is getting to that stage! But I find the books a bit dated e.g. the little sister is naughty because she cries as a baby.

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CotswoldStrife · 24/12/2016 00:33

Have a look at Jill Tomlinson - the owl who was afraid of the dark or the hen who wouldn't give up. Longer books but easy to break up.

When my DD was given free rein in the school library a bit older than that, they used to pick Horrid Henry or Funnybones books.

As your DS is under 5 I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to get rid of the picture books though, if he enjoys them and they keep him reading.

Lilianne · 24/12/2016 00:26

My ds is similar, chooses mainly picture books. I found he has started to have far more stamina with factual books now, e.g. castles, pirates etc and has a couple of short chapter books that he likes - mainly ones that we can still read in one go and he will try delay bedtime that way.

RatOnnaStick · 24/12/2016 00:07

Ds loved Dinosaur Cove at this point. Also enjoyed The Faraway Tree, Flat Stanley, Paddington, smaller Roald Dahl like The Enormous Crocodile and Fantastic Mr Fox.

He still loves Mog, lots of Julia Donaldson and also those compendium books with 6 or 8 stories 'adventure stories for 5 year olds' type books

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 23/12/2016 23:58

There are some great Paddington picture books too.

bluechameleon · 23/12/2016 23:55

Some ideas for slightly meatier picture books:
Anthony Browne - voices in the park, the tunnel, gorilla
John Burningham - time to get out of the bath Shirley, come away from the water Shirley
Shirley Hughes - dogger, the Alfie series

mikado1 · 23/12/2016 22:16

This is a great thread! Thanks op.

We are reading the faraway tree series (4.5y) and absolutely loving it. We started with some skylarks chapter books from the library and read Charlie and Tempe choc too but he's really taken with Enid Blyton. I have got him cheery tree farm series for Christmas but hope not too much of a jump. Book shops nor great for this type of thing imo, i.e. the in between/read aloud stuff. Library great but even better with recommendations. Keep 'em coming!

ineedamoreadultieradult · 23/12/2016 22:13

Horrid Henry or Ladybird books of fairytales like the Princess and the Pea etc

MissClarke86 · 23/12/2016 22:11

If you're going for shorter chapter books, go for Dick King Smith.

MissClarke86 · 23/12/2016 22:10

The Incredible Book eating boy - Oliver Jeffers
Nibbles the Book Monster - Emma Yarlett
Penguin in Peril - Helen Hancocks
Traction Man - Mini Grey

I could go on...please still enjoy picture books with him while he's little, there's so much you get from them :)

ContraryToPopularBelief · 23/12/2016 22:04

You can't go wrong with The Faraway Tree. They are fairly long but once past chapter 2 or 3 it's a mini adventure in each chapter.

MissClarke86 · 23/12/2016 22:04

Gosh there are still hundreds of picture books for a nearly 5 year old to enjoy! I wouldn't jump to things like Horrid Henry - they're a bit dull to be honest and aimed at 7-8 year old boys and their sense of humour. I don't think they're particularly well written and they don't stretch the imagination.

I teach Y2 and have hundreds of books...trying to think of some recommendations.

Captain Flynn and the Pirate Dinosaurs (there's a few in the series)
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam (again, there's about 3)
The Grunt and the Grouch (there's a picture book, and very short chapter books too)
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Dustbin Dad by Peter Bentley (actually made me laugh out loud, alone, as an adult.)

They all appeal to children (particularly boys) in my class.

Starsaboveyou · 23/12/2016 22:02

We are reading Ronald Dahl's The Twits and George's Marvelous medicine with DS almost 5.

We have the large print, picture versions though, would they help?

Backingvocals · 23/12/2016 21:59

Try short stories instead. They are still chapter books but without one long plot that they find difficult to follow. My Naughty Little Sister, Oh Kitty, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf etc.

thisismyfirsttime · 23/12/2016 21:58

Winnie the Witch books have lots of illustration but a good story, Quentin Blake books as well perhaps?

Poocatcherchampion · 23/12/2016 21:57

What are the juliadonaldson chapter books? I need to know this too.

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