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Children's books

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Original poster

Books for a boy who loves reading and is going through a very hard time with his Dad who bullies him

38 replies

NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 22:38

He's 10, he loves gentle books, nothing too scary or dark.
He is currently refusing to see his dad, dad was very emotionally abusive to me and it seems like DS has been experiencing the same and it is all coming out.

So I would love any recommendations of books that either

  • are gentle /humorous and not scary at all
  • or might help him explore /make sense of some of the complex emotions he is going through right now
OP posts:
ItsInTheSpoon · 23/06/2019 23:13

The Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge are absolutely great. They are very funny. There are loads, but only a few currently in print
eg
amazon.co.uk/Jennings-Goes-School-Anthony-Buckeridge/dp/0755113683/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=jennings+books+anthony+buckeridge&qid=1561327910&s=gateway&sprefix=jennin&sr=8-1]]

Xiaoxiong · 23/06/2019 23:10

I went through quite an animal book phase around that age as well - Tarka the otter, Jock of the Bushveldt, Misty of Chinqoteague, King of the Wind.

Joan Aiken books as well, I loved Go Saddle the Sea and its sequels but also the wolves of willougby Chase.

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 23:10

Oh I loved the little house on the prairie books!

OP posts:
Olliphant · 23/06/2019 23:10

I second swallows and Amazon's...gentle and sweet but with adventure. Also famous five, predictable but exciting XX. Good luck, your little boy sounds gorgeous and he is lucky to have such a thoughtful mum x

Ohyesiam · 23/06/2019 23:07

Does he like nature?
My very sensitive nature loving boy really loved the Little house on the Prairie series, by Laura Ingles wilder.

They are an amazing journal of the lives of American pioneers starting in the early 1870 s living on a log cabin with no amenities. The family are close and loving, as well as courageous and incredibly hard working.
The descriptions of nature and the animals who they all live so closely with are really beautiful.

I loved them so much as a child that I went to the states to visit the museum that was Laura’s last home.

The books are filled with hope and possibilities, and are subtle and straightforward at the same time.

Make sure you read them in order!

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 23:05

Oh Just William could be perfect!

OP posts:
Xiaoxiong · 23/06/2019 23:00

Oh yes Terry Pratchett! The Witches Vacuum Cleaner and Dragons at Crumbling Castle are collections of shorter stories for kids.

Has he read all the traditional kids classics - Wind in the Willows, E Nesbit books, Swallows and Amazons, Just William?

Xiaoxiong · 23/06/2019 22:58

My sons are very much enjoying the Green Knowe books by Lucy Boston and if you are anywhere near Cambridge you can visit the house!

All the Diana Wynne Jones books. Try him on Charmed Life, if he likes it he can go on and read all the Chrestomanci books. Eight Days of Luke and Dogsbody are great too.

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 22:58

Oh gosh no Harry Potter would be far too scary for him! He's like me, and I could barely cope with HP as an adult! I only read the first couple of books and they were too much for me Blush

OP posts:
GenuineKlatchianPottery · 23/06/2019 22:53

Terry Pratchett wrote some lovely children’s books. My DDs grew up on them, along with Harry Potter.

DipDabLollyPop · 23/06/2019 22:50

He's the right age for Harry Potter and would love it it's pure escapsim. The Hobbit is also good escapsim written specifically for his age.

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 22:48

He's having counselling "Iggly", I think that's what has helped him have the courage to decide he can't put up with it any more.

I will look into the fantasy book, thank you. That might be perfect.He loves the treehouse and wimpy kid books but has read them so many times now!

OP posts:
Iggly · 23/06/2019 22:41

Diary of a Wimpy Kid books?
The treehouse series?

Does he like fantasy books at all? Robin Hobb books are lovely. Not majority scary - yes there is a good v bad element in all fantasy books but I don’t remember being scared by them. I used to read them a lot as escapism.

I’d also look into any counselling for him perhaps.