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Struggling to keep up with DD's reading habit - recommendations for a 7yo avid reader please!

39 replies

Glendora · 23/04/2020 10:26

DD has always been a keen reader, but has become a total bookworm since lockdown - the extra time to read means she's getting through a book a day and I'm struggling to keep the supply up! Can anyone suggest what else she may like based on the following?

  • Absolutely loves anything based in fantasy worlds - so magic, mythical creatures, etc
  • Likes also some animal and nature-based stories
  • Won't read anything that is presented as a 'mystery' or detective story (i.e. won't read Secret Seven and those ones with the girl Victorian detective)

Things she's loved:

  • How to Train your Dragon
  • Worst Witch
  • Amelia Fang
  • Witch Wars
  • Bad Mermaids
  • Charmseekers
  • The Boy who Grew Dragons
  • Starfell books (these we're reading to her)
  • A Piglet called Truffle et al books by Helen Peters

Stuff she likes but doesn't love

  • Roald Dahl (has enjoyed these being read to her, but doesn't seem keen to read them herself)
  • Narnia books - I read a couple of them to her a while ago, but she lost interest half way through the Horse and His Boy. Might try her on them again though.
  • She read Dick King-Smith's The Sheep Pig recently and enjoyed it, but didn't get 'in' to it the way she has with the ones listed above

She's enjoyed Beast Quest and Rainbow Magic a while ago, but she's beyond that now really.

Any other recommendations? Ideally of series that she can get stuck into (and that I can buy relatively cheaply 2nd hand!), but also for stand alone books.

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TeacherDad15 · 29/04/2020 23:23

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Aroundtheworldin80moves · 29/04/2020 13:02

My DDs love

Zoe's Rescue Zoo series
Hotel Flamingo series
The Disney Twisted Tales
Magic Ballet Shoes (Darcey Bussell books)

Glendora · 29/04/2020 12:50

Ooh more recommendations. Thanks so much!

OP posts:
Squiz81 · 28/04/2020 22:34

My ds is currently enjoying The Shop on Peculiar Hill by Grimly Darkwood. I got it on a kindle deal following a recommendation

LesleysChestnutBob · 27/04/2020 13:00

If she likes ponies there are lots of pony books out there by authors like the Pullein-Thompson sisters. If she likes Black Beauty, they did a follow up book called Black Beauty's family. K M Peyton is brilliant too. All feel good wholesome stories about children who really want ponies. A more up to date author along the same vein is Kate Lattey. Her pony jumpers series - each book follows a different child. The other books she had are probably too grown up for her at the moment.

Redwall will keep her going forever.

Eva Ibbotson is great too, I used to love Secret of Platform 13 as a kid.

I, Houdini is from a hamsters point of view.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 27/04/2020 12:59

The Neverending Story

ChaBishkoot · 27/04/2020 12:56

If she loves animals she will love Mango and Bambang. He loved those books too.

ChaBishkoot · 27/04/2020 12:55

I asked my bookworm 8 year old who recommends:

The Lottie Lipton books about an eight year old who lives in the British Library and solves mysteries.
And the Pages and Co series whose third book is about to come out about a girl who lives above a bookshop.

He loved both and also says maybe she would like the Jack Stalwart series about a boy who is a spy. (I am aware although he isn’t that I would like my daughter to read books where there are more female protagonists hence my first two suggestions).

YetAnotherSpartacus · 27/04/2020 12:52

Definitely Enid Blyton.

Jill's Pony Club?

Amanda and the Brownies?

Trixie Belden?

BlueChampagne · 27/04/2020 12:48

Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Joan Aitken)
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf

Glendora · 27/04/2020 12:32

Thanks for the further recommendations.

Yes - she loved Wizards of Once @ArfArfBarf

OP posts:
rosy71 · 24/04/2020 16:15

The Malory Towers series
David Walliams
Pippi Longstocking
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Horrid Henry
Five Children and It

akkakk · 24/04/2020 15:57

Redwall books?

Noel Streatfeild (e.g. ballet shoes - but loads of others which are fab)

noreciprocityherefella · 24/04/2020 15:49

My DD is 8 but recently read The Legend of Podkin One Ear by Kieron Larwood and absolutely loved it. I think your DD would too! Fantasy novel in which a trio of young rabbits must flee their home to discover their destinies. Little bit intense in places but not age-inappropriate (IMO). My daughter is an avid reader, even more so in these circumstances and this book really stood out amongst many to her.

eddiemairswife · 24/04/2020 15:48

Dare I suggest Enid Blyton? I know she is regarded with disdain in some quarters, but she made me into an avid reader.

milienhaus · 24/04/2020 15:44

Oh, and also the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett maybe?

milienhaus · 24/04/2020 15:43

Crestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones (and anything else by her aimed at children, they’re all great)

The Amazing Maurice by Terry Pratchett

The Hobbit

ArfArfBarf · 24/04/2020 15:40

Wizards of Once!

Might be a bit of a stretch but also written by Cressida Cowell and IMO much better written than “How to Train Your Dragon”. My 8yr old has read the first book and I’ve read the first two to my 6yr old and we’ve all enjoyed them!

Pickles89 · 24/04/2020 15:39

Definitely Eva Ibbotson! A lot of hers are aimed at older children but she does have a few suitable for your daughter. I highly recommend 'The Abominables':

www.amazon.co.uk/Abominables-Eva-Ibbotson-ebook/dp/B008JELNXW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&crid=3QZJUTQNEPJIW&keywords=the+abominables+by+eva+ibbotson&sprefix=the+abominables%2Caps%2C148&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1587738993&sr=8-1

One dog and his boy is great too:

www.amazon.co.uk/One-Dog-His-Boy-Ibbotson-ebook/dp/B005EM99IS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=one+dog+and+his+boy&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1587739036&sr=8-1

There are lots of magical/mythical Eva Ibbottsons too. I don't know which would be suitable because that's not my genre at all, but have a Google.

HildaSnibbs · 24/04/2020 15:37

Thank you!

stargirl1701 · 24/04/2020 15:35

@HildaSnibbs

https://www.books2door.com

KrakowDawn · 24/04/2020 15:30

I'm a complete luddite btw, I don't have any apps... only Libby which I managed to get following the instructions on my library's website.

KrakowDawn · 24/04/2020 15:29

If you are a member of your local library, many are offering ebooks for borrowing whilst the physical library is closed. If you look on your library's website you should find a link. My authority uses Libby app which you download to read the books, but some authorities use other apps. It means she can try things, and you don't have to worry too much if she isn't enjoying it- she can just 'return' the books and get something else.

HildaSnibbs · 24/04/2020 15:26

I'm in the same position with an 8yo - this Book People going out of business at this particular time has been a disaster for me with no libraries! Anyone know anywhere else that sells book collections for kids?