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Original poster

Roald Dahl too long.... Help!

35 replies

grey12 · 28/03/2023 05:05

Hi!
I need your advice :)

My daughter loves books but isn't too keen on reading them herself.....

I've bought her a couple of Roald Dahl books but she's finding them too long. After one chapter she's expecting the story to be somewhere more exciting and it isn't 🤷🏻‍♀️ So she's giving up..... I could read it for her but she needs the practice! Really needs it (UK system not really allowing children to defer a year doesn't work at all!! Broken!!)

I wasn't born in the UK, english isn't my first language so I'm not as familiar with books here.

I am looking for a inbetween book. Chapter book but small. Interesting, exciting. Anything comes to mind?

Thank you!

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 28/03/2023 21:44

Also you could look for Rainbow Fairy books. If she likes them, the good news is that there are a lot of them and you can usually get batches of them on ebay for not very much.

listsandbudgets · 28/03/2023 21:42

Which Roald Dahls did you get her?

Some are definitely aimed at younger readers than others. You've not said how old she is but if you've not already, you could try Esiotrot, The Twits, Fantastic Mr. Fox and George's Marvellous Medicine.

Books such as The Witches, The BFG, Danny the Champion of the world and Boy are aimed at slightly older readers.

HagWithAtt · 28/03/2023 21:35

Another recommendation for the 13 storey treehouse books, and maybe Tom Gates as well - both have text and cartoon drawings so might be able to hold her attention a bit more at the moment.

HagWithAtt · 28/03/2023 21:33

Hi OP, how old is your daughter?

Can you possibly explain what you mean here - 'Really needs it (UK system not really allowing children to defer a year doesn't work at all!! Broken!!)'?

MargaretThursday · 28/03/2023 19:22

What I found at that stage was books that had chapters that were complete in themselves worked well. Naughty little sister, Family from One End Street, Milly Molly Mandy were all good for that.
I'd often get them to read a page then me a page as well, which made it easier for them. If they wanted a second chapter then I'd be very kind and let them read a second to themselves. They thought they'd got away with later bedtime!

DrHousecuredme · 28/03/2023 05:59

The Horrid Henry books helped ds to transition to chapter books.
Followed by the magic faraway tree and the wishing chair books. They're harder to read but do move quickly so keep their interest.
The 13 story tree house books and captain underpants were also a big hit.

TakingTheLowRoad · 28/03/2023 05:39

If you use the library app Libby (it’s free) you can download audiobooks - then she can follow along in the book while listening to the story?

NeedToKnow101 · 28/03/2023 05:11

Mr Gum

NeedToKnow101 · 28/03/2023 05:10

Me Gum!

Yayasisterhood · 28/03/2023 05:09

Moody Margaret
Horrid Henry
flat Stanley
isadora moon