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Original poster

First chapter books for 5 year old

33 replies

Clicheinaqashqai · 25/06/2024 22:29

DS has started to move on to chapter books at bedtime rather than (multiple) picture books.

So far we have read The Giants and the Joneses by Julia Donaldson, and the 13 Storey Treehouse. He loved both, the treehouse one was fun but perhaps not ideal for bedtime.

He is quite sensitive, so nothing too 'scary' (we have to fast forward during certain scenes in the Lion King and The Good Dinosaur) or at least not quickly resolved.

Does anyone have any recommendations of what might be a good series or authors to try?

OP posts:
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WeirdPookah · 02/07/2024 12:56

Paddington books by Michael Bond

napody · 26/06/2024 22:18

WingingItMam48 · 26/06/2024 22:13

We got some Winnie the witch collections. They have a few that are short stories in a paperback rather than the picture books. There were a few different collections, my son loved them

Yes these- my son loves them too.

Second the worst witch and the Jill Tomlinson animal stories.

Cantchooseaname · 26/06/2024 22:15

There’s a lovely set by Michael Rosen - includes fluff the farting fish. Nice little chapters- became some of the first books my daughter read herself.

WingingItMam48 · 26/06/2024 22:13

We got some Winnie the witch collections. They have a few that are short stories in a paperback rather than the picture books. There were a few different collections, my son loved them

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 26/06/2024 22:09

At least read it yourself first - The Trunchball - swinging that girl around by her hair and force feeding that kid a whole cake? Not to mention the Chokey (a torture cupboard similar to an iron maiden). Dark stuff. An older child would be thrilled but a sensitive 5 year old damaged, I think.

Original poster
Clicheinaqashqai · 26/06/2024 21:27

Thank you all so much, I feel armed and ready for our next library trip!

Some classics I had forgotten about such as the famous five and Tom's midnight garden, I loved these as a child. Some more modern suggestions sound brilliant, especially Hotel Flamingo.

I have been debating getting some new Tonies and saw the Faraway Tree was an option, so may go for that.

@SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter curious as to why you think best to hold off on Matilda? I thought it was one of the tamer Dahl's but could have easily forgotten something important.

OP posts:
SpikeWithoutASoul · 26/06/2024 20:34

Another vote for the Claude books and Wigglesbottom Primary. DD also loved the Magic Potions Shop books at that age.

LateNightReads · 26/06/2024 20:31

My 4year old daughter likes the Philip Reeves books. cakes in space and Oliver and the sea wigs in particular.

Slattern77 · 26/06/2024 20:31

Following… we enjoyed flat Stanley (both when I was a child and now with mine)

SuperGinger · 26/06/2024 20:26

Claude

Chessboardtable · 26/06/2024 20:16

Wigglesbottom primary

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 26/06/2024 20:07

Avoid Matilda for now! 5 is much too young! Maybe 8?

My Naughty Little Sister is great, as it Elephants don't Sit on Cars. Paddington and Winnie-the-Pooh are classics The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark? /'//'.

Usedtobecool · 26/06/2024 20:04

My 5 yo really enjoyed the Beatrix the Bold books, found them by chance in the library, probably aimed at slightly older kids but lots of comedy!

seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 26/06/2024 19:44

We’ve been doing the Famous Five adventures series with DS and he really enjoys them. PThey have illustrations as well which he likes. He is nearly 6. Following with interest for suggestions!

17caterpillars1mouse · 26/06/2024 19:38

My 5 year old likes the Rescue Zoo books and Olga da Polga

Jfw82 · 26/06/2024 19:36

Not chapter exactly but my son (and friends) love the dog man books

soundslikeDaffodil · 26/06/2024 13:25

Oh fun! I have loads of suggestions!

Good, decent length books that are not actually subdivided into chapters: "Claude" series and "Rabbit and Bear" series.

For actual chapter books that a 5 year old can follow and enjoy, I recommend: AdventureMice, Humphrey (starting with The World According to Humphrey), King Coo, Mr. Penguin, and Einstein the Penguin (not the same as Mr. Penguin). They're all great.

BlueChampagne · 26/06/2024 13:02

Great suggestions, but also have a chat with the librarian.

Ohnooooooooo · 26/06/2024 12:40

Tom's midnight Garden
Weird stone of brisingamam

prettygirlincrimsonrose · 26/06/2024 12:39

My 5 year old liked the Isadora Moon/Mirabelle books.

ponygirlcurtis · 26/06/2024 12:35

Another vote for the Wigglesbottom Primary series.

And also Hotel Flamingo.

Adding:
Pirate Blunderbeard series by Amy Sparkes - a bit longer
Super Happy Magic Forest series by Matty Long - lots of funny stuff in the illustrations too.

BaleOfHay · 26/06/2024 12:35

Second the Claude books - hilarious and beautifully illustrated, great at entertaining the reader and the readee!
Also - Olga da Polga
Sophie books (Dick King-Smith)
Worst Witch
Wind in the Willows
Faraway Tree (more her than me)
Hotel for Cats

Magicmagician · 26/06/2024 12:34

Jill Tomlinson as a pp said, specifically the owl who’s afraid of the dark. My dd loved that at 5 and it’s got nice length chapters for a bed time story (@WiseBiscuit I laughed at your comment re reading the whole book all at once - I remember that!)

WiseBiscuit · 26/06/2024 12:31

DD loves hotel flamingo, we have it on Yoto rather than a book but it’s very good. I recommend it as a book choice.

I’m getting her some Enid Blyton for her 5th birthday (actual books) and some Roald Dahl.

The only problem is DD wants me to read chapter books all at once, I’m having trouble getting her used to the 1 chapter a night idea!

PeanutButter82 · 26/06/2024 12:30

Mine enjoyed Pippi Longstocking (there is a nice version illustrated by Lauren Child, and each story is just right for one bedtime).
We also have a collated book of Paddington stories, with few pictures, which they liked.
Mine are the same with scary books, but both of these are fine!

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