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Children's books

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Original poster

What are your best _new_ children's (chapter) books

35 replies

Takver · 31/03/2009 17:35

say written in the last 20 years or so? Just thinking that we always seem to get lots of 'classics' listed on here, but it would be nice to find some good new books too. Ideally ones that are good for adults too, as we are always looking for new bedtime reading!
FWIW my list would start with the Cressida Cowell Dragon books and also include the Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke.

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librarymice · 02/04/2009 20:44

Anne Fine's Killer Cat books.

GossipMonger · 02/04/2009 12:45

We've got GB and USA.

do you know if they do go in order as I couldnt fathom it out from the book.

SnowWoman · 01/04/2009 22:05

Dick King-Smith does a good animal story, if you liked Babe. How about Betsy Byars The Eighteenth Emergency, or the Araminta Spook series (my DDs loved those), Emily Bearn Tumtum and Nutmeg, or Cornelia Funke Igraine the Brave? Astrid Lindgren's Karlson series has just been published in a new translation, so could be worth a look. Also Sally Gardner's The Invisible Boy, or Lucy Willow.

ingles2 · 01/04/2009 20:26

We've got France and GB, GM.... What about you?

snice · 01/04/2009 20:22

The Worst Witch series

Original poster
Takver · 01/04/2009 20:20

The Jack Stalwart ones look cool - do you know which is the first one (and does it matter?)

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GossipMonger · 01/04/2009 20:13

Have you got any of the books Ingles?

do you fancy a book swap at all?

I am trustworthy and honest and will send them back!

usually ds and I read 2 chapters but tonight we were so engrossed we read 8! He was so chuffed!

ingles2 · 01/04/2009 20:10

Ds2 loves Jack Stalwart as well GM...
I second the Roman Mysteries and also have to recommend
Charlie Bone
They are Harry Potter in style, but easier. There's 7 in the series and both of my boys have really enjoyed them.

GossipMonger · 01/04/2009 20:06

DS and I are reading the Jack Stalwart series atm and it is fab! I need to find more books really.

Jack is 9 and is a secret agent.

cazzybabs · 01/04/2009 19:44

we like the dragon cowell books too and Mr. gum series and the daisy books by Kes Grey. I also like Clarice Bean books.

mrsruffallo · 01/04/2009 17:51

DD likes the Dracy Bussell ones but v similar to Rainbwe fairies in the series sense

VintageGardenia · 01/04/2009 17:48

What about the Animals of Farthing Wood series? It's good.

troutpout · 31/03/2009 23:22

lion boy by zizou corder was another good one

LadyG · 31/03/2009 22:45

Beverly Cleary? (Ramona etc) Rumer Godden?

Califrau · 31/03/2009 21:18

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smithagain · 31/03/2009 21:08

Anything by Dick King Smith.

Or a bit older, but not old enough to be "classic": Jill Tomlinson's animal stories (The Owl that was afraid of the dark etc).

In terms of popularity (as opposed to literary merit) the Animal Ark books are guaranteed to keep DD1 quiet for an afternoon. And significantly preferable to fairies ...

Actually, I hadn't noticed what a strong animal theme we were developing in this house. Must try and get DD to branch out into human life LOL!

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 31/03/2009 21:05

Also Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries and the Lionboy books by Zizou Corder.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 21:03

Aha, we're doing well here! Keep 'em coming.

karise, luckily dd has finally outgrown the damn fairy books - but I do wonder if an uninterrupted diet of Enid Blyton and Noel Streatfield might be equally bad - hence this thread!

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karise · 31/03/2009 20:59

DD loves the Jake Cake and Agent Amelia series' by Michael Broad! Also, Geri Halliwell's Ugenia Lavender. Lauren Child does some great Clarice Bean picture books like the one about the environment (name escapes me!). Not too long, but a good standard of reading is required.
I hope these examples help as they have all worked with DD to persuade her away from that unmentionable fairy series at times!

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 31/03/2009 20:45

Newish books my nine year old likes and I can thoroughly recommend:
The Lady Grace series by Patricia Finney
The World according to Humphrey and sequels The Tail of Emily Windsnap - Liz Kessler
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat - Chris Riddell
Also agree re Michael Morpurgo's Kasper - DD2 (9) and DD1 (11) both adored it.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:36

They look excellent - dh is from the States so no objections to US books here.
Am now realising why we end up with so many old books - not many of those getting mentioned are in the county library catalogue - disadvantage of a small county I guess . . . Anyway, they do have a couple of the Tree house ones.

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Themasterandmargaritas · 31/03/2009 20:30

Also both ds and dd really like The Magic Tree House series here Which even though they are American they are well written and interesting usually based on something factual, ie what and how the pyramids came into being.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:29

Hey, Varjak looks cool - dd is cat mad too

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Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:27

Casper Prince of Cats sounds fantastic -unfortunately they don't have it in the county libraries - will have to put it down on our Amazon wishes. But they do have the Butterfly Lion
If it helps, dd is only just 7, she reads well (as in, don't leave letters on the table if you don't want awkward questions asked), but otherwise is quite young for her age. I guess this is why we tend to end up with rather old fashioned books where you get more story with less trauma IYKWIM.

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VintageGardenia · 31/03/2009 20:25

My ds is a bit older - he's 10 - but we've just read Harriet the Spy which he really enjoyed. And even though Noel Streatfeild is usually more popular with girls he enjoyed The Circus is Coming.

Animal-wise there's Varjak Paw and its sequel, also Spy Dog and its sequel.

Michael Morpurgo is fantastic.

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