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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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Themasterandmargaritas · 31/03/2009 20:21

Yes I thought they were too old for dd too.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:19

I had though CB too old? I don't know as I haven't seen them but I know a friend's 9 yr old reads them.

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Themasterandmargaritas · 31/03/2009 20:18

Dd is 7 and we went for one aimed at slightly older than her and she just loved it - Casper, Prince of Cats. It is about an orphan boy, who becomes a bell boy at The Ritz, befriends a Diva, ends up with her cat, cat and he befriend a rich American girl, there are some adventures and a tie in with the Titanic. It wasn't short and dd loved it. We then spent a GREAT deal of time googling The Titanic

Another one is The Butterfly Lion, which is shorter and probably more resonant for us as an element of the story is Africa based.

We have a younger one for ds who is 5, about a farm cat, which is not nearly so good, so perhaps look at the ones aimed at slightly older readers.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 31/03/2009 20:16

the Clarice Bean books by Lauren Child? or are they too young?

troutpout · 31/03/2009 20:16

oh yes... Michael Morpugo's 'kenzuki's kingdom...i could hardly read it at the end i was so choked.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:13

Any particular ones by him margaritas? Did he write the story about Whale growing in a garden??? (dd has it on a storytape & I think its great)

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Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:11

hmm, dd has read the first one - she thought it was 'ok but not funny and too short' - tbh I wasn't that inspired by it either, I think we are both missing something drastically here as everyone else seems to think that they are fantastic . . .

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Themasterandmargaritas · 31/03/2009 20:10

Michael Morpurgo books are a favourite at the moment, beautifully written and interesting.

troutpout · 31/03/2009 20:04

Both of mine have roared with laughter (in fact we all have) at the mr Gum books. I think they have been my favourite books to read to the kids.

Original poster
Takver · 31/03/2009 20:01

Anyone? Am a bit stuck as our library is very small so we end up ordering books, and so it tends to be old favourites like Enid Blyton all the time - am sure there are lots that dd is missing out on . . .
Would be nice to find some good modern books that a 7 yr old would like (ideally not full of 'ishoos' or part of a squillion book series about fairies )

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