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Original poster

Help with books to read with children

27 replies

Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 18:03

Not sure this is the right board for this question, but was hoping some of you might be able to help. I still read to my kids before bed (7&9) and I’m struggling to find some new books that we can all enjoy together. 7 year old is a bit more sensitive than the older one and they have quite different tastes.

We’ve done some of the harry potters (9 yo has read them all solo).
Read all the Dahl’s several times
We all liked the Clarice Bean and Daisy books but feel like they’re too young for 9 year old now (even though he still finds them funny).
We absolutely LOVED Eva Ibbotson Journey to The River Sea
Have started reading Northern Lights to them but it’s a bit intense before bed for 7 yo.

Books that don’t go down well, generally any that try too hard to be funny and are generally by celebrity authors (walliams, David etc) 😂

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Mishmashs · 12/04/2024 15:24

Great thread, I have a 6 and 9 year old and would like to read to them together. I was going to try and find an illustrated version of the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe…

my oldest LOVES the Mark Lowery books and so do I. There is a series with titles like ‘the jam donut that ruined my life.’ They’d be suitable for my six year old too except we’re still mainly listening to her read to us.

does anyone else find there is not enough time to read by the time extra curricular activities are done egc? It can take us ages to get through one book.

MrsW9 · 12/04/2024 15:02

The Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones (start with The Lives of Christopher Chant)

Another vote for E. Nesbit - I loved Five Children and It and the rest of the series. Was less keen on The Railway Children but can't remember why.

SoapCollector · 11/04/2024 19:21

Or The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton

banhmi · 11/04/2024 19:20

My 8 and 6 year olds have just absolutely loved the first of the Kid Normal series, about a boy who accidentally ends up at a school for superheroes.

SoapCollector · 11/04/2024 19:16

Tom Fletcher, The Danger Gang.

WildCherryBlossom · 10/04/2024 19:09

E Nesbit? 5 Children and It, The Amulet, The Treasureseekers, The Railway Children etc etc

Helen Dunmore's Ingo series (mermaids off the coast of Cornwall)

C S Lewis Narnia series

Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 10/04/2024 17:25

Brilliant thank you all so much for the recommendations! We’ve got a whole load to be tucking into now. Really helpful!

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Thingsthatgo · 10/04/2024 13:42

The witches of once series is good.
Also, the secret diary of Pig is funny.
There's a good website called The Reader Teacher, which has lists of great books for each year group.

Lovelyview · 10/04/2024 13:19

HarrietSchulenberg · 10/04/2024 12:41

The Mr Gum books are funny without being try-hard.

We loved Mr Gum. The audio books by the author Andy Stanton are brilliant for car journeys too.

Needmorelego · 10/04/2024 12:48

My daughter used to like Jeremy Strong books (so did I 😂).
There is the "My Brother's Famous Bottom" series and the "100 Mile an hour Dog" series plus a "crossover" book.

HarrietSchulenberg · 10/04/2024 12:41

The Mr Gum books are funny without being try-hard.

Peabody25 · 10/04/2024 12:39

Mr Penguin series
Pages & Co series
George's secret key to the universe series
Wizards of once series

Rocknrollstar · 10/04/2024 11:50

Wind in the Willows?
Alice?
Narnia?
Indian in the Cupboard

SwingsAndRoundabouts22 · 10/04/2024 11:40

I came on here to say Katherine Rundell and Michael Morpurgo but can see others have beaten me to it!

Of the Morpurgos I enjoy the ones set in Cornwall:
Why The Whales Came
The Wreck of the Zanzibar
Adolphus Tips

I also absolutely love "The Murderer's Ape" and its sequels, proper old school adventure:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/t/the-murderers-ape/

The Murderer’s Ape

Sally Jones is an engineer and loyal friend to Captain Koskela. She’s also an ape. When Koskela is falsely accused of murder, she's the one wh...

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/t/the-murderers-ape

User284725 · 10/04/2024 11:03

Why don't you read to them separately? I read to my 7 and 10 year old and have never done their bedtime stories together. They both like entirely different types of books.

But otherwise, have you read the sequel to Journey to the River Sea? It's Escape to the River Sea. I also really recommend Katherine Rundell books, and Lindsay Galvin books. What about the Ramona and Beezus series?

TonTonMacoute · 10/04/2024 10:54

How about the Paddington books.

Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 20:43

Not sure why that gif has attached, but happy Eid to those who celebrate.

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Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 20:42

Thanks @bookworm14 I’ve not heard of her, so great recommendation

Festival Of Lights Ramadan GIF by Hello All
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bookworm14 · 09/04/2024 19:10

Try Rooftoppers or The Explorer, both by Katherine Rundell. She’s one of the best current children’s authors.

Runningupthecurtains · 09/04/2024 18:25

I remember the struggle - only one DS but he was at a reading level that outstripped his ability to deal with content aimed at that reading age for years (even as a young teen he probably still is as he hates anything scary or anything 'romantic').

Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 18:23

Ah yes! Michael Morpugo, great call.
Thanks for the recommendation @Sk8erboi I’ll check it out!

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shellyleppard · 09/04/2024 18:20

Halfmanhalfcake Michael morpurgo is another good author..... animal stories but really good. He did war horse but lots of other ones too x

Sk8erboi · 09/04/2024 18:18

I read The lost whale by Hannah Gold with my now 9 year old a year ago and he loved it.

Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 18:16

Thanks @shellyleppard I’ll look at that one. Son is reading Percy Jackson solo at the moment.

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Original poster
Halfmanhalfcake · 09/04/2024 18:10

Yes we have, was going to put that in my OP! It was great! I suppose we could revisit it.
We’re at a funny stage where I feel like 9y could probably handle stuff that’s a bit more grown up. It’s a bit more hit and miss with DD. Think that’s why the Eva Ibbotson book was so good. Exciting, interesting and funny - felt grown up but not too much so and not scary.

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