Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Books to read to my 5yo? (not specifically feminist, just not insipid, stereotyped crap)

31 replies

wendylovesbob · 15/03/2011 09:28

I have just finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to my daughter. She LOVED it. It was our first no-pictures, one chapter a night at bedtime book.

She also loved Pippi Longstocking.

She is now desparate to be read more 'big girl' books.

It is so long since I was a 5yo girl I can't remember what to get her. We don't have a library and books are expensive here so I don't want to waste money on duff choices.

I loved What Katy Did - but I can't remember much about it. Would I still love it now?

I would love suggestions both of classics, and new writers.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
trifling · 19/03/2011 19:37

Lotta is good, too!

onesandwichshort · 19/03/2011 11:28

Another vote for the Sophie books here - DD loves them and I do not know what we are going to do when we have finished all six.

ullainga · 19/03/2011 11:21

what about other Astrid Lindgren books? Definitely Tjorven from Seacrow Island and Ronia, and she would probably also enjoy Emil, Rasmus and Lotta books.

BogWoppitt · 19/03/2011 10:02

my DD (5) likes Jill Tomlinson (The Owl Who...), The Worst Witch, My Naughty Little Sister, ALL the R Dahl books, Paddington.

Her brother is 7 and she loves the Harry Potter CDs we have in the car.

We both found Milly Molly Mandy very dull!

Not always keen on Enid Blyton, but DD's favourite books at the moment are 'Naughty Amelia Jane' - the new version has been slightly changed so the toys are more modern. She also likes the Far-Away Tree/Wishing Chair.

How disappointing about the E Nesbitt - I was looking forward to buying/re-reading those as I loved them as a child. But thanks for the reminder re Pippi Longstocking

complexnumber · 19/03/2011 09:52

I enjoy reading the Junie B Jones books and DD2 enjoys listening. One of the few books we equally enjoy. I might be easily pleased but I actually laugh out loud.

aStarWithHerOwnWays · 19/03/2011 09:47

Ooh, when she gets a bit older she might enjoy The Wind On The Moon. It's about two sisters who have various odd adventures, from changing into animals to helping free their father from an oppressive regime.

monkeycat · 19/03/2011 09:36

How about Ursula Bear by a sheila Lavelle ?
It' about a little girls who changes into a bear .

Also the Jill TOmlinson books : THe Owl Who WAs Afriad of the Dark or THe Otter Who Wanted to Know .

We have also enjoyed My Naughty Little Sister and Milly MOlly Mandy a great deal.

Oh yes , and the worst witch !

I' m on a roll now , I've just remembered the 'Jake' books that are by Nick Butterworth I think.

HTH

Sorry for all the typos , in a rush ! :)

Original poster
wendylovesbob · 19/03/2011 09:17

UPDATE:

The bookshop was rather limited and the children were in no mood for extended browsing. I came home with Five Children & It, and The Secret Garden.

We started Five Children & It, and so far (sorry to whoever suggested it) it is not a great success. Perhaps dd is a bit young for it - she likes the main thrust of the story but is finding the old fashioned language very dry. The moralising is going completely over her head too, and even if she got it it is not particularly relevant to life today. And I'm not a fan either - am having to heavily edit out horribly patronising and sneery paragraphs about "the servants. It scores poorly on the feminist front too I'm afraid - the two boys and the two girls fall into dreadfully dated gender cliches, the boys being tough, sensible and practical, and the girls a bit wet, vain and useless.

I think we might give up and try The Secret Garden instead.

OP posts:
hellymelly · 15/03/2011 21:27

My dds (who hate anything at all frightening) are really enjoying "my naughty little sister".I rather like the assertive and stroppy little sister too,who is held in contrast to her "mouse like" (Good and quiet) friend Winnie.They are old books so old fashioned in some ways,but very affectionate and human.

melpomene · 15/03/2011 21:20

Alice in Wonderland is also good - there's an edition with lovely illustrations by Helen Oxenbury.

melpomene · 15/03/2011 21:17

I recently saw Firework Maker's Daughter recommended and it sounds great from the reviews.

aStarWithHerOwnWays · 15/03/2011 20:57

sugarfoot I loved the Carbonel books as well - am totally planning to inflict them on my children when they're old enough, just so I can read them again Grin

weblette · 15/03/2011 20:55

Igraine the Brave is great - dd loved it.

sugarfoot · 15/03/2011 20:53

My daughters loved Carbonel the Witch's Cat and the Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse. Also Margaret Mahy has written some great books for this age group up to teens.

Takver · 15/03/2011 20:48

YY to Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf and the Sophie books

And definitely would agree with Little House in the Big Woods - great opportunity for discussing how women's work/mens work was separate (but equally important) in the past.

I know I keep recommending them on here, but dd (and I) liked the Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke about a little girl who lives in Africa; lovely gentle stories that kind of hit the same spot as Milly Molly Mandy. I found there was a real gap around that age range when I was looking for some modern books to vary the old classics.

Fennel · 15/03/2011 19:40

Heidi is not too complex if you are reading to her. She's quite a spirited child. my dds liked her.

I've just been reading Winnie the pooh to 6yo, it's not really my favourite but 6yo dd liked it and is reading more of it now, it fits the simple chapter book category.

You could also try Horrid Henry, all my dds like him (and there are some girls who aren't too perfect and mousy in there too).

Original poster
wendylovesbob · 15/03/2011 18:14

Oh wonderful wonderful! Thank you all for suggestions. I have written them all down and will investigate the book shop asap.

I shall let you know how we get on with them.

OP posts:
TeiTetua · 15/03/2011 18:05

I'm sure you can still get the Just So Stories somewhere! IIRC, there are some clever women and girls in there, but no suggestion that it's anyone but men running the show.

JoanofArgos · 15/03/2011 17:14

At five, Katy might be a bit heavy going - definitely second Polly and The Wolf though! And The Worst Witch books perhaps.

AurraSing · 15/03/2011 17:12

My DD really enjoyed the 'Daisy and the trouble with ..' series by Kes Gray (I think). Not as long as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but funny.

Fennel · 15/03/2011 17:10

Sophie books by Dick-King Smith, Sophie is a feisty little girl who wants to be a farmer.
Also the animal books by the same author.

Anne Fine does some good feminist-lit for this age group. Bill's new frock, Not just a show, etc.

Also some early Jacqueline Wilsons like Connie and the water babies.

Worst witch is good too.

I think you may find that What Katy did isn't quite the world's greatest feminist classic. The wild and lively Katy is tamed into domestic submission by her accident. She learns to be gentle, a little mother to her many younger siblings, and do sewing rather than climb on rooftops.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 15/03/2011 17:08

Mrs Pepperpot? Phoenix and the Carpet although she might be a touch too young for that.

nurseblade · 15/03/2011 17:08

booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/43/childrens-books/reviews/princess-polly-to-the-rescue

This book had a big influence on me when growing up.

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 15/03/2011 17:04

how about Charlotte's Web?

steamedtreaclesponge · 15/03/2011 17:02

Oh, and what about the Little House on the Prairie books? If you want pioneering women...