Present ideas for old fashioned child

[cbristmasisruined]

My lovely friend's lovely daughter is soon to be 8 and I'm looking for present inspiration. She's a clever, calm sensible girl who likes quite cerebral pursuits. In terms of books she hates Tom Gates/ David Walliams style wackiness- if there's not a consumptive Victorian orphan then she's really not interested! She likes creative pursuits, sport and reading.
Has anyone's similar aged child received anything a bit different that's been a big success?

The Chalet School books might suit?

Crafty stuff - is she likely to enjoy knitting or crocheting?

There are several Jacqueline Wilson books that might work. The Hetty Feather series, Clover Moon, The Lottie Project. Also the My Story books, which are written in diary form in various points in the past. Mary Hooper also has some brilliant books, such as At the Sign of the Sugared Plum.

Has she read A Little Princess? Tottie, the story of a dolls house?
5 children and it
The treasure seekers
The woodbegoods
Griselda and the cuckoo clock
One of those knitting dolly things?
Tapestry kit?

If said almost-8yo's a Brownie you could have a look on ABE books for A Madcap Brownie or similar vintage fiction (I can help with titles if it is a possibility). Still with books, Susan Coolidge's Katy books might work, or pretty much anything that Girls Gone By have reprinted (all with the usual Of Their Time caveat). Charlotte Sometimes, the Green Knowe series & Moondial as recommended by PPs are all fantastic, too.

(Total aside, anyone who likes the Green Knowe books: you can visit Green Knowe & it is glorious. Toby's. Mouse. Is. Real. Right, yes, sorry, back to it.)

Would she like paper dolls? You can buy books of them & then she can create her own clothes for them as well.
If she has a dolls' house you could get her some new furniture for that.
A knitting doll?
A chemistry set or similar?

Book? Secret Garden type thing maybe?

There are several books about women in science women in sport etc on amazon

Rebel girls Book

Some fabulous ideas here! The rebel girl book was my Xmas pressie to her and was really well received. I'm thinking of a selection of books and liking scrapbooks snd flowerpresses.... thanks everyone.

Harry Potter books if she hasn't already read them.
Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aitken.
Any Noel Straetfield books.

A calligraphy set.
A sewing machine.
An old fashioned typewriter.
One of those mini science labs.
Theatre tickets.