What books are you reading to your children at the moment?

[35andThriving]

Just thought this might be a nice thread.

My dc (7) and I are currently reading The Worst Witch. Afterwards dc is looking forward to us reading The Bolds in Trouble by Julian Clary.

I have also started to read Goodnight Mister Tom, by myself, following a recommendation on another thread.

So, just out of interest - What are you reading with your dcs?

@Ilikecheeseontoast

What age do you make the switch from picture books to longer books? My 4 year old seems to have outgrown a lot of favourites lately (Hairy McClairy, Julia Donaldson etc) should I be moving them on do you think?

We're in the same position with my 3.75 year old. We're looking at Mr Men (they're a bit longer, with a bit more complex vocabulary), and also some wordless books (to strengthen his vocab/language/description and because they're fun).

The Christmas books have come out here so since the weekend it's been all about Busy Santa/nativity/Christmas for reading jointly with my 3.75 and 1.5 y.o.

Other than that, the usual - Julia donaldson, Mr Men, Thomas series. My eldest also now seems to like the wonky donkey series. Youngest - anything with flaps.

Really looking forward to being able to get our teeth into some classic children's literature - faraway tree etc.

Can anyone with older DC tell me about the Paddington series - what sort of age? What's the text like in terms of complexity and vocab? I tried to have a look in the works, but the series was packaged in a sleeve and shrink wrap.
I'm wondering for my eldest's 4th birthday.

@Ilikecheeseontoast

What age do you make the switch from picture books to longer books? My 4 year old seems to have outgrown a lot of favourites lately (Hairy McClairy, Julia Donaldson etc) should I be moving them on do you think?

There are lots more books these days that fill that gap between picture and chapter books, often in chapter book format but with pictures and not too much text on each page.

Try the Claude series by Alex T Smith, the Pug series by Laura James and the Mango and Bambang series by Polly Faber - some have Christmas versions too, like Santa Claude. DD loved all those around 4-5 and they are fun and engaging.

I am reading Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper to DS, 7, at bedtime.
On his own he is reading a beast quest book, the latest Beano, and random pages from a book about all the countries of the world.

@Eileen101 Paddington would be great for just 4.

DD also loved the Kipper series at rising 4, which is slightly more picture book style but with a bit more text than younger picture books.

We recently gave up on Toms Midnight Garden as ds found it really boring. I was gutted as I remember it being really magical but I suppose it's quite old fashioned.

Regarding Tom’s Midnight Garden - I suppose it is quite a slow build. I do notice that older classics take more time to build the story (like older TV) - part of the magic is how it gradually sneaks up on you.

Just finishing the Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper with DS9.
Next is either Christmas Pig or the Christmasaurus, although he really wants to read the next in the series, Greenwitch and I may give in!

JKRs The Christmas Pig. Amazing- can't recommend it highly enough.

DSs 8 and nearly 10.

We did a whole bunch of E Nesbits - the Treasure Seekers, 5 children and it, the phoenix and the carpet etc.

Then read a couple of Diana Wynne Jones - charmed life, lives of christopher chant.

Currently halfway through the first Redwall book.

DS has just started Redwall Xiaoxiong. I'd forgotten all about it! Currently reading both kids Moonfleet. This is a lovely thread. Am writing down lots of ideas.

Am gathering ideas for the future! DD is rising 2 but absolutely obsessed with books. Her favourites at the moment are Each Peach Pear Plum and any of the Hairy Maclary books. Am looking forward to revisiting childhood favourites with her like Enid Blyton, Millie Molly Mandy etc with her over the next few years.

EvenLess be prepared to discover how shit some of your beloved childhood books were Pippi Longstocking, OMG. Millie Molly Mandy not much better (sorry). Heidi - the absolute pits!! We made it 10 pages in and all three of us agreed we couldn't take another page of saintly simpering. On the other hand, I never got into Redwall though my brother read piles of them, now very much enjoying them.

Also some books are better read aloud. Victorian and Edwardian kids books like E Nesbit always seemed a bit boring when I was a kid reading them to myself, because they were a bit too advanced/slow for my age at the time. When I was older, then the plots seemed to babyish. But reading them aloud to 7-11 year olds is the perfect halfway house, I can explain things as we go or get us through any boring bits faster if necessary.

I'm lining up a Joan Aiken book or two next, just trying to decide between Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and Go Saddle the Sea. Might try and squeeze in Cynthia Harnett "A Load of Unicorn" in between.

A boy called Christmas, I’m enjoying it more than my DD I think.

Aged 9 and 7. E Nesbit’s The Story of the Treasure Seekers. Previously, Just William.

We’re currently about to finish Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Before this we read the series of The Breadwinner together, dds are 9.

I still read to my teen, reading War of the Worlds at the mo. I'd recommend The boy in the striped pajamas to you OP to read yourself.

The Christmas Pig by JK Rowling. DD loves it and I'm enjoying it as well!

I so miss reading to my kids. Now we al jump into my bed and read our own books which is cute but not the same. We will read the night before Christmas on Christmas eve though, don't care how old they are!!

Enjoy while you can.

My dd 9 is being read The wishing Chair by her Dad and I’m reading Tum tum and Nutmeg.
She’s reading the Witch Wars series by herself.

I’m re-reading The Chronicles of Narnia to our 8yo.

DH is reading him the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy set.

I'm reading The Christmasaurus & The Winter Witch to DS9. We've read it before but he wanted this one & the previous Christmasaurus in the run up to Christmas.

DS11 is reading the Wings of Fire series & every night I read about half a chapter to him. He still loves to listen but then likes to carry on himself. He usually fills me in with the bits I missed (he's so enthusiastic about his books!)

DD12 is reading Insurgent (sequel to Divergent) & I sometimes read to her for a bit at bedtime but only when she asks, probably less than once a month now. I've read the ones she's reading now so we usually chat briefly about where she's up to. We seem to have pretty similar taste in books so I'm looking forward to sharing more stories with her.

@oldwhyno few ideas for your boy

Castle Rock/Sparrowhawk
Skylarks’ War
Adventurers series
Percy Jackson
Children’s versions of classics eg Real Reads series

DD7 likes Amelia Jane, Amelia Fang, Mallory Towers

I am reading Fantastic Mr Fox to DD age 6. She still likes picture books so we read a couple of those a night as well. She is also reading a Dirty Bertie chapter book to herself before she goes to sleep.

I am reading A Girl Called Owl to my dds (10 and 8). As soon as we are done we are going to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.