For my DD 5yr old - I am at a loss

[Itsbeenalongwhile]

Posting here for traffic.

My 5 Yr old DD wants a story book that has chapters for Christmas present. She wants a book she can read herself.

We have loads of books (three bookshelves full) but she has three older siblings, so I guess she wants something new that's been hers from the start. So not any that we already have.

She's a good reader. I no longer let her see my phone as I WhatsApp!

I am looking for a book with chapters that is not too advanced for her to read by herself, that she will enjoy reading. Not the usual 18/24/32etc page story books she gets from school. But I just can't think of any.

The hive of MNers are fantastic with solving riddles, chasing down perfumes name & brand unknown, finding no-longer available beloved toys/teddies.

This is not in the same league but I am hoping the MNer power will help me here.

My youngest DD really enjoyed the naughty little sister books. She read them herself but she would have been a bit older than 5.

If your DD likes a good story then I would stay away from the rainbow fairy stories!

@anotherneutralname

I think "my naughty little sister" might not be a hit OP, just because she's the youngest so may not find it as funny?

Another vote for the Claude books here.

Completely disagree with this, my youngest thought My Naughty Little Sister plus the subsequent books were amazing, and would laugh out loud. I would read it to my girls from when they were quite small and it was the only book that worked 100% for their difference ages.

I remember loving 101 Dalmatians at that age.

I second Flat Stanley.

Mary plain, my naughty little sister, some of Hilary mckay (the pudding bag school series or Charlie in particular) ,some of Dianna Wynne Jones (Im thinking of freaky families in particular), little house in the big woods maybe (I discovered it at about that age). If it's still in print, all about the bullerby children by Astrid lindgren

Magic Treehouse books are good for that age. 5's a tricky one. You can tell longer chapter books are written for 8 plus and these days they're dark and miserable and usually about divorce, so it does take some effort to find good ones for little kids who just want a nice story.

Definitely Paula Harrison's Kitty series. They are so readable but not babyish and even my 9 year old still reads them. Beautiful illustrations too. Also agree with others who say Isadora Moon.

Waterstones sell a range of books published by Barrington Stoke, which are for children who have Dyslexia.

They have chapters and are absolutely awesome. My son who is 7 and I are both Dyslexic read them together.

Sadly finished them all now, so please publish more Barrington Stoke!

Dick King Smith, Steve Cole (Astrosaurs), Alexander McColl Smith(Akimbo stories), Roald Dahl

We’ve just read the twits and Charlie and the chocolate factory with our almost 6 year old. We both enjoyed them immensely

I know it's a graphic novel, not mainly text based but the Hilda books are so cool, I wish they'd been around when I was 5. The main character is a feisty girl and she has really cool adventures. Not simplistic at all. Kind of like Tintin in that it's a graphics story but theres plenty going on.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilda_(graphic_novel_series)

The Sophie books by Dick King Smith are great. Reading them to my 4yo at the moment and he loves them. Could also look at Animal Ark if she's into animals.

Yes! Second The Twits!

Sheltie books? Sheltie the Shetland Pony etc

There are a series of books called Early reader, published by Orion children's books. They are early chapter books by various authors including easier to read Horrid Henry books and Rainbow fairy books. www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/oer/Orion-Early-Readers.html

Please get her the rescue princess books - epic group of kick-ass princesses with magic rings to communicate that get together to save animals in danger - my 5 y o DD was addicted
Rescue Princesses Collection - 10 Books (Paperback) RRP £49.90

www.amazon.co.uk/Rescue-Princesses-Collection-Paperback-%C2%A349-90/dp/0857634305/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=22S13QSR2S7TF&keywords=rescue+princesses+books&sprefix=rescue+pr%2Caps%2C172&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1639907746&sr=8-2

Dermot O'Leary has a series of books about a ninja cat that my 6 year old really enjoyed - they're not too long, and he was really gripped by the story.

My five year old’s reading isn’t at that point yet but there’s a very good reader in her class who loves the Isadora Moon books. I’ve seen a couple and they look like what you’re looking for.

My 6yo likes Naughty Little Sister.
My eldest liked ones with pictures like Wimpy Kid, 13 Storey Treehouse, Tom Gates but they might not fit the bill if she thinks grown up = no pictures.
Beano subscription!

Julia and the Shark - beautiful new book.

Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden.
Lovely book for Christmas.

Would the Wigglesbottom Primary books by Pamela Butchart fit the bill? My two thought they were very funny when they were your DD's age. I think they have chapters but there are lots of pictures.

As a young child, I used to love the Amelia Jane and Mr Pinkwhistle books by Enid Blyton. The language and ideals may be old-fashioned, but they should be simple to read. I would try and find a hardback edition if you can, to make it extra special.

My son liked the Rabbit and Bear books and Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam at that age.