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Original poster

5yo boy - longer bedtime stories to read in chapters?

27 replies

Fromheretomaternity · 19/02/2013 21:52

I'm feeling that the bedtime stories we have for our nearly-5yo are maybe a bit babyish - the usual big picturebooks. I was wondering about getting a longer book we could read to him a chapter or two a night. But I have no idea where to start! I thought of Roald Dahl but some of the stories are a bit harsh (DS is quite a sensitive soul).

Any ideas?

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Branleuse · 19/02/2013 21:55

ive been reading Enid Blyton the wishing chair to my nearly 5 and nearly 6 year old. They love it.

JoyceDivision · 19/02/2013 21:55

dd (6) loves these (don't agree with the 'boys'and 'girls' stories stuff, personally, but that's another thread Grin)

greatauntbulgaria · 19/02/2013 21:59

Mine are enjoying the Dick King Smith books, the Faraway Tree and a series brought home from school to read to himself called Wild Rescue which are very plot driven and exciting.

HumphreyCobbler · 19/02/2013 21:59

The Faraway Tree went down well with mine at this age. He also liked Bimbo and Topsy and Mr Pinkwhistle. I agree about the content of Roald Dahl. It was a nightmare trying to explain every little thing to my literal minded DS.

VincenzaOfSaragossa · 19/02/2013 22:01

Cornelia Funke - Ghosthunters series. My DS loved them at that age!

greatauntbulgaria · 19/02/2013 22:01

Same problem with Roald Dahl. We managed James and the Giant Peach but I did tone down the awful aunts..

He also liked Gobbolino the Witches' Cat.

ArbitraryUsername · 19/02/2013 22:02

The astrosaurs books.

CharlieBlanche · 19/02/2013 22:07

My 5 yo children love Steve Cole's series:

Astrosaurs
Slime Squad
Cows In Action

They are quite entertaining and much preferable to any of the Rainbow Fairy repetitive drivel which we also enjoy.

We tried Roald Dahl last year but I didn't think they were quite ready for them yet. We are currently racing through the first Harry Potter though so we might give Matilda another go soon.

BornToFolk · 19/02/2013 22:10

I'm reading "The Owl who was afraid of the Dark" (the chapter book version, not the picture book one!) to DS at the moment. It's a lovely gentle story, perfect for bedtime. He's also got another one of the Jill Tomlinson chapter books, about a hen I think, but we've not read that yet.

We've also started "How to Train Your Dragon" but I think it might end up being a bit too old for him. He wanted to read it as he loves the film but I htink he might lose interest.

He loves Roald Dahl too but he's definitely not a senstive one!

MiniMousse · 19/02/2013 22:13

My 4 yr old loves the 'my naughty little sister' books, and pippi longstocking

HumphreyCobbler · 19/02/2013 22:15

have just bought the astrosaurs books - thanks!

colditz · 19/02/2013 22:16

George's marvellous medicine

determinedma · 19/02/2013 22:18

The Mr Gum series by Andy Stanton are brilliant, although 5 might be a bit young to get all the jokes.

Stopsittingonyoursister · 19/02/2013 22:19

Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Twits all went down well with my sensitive DS. He also loves Horrid Henry, Faraway Tree, The Monster Crisp Guzzler (and other books by the same author - Malorie Blackman?)

Waswondering · 19/02/2013 22:20

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jkklpu · 19/02/2013 22:20

I agree with Colditz. Also Fantastic Mr Fox and, at a push, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We're on Horrid Henry as well now.

louisianablue2000 · 19/02/2013 22:22

The DDs have loved Allan Ahlberg's Gaskitt Family stories, Flat Stanley, Horrid Henry, Vulgar the Viking. You could try Esio Trot as a first Roald Dahl that isn't so gruesome. But, FWIW, DD2 insists I read and reread the scary part of The Minpins, she loves being scared.

Original poster
Fromheretomaternity · 19/02/2013 22:27

Loving these ideas! Have ordered Flat Stanley and Mr Gum, and going to research some more. Keep 'em coming...

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Viviennemary · 19/02/2013 22:28

Mine loved the Wishing Chair too. I think some of Roald Dahl's though great books might cause nightmares in a five year old. Bobby Brewster's are quite old but good.

IAmLouisWalsh · 19/02/2013 22:28

We went through George's Marvellous Medicine, The Twits and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Also Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows. Winnie the Pooh as well.

dS1 is 6 and we are working our way through the How To Train Your Dragon series - DS2 is 4 and also enjoying it, but as we have got on to the later books it is getting a bit scary.

Original poster
Fromheretomaternity · 19/02/2013 22:29

Oh and am a bit Blush about asking for boys' books... I said I'd never be the type of parent to stereotype but there I go...

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jkklpu · 19/02/2013 22:31

Allan Ahlberg's happy families series too

orangina · 19/02/2013 22:31

Yes, the USborne story books are great..... not all of them are grouped into boys and girls (though we have quite a few as it happens......)

simpson · 19/02/2013 22:34

DD is 5 and I have read The Owl who was afraid of the Dark, The Twits and we started Fantastic Mr Fox (but it wasn't for her and she got bored) so now we are 8 chapters into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and she is loving it!!

Oh I forgot she also loved Enid Blyton's series about the boy who joined the circus (but got bored by the Magic Faraway Tree Confused

I keep thinking of more Blush she loved My Naughty Little Sister, Milly Molly Mandy ( although she said she was too good and would prefer it if she was naughty!!) and The Worst Witch.

Original poster
Fromheretomaternity · 19/02/2013 22:45

Right I have bought Astrosaurs too now. Should keep us going for a while!

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