Books to read aloud at bedtime to a 7yo DD and 5 year old DS>?

[DarrellRivers]

Am trying to encourage DS that reading is fun.
So many books seem girl-centric or badly written if aimed at boys, for example the Ben10 books are so boring.
(This book needs to be good so I enjoy it)

We started with some of the Puffin series of 'Stories for 4 year olds' and 'Stories for 5 year olds', which were good , but have found that a whole book is better for getting involved with the characters.

So we have started reading a book together at bedtime and we have enjoyed
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat and Charlotte's Web greatly.

I was thinking perhaps 'The Horse and his Boy' next, but need some good reading aloud books with preferably a male or feisty female hero.
(DD too fond of Disney princesses so needs an injection of gumption)

Any suggestions gratefully received

[BadgersArse]

you wait till you get to the hell that is 7 year old sons books

[BadgersArse]

my kids HATED gobbolino, faraway tree and worst witch
it was a tricky time as all peoplesuggested was that
and ahlberg

[DarrellRivers]

Have found some Joan Aiken, Wolves of Willoughby and some Paddington so going to try these tonight.
Then source some Carbonel and some William

BA how do you have time?
Do you have some parallel tardis like time 4th dimension?

[Bucharest]

Oh- Joan Aiken Midnight is a Place is one of my all time favourites. (can still hum theme music from 1970s series) I have an old copy I got from ebay (I have to have all the old copies of things I used to have as a child) Bit much for dd at the moment though, all child labour and burning mills.

[samstheman]

We've read some paddington which he enjoyed and have just started with the Dinosaur Cove books. Reading a chapter a night and my son (soon to be 5) loves it. We're only on the first one at the moment....but it seems to be a good mix of characters, dinosaurs, technology and adventure. Whole series good value from the Book People.....my thought is he'll be able to read them himself when a bit older. I'm enjoying them, so think they'll be ok for your dd too :)

[DarrellRivers]

I love Joan Aiken
Will force encourage DD to like

[Takver]

What about Laura Ingalls Wilder? Especially Farmer Boy if you want a male lead for your DS (plus its my favourite!), but Laura is a great heroine anyway - and in Little House in the Big Woods Mary/Laura would be roughly the age of your two dcs, so interesting for them to see how different life is now.

Also Swallows & Amazons - fine to read aloud to a 5 y/o, story simple to follow - and good male & female characters (could anyone have more gumption than Nancy?).

More modern books - Captain Underpants and Astrosaurs are both fun - though IIRC all main characters are male (maybe not in Astrosaurs, though - but since they're all dinosaurs, something of a moot point)

[KrenZic]

Prolla the Polar Bear Stories are written and illustrated for bedtime reading by a Home Educated child. www.prolla.com

[SpikyBinkle]

Rebecca's World by Terry Nation. It has a heroine and lots of fun characters. Each chapter is a cliffhanger. I loved it. Still do. Er...not sure if it's still in print.

[onimolap]

The Little Princess, The Secret Garden,

Matilda (Roald Dahl)

What Katy Did, Anne of Green Gables, and (if you can bear it) Pollyanna.

Heidi, Little House on a Prairie.

Ballet Shoes, Tennis Shoes, Skating Boots

The Gemma books

Swallows and Amazons

A Pony for Jean etc, the Jill pony books, most books by the Pullein-Thompson sisters.

[chixinthestix]

DS loved Lily Quench series when he was 5 or so - about a girl who rides dragons and has lots of very exciting adventures. We've worked our way through all the big collections of 'classic' stories in the library too.

OP my DCs have at least 2 bedtime stories a night, we all sit down and read, DH and I often both read some, DCs read their school reading books and its a bit of a ritual that we all really enjoy. Its what we've always done so I suppose we just make the time? (consequently house is ridiculouly full of books)

[onimolap]

Also, Milly Molly Mandy (Book People has a discounted box set), Olga da Polga and The Little White Horse.

[crazygracieuk]

I bought a set of "Trouble with Daisy" from The Book People which is very funny. Daisy is a tomboy so don't be put off that she's a girl.

Usborne do good treasuries. My 7 year old loves Stories for Girls, Stories for Boys, Classics for Girls, Classics for Boys... The stories are different in the boys and girls versions but I have both because I have a girl and 2 boys.

Mr Gum and Jeremy Strong are fab too