What's the stage between Julia Donaldson and Enid Blyton? nearly 4 yo

[Greythorne]

Hi

We have done Julia Donaldson, the longer Ladybird "Spot" books, some Sesame Street books, loads of Usborne (Jobs People Do, Mouse Moves House etc).....we are ready for something new, but DD1 does not appear to have the concentration level required for chapter books (Magic Faraway Tree / Roald Dahl ready in the wings)

Any ideas what the interim books are?

Thx

PS we are not in France, so slightly out of the loop re English books. All suggestions welcome.

My DD is 4. Just read her a couple of well illustrated roald dahl books and now she gets really excited about only getting a few chapters per night whereas before I could not read her enough of the donaldson types books - we were on like 5 a night. I think there is a lot for her wee mind to chew over.

which are the best RD books?

I loved Charlie but hated the others as a child. Need to get the lowdown, thx.

You are not in France?

Ahem.... what about My Naughty Little Sister- they are v short stories. Milly Molly Mandy, Moomins, Ahlberg's Happy Families (at least 20 of them), general fairy stories such as 3 little pigs, Goldilocks, Rapunzel etc,

We have a set of Mrs pepperpot picture books which were popular at that stage. Also Pippi Longstocking was a big favourite- the Lauren Child edition has lots of pictures.

hmm
we (sadly) are in France
sorry!

Katie Morag

Mog

The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark is a lovely first chapter book.

I'm at the same stage with my DD, who will soon be 4. She doesn't seem to have the concentration for chapter books yet, but I do look out for books with more print. Also, children's poetry is good as it offers a lot to think about and helps prepare them for reading.

My mum has just got DD1 into Paddington. Just the right amount of text before she gets bored. Happy Families mentioned earlier are well liked too (by me and her). I've found Shirley Hughes books, although slightly old fashioned in text and illustrations are good for stories. Going to buy DD1 My Naughty Little Sister Treasury. Will give her the idea of chapters but not if you see what I mean.

The Enid Blyton Noddy books were a great hit at this age. (the classic ones) - DS1 only now getting into Faraway Tree etc at nearly 6. Also Charlie and Lola (Lauren Child not TV tie in).

DD loved (and still loves) the Puffin book of First Poetry.

Is she reading in French?

I just remembered that DD's favourite books since we moved here have been been the Martine series. I used to read them to her, but now she prefers to read them herself (because my French accent hurts her ears) :o

Are "My naughty little sister" books still attractive reading for a nearly 4yo boy (who has a naughter little sister aged 19months?).

I second the suggestion of poetry: DS loves poems in "When we were very young" (AA Milne)

Alfie books are a must. We love Jeffrey Strong's pirate school which have really short chapters and lots of pictures (the whole book can be read in one story time so she won't need to remember til the next night)

Also Winnie the Witch are fab

You can get inbetween Roald Dahl books which come in what can only be described as a cross between a picture book and a chapter book. You can get The Enormous Crocodile, The Magic Finger and The Giraffe The Pelly and Me all come like this.

We started off with The Enormous Crocodile like this and now DD is 4.4 and LOVES the shorter chapter Roald Dahl books especially The Twits and George's Marvellous Medicine.

We also bought a book with a variety of longer stories in, a treasury with Milly Molly Mandy, Ameliaranne Stiggins and some poems in, she really liked that too.

I second the Dorothy Edwards (my naughty little sister) and Shirley Hughes (Alfie series, Dogger) books. My DSs (9,5,3) still love to hear them and read them. And I love reading them too.

Dr Zeuss? Again, my sons love these books.

I third my naughty little sister. DD5, loves, loves, loves them. Partly for tyhe stories and party for putting her bookmark in at night. I think she feels very grown up

Try the Daisy series of books by Kes Grey. they sart as a set of picture books but there are also short chapter books with large print and lots of line drawings. I can't recommend them enough. They are hilarious stories about the world seen through the eyes of a girl aged 6ish. My ds is now 9 and still loves them. Happy reading!

My 4yo dd loves Beatrix Potter. They're about the right length for a bedtime story, but a bit more 'grown up' than the picture books.

Although I must say that she also loves Julia Donaldson still - I don't consider The Snail and the Whale too young for a 4yo, or Sharing a Shell.

Dd also LOVES Whatamess, but you have to look out for them in charity stores or buy second hand as they don't seem to be available new on Amazon.

The Jane Hissey books are gorgeous. We love Little Bear's Trousers.