first reading books for 6yr old girl??

[NellyTheElephant]

DD, who has recently turned 6, has just started reading independently. She has spent the last month rarely seen without her nose buried in one of the seemingly endless series of Rainbow Fairies books, getting through one or two of the books a day. Whilst I am grateful to that series for turning my daughter into a bookworm I'm thinking that it might be time to branch out to something new. Does anyone have any good suggestions as to what I should get her started on next?

Oh my DD (6) loves the Rainbow Fairies books too. She also loves The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy, any Roald Dahl books, Horrible Histories, My Naughty Little Sister. She is a member of the puffin club so gets loads of ideas and her free books too. I would also take her to the library and let her choose whatever catches her eye, its so exciting to watch them getting stuck into books!

The "Daisy and the trouble with...." books are good; seconding Roald Dahl, also Enid Blyton. The Jacqueline Wilson books for younger readers are also good eg. sleepovers.

Dick King Smith, Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton
There's a series animal rescue books
Another of magic kitten/puppy/pony books
Puddle the naughtiest puppy
Mr Majeika

Have a look on the bookpeople website they usually have cheap sets of books and recommended age guides.

My DD (6yrs) has enjoyed Pippi Longstocking, Milly Molly Mandy and The Wishing Chair, Charlotte's Web - she's a bit of 70s throwback. I am going to start reading her Anne of Green Gables soon and she wants to read my copy of Heidi.

DD liked the Animal Ark books at that stage - also an interminable series, but IMO a bit more varied at least. There are Little Animal Ark which are shorter/easier reads and might be a good start if she finds the longer books overwhelming (though poss not if she's reading 2 RM a day!).

DD also liked My Secret Unicorn which is about a pony that turns into a unicorn.

My 6 yr old just hooked on How to Train Your Dragon etc
Horrid Henry, Gwyneth Rees, Lauren Child's older picture books are good.

Thank you so much for all the ideas which, as far as I can tell from browsing on Amazon, all look great - I have got her a couple and think she will be delighted!

Magic faraway tree/wishing chair/the xxxx of adventure are good Blytons to start with (bit more to them than the school serieses)
Owl who was afraid of the dark (there's a whole series)
Roald Dahl - fantastic Mr fox, the twits, matilda good places to start.
Jenniengs and Derbyshire

Has your DD met Pippi Longstocking yet? (by Astrid Lindgren)
Very funny and a positive (?) role model for a girl!