Please, could anyone suggest some books to share with DDs (7.5yrs & 6yrs)

[TheDivisionBell]

Hi All,
I have two DDs, and both love me to read to them a bedtime. We've done Enid Blyton, Thirteen O'Clock tales, and library books by Julia Donaldson, which they both were thrilled with, BTW! I've read the Jungle Books and we've done the audio version for DD1 too, which she loves, BTW.

I wanted to get them something to read, both on their own, and also along with me as its a special feeling for all three of us- to read something together...( cos I get them to lie down, close their eyes and imagine the story) IME it helps them nod off and go drifting along to la la land!!

Just to mention, DD1 has SN which makes it hard for her to read right off the bat, but she's amazing with her memory and remembers stories word for word!!!
Besides, they've got variable tastes- DD1 is (inexplicably!) into Ben 10 and adventure stories, whilst DD2 loves fairytales and all things Barbie...
Any suggestions that you could think of for my twosome would be gratefully received!!

My dd loved the Anna Hibiscus series by Atinuke, its nice to read out loud, I think they would be fine for a 6 y/o and 7.5 y/o

Lionboy is a great adventure series, though poss a little old for 6 - you'd need to look at it.

Astrosaurs is about spacefaring dinosaurs (!) but rather fun as is Cows In Action by the same author (Steve cole IIRC) - perhaps more for your older dd's taste.

Lost in Time by Ali Sparkes is great to read aloud though be prepared fo them to plead for just one more chapter. My DCs were 9 and 6 when we were reading it and and throughly enjoyed it.

Another similar book is The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd or you could go for any of the David Walliams or Jeremy Strong books.

Or Framed by Frank Cottrell-Boyce which we've just listened to to on audiobook. I've also read Cosmic by the same author which is equally good.

Thankyou, Beanbagz and Takver!!! Much appreciated, Ladies! I think a trip to the library is on the cards for Saturday!! :)

How about some Eva Ibbotson? They're for varying age groups so you might find one to suit.

My two dds are 7 and 6 and love reading too. They love Pippi Longstocking, a great book with some gorgeous pics in too.

Another vote for Pippi Longstocking here, my DD (6) loves it, as does DS (5) who named his favourite monkey toy Mr Nilsson. I like it for reading out loud too.

My six year old boy/girl twins like Dick King Smith - the Sophie books, and have also enjoyed The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, Flat Stanley, The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, Mr Majeika, The Iron Man and a few Roald Dahls (George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Twits and James and the Giant Peach). They're having Gobbolino the Witch's Cat read to them at bedtimes at the moment.

What about some Michael Morpurgo - The Dancing Bear and Little Foxes are for younger readers.

They still adore picture books though and our favourites are the Alfie books and Dogger by Shirley Hughes, anything by Oliver Jeffers, The Bog Baby by Gwen Millard I think, and all the Ladybird versions of traditional fairy tales.

Just remembered a few more...

Clover Twig and the Incredible Flying Cottage by Kaye Umansky (there might be more in the series actually.)
The Cat Mummy by Jacqueline Wilson (this made me cry!)
Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire by Andy Staton. I tried to read this to my two last year but I think they were a bit young for it. I think it would appeal to a 7 year old though - very silly stuff.

Someone above mentioned the Steve Cole books (Astrosaurs and the Cows ones) - I'd also suggest looking at some of the Beast Quest series perhaps? They really don't appeal to me, but your Ben 10 lover might like them.

Mr Men books?- all mine loved those.

We are into Roald Dahl (of course!), Jeremy Strong, David Walliams and the Mr Gum books currently... these are ones we read together (DC are 7 and 6).

Pippi Longstocking is on the shelf waiting actually, I am desperate to read it, so after we are done with Fantastic Mr Fox, that is the one I am hoping they go for next....

DS loves Beast Quest, and Cressida Cowell, though we haven't read all that much of those yet. DD not so keen and we tend to read together. I suspect he will read those when he is at the stage of reading properly alone.