What books are your 4.5 - 5 yr old DSs enjoying just now?

[MySecretSelf]

I'm looking for inspiration for a few new books for DS for Christmas. He's enjoyed the Julia Donaldson and Oliver Jeffers books a lot over the years, but doesn't really ask for them a lot these days.

He has a couple of the roald dahl books that are suitable for younger children - huge fan of fantastic mr fox - and countless pirate books (on account of a pirate themed birthday party!).

Any suggestions of picture books or illustrated chapter books for that age?

Enid Blyton.

I know a lot of people on here hate her, but each to their own.

My DS liked all the Amelia Jane naughty doll stories and more recently the Enchanted Wood (which I secretly love too)

Thanks typicalvirgo, bumping for a few more suggestions..

Over the past 6 months my 5 1/2 year old has enjoyed all the Roald Dahl books, all the Mr Gum books (in fact once all 9 of them had been read to him, he demanded his dad start again from the beginning) and the Magic Faraway Tree trilogy. Also, last year he very much enjoyed the Puzzle Adventure books.

My DS who is four and three quarters is going through a Mr Men phase.

Winnie the Witch is also good.

He also likes books by Mo Willems.

He can't quite get to grips with chapter books yet unless they have pictures. Some of the Percy the Park keeper books have been pretty good, longer stories but still nice illustrations.

Cor blimey, though what else would I expect on MN?, DS, who will be 5 just after Christmas, is still happiest being read Wibbly Pig, Spot (the dog), and lift the flap books. (I think the plot lines in Harry's buckets of Dinosaurs might be a bit complicated for him still ).

Shirley Hughes' books are a hit here; Alfie and Annie Rose series and Dogger.

Also getting into Littlenose, although they take a but more concentration due to far fewer pictures.

My Naughty Little Sister (and Bad Harry) also popular.

Haven't tried Enid yet but Famous Five or Secret Seven could be on the horizon and planning to see what he thinks of the Beatrix Potter series over half term.

Basically I'm working my way through my favourite childhood books, Roald Dahl next

my ds loves the tintin books

he really likes non-fiction too (my first atlas/big book of planes etc).

he also liked the bewilderwood books

DS1 is 4.3 and likes

Julia Donaldson (any and all)
Roald Dahl - we have read Fantastic Mr Fox about 30 times, and he also loves Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Spot the Dog - because he can read them himself
Dr Seuss
Claire Friedman (Aliens love Underpants etc)
Beatrix Potter

We've recently discovered Sir Charlie Stinkysocks - I am getting a couple more of those for Christmas.

lljkk - I think in our case my ds likes slightly more complicated chapter books because he is a second child. When Dc1 was 4 and 5 I didn't read her Roald Dahl or Mr Gum, firstly because I didn't know they existed but also because picture books were the only books we had. Also, she got very cross when books didn't have pictures. When dc2 came along, he inadvertently listened to chapter books because we were reading them to his big sister and it just so happened that he thoroughly enjoyed them. Once we realised he liked them, we carried on reading them to him. He does also still enjoy picture books too.

lol @ Neoclara. I wonder what happens by the time one gets to 4th child (my 4yo who likes Wiggly Pig best is a 4th child). Although none of mine have ever had much interest in being read chapter books. Neglected Last born, or what?

I suspect if I ever had a 4th child I'd rather cut off my own leg than read the Magic Faraway tree for the 4th time. Therefore my (imaginary) 4th will have to look at picture books on their own while I drink gin and tonics in a vain attempt to keep my sanity after grappling with 4 kids all day.

lol

Pippi Longstocking

Winnie the witch
Roald dahl
Alfie books
He still loves Hairy Maclary from Donaldson s Dairy
The night before Christmas to read Christmas Eve
He likes information books like about wild cats, farm life, tropical birds etc-more of a discussion book than a reading book though
Where's wally
Books about trolls, ogres, giants etc
But we have quite a few sets of the old classics like Little Red Hen, rumplestiltskin, red riding hood, hansel and gretal etc-he loves them too.

The books DS1 (just turned five) asks for again and again are: Matthew's Secret Surprises/ Where Matthew Lives, Magic in the Air/ Magic at Midnight and You Choose. While You Choose has been brilliant at engaging both DS1 and two year old DS2, I would be happy if I was never asked to choose whether I wanted to travel by wheels or wings or perhaps choose one of these other things again, ever.

Oh, for his fourth birthday DS1 got a picture book called "Slam! A Tale of Consequences" which doesn't have any words but is a kind of cause and effect story with lots of stories going on in the pictures - he likes that.

Freisops Fables is a lot of fun. Bedtime favourite for my kids now. Funny but with a moral theme running through the stories and beautifully ?drawn? both in words and pictures.

www.amazon.co.uk/Friesops-Fables-Selection-illustrated-childrens/dp/1478244062/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348153908&sr=1-2

Hairy Mclary very popular with DS (and I have a feeling you can get a set on book people very cheap at the mo)

Also, Shirley Hughes books are very popular.

Some of our favourites at the moment are the ladybird ones, they bridge the gap between picture and chapter books really well I think, bit more story than a picture book, and more pictures than a chapter book. The best thing about them is my younger child can enjoy them too.

We got DS the Usborne Illustrated Book for Boys at this age. This one www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Stories-Boys-Various/dp/0746074611/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351194509&sr=1-1. He loved it, we read all the stories lots of times and now he can read them to himself, or still asks for them to be read to him sometimes (a year later).

We had to transition DS onto chapter books without pictures- when we bought this one he didn't want any books without pictures. I think he still prefers some pictures, but isn't that bothered if it's just the odd black and white one now . He liked lots of knights stories, Sir Charlie Stinkysocks, Oh yes, this is brilliant too, loved by both children www.amazon.co.uk/Scallywag-Golden-Underpants-Giles-Andreae/dp/0141330694/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351194980&sr=1-1

Paul Geraghty books popular here - beautiful illustrations and the stories are really touching.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Well it would be you choose, had I not stuck it behind the wardrobe! Night night by Colin mcnaughton is a current favourite along with mr pusskins.

I had to hide you choose too! It should come with a parental warning!

StellaNova thanks for the tip on Matthew's Secret Surprises/Where Matthew Lives - have just bought them both on the strength of your recommendation & an Amazon review