Books (not chapter books) for me to read to 5yo DS

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I am trying to expand DS' appreciation of books beyond the ones he always asks for, which are harry and the dinosaurs, topsy and tim, julia donaldson or alfie books. I am happy to read these to him (I read three books to him at bedtime every night), but I would also like to introduce him to books that will fuel his imagination and expand his outlook. He wouldn't have the attention span for books that aren't picture books or for chapter books though. We were given The Enormous Crocodile recently, but it is too long to keep his attention.

We have loads of books, maybe too much in the way of choice!

The Toymaker and The Hidden House by Martin Waddell are favourites here. Slightly longer than picture books often are.

How about something by Janet and Allan Ahlberg? My children (DS 6, DD 3) like Burglar Bill, the Jolly Postman and Funnybones by them particularly. Also, Dogger by Shirley Hughes (which makes me cry a bit ). Or Ladybird books are good, because although they are story books rather than picture books they have masses of pictures so there is something to keep their interest on every page. They also like the Titchy Witch books by Rose Impey and Katharine McEwen which we got in a set from the book people, they are overpriced individually I think.

My DS really likes the Hairy Mclary series too.

I am not sure that any of my choices would expand his outlook though!

Any of oliver jeffers books, or winnie the witch series.

How about Maurice Sendak's books? Very Far Away, Wild Things, Rosie's Door, and the Little Bear series?

Also some very good stories in these picture books:
Clever Jack Takes The Cake
Bog Baby
Small Knight and the Royal Chocolate Cake

(cakes feature large in my DS's imaginative life...)

Dr Seuss or the Bernstein bear books.

The happy family series by the Allbergs.

Winnie the Witch

The Pirates next door by Johnny Duddle is currently a hit with my DS who is 5 next month. He also loves (and so do I !) Splat the Cat.

You could try chapter books that are a self-contained story in each chapter, eg:
Olga da Polga
Pippi Longstocking

Otherwise what about Paddington? Second Winnie the Witch.

Have you tried ed vere, the getaway and mr big are brilliant, also my ds loved Lauren childs that pesky rat and the original Charlie and Lola books.

My four year old dts love captain Flynn and the pirate dinos and it has hugely fed into their play. Also, have you got quentin blakes mrs armitage queen of the road / goes surfing. He always steps outside convention so good at broadening young minds!

The incredible book eating boy. It's not long but it is imaginative and there is much to talk about in the pictures.
Hubert Horatio Bartle... by Lauren Child (much much better than Charlie & Lola).

If he enjoys Alfie, might he also like the Katie Morag books? They're a bit longer, but still picture books and the same 'real life' kind of story.

Completely different, but one of my favourite older picture books is The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig - very funny reversal of the traditional story

We currently have Iggy Pect, Architect from the library. It's a bit random but an entertaining read: www.amazon.co.uk/Iggy-Peck-Architect-Andrea-Beaty/dp/081091106X

Agree with the Paddington, you can get picture book versions, I got them £1 each from Lidl when they had a special on children's books.

I just remembered, you can also get Mrs Pepperpot as picture books.

We haven't tried Hubert Horatio Bartle or Katie Morag, will have to give them a go.

How about Charlie Stinky Socks? Longer than n most picture books and older language (IMO)

I just looked them up on amazon, and I think we have HHB, got it ex-library stock a few years ago and put it away! I will have to see what they think of it.

Will try ordering a Katie Morag from the library for them.

Halibut Jackson is a good and bit different one we have. Also Barbapapa books.

Agree with the Oliver Jeffers books (stuck is also great) and all the johnny duddle books (especially the pirate cruncher).

Thanks ever so much for so many recommendations. Lots to choose from! I will be adding to my amazon basket forthwith.

"The Mice of St. Goran" is lovely - I have it on Kindle, and it's a favourite with all of us including DH and I never hesitate to recommend it to anyone and everyone. It has lovely characters, (and the knitting patterns to make your own mice too!) and some brilliant one liners for the grown ups, and charming adventures for the DCs. It is just lovely, and I live in hope that the author will write the long promised sequel one day.
She actually replied to me on Amazon and said she was trying so I haven't given up yet!

Well, I have spent a very enjoyable afternoon looking at all of your recommendations, and adding to my amazon wish list. Its been brilliant fun. I love the sound of so may of the books, and its lovely l feel that DS and I are moving onto some great new reads. I am really grateful for your suggestions.