Books with 'characters'

[christinarossetti]

My dd is just 6 and, in her own words, likes 'books with interesting characters that are quite ordinary'. I know what she means - she's read all of Roald Dahl several times, although we haven't found anything else that grabs her in the same way.

She won't read Rainbow Fairies or the like and wasn't over keen on a Secret Seven book, but I'll try again. She hasn't minded The Worst Witch series, but doesn't love them.

What other books might grab this age group?

TIA

If she's reading Roald Dahl could she start on the Harry Potter series?

Also David Walliams books are similar to Roald Dahl's style.

I hadn't considered Harry Potter - how scary are the books? And are the characters really developed (this seems to be what she's interested in more than what happens, iyswim)?

Will look at David Walliams, thanks.

the first couple of harry potters are ok I think but I would then think carefully about some of the later ones.

if she didn't like secret seven (I never did - they just seemed different to the others) you could still try the enid blyton adventure series. Castle of adventure, ship of adventure etc. I always preferred them.

The secret garden? ballet shoes? swish of the curtain? Railway children.

Chronicles of Narnia?
DS1 who is nearly 6 is enjoying The Wishing Chair
Sophie and the Shadow Woods

I second the Enid Blyton 'Adventure' series - I loved them, and the school ones too (Mallory Towers et al). The Railway Children, Ballet Shoes and Five Children and It?

oh yes forgot the Magic Faraway Tree and The Wishing Chair. I was a big Chalet School fan when I was younger, and mallory towers.

the book of Mary Poppins, is there a book called The Little Princess? another Frances Hodgson Burnett one. Also erm Phoenix and the Carpet? is that another? I am trying to remember now. we have lots in the loft but my children aren't ready for them yet. Just William etc.

is Paddington a possibility? They are quite thick chapter books, the original Womble books too. I know they aren't people but they are quite classic ones and she is still young.
Gobbolino the Witches Cat, Carbonel, Black Beauty.

oh and Heidi. I used to like Heidi.
Ramona
some Rumer Godden books. Dick King Smith.

The Sophie books by Dick King Smith? Esp the ones where Sophie is older, probably

Anna Hibiscus series, maybe, too

Charlotte's Web, Alison Uttley - A Traveller in Time (I am not sure of the age for this but I vaguely remember it and they are reprinting it - she wrote Little Grey Rabbit), Milly Molly Mandy, Mrs Pepperpot, My Naughty Little Sister, The Naughtiest Girl in the School, Amelia Jane, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf,

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=390729&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&categoryId=48107 might be worth a try if you can find them in the library.

www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Street-Puffin-Modern-Classics/dp/014132967X/ref=pd_sim_b_46 I vaguely remember reading this myself

these Ottoline ones look good www.amazon.co.uk/Ottoline-Yellow-Cat-Chris-Riddell/dp/1405050578/ref=pd_sim_b_88

My DD (also 6) loves the Horrid Henry books, which are very character-driven if you can bear it. They don't necessarily encourage the loveliest of behaviour - but they have got her into reading quietly to herself when nothing else did...

I loved Dick King Smith, Asterix, Lynne Reid Banks, Penelope Lively, Roald Dahl, the Olga da Polga ones, Bunnicular (sp) Jacqueline Wilson, Judy Blume, and more recently the Terry Pratchett for younger readers, the babysitters series.
Would probably have to reread to make sure they were ok for a six year old first though.

Judy Moody

Oh thanks, that's a great list.

I loved "All about the Bullerby Children" by Astrid Lindgren when I was little - the characters are ordinary children but they live in such a different culture (rural Sweden) that the things they do seem quite extraordinary. (Some perfunctory googling seems to indicate that the book might now be called "Happy Times in Noisy Village.")

Pippi Longstocking - definitely a character! Thanks for the reminder TheSurgeonsMate
Original Magic Roundabout books (Eric Thomson) - good vocabulary

Swallows and Amazons?

I have a copy of The Bullerby Children which my mum bought from the library when I was little, I always loved it, must get it out of the loft for my kids.

Started "Bill's New Frock" with DS1 last night which I would heartily recommend! Probably anything by Anne Fine.

Enid Blyton had strong individual characters in all her stories! Also in Rupert Bear,with his friends Ching and Bill Badger! So important! As do all really good Authors! They well understand the workings of a child's mind!