Books to read to a nearly four year old

[Nadalsballs]

I just read him fantastic mr fox and he LOVED it. Any other recommendations of "proper" books for his age. Mr Fox was probably a little bit complex for him, especially the language, he seemed to really enjoy me reading it but I'm not sure how much went in!

Teddy Robinson! Absolutely perfect for a nearly 4 year old :)

Also Milly Molly Mandy, My Naughty Little Sister, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf - all the old favourites are ideal.

A bit more recent (actually not sure when they date from) - the Katie Morag books. If you don't know them they are picture books, but have a proper story too.

If you don't know Teddy Robinson (in which case you were a deprived child . . .) here he is.

Georges Marvellous Medicine

The Happy Families series

The Owl who was afraid of the dark.
Second the Katie Morag suggestion.
The Alfie books?
Allan Alhberg books about the Gaskitt family.

Other picture books with a bit more plot; Pedro the Brave. The Pirate Cruncher. There's a yeti in my potting shed. Smelly Bill.

Mine has just loved the Wishing Chair and Magic Faraway Tree books. You have to edit a little as you go along (well, I do) to counter the sexism and some of the language.

Teddy Robinson was a hit too, and Naughty Little Sister. DD is no good with even the mildest 'peril' so won't let me start Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf!

My DS2 is 4 and loves the Dr Seuss books. Current fave are Gerald McBoing Boing and the Sleep Book.

Loads of suggestions! Brilliant, thank you all. As a aside, can anyone recommend some first reader books? My son is literally just starting to read - eg cat, dog etc, nothing more complex!

My 4yr old has the Biff,Chip, Kipper set. He really likes it. It was his brother's who showed no interest in reading until he was 7. My DS2 adopted it as his own and when he should be sleeping has them all out on his bed and reads to himself

You can a box set from one of the book people groups very cheaply.

The Lighthouse Keeper books by Ronda Armitage are great, longer than normal picture books too, more like Katie Morag length. Also Katie in the Art Gallery ones by James Mayhew and Paddington. We have just finished the Naughtiest Girl ones. Dick King Smith normally goes down well with kids of all ages too.

first readers are harder - Assuming he will be doing phonics at school I personally like the Julia Donaldson Songbirds phonics but we have had those, the Read at Home Biff Chip and Kipper ones, some Collins Big Cat ones (they have more variety I think including non fiction where as Biff etc are predictable). Ruth Miskin has done loads, My mum gave us some of them she found in a bargain book shop and my 4 year old loves them. oh and she got us some usborne ones from the book people too. We also have my old Peter and Jane ones which both my girls have enjoyed and it has helped them learn to read common words more fluently.

I introduced our then almost 4yo to the naughtiest girl in the school. Unfortunately she has taken Elisabeth as a role model. She starts school next week. I pity her teachers. ..

My children loved Terry Jones' Fairy Tales Enduring updated tales with heart-warming plots.