Childrens books with zero threat

[mrsmortis]

Hi,

My DD is 6 and in Y1. She has a reading age of 8+. My problem is finding her books that she can and will read independently. While she has a high reading age her ability to deal with threat in the stories is almost nonexistent. If we are reading together and the threat level is too high for her then she will read if I hold the book. If she is reading to herself she will not only stop reading but she will leave the room to get away from whatever she doesn't like in the story. She can just about manage the level of threat in Rainbow Magic books, but anything with more threat than that is too much, and Rainbow Magic are too easy for her.

So can any of you recommend some books that will be a bit more challenging to her from a reading skills perspective than Rainbow Magic or Dick King Smith's Sophie books but which have little or no threat? We are using non fiction books but not many of the ones we've found have the level of continuous narrative that a fiction book has.

Thanks in advance,

Roz.

What about Paddington?

My Naughty Little Sister books by Dorothy Edwards? There is a modern day equivalent called Iggy & Me, which are slightly easier to read.

The Oh Kitty series by Bel Mooney is good. Like My Naughty Little Sister.

Also Bad Cat Good Cat by Lynn Reid Banks was a big hit here.

Not Paddington, I suspect, because he's always getting into tricky situations (at least if your dd includes social awkwardness as threat).

What about Milly Molly Mandy - definitely a higher reading level than Rainbow Magic, and incredibly gentle stories. Swallows and Amazons is a big step up in terms of reading ability, but again zero threat.

Katie Morag
Winnie the Witch (short stories for 5-8yo)

Teddy Robinson stories are also lovely - obviously they're written to be read aloud to smaller chldren, but nice for an older child to read to themselves, and suitably non-threatening.

Depending on whether she's upset by chaos (as opposed to danger), what about Professor Branestawm? DD liked those when she wouldn't read Paddington, I think because Prof B. doesn't get blamed for his disasters, IYKWIM.

She sounds like my year one DD, although mine won't read alone yet.

Have you tried the Jill Tomlinson animal books? The owl who was afraid of the dark and a whole series of others. DD coped well with the teeny, tiny, obviously going to be okay by the end, threats in these.

She's quite capable of reading Swallows and Amazons but I've been reading them as bedtime stories so she has decided that they are books for Mummy to read to her rather than for her to read herself.

I've tried Pippi and the Faraway Tree but she's run away from both of those...

I hadn't thought of Milly Molly Mandy, it's a long time since I read them. I think I might see if I can get one of those from the library on Sat. And Prof Branestawm isn't something I'm familiar with, so I'll see if I can have a look at one of those too.

If S&A would be fine for level, then also what about The Family from One End Street and the sequels, also Ballet Shoes + the other Noel Streatfields.

Bit old fashioned maybe but...

Bunchy, by the author of Milly Molly Mandy is very gentle

Mrs Pepperpot?

Mary Kate books?

A country child by Alison Uttley? In fact lots of Alison Uttley might be the right sort of thing.

Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (actually there are some mildly alarming things in these, but not too scary)

Heidi?

If she likes Rainbow Magic, you could try either The Secret Kingdom series or Glitterwings Academy.

Both are based on fairy worlds, but a bit more varied and with a higher level of language than Rainbow Magic.

Dd age 6 has just started reading the borrowers.
Would matilda be too scary? Dd loved it but mainly coz its her name!

Mr majeika

Jill Tomlinson books - the Owl who was Afraid of the Dark etc

You could try her with some sports story books. There are an assortment of football academy ones, Glory Gardens ( cricket) are a bit more challenging reading and have girls playing cricket as well as boys. Our library have a bunch of sport biographies for about reading age 7+ , Jessica Ennis, Chris Hoy, Ellie Simmonds etc
My 8 year old who hates suspense and mild peril has been ok with those.

other sets he has liked

Horrid Henry
Mr Majeka
Asterix
Jack Stalwart ( kiddy spy stories, may be too much mild peril)

Old fashioned,
Malory Towers/ St Clares
Naughtiest girl goes to school etc
Worst witch
Apple bough ( Noel Stretfield)
Swallows and Amazons ( there are some cliffhangers so tread carefully)