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Children's books

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Books for 8 year old with ASD

9 replies

Ieatmypeaswithhoney · 26/03/2018 10:17

My nearly 8 year old son is on the autistic spectrum. He is an avid reader but we have to be quite careful about what he reads as he is easily influenced and we find books with violence / fighting / naughty behaviour lead to an increase in his violent / challenging behaviour.

Does anyone have any recommendations for exciting but peaceful books? He has loved Tom Gates, the Pamela Butchart books, 13 Storey Treehouse series and Diary of a Wimpy Kid (although we discovered too late that Wimpy Kid is a bit too old for him). Things like Tom &Jerry, Horrid Henry even Horrible Histories need to be avoided.

Any thoughts much appreciated!!


MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best books for eight-year-olds has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options, from best-sellers to lesser known gems, and has been complied using recommendations from Mumsnet users. We hope it’s helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
Sadik · 26/03/2018 16:42

The No. 1 Car Spotter books are lovely - they're about a car obsessed boy who solves all sorts of problems in his village.

Alexander McCall Smith also has a series of childrens books about a boy called Akimbo, again they're exciting but not violent/destructive.

Also, thinking of older books, mIght the original Wombles stories (which are full length chapter books) appeal? Lots of things happen, but it's all very positive IYKWIM.

Ricekrispie22 · 26/03/2018 19:54

Geronimo Stilton
Flat Stanley
Flying Fergus
The Adventures of Alfie Onion
Thimble Monkey Superstar
The Hodgeheg
The hundred mile an hour dog

Ricekrispie22 · 26/03/2018 19:57

Also, Bear Grylls has written a series of survival stories for children of this age called 'Bear grylls Adventures'.

leccybill · 26/03/2018 19:59

Chronicles of Narnia?

Leeds2 · 26/03/2018 21:25

Paddington books might be popular if he has seen the recent film.
Books by Jeremy Strong.
Finn Family Moomintroll.
Animal Ark books by Lucy Daniels.
Mr Majeika books by Humphrey Carpenter.
Humphrey the Hamster books by Betty Birney.

brilliotic · 27/03/2018 10:55

I think in general in the 'classic' children's books the children are quite well behaved (except those explicitly about 'naughty' children). Swallows and Amazons? Five children and It?
These children do have a lot more independence than modern day children though, so consider if that might be a problem.

Also, Fizzlebert Stump comes to mind. Only child in a travelling circus, always a bit lonely, a bit 'different'. When he tries to join a library, he needs a grown-up's signature, a random kindly old lady pretends to be his grandmother and signs for him - but then coerces him into going 'home' with her by threatening to reveal that he 'faked' a signature and would get into trouble. Out of fear he goes with her, is imprisoned in her house and set to clean/tidy the house, together with another kidnapped child. They manage to escape and the circus sea lion is instrumental in them being rescued.
Quirky kid, lots of funny, an unusual adventure.

Ieatmypeaswithhoney · 27/03/2018 15:58

Thank you everyone!! Lots of ideas - much appreciated.

OP posts:
tiggersneverdie · 07/04/2018 05:24

Another one here saying Flat Stanley

If he likes animals, anything by Dick King Smith
Paddington Bear series and Olga Da Polga series both by Michael Bond

tiggersneverdie · 07/04/2018 05:25

Famous Five
Secret Seven
The Secret Of series
The Magic Faraway Tree

all by Enid Blyton

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