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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Books like Enid Blytons

15 replies

MumsTheWordFact · 14/03/2021 20:57

I have read the first two of The Barney Mysteries books to my son. I loved them as a child and hope he loves them too, but I have noticed the writing isn't great even though the overall plot is good. It got me thinking, are there any modern writers that have written about children going on adventures down old tunnels, or in abandoned stately homes etc but with perhaps better characterisation etc? Sort of an Enid Blyton plot, but written by J K Rowling kind of thing.

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MargaretThursday · 15/03/2021 20:48

My ds liked the [https://davidschutte.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/4/9/37490717/cata2103.pdf Naitabal Mysteries]]

That's straight from the author himself-the books are the ones down at the bottom of the catalogue, he's a bookseller who wrote a series for children. They have a secret language, solve mysteries and have a rival gang. The author seems lovely and was really nice when ds emailed him.

He also caused great excitement for ds by using very old (but still legal tender) stamps, including (if I remember rightly) a 12 1/2p one. I don't know if he still does that though-he may have run out!

MargaretThursday · 15/03/2021 20:54

Link properly done this time!
Naitabal Mysteries

BlueChampagne · 16/03/2021 12:33

Chris Priestley's Maudlin Towers books? Boarding school setting, but more Molesworth crossed with Charles Addams!

PotholeHellhole · 17/03/2021 04:00

The Lost Children has got for fans of Enid Blyton emblazoned on the cover.

www.waterstones.com/book/mysteries-of-ravenstorm-island-the-lost-children/gillian-philip/9781408330180

Ylvamoon · 17/03/2021 04:14

Astrid Lindgren wrote some lovely children's books.
My DC enjoyed Ronja the Robbers Daughter, Karlsson on the Roof and of course Pipi Longstocking. A special favourite is The Brothers Lionheart.
I'd say they are more like adventure stories then mysteries ...

Rach247 · 17/03/2021 04:44

The Mystery of the Whistling Cave and the other books by Helen Moss are great (and also have strong female characters, unlike Blyton).

MumsTheWordFact · 19/03/2021 22:09

Thanks for these, I've not had chance to get any of them yet but they look promising.

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kennycat · 19/03/2021 22:14

What a great question! My husband and I are constantly saying modern children’s books are rubbish and they all tackle ‘issues’. We encourage our chn to read adventure type books.
We’ve just finished all of narnia and before that the psammead trilogy. Eagerly looking out for newer stuff like that!!

PotholeHellhole · 19/03/2021 22:16

I also recommend Lari Don's Spellchasers trilogy.

OublietteBravo · 19/03/2021 22:19

I like the Murder Most Unladylike series. By Robin Stevens.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 19/03/2021 22:20

My book-devouring youngest loved the Barney books (I have a complete set from my DM's childhood) and also loved Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia and the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver

MumsTheWordFact · 19/03/2021 23:14

I remember (vaguely) watching the Chronicles of Narnia on the BBC as a child but never read them until I read them to my son (who's still far too young) and loved them. I did find that the last couple weren't as good and really didn't think much to The Last Battle at all.

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MumsTheWordFact · 19/03/2021 23:17

I'm looking forward to reading The Ring O'Bells Mystery and The Rat-a-Tat Mystery as they were my favourites as a kid. My other half doesn't really like them though.

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mogtheexcellent · 19/03/2021 23:22

this series was recommended to me for DD. Still on her gift list so not idea what they are like but reviews are good. And its got 4 kids and a dog...

Occitane · 19/03/2021 23:55

My DD used to enjoy the Roman mysteries, the young Bond series and the Alex Rider series.

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