chapter books to read to a 5-year-old-girl.

[imaginaryfriend]

I'm seeking a bit of inspiration really as dd's only just got into me reading her bedtime stories which are not primarily picture books. I've had very few successes so far:

Hits:
Enid Blyton's Amelia Jane stories
The original story of Pinocchio

Misses:
Pippi Longstocking
All the Roald Dahl books I've tried so far
The Magic Faraway Tree
The Naughtiest Girl in School

Dd's not a terribly 'girly' girl although she loves 'magical' things like mermaids and Tinkerbell. I've looked at a few of the princess-type books in Waterstones and she'd hate all that pink, fluffy, friend / not-friend scenario stuff. She's mad on animals, especially rabbits.

Any / all suggestions really gratefully received.

Dick King-Smith? He does lots of animal-related books.

Mrs Pepperpot

My ds has just enjoyed having the Iron Man read to him, although I think he may mainly have been pandering to DH who remembered it vivdly from his own childhood. We are just starting with this kind of reading as he's a a wee bit younger than your dd, so will watch with interest.

Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf?

Ummm... will think some more...

how can Roald Dahl be a miss? what about more Enid Blyton. Famous Five is adored by my two (though you have to interject a modern commentary. something along the lines of "fancy deciding that somebody must be suspicious because they look foreign. what nonsense..." etc) Horrid Henry goes down well too.

Ok, I'll check out Dick King-Smith.

mazzystar, dd liked the Iron Giant too!

I've never heard of Cleverpolly.

hatwoman, I know, I loved Roald Dahl but dd's just not into it. She loves the movie of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory though.

I wondered about Famous Five.

my naughty little sister books are always good fun we are currently reading those

teddy robinson

milly molly mandy

my naughty little sister

The Sheltie books by Peter someone or other.
Dick King-Smith's Sophie books
Ramona the Pest by Beverley Cleary
Junie B Jones

anything by shirley hughes esp my naughty little sister

Also, look on Amazon for Julia Donaldson books, of Gruffalo fame - she also does books for older children

dd1 loves Princess Mirrorbelle by her

Naughty Little Sister we tried and it didn't appeal. We've got a Milly Mollie Mandy set that my mum bought for dd a while ago, I'll give those a go.

I just looked up Clever Polly on Amazon and ordered it, it looks very up dd's street.

Another vote for Sophie!

We hace a spare copy - CAT me your address and I'll put it in the post. I LOVE Sophie and would be delighted to spread her around!

a dog so small tho might be too old

the little wooden horse

yes teddy robinson but soooo old fashioned!

Do try Junie B Jones - DD3 is loving her.

the owl who was afraid of the dark by Jill Tomlinson and others in the same series

too old for her at the moment but the children of green knowe, minnow on the say, half magic all good ..still old fashioned of course

the little white horse

This is so great, thanks, I'm nipping between here and Amazon. I've put Princess Mirrorbelle in the basket.

Hi Seeker, that's very kind of you, I'll CAT you now

May I also recommend Rumer Godden. I am reading my eight-year-old Miss Happiness and Miss Flower atm. And much enjoying it after the tedium of Emily Windsnap which was her last choice.

I'm REALLY not stalking you - I didn't notice it was you until just now!

god rumer gooden - anyone read greengage summer? didn't know she'd done books for younger

velveteen rabbit

The Dick-King Smith books look great. I'm not sure about Junie B Jones though. What's it like?

See here and what a bargain too.

seeker I CAT'd you. I don't feel at all stalked, I just think we're thinking about similar things at this point in time!