I need some new ideas for books to read to dd (nearly 6)

[imaginaryfriend]

She's only just moved from me reading her picture books to reading her chapter books. I've found it quite hard to come up with things that appeal to her, but thanks to some great suggestions on here I've had huge success with:

Princess Mirror-Belle stories
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf
George's Marvellous Medicine (Roald Dahl although she doesn't like any of his other books)
Arabel's Raven
Pinnocchio
All the Amelia Jane stories

She generally seems to favour books which are quite funny and a little bit surreal / magical. She hasn't liked any of the Animal Ark type stories, nor the Magic Unicorn / fairy type books.

I'd love some new suggestions. I've just started an Ottoline book by Chris Riddell but she's not too impressed so far!

How about Enid Blyton's 'The Faraway Tree'? I know some people aren't keen on Blyton stories these days but I used to love reading this.

I don't have a problem with Enid Blyton - dd's adored the Amelia Jane books but she didn't go for The Faraway Tree. I don't think she was drawn to any of the characters.

My ds (6) loves the Dirty Bertie books! My dd listens to them too and thinks they are funny. Toilet humour though.

Dd liked (still does) things like Pippi Longstocking, Tom's Midnight Garden, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Aren't they picture books rather than chapter books though? I've wondered about the Horrid Henry books.

Yes, Horrid Henry good too.

I was convinced dd would like Pippi Longstocking, I thought it would be perfect, but she doesn't.

I'd love to read her the other two you mentioned WWB but I don't think she's 'mature' enough to handle them. She likes quite simple and direct stories so far and won't listen to anything with much of a preamble. Sigh ...

I tried some of the moomin books and she hated them!

Lion Witch & Wardrobe? Or is that too 'fairy-type'?

How about Grimms fairy tales - I loved these too.

Tigana - she likes fairy things but not when they're too sugary-sweet. I wonder about C.S. Lewis ... Maybe she would go for that.

Yes, Grimms would be good. She loved, absolutely loved, the original story of Pinocchio. And embarrassingly she loved a book by Madonna someone got her for Christmas, called 'Lotsa da Casha' ... yuck.

Narnia not v sugary imo.
How about childs versions of greek myths? My Dad read these to me as a young child. Loved them. Theseus, perseus, Jason & argonauts and Aphrodite in the underworld etc.

What about something like A Bear called Paddington, or Olga da Polga?

My Naughty Little Sister?

Paddington was a no-no.

Who wrote Olga da Polga?

Yes, My Naughty Little Sister has been on my list too, thanks for reminding me!

Have you tried the Sophie books by Dick King-Smith? DD1 (5) loved these, and they were a pleasure to read aloud as well. She also loved the Horrid Henry books, and we have also read some of Rumer Godden's such as The Fairy Doll, Holly and Ivy and The Doll's House.

I've got some of the Sophie books, kindly given to me by a MNetter, we should try those next.

I think I'll definitely put one of the Horrid Henry books on my Amazon order.

Rumer Godden hasn't appealed to dd so far but I'll maybe give her another try.

Thanks!

Have a look at Redhouse they have some excellent deals on childrens books and usually have a good selection. Also, I have found on many occasions that Waterstones is actually cheaper than Amazon and I think they have free delivery at the moment.

I've ordered from Redhouse before actually but I prefer to have a title in mind before I start looking. I've bought a lot of things that dd just doesn't like so am being a bit more picky now.

KATIE MORAG

they are hilarious

The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch

another funny one

The Quigleys books by Simon Mason are really good-my ds loves them!

They're about a family-Mum,Dad,Will and Lucy Quigley and each book has several stories about them.

They're especially good because they have 'real' characters that aren't perfect all the time and there is a lot of humour in them too!

Try charity shops for Horrid HEnry books. They are only four chapters long and we normally get through them in one day. Much better to pick one up for 50p, then £4, especially if you're not sure whether she will like them. What about the Beverly Clearly Ramona books, though I'm not sure these are still in print.

I used to love the Ramona books - is that Ramona the Pest?

Good plan re. the Henry books. There are tons aren't there? Maybe I'll look on ebay for some.

Try Flat Stanley
Dragon in class Four
Magic treehouse (not faraway tree)
Mr Majeika

DS (6) loves all of these

we have already read Faraway Tree and Wishing Chair

Go to the library......far cheaper and so much fun!!