Book gift recommendations

[17caterpillars1mouse]

I'm looking for book recommendations for my two dds as I'm making them a box of books each as part of their Christmas presents.

Dd1 is 6 (going into year two). She is a reluctant and unconfident reader but loves being read to and loves short chapter books with plenty of pictures. She loves anything supernatural and already enjoys the Isadora moon and Mirabelle books. She doesn't enjoy more old fashioned stories like Enid Blyton or Ronald Dahl.

I've currently got her a book called Ghost cat and Toto the Ninja cat.

Dd2 is 4 at Christmas and enjoys more old fashioned stories such as Paddington, my naughty little sister and topsy and Tim. She enjoys Julia Donaldson but we've read most of them and also the short chapter books, Squishy Mcfluff. She loves anything girly and unicorns.

I've currently got her Tiddler, 10 minutes to bed baby unicorn and the Brambly Hedge pop up book on pre-order.

Any suggestions for either daughter are greatly appreciated thanks

Wait what? There's a brambly hedge pop up Book??? misses point of lovely thread

The worst witch series for dd1?
The Nick Butterworth Percy the Park Keeper series for dd2?

I know you said not old fashioned, but Tom's Midnight Garden or The Little Broomstick are good classic and supernatural themed...

DD2 might like You Choose series for less reading but more active discussions...

Oh and the Michael Morpugo version of the Snowman is a lovely joint read for them over the advent period...

My 6 year old has similar tastes and is enjoying isadora moon. Other books on my list for her are Rainbow Grey, Flat Stanley and rabbit and bear.

The Boy who grew dragons by Andy Shepherd is a really good series.

The Nevermore series by Jessica Townsend is excellent but might be a little bit old yet. I'm reading it to DS7 but I'm enjoying it as much as he is.

For DD2 have you got Clever Polly and the stupid wolf? They're old but we're a massive hit when DS was about 5.

My 4 year old isn’t particularly girly so might not be relevant but likes the Elmer books and Winnie the Witch.

Rabbit & Bear have been a huge hit with Ds7 & Dd6 with differing reading tastes. Dd5 is also listening to them and having a go at reading bits. Mudpuddle farm by Michael Morpurgo were good for Ds7 who was well behind reading in yr2 and not keen. The Hodgepeg, Sheep pig etc by Dick King Smith. Winnie & Wilbur aren’t all chapter books but lots of pictures. My youngest will be nearly 4 at Christmas and at the moment loves Landy & Fender books, Hugless Douglas,
Cops & Robbers, Burglar Bill, any of the Large family books by Jill Murphy.

My DD who was also an unconfident, reluctant reader and liked stories with pictures enjoyed Winnie the Witch, Amelia Fang and Monstrous Maud (though I think the latter two were read to her at 6).

Winnie the Witch was the first chapter book series she read herself and got her into reading. Some titles are available as Read with Oxford with clear type face and lovely coloured illustrations.

Not supernatural but she also enjoyed The trouble with Daisy, Dirty Bertie and Pamela Butchart books (Wigglesbottom Primary and a year or so later Baby Aliens collection). These were books she could read herself.

For Dd1, Pippi Longstocking is old but really fun. Likewise the Mrs Pepporpot stories - both to be read aloud to.
Another rec for The Boy Who Grew Dragons series. My dragon-obsessed DD wrote to Andy Shepherd (the author) and she wrote back, twice!
The Oliver Moon series is delightful - young wizard (I think he’s in Y3 so maybe more digestible than HP at this stage)
And Frog and Toad are great for reading practice (or Tog and Froad as I call them!) Bit pricey on Amazon though.

For Dd2, Stickman (JD) is a lovely Christmas one.
my kids are older now so will try and remember some good ones for 4 😊

The ‘Kitty’ series by Paula Harrison
Marge in Charge
Hotel Flamingo
The Naughtiest Unicorn
Amelia Fang

For DD2, there is a new Julia Donaldson coming out next month so might be a good one to add to the list!

My son loves Julia Donaldson and his other favourite is Rachel Bright (Hugasaurus, Squirrels who Squabbled etc) so her books might be worth a look - I love reading them too.

We have Zombierella from the Fairy Tales Gone Bad series which fits the bill for 6 6ear old. Not read it yet but reviews are good.
Also The Litle Witch and The Little Ghost by Otfried Preussler and there's Gobbolino The Witch's Cat but they might all be a bit too old reading age wise and maybe too old fashioned.

For 4 year old - sounds more like what my DD enjoys - The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Golden? Noddy is old fashioned and was enjoyed here as were the Little Bear / old bear Series and You Choose.

I know you said she didn't like old fashioned books, but my dd loved the worst witch series at that age even though she didn't like others like Enid Blyton.
She also loved The Bolds series by Julian Clary, very funny!
Some of the younger David Walliams books might be good too, Slime or Fing were also enjoyed

Down The Back of the Chair: 1 amzn.eu/d/3nV7uI1

this was a big favourite of ours 🥰 more for the 4yo, but they should both enjoy it - lots of beautiful illustrations.

Boy who grew dragon series was a big hit my 7 year old DD - she’s also now totally obsessed with dragons. @AiryFairy1 where did you write to the author?

Hotel flamingo was a hit and it’s got lovely colourful pictures.

I got her the new Pippi Longstocking book illustrated by Lauren Child. We didn’t get past the first few pages as she didn’t like the concept of the girl living alone (she’s fairly sensitive) but happy to send it to someone if they can make use of it?

She loved Christmasaurus book last Christmas and Think Like an Elf by Lauren Child.

Also enjoyed the Dick King Smith books - particularly Queens Nose.

@Bucks2015 just via her website… were looking to see if there were any new books on the horizon.

Sorry for the slow response but thank you everyone

I have now ordered for dd1

• the boy who grew dragons
• the little broomstick
• Monsterous Maud

We've already read quite a few of the recommendations also

For dd2 I am definitely getting clever Polly and the stupid wolf and You choose fairytale (we have the main you choose one which she likes).

I'm also going to look at Noddy as that seems right up her street