Miss Grainger Suggests (TM)

[binkie]

Following on from masses of threads about book recommendations for particular kinds of children, and the depressingness of school library resources: a suggestion: we pool our knowledge and put together a range of booklists.

First step is to decide what categories to cover. Suggestions that I can remember so far are:

• a very advanced early reader (so 4/5/6 - reception/year 1)

• a reluctant older reader (let's say 8-9)

• an advanced older reader (8/9/10) not yet ready for "teen" or "worldly-wise" books. Would split this one into girls and boys, I think

• we could do thematic - like horse-mad, ballet shoes, dungeons & dragons, funny.

Any others? (And votes as to whether the above are good?)

(And PS, I know there's a Mumsnet Best for books, but that's a Top Ten For Everyone sort of list. Idea of this is that it's targeted.)

Yes, 'read together' picture books for tinies, and maybe 'read together' books for early readers, to introduce them to more challenging books they couldn't manage (yet) for themselves.

Roisin, CAT me your email address (lost it ) and will mail you my list. It is a work-in-progress, though.

Frogs, did you see my post lower down about your "list of sub-adult fiction suitable for 10+" Could you email a copy to me too please?
Ta

Whoops - crossed posts with you

Ha! I've lost yours too
It's obviously a long time since we've 'spoken'. It must have been on my old PC. I'll CAT you.

No pissing pineapples? Count me in.

Ages ago I posted a list, with permission, compiled by friends of mine aimed at advanced readers. It's here

Goodness, this has whooshed off while I was out yesterday (hearing Steven Isserlis play Bach cello suites in an Adam drawing-room swoon)

I am a wee bit busy at work today so please do not feel I am being dilatory if I'm not around much. Lots to be done at weekend, and hmm, can imagine quite a nice meet-up working party too ...

PS we're dish of the day on the Home page.

fab idea, I've already started compiling my own list of favourites for my DD, and she's only 14 months!!

Frogs I'm quite new to MN, but would love it if you could send me your list too, would you mind CAT ing me, and I'll send you my email address? Is that the best way?

Got a suggestion for the list for older teenage girls, following on from aloha's suggestions - Georgette Heyer - well written, historical loveliness!

I'd be happy to gather in e-mails of people who'd specially like to be involved & we can then do round-robin sharing (plus skirmishing off-board)?

CAT me your details if you would like that.

This is a great idea and I'd love to be involved.

Can we add a category of 'transitional' books for 4 and 5 year olds who are making the jump from picture books to longer and more involved chapter stories (Dark and Stormy night by the Ahlbergs would be an example of this.

I will CAT you binkie.

Hi, can I crib off you all please?! I've been meaning to sit down and look through all those threads of recommendations and collate...but haven't got round to it, but would love more suggestions. Can I CAT you, binkie?

Can we have a category for "starting reading" too, do you think? I think this may be the same one as Issymum's.

And a list of Indecent Fiction for grownups would be fun too

Agree with motherinferior, frogs, bee3 that it wd be good to have a starting reading category too. I've noticed with DS who's 2 that there are a few books where he's starting to take an interest in the actual words as opposed to simply enjoying the pictures and story, and it wd be good to have more ideas for similar books.

Can I echo Puddle - My DS is 4 and am trying to get him interested in "chapter" books - would love some suggestions.

Have bought some Enid Blyton - Magic Faraway Tree - already though! Hope that doesn't count me out!

This is a great idea!

Also like the Indecent Fiction for Grown-ups!!!

Budababe - try Flat Stanley. Lovely, really short chapters. Is he just four or nearly five?

Buda my ds loved the faraway tree at that age. Can I also recommend Jamie and Angus stories by Anne Fine - Jamie is a little boy and Angus is his toy cow.

Aloha - thanks for that - he was 4 in August.

Puddle - thanks also - will have a look at those also.

Thanks to people who've sent me their details - I should say, my system which links into my CAT was misbehaving last night so I am not sure if replies got sent.

Anyway, main thing I wanted to say is: would it be OK for e-mails to be round-robin? - ie, that would mean if you've sent me your details those would end up being shared w/ other people involved? I know this sounds over-cautious, but I also know some people like to control where their e-mail details get to!

So far I have CATs from puddle, Radida and Marina; I am also rather taking it for granted that Motherinferior, roisin & frogs are "in"?? Others very very welcome. Also have nice e-mail from MN HQ saying project is on the agenda for their next meeting.

Please do let me know if you have concerns about the e-mailing, tho.

binkie - would love to be included too, and will send you a CAT message.

i would be interested too. especially in the books for not-quite-reading 4-6 year olds.

for "chapter books", my 4 and 5 year olds like Horrid Henry, Faraway tree, Clarice Bean, My naughty little sister.

though actually their current favourites are the Oxford Reading Tree books, especially the Magic Key.

Brilliant idea binkie (ds read one line of his reception reading book on his own last night so of course I will be moving him on to Lord of the Flies forthwith ). I will have a think and also talk to dh (voracious reader) about his fave kids books.

binkie I have replied to your email

Round robin emails are fine with me.

Hi binkie can you count me in as well, sorry don't know what this CAT thing is though someone please explain. Proud to say was an avid Enid Blyton reader have 3 boys who probably won't be interested in Mallory Towers or St Clares saga ho hum

Me too, please, please, please.