Reading books for 4 year old DD

[julybutterfly]

Yes I know reading ahead of average doesn't make her G&T but I also know someone here will be able to give me some advice!

DD is bringing home ORT level 4 books from nursery, but is reading (fluently, with expression and comprehension) ahead of this at home. She wants some more 'collections' of books but I have no idea what would be suitable for her. She's got all the Biff, Chip and Kipper read at home books up to stage 5 (bought by a family member) and we've got the Read, Write Inc set and all 4 Superphonic sets. These have about the right amount of pages in for her at the moment so does anybody know of any other collections similar to these?

TIA

My daughter loved the Apple Tree Farm stories at this stage - we have a big book with 20 of the stories, called Farmyard Stories (or Farmyard Tales) - they are apparently around level 5 or so. There's an easy sentence at the top and a longer one at the bottom of each page so it's easy to take turns if she doesn't want to read the whole thing, although it sounds like she would be able to manage them. Very age appropriate too. And also, any picture books which are designed to be read to this age group - my daughter (with her teacher's blessing) is reading her school library book most days. Her teacher realises her actual reading books aren't really appropriate, but for various reasons is unable to move her up by several levels. Hope this helps.

My DS was reading at 3, and now in reception has finished the whole ORT scheme. had the best chat yesterday with the headteacher who told me the most common-sensical advice any professional has given me so far and that is, to just let them read. Anything, everything, it's not what you read, it's how you as a parent talk/ share/ extend them that is the key. Sounds like your DD is a little bookworm; how about the twits, enormous crocodile, amelia jane, flat stanley..... enjoy, it's such a delight having a child who loves books.

Why don't you take her to the library and let her choose whatever she fancies? If the text is a bit difficult for her then you can help her with it, if she finds it easy it won't actually do her any harm.

If you go to your library you will find that books are graded in reading difficulty in one area. Even if they are not, you can let her have a free choice.

Unfortunately our library has shut down. We did have a look on Amazon together yesterday and DD chose some books to 'look inside' to see if they looked ok for her. She settled on the Winnie The Witch collection which I agree with. I don't think she's ready for chapter books yet as she did seem a bit put off by the lack of pictures in them!

Thanks for the replies....will check back next time she's requesting more reading material!

The Usborne Young Readers are very good - there are fiction and non-fiction and I seem to remember 2 levels. All are illustrated, some with photos. There are also Colour Young Puffins for this kind of level. We found lots at the library, though I see that's no good for you. It can be tricky when they're very keen but still at the stage where the 'wrong level' puts them off.

Is there no library close to you at all then? Our local library is 6 miles away, and when I was growing up the nearest one was 10 miles away, but we still make regular use of it.

Libraries are great because it gives them such an opportunity to choose anything that they fancy, I have always been suprised by some of the choices that mine come home with! I know you can look on Amazon etc, but they outgrow books so quickly at this age, and change their minds about what they like, that if you can get to a library it makes sense.

DD (who is 5) loves Winnie the Witch.

What about the Poppy and Max ones? I got a bundle at £1 a piece from RedHouse or TheBookPeople a couple of years ago for party bags.

No the closest library is 10 miles away, but it costs a fortune to park in the town car park and I'm not even sure how far the library is from the car park!

I have just discovered there is a mobile library doing the rounds though so will find out which days they're close to us.

biscuitemoticon The Winnie The Witch books are from The Book People - I'm an addict to their site!

singersgirl Thanks. DS has some Usborne books in his bookcase so I'll dig them out and see how she gets on

Rigby star seem really good. Our 4yr old has flown with them. They have the right amount of exciting text and language with good illustrations.

What about My Naughty Little Sister? They are chapter books, but each chapter is a self-contained story, and there are lovely illustrations.
The Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler books are great.
Dr Seuss is good, becauuse so much of the content is phonetic (cat in the hat, green eggs and ham, fox in socks etc) the pictures are fun, and the stories are mad in a zany 4 yo way.
Also mrs pepperpot, my sister lotta, winnie the witch, all without resorting to 'reading scheme' type books.

Oo I forgot about My Naughty little sister. I loved those when I was little. Have realised today that she is in fact bringing home orange banded books which I think is stage 6? She's turned into a proper little bookworm the last few weeks!

My daughter loved the Mog books when she first could read, I love them too - they are about a cat who has great charactor.

There are so many great books when they get to this stage that I hardly know where to start. She could probably have a go at most basic story books with a little support and Mr Men / Little Miss books are good too.

Have a look at First Young Puffin, Osborne Phonics readers and Frank Rodgers Witches Dog books.

I would recommend The Book People for book lovers as you can get some fantastic sets of books at unbelievable prices. We have a house full of books. Some from the Book People but also from charity shops - do you have any of those locally.

Good Luck - it is such a pleasure to have a child / children who love to read!

Ds (age 3) loves naughty little sister books too. He's bemused by the Rainbow fairies that his sisiter gave him, I think a bit disappointed by the lack of anything nasty happening to Jack Frost. He's just reading over my shoulder and says he likes the Red Arrows and Concorde guide, but I don't expect your dd is very interested in that?
He is beginning to enjoy Secret Seven and other Enid Blytons, like Mr. Pink Whistle and Faraway tree/Wishing chair.