free reading - what books for 5yo?

[burnheranyway]

5yo dd is so keen to read on her own at the moment but most of the books we have are either too babyish or the content is too old for her. She is reading the Enchanted Wood books right now so that's about the level she's at. What other books are good for children to read alone? If it's too difficult she will just lose interest.

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As you recognise it's important to get the right level. I would say go and browse in a bookshop and see what appeals to her. Also if you read with her - take turns - and support her she is less likely to give up if it's difficult. Then stop when you get to a cliffhanger and she'll want to read on alone.

"Sprinters" books are good for this level.
Sally Gardner: The boy who could fly (and others in that series are good)
Anne Fine has written lots of shorter/easy books for this stage
Some of the Roald Dahl books are accessible, as are Horrid Henry if that's your thing, and those sparkly fairy books and Enchanted Unicorns and so on that are everywhere in bookshops these days.

Wow, thanks Roisin. We do have some Roald Dahl books, three or four of them I think. I'll try her on them tomorrow. Great tip about doing it together and leaving a cliffhanger too. I hadn't thought of that!

bump

Dd1 reads Milly Molly Landy to herself, they are form the free reading pile at school.
Also, Secret Unicrn, rainbow Fairies, Dancing shoes, loads of mermaid type form the library.
Cherry Tree Farm and the others are good.
Naughty little Sister.
Also, lotsof non fiction. She has an Usborne Encyclopediea wgich she loves, and an atlas.
And various books about animals and nature.

I remember Milly Molly Mandy! I might even have my own old copy ina box somewhere. It would be nice for dd to have it.

Magic Kitten are also good and maybe she could start the Famous Five / Secret Seven / Five find outers etc? My dd (just 6) likes all of these plus she has read Roald Dahl and teh seriously silly story collection from the book people.

She also loves non fiction - the Kngfisher Young knoldge and Dorling Kindersley Eye wonder are excellent as she can dip in and out whenever she likes. She has a 'my first bible' to and she loves those stories.

My DD is also a 'free reader'. She loves anything non-fiction. There are some great series out there e.g. DK EyeWonder series, Usborne etc.
They provide new vocab and also all the facts that she loves to learn (and spout back at us).
She picked up a Magic Kitten book in Tescos the other day and really wanted it. She is only 2yr7ms so I said no to it. Finding appropriate content for a 2yr old with a reading age of a 9yr+ is sooooo hard. I will look out for Milly MM.

mmm are a bit dull imo

er......let me think

Just thought of some more- any early Dick King Smith books, Anne Fine, Animal Ark series, Horrid Henry...

Hi

New here so hello evevryone.

My daughter (5) is very sensitive and gets scared by the Rainbow Fairies !

She has read and enjoyed, Secret Unicorn, Teddy Robinson, Olga de Polga, Animal Ark, Clarice Bean, Mrs Pepperpot, Milly Molly Mandy, Usbourne puzzle books, Usbourne encyclopeadias and Sheltie books. I'll try and remember more but she goes through about 10 books a week, we're rapidly exhausting the library.

HTH

DD is just 6 and loves a series of books called Nina Fairy Ballerina. She also like My Naughty Little Sister, Milly Molly Mandy & Rainbow Fairies.

This is strange as I was about to post this !Kitty books by Bel Mooney are a fave in our house, some Enid Blytons are ok, The Twits, Georges Marvellous Medicone and ESIO TROT went down well. Think we might try Fantastic Mr Fox to, My DD doesnt like My naughty little sister or MMM and I think Clarice Bean is a bit too much yet ( am I wrong? ) Some Pat Hutchins are quite good - Follow that Bus, The House that sailed away and Rats. I am very grateful for the new ideas, hope mine are useful to!

Forgot to add that Granny has just bought first few Worst Witch stories... dont know how they will be received.

What about Pippi Longstocking or Mrs Pepperpot? The Dick King-Smith stories for younger readers, anything by Jeremy Strong

Maybe even the Moomintroll books (these are more challenging but lovely to read aloud).

My DD enjoyed The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe at 6. Might be too long for 5 but has lots of nice pictures to keep young readers going.

Also Stig of the Dump, Flat Stanley, Paddington Bear.

Those dreary Animal Ark books were very popular too.

Hope this helps!

Perhaps Joan Aiken's A Necklace of Raindrops?

Have you tried the Witch-In-Training books or The Worst With by Jill Murphy. Also anything by Roald Dahl or Flat Stanley - there is a series of six Stanley books in all.

My ds is 6 and is really enjoying the Secret 7 at the moment. I hate them with a passion, but they are perfect for this early free reading stage

And I've just remembered how much dd loved Dick King Smith's Sophie stories at this age. Lovely stories, interesting language - perfect for 6 year old good readers! And good for reading aloud too, so you can take turns without having to knaw your own leg off from boredom!