Story books to read at night-suggestions please

[littlebylittle]

Just had an "oh my goodness" moment! We read stories at bedtime every night to dd, 5. These are almost exclusively picture books, although we have just read "the owl who was afraid of the dark". A friend mentioned they were reading Harry potter! Should I worry or change? Dd enjoys the stories we read but I would be grateful for suggestions of next stage-short ish novels I guess.

Nothing wrong with favourite picture books but perhaps introduce some Roald Dahl stories, Pippi Longstocking, Secret Seven etc. I've noticed that reading books to my dc's that are slightly above their reading ability, really helps with their vocabulary and comprehension. For more ideas, see the childrens' books topic here on Mumsnet or your local library or bookshop will help.

If you're reading, definitely take it up a level. Your dd will be reading her own picture books soon, so you can start on chapter books!

Personally wouldn't choose Harry Potter for younger children, but dd aged 4 listens in when I read to the older ones.

I'd second Roald Dahl, and would do anything to avoid those fairy books one more time.:)

I second the fairy books! Dd had a set for her birthday- took one look inside and realised I couldn't bear to read aloud! Not without begging anyway! I have a fab book of animal stories from when I was little. Think we'll start there. Quite excited, seems a whole world of stories opening up. Think will help stamina. Hers, not nec mine! Pippi long stocking- brings back memories.

We read story books with DS (4). So far we have read all the Roald Dahls, The Magic Farawy Tree books, some Secret Sevens, Roddy Doyle's The Giggler Treatment, The Little Prince and we're currently reading Beverley Nichols' The Stream that Stood Still.

I think we will read the first three Harry Potters soon as DS has seen those films and loves them.

We also read chapter books.

DS (5) is currently loving Charlie & the Chocolate factory.

He also enjoyed the Mrs pepperpot books

We do one picture book and then a chapter from a chapter book each night, currently reading The Wombles.

I'd suggest pushing on if you are doing the reading. As an example when DD was 5 I read Secret Seven books to her and now she is 7 she is reading them again by herself.

If you are reading you should be a year or two in advance of what she can read because you can offer insight and explanation and won't stumble over "difficult" words.

Still reading picture books with ds nearly 5. He's happy, I'm happy.

Got me thinking too! Maybe I'll dig out some Roald Dahl.

dd1 still loves picture books at just turned 7

She loves all things visual. But recently has also started enjoying Dr Dolittle, My Naughty Little Sister etc with almost no pictures. When she was in Y1, I found her Usborne classics (she loves them, more complex stories - Dickens and Shakespeare eg - but still have pictures) and an Usborne Greek Myths and Legends, which has complex language but again, lovely pictures. I also have old books of mine, fairy stories, gypsy stories, legends etc etc which fit that 'in between' stage.

She now reads them all to herself as well, but still loves pictures (Horrid Henry and Harry Potter totally not up her street, otherwise we'd have read those too).

Roald Dahl of course. Flat Stanley went down well, also the various junior readers from the library - Usborne chapter books, Ricky Rocket, Scaredy Cats, Winnie The Witch, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Worst Witch, the shorter easy reader versions of Paddington Bear, Horrid Henry and Professor Branestawm, and my DCs loved the Mr Men books.
Those are all shorter and easier than "big" chapter books like Harry Potter, which might be too much of a stretch for their concentration if you jump straight from picture books.