Book recommendations 5yr old

[User37482]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for short chapter book recommendations for a just turned 5yr old to read independently so something age appropriate and ideally with pictures.

She loves princess in black and will happily read those by herself but hates “Isadora moon” and wasn’t that keen on “Unipiggle”.

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

I'm not familiar with Princess in Black so unsure of reading level. A just turned 5 year old would be in Reception, so it's very young to be reading chapter books independently. I'm assuming she's obviously miles ahead in her decoding abilities (possibly a sight reader?) but is she understanding everything she reads? When you say to read independently, does she read aloud to you so you're able to discuss the books to her, or does she read to herself in her head?

Kitty books are a similar reading level to Isadora Moon, but quite different plotlines (she's a girl with cat superpowers) so might interest her more. There's Rainbow Fairies, which lots of 6-9 year olds absolutely devour (personally I find these very dull, but I'm not the target audience!). Holly Webb has dozens of puppy and kitty stories which are quite basic reads and may keep her going for a while, if she likes animals.

Rabbit and Bear books are lovely, but the humour and vocabulary is quite sophisticated so I'm not sure they're right for a just turned 5 year old, I'd save those until she's at least 6 1/2 going on 7, personally.

Have a look here:
https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/books-by-age-and-year-group/ks1/
It’s always the first place we look when restocking the school library or picking class stories. They have books for every year group too.

Maybe try the Babysitters Club Little Sister graphic novels? Not chapter books exactly, though based on original chapter books (which are great too). Really cute stories and obviously lots of pictures.

Thank you for the book recommendations. They are working up the levels at school at the moment, she’s being carefully checked for comprehension as she goes, she’s on level 6 but will probably go up a few more before she hits a wall.

We read together with her reading aloud to me but she likes to read by herself too, she starts reading aloud and then goes silent. Her teacher suggested short chapter books at home and tbh she has loved the Princess in black books because they are still very illustrated but with a longer story.

I think she will like a girl with cat superpowers!

Thank you!

Thank you!

How about the magic treehouse or the storey treehouse books?
Flat Stanley
Not strictly cheaper books but dog man/cat kid
Mr majeika

DD loves the Usborne sticker dollies series - although it's me reading to her still and to me they are so dull and formulaic!

Thak you will look at them at all!

The holly Webb animal books are really good as are the unicorns of blossom wood series. Maybe slightly too complex for her at the moment but if she's already at the stage she's at it won't be too long until she's reading these books. Holly Webb does some longer/older books too but her kitten and puppy books are brilliant as early chapter books.

Daisy and the trouble with ... Zoos, school trips, etc. Zoos is my favourite! Both my kids loved this whole series.

Thank you!

It’s difficult to assess exactly where she is, her comprehension seems fine when I ask questions and school are moving her forward when they feel comfortable that she does actually understand.

These books are for her pleasure more than anything else. She has masses of julia macdonald books etc that she reads quietly to herself. I think her current home books are quite simple at the moment but theres no point in giving her something she doesn’t understand or doesn’t enjoy. We do check comprehension when she’s reading her school reading scheme books but when it’s general reading we do it less so she can just get absorbed in the story.

Thank you!