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I have volunteered to read a 'favourite text' to dd1's primary school during book week. What would YOU read?

52 replies

Enid · 02/11/2006 19:20

Have no idea how long it has to be. Thoughts are: Wind in the Willows (too old fashioned?), Clever Polly and the stupid wolf (too young?) Roald Dahl (crowd pleaser)

Suggestions Plllllllllllllease.

OP posts:
cece · 02/11/2006 19:22

R Dahl The Twits always goes down well.

what age are they?

I like Bill's New Frock by Anne Fine. The chapters read fairly well in isolation.

Californifirework · 02/11/2006 19:22

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Twiglett · 02/11/2006 19:23

what ages?

cece · 02/11/2006 19:23

or Revolting Rhymes are awlays appreciated or poetry such as Owl and the Pussycat or The Lady Of Shallot

Enid · 02/11/2006 19:24

Ages: The whole school (so 5-11)

OP posts:
cece · 02/11/2006 19:26

Terry Jones - he has a book of short stories but can't remember the name off hand. there is a story called something like The Glass ......? Has an environmental message.

bundle · 02/11/2006 19:26

horrid henry?

Twiglett · 02/11/2006 19:27

read 'The Jabberwock' .. or some Spike Milligan

mouseman · 02/11/2006 19:27

Harry the dirty dog stories - not too long and quite funny.

Californifirework · 02/11/2006 19:28

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robinpud · 02/11/2006 19:28

Are you doing it at one sitting so that holding a book out would be useless or to differnt classes ? Isabel's noisy tummy by David McKee. Any of thew Hairy McClary ones are good for the repetition.
If it's the whole school then my top tip is to read some of the Please Mrs butler poems by Allan ahlberg BUT you choose children from the school's names for the poems such as Please Mrs Butler.. They love that! Cat me if you want the poem. Am supposed to be basthing kids

popsycal · 02/11/2006 19:37

oooh
i would read any glies andrea or juila whatsit book even to oler kids....
giraffes cant dance
room on a broom
smartest giant in town
snail and the whale
monkey puzzle

caffeinequeencanpoacheggs · 02/11/2006 19:43

Anne of Green Gables?? The bit where she smashes the slate over Gilbert Blythe's head?

EmmyLou · 02/11/2006 19:51

My Naughty little Sister Goes to School. Would suit most ages - older children would empathise with having a younger sibling/younger child not quite understanding the routines of school life.

parkinpud · 02/11/2006 19:52

Personally I would read Yertle the Turtle by Dr Seuss, that should be just about the right length, or Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

morningpaper · 02/11/2006 19:54

I would have to have something by Judy Blume because I still love her

I've read "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" to my 3 year old - she loved it

maggiesmama · 02/11/2006 19:57

the roald dahl little red riding hood, which i have been reading to my dd... genius

as soon as wolf began to feel
that he would like a decent meal
he went and knocked on grandma's door...

the bit where:

the small girl smiles, one eyelid flickers
she whips a istol from her knickers

always elicits great hoots of laughter. from me and her.

magicfarawaytree · 02/11/2006 20:25

the three little wolves and the big bad pig. descriptive enough for the younger ones and an amusing variation for the older one - ie big bad pig blowing up the metal house with dynamite.

pointydog · 02/11/2006 20:26

Agree with maggiesmama - that poem is terrific and would appeal across teh age range. Keep it short and snappy. You can't really go wrong with Roald Dahl. Go for crowd pleaser if you're in front of the whole school. WitWillows is a bit yaawn.

foxinsocks · 02/11/2006 20:27

you are a brave woman to read in front of the whole school!

Enid · 02/11/2006 21:26

cool

roald dahl it is then

bet some other uber mum will grab it first though

OP posts:
pointydog · 02/11/2006 21:34

So how many mums are going on stage?!

curlew · 02/11/2006 21:35

One of the Just So stories?

moondog · 02/11/2006 21:36

The Owl and the Pussycat.

Sounds great

Cassoulet · 02/11/2006 21:39

A Just So story - they're wonderful for reading out loud.