Help with books to read with children

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Not sure this is the right board for this question, but was hoping some of you might be able to help. I still read to my kids before bed (7&9) and I’m struggling to find some new books that we can all enjoy together. 7 year old is a bit more sensitive than the older one and they have quite different tastes.

We’ve done some of the harry potters (9 yo has read them all solo).
Read all the Dahl’s several times
We all liked the Clarice Bean and Daisy books but feel like they’re too young for 9 year old now (even though he still finds them funny).
We absolutely LOVED Eva Ibbotson Journey to The River Sea
Have started reading Northern Lights to them but it’s a bit intense before bed for 7 yo.

Books that don’t go down well, generally any that try too hard to be funny and are generally by celebrity authors (walliams, David etc) 😂

[Runningupthecurtains]

Have you read them them the 'How to Train your Dragon' series? I was gutted when DS decided he was too old to be read to and finished off without me. (Although the films are based on the book they are totally different).

[shellyleppard]

Frostheart by Jamie litter is really good. Also Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan. My sons both loved these

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Yes we have, was going to put that in my OP! It was great! I suppose we could revisit it.
We’re at a funny stage where I feel like 9y could probably handle stuff that’s a bit more grown up. It’s a bit more hit and miss with DD. Think that’s why the Eva Ibbotson book was so good. Exciting, interesting and funny - felt grown up but not too much so and not scary.

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Thanks @shellyleppard I’ll look at that one. Son is reading Percy Jackson solo at the moment.

[Sk8erboi]

I read The lost whale by Hannah Gold with my now 9 year old a year ago and he loved it.

[shellyleppard]

Halfmanhalfcake Michael morpurgo is another good author..... animal stories but really good. He did war horse but lots of other ones too x

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Ah yes! Michael Morpugo, great call.
Thanks for the recommendation @Sk8erboi I’ll check it out!

[Runningupthecurtains]

I remember the struggle - only one DS but he was at a reading level that outstripped his ability to deal with content aimed at that reading age for years (even as a young teen he probably still is as he hates anything scary or anything 'romantic').

[bookworm14]

Try Rooftoppers or The Explorer, both by Katherine Rundell. She’s one of the best current children’s authors.

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Thanks @bookworm14 I’ve not heard of her, so great recommendation

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Not sure why that gif has attached, but happy Eid to those who celebrate.

[TonTonMacoute]

How about the Paddington books.

[User284725]

Why don't you read to them separately? I read to my 7 and 10 year old and have never done their bedtime stories together. They both like entirely different types of books.

But otherwise, have you read the sequel to Journey to the River Sea? It's Escape to the River Sea. I also really recommend Katherine Rundell books, and Lindsay Galvin books. What about the Ramona and Beezus series?

[SwingsAndRoundabouts22]

I came on here to say Katherine Rundell and Michael Morpurgo but can see others have beaten me to it!

Of the Morpurgos I enjoy the ones set in Cornwall:
Why The Whales Came
The Wreck of the Zanzibar
Adolphus Tips

I also absolutely love "The Murderer's Ape" and its sequels, proper old school adventure:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/t/the-murderers-ape/

[Rocknrollstar]

Wind in the Willows?
Alice?
Narnia?
Indian in the Cupboard

[Peabody25]

Mr Penguin series
Pages & Co series
George's secret key to the universe series
Wizards of once series

[HarrietSchulenberg]

The Mr Gum books are funny without being try-hard.

[Needmorelego]

My daughter used to like Jeremy Strong books (so did I 😂).
There is the "My Brother's Famous Bottom" series and the "100 Mile an hour Dog" series plus a "crossover" book.

[Lovelyview]

@HarrietSchulenberg

The Mr Gum books are funny without being try-hard.

We loved Mr Gum. The audio books by the author Andy Stanton are brilliant for car journeys too.

[Thingsthatgo]

The witches of once series is good.
Also, the secret diary of Pig is funny.
There's a good website called The Reader Teacher, which has lists of great books for each year group.

[Halfmanhalfcake]

Brilliant thank you all so much for the recommendations! We’ve got a whole load to be tucking into now. Really helpful!

[WildCherryBlossom]

E Nesbit? 5 Children and It, The Amulet, The Treasureseekers, The Railway Children etc etc

Helen Dunmore's Ingo series (mermaids off the coast of Cornwall)

C S Lewis Narnia series

[SoapCollector]

Tom Fletcher, The Danger Gang.

[banhmi]

My 8 and 6 year olds have just absolutely loved the first of the Kid Normal series, about a boy who accidentally ends up at a school for superheroes.

[SoapCollector]

Or The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton