Books to read to my 5yo? (not specifically feminist, just not insipid, stereotyped crap)

[wendylovesbob]

I have just finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to my daughter. She LOVED it. It was our first no-pictures, one chapter a night at bedtime book.

She also loved Pippi Longstocking.

She is now desparate to be read more 'big girl' books.

It is so long since I was a 5yo girl I can't remember what to get her. We don't have a library and books are expensive here so I don't want to waste money on duff choices.

I loved What Katy Did - but I can't remember much about it. Would I still love it now?

I would love suggestions both of classics, and new writers.

If she likes Roald Dahl, Matilda is the obvious one.

The Farthest-Away Mountain, by Lynne Reid Banks. It was my favourite book when I was little. Lots of exciting adventures had by an eminently sensible heroine.

the Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf books by Catherine Storr

Don't know if it fits your criteria, but my 7-yo DD1 has had Milly Molly Mandy since she was about 5, and absolutely adores it. It's very gentle, there is some stereotyping (mother works in the house, Father works outside) but DD1 understands about it being a different time, when people lived differently (they don't have any cars, telephones etc. so it's not a big leap to make!).

She also likes TumTum and Nutmeg, which are interesting little books.

I still love the What Katy Did books but they are just a leeeetle preachy now I read them again. What about Nesbit? Five Children and It is a good one to start with. Or The Secret Garden? That's a lovely book that I still read all the time, and I don't think it would be too old for her.

Would definitely second The Furthest-Away Mountain, that was always one of my favourites too. I also loved Dick King-Smith - The Sheep-Pig and The Cuckoo Child and The Mouse Butcher and so on.

And what about Noel Streatfeild? Ballet Shoes and White Boots are brilliant, and although they sound typically girly, they're not at all - the female characters are really brilliant and strong.

And how about the Worst Witch series?

Milly Molly Mandy also great.

And have you read Tales from the Norse's Mouth? It's by Sandi Toksvig and is about Amber, a little Viking who ends up stranded in the 20th century.

The stories of Oliver and Amanda Pig by Jean van Leeuwen are also fantastic, although not 'chapter' books as such so might be a bit too young...

Oh, and what about the Little House on the Prairie books? If you want pioneering women...

how about Charlotte's Web?

booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/43/childrens-books/reviews/princess-polly-to-the-rescue

This book had a big influence on me when growing up.

Mrs Pepperpot? Phoenix and the Carpet although she might be a touch too young for that.

Sophie books by Dick-King Smith, Sophie is a feisty little girl who wants to be a farmer.
Also the animal books by the same author.

Anne Fine does some good feminist-lit for this age group. Bill's new frock, Not just a show, etc.

Also some early Jacqueline Wilsons like Connie and the water babies.

Worst witch is good too.

I think you may find that What Katy did isn't quite the world's greatest feminist classic. The wild and lively Katy is tamed into domestic submission by her accident. She learns to be gentle, a little mother to her many younger siblings, and do sewing rather than climb on rooftops.

My DD really enjoyed the 'Daisy and the trouble with ..' series by Kes Gray (I think). Not as long as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but funny.

At five, Katy might be a bit heavy going - definitely second Polly and The Wolf though! And The Worst Witch books perhaps.

I'm sure you can still get the Just So Stories somewhere! IIRC, there are some clever women and girls in there, but no suggestion that it's anyone but men running the show.

Oh wonderful wonderful! Thank you all for suggestions. I have written them all down and will investigate the book shop asap.

I shall let you know how we get on with them.

Heidi is not too complex if you are reading to her. She's quite a spirited child. my dds liked her.

I've just been reading Winnie the pooh to 6yo, it's not really my favourite but 6yo dd liked it and is reading more of it now, it fits the simple chapter book category.

You could also try Horrid Henry, all my dds like him (and there are some girls who aren't too perfect and mousy in there too).

YY to Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf and the Sophie books

And definitely would agree with Little House in the Big Woods - great opportunity for discussing how women's work/mens work was separate (but equally important) in the past.

I know I keep recommending them on here, but dd (and I) liked the Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke about a little girl who lives in Africa; lovely gentle stories that kind of hit the same spot as Milly Molly Mandy. I found there was a real gap around that age range when I was looking for some modern books to vary the old classics.

My daughters loved Carbonel the Witch's Cat and the Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse. Also Margaret Mahy has written some great books for this age group up to teens.

Igraine the Brave is great - dd loved it.

sugarfoot I loved the Carbonel books as well - am totally planning to inflict them on my children when they're old enough, just so I can read them again

I recently saw Firework Maker's Daughter recommended and it sounds great from the reviews.

Alice in Wonderland is also good - there's an edition with lovely illustrations by Helen Oxenbury.

My dds (who hate anything at all frightening) are really enjoying "my naughty little sister".I rather like the assertive and stroppy little sister too,who is held in contrast to her "mouse like" (Good and quiet) friend Winnie.They are old books so old fashioned in some ways,but very affectionate and human.

UPDATE:

The bookshop was rather limited and the children were in no mood for extended browsing. I came home with Five Children & It, and The Secret Garden.

We started Five Children & It, and so far (sorry to whoever suggested it) it is not a great success. Perhaps dd is a bit young for it - she likes the main thrust of the story but is finding the old fashioned language very dry. The moralising is going completely over her head too, and even if she got it it is not particularly relevant to life today. And I'm not a fan either - am having to heavily edit out horribly patronising and sneery paragraphs about "the servants. It scores poorly on the feminist front too I'm afraid - the two boys and the two girls fall into dreadfully dated gender cliches, the boys being tough, sensible and practical, and the girls a bit wet, vain and useless.

I think we might give up and try The Secret Garden instead.

How about Ursula Bear by a sheila Lavelle ?
It' about a little girls who changes into a bear .

Also the Jill TOmlinson books : THe Owl Who WAs Afriad of the Dark or THe Otter Who Wanted to Know .

We have also enjoyed My Naughty Little Sister and Milly MOlly Mandy a great deal.

Oh yes , and the worst witch !

I' m on a roll now , I've just remembered the 'Jake' books that are by Nick Butterworth I think.

HTH

Sorry for all the typos , in a rush ! :)