Childrens Books

[petes_dragon]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend any good books to read to a three and a half year old boy?

He absolutely hates anything that is too 'baby-ish'.....he is very bright, but I don't want to read anything that will be too advanced for him - I've been through all the normal fairy tales but we're looking for something a bit different - we've just finished The BFG by Roald Dahl which he enjoyed but I think may have been just a little too much!

Any advice appreciated, Thanks
A xXx

Ps. I've also posted this under Parenting as I didn't know which was best!!

[indie_chic]

"funny bones" and "where the wild things are".

[spudqueen]

When my children were that age we'd go down to the local library and choose three books together. Some we enjoyed, some we didn't but the ones we did enjoy we would take out again and again. Some I remember are Each Peach Pear Plum, Big Bear and Little Bear, In The Middle Of The Night. At that age I always chose books with pictures and didn't read 'chapter' books until they were about 5 years old.

[petes_dragon]

Thanks for the answers so far,

I completely agree about the books with pictures for earlier on spud, but I've found that if I'm reading a story in bed he can get a bit excited by what is happening in the pics - if I read books with no pictures, he can close his eyes and listen and (hopefully) fall asleep while I'm reading......when we chat about the book it also helps him to use his imagination eg what do YOU think the giant looks like etc.

A xXx

[indie_chic]

Well I know hes a boy but alice in wonderland is a great story, and 3 and a half Id go with The Twits too if you want no pictures, eating worms- boys love it.

[spudqueen]

The first 'chapter' book I read my boys was The Enchanted Wood which is the first in a series of three about The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. We read all three books, which they really enjoyed before going on to Roald Dahl and other books like The Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith.

[China Doll]

May I recommend Peter Pan... It's a stone cold classic and remains my favourite kids story of all time. I still remember my dad reading this to me about the same age as your son.

A decent Roald Dahl one which might not be too advanced would be Fantastic Mr Fox. You could also try George's Marvellous Medicine. (But if your son is anything like I was at that age lock up your cupboards after reading him that.... my dad read it to me and I then disposed of most of my mums make up, all her mositurizing lotions, emptied the fridge and ruined her best saucepan... oops.)

[grannyg]

Mike Inkpen has written some very good childrens books.
Tarka The Otter was a favourite with my son also Shep The Sheepdog.
gg

[dr john]

Another Maurice Sendak, 'In The Night Kitchen', as much fun for the parent as the child. I also loved Satoshi's Kitamura's books, 'Lily Takes A Walk', 'In The Attic', etc.

[islandgirl]

How about Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner? I also read my son The Faraway Tree books at quite a young age.

[pickalily]

Dick King -Smith(Babe the sheep pig) has written lots of stories about animals suitable for young children.Look for books published by Young Corgi

[BBWCHATT]

I am an old lady and have read many books to children over the years. My all time favorite is "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day". Also the classic Aesops Fables is always a good bedtime reading.