By this stage your child may well be reading for himself, possibly at a level which enables him to read books like the ones in the previous section, so you may find that you only read to him at bedtime: but unless he resists, do continue reading aloud. There are an ever-increasing selection of books available so experiment and find out what you and your children like. Make frequent trips to your library and encourage your child to choose books which he thinks look appealing, as well as perhaps selecting a few for him yourself. For ongoing reviews of more recent books for this age-group, see The Bookbag reviews for confident readers.
Helen Cresswell - Ordinary Jack, Absolute Zero and others
Amusing books about the Bagthorpes, an eccentric family of apparent geniuses. The books mainly focus on Jack, the only ordinary child. Lots of humour and good characterisation.
Kenneth Graham - The Wind in the Willows
The classic story of the ambitious and arrogant Toad, loyal and humble Mole, impetuous and friendly Rat and wise old Badger. Some sequels have been written by William Horwood (Willows in Winter, Willows and Beyond, Toad Triumphant) which children may enjoy reading, but they are not up to the brilliant standard of the original.
Norman Hunter - Professor Branestawm books
The incredible and unlikely adventures of a typecast mad professor who wears five pairs of spectacles (usually all at once) and has some wonderful ideas for improving the world. There is always some flaw in his ideas, but his housekeeper Mrs Flittersnoop and friend Colonel Dedshott keep looking after him and trying out his new inventions despite previous disasters. Very funny books at times.
Norman Juster - Phantom Tollbooth
A unique adventure of a small boy who dislikes learning as taught in his school. He is taken by a magic car to a land of numbers and letters, meeting a variety of surprising people on the way, and having to solve some puzzles in order to rescue two princesses. Reading this gives a whole new picture of the value of maths and language!
Hugh Lofting - Dr Dolittle series
The story of a quiet, gentle naturalist who learns to talk the languages of animals and has adventures around the world. The musical film based on this series falls far short of the original, portraying a somewhat different character from the one in the books, and combining several plots into one.
Terry Pratchett - Truckers, Diggers and Wings
Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series, but we found those difficult to read aloud - partly because there are no chapter divisions, and partly because there is a lot of fast-moving conversation. However we first came across this author through his excellent ‘Truckers’ trilogy. The first book is the story of 6-inch high ‘nomes’ who lived under the floors of an apartment store, but found they had to escape before it was destroyed. They made a pseudo-religion out of snippets of information over the years, and some of the humour is too subtle for children, but the plot is exciting and very funny in places. The two sequels follow the adventures of the same nomes after they have escaped from the store.
J K Rowlands - Harry Potter books
Recent publications which have shot to fame. They tell the fast-paced and exciting story of Harry Potter, an apparently ordinary boy raised with unpleasant relatives after the death of his parents. He suddenly finds strange things happening, and is then involved in battles against an evil wizard. I so enjoyed reading these aloud that I sometimes covered several chapters in one day as I wanted to know what would happen as much as the boys did! A word of warning: the fourth book in the series does have quite a frightening climax scene, and an event which might upset or worry a sensitive child. Read the last few chapters to yourself before embarking on this one if your child is younger than about nine, highly imaginative, or easily upset.
Dodie Smith - The Hundred and One Dalmations, Starlight Barking
Story of Pongo and Missus, the dalmations, and their puppies who are captured by the evil Cruella DeVille along with a large number of other puppies. The adult dogs go to their rescue in an exciting chase made popular by the animated movie of the same name, but the books are well worth reading for the extra parts omitted by the movie. The Starlight Barking is an unusual and moving sequel, where dogs worldwide gain unexpected new powers and are offered the chance of leaving the world.
Johanna Spyri - Heidi
Classic story of a little girl who lives in the Alps, making friends with her crusty old grandfather and learning to look after goats. Another book which tends to be read by girls, but can be enjoyed just as much by boys. Johanna Spyri’s translator Charles Spitten wrote two sequels to this: 'Heidi grows up' and 'Heidi’s children'.
Patricia M St John - Treasures of the Snow, Tanglewoods secret
One of the most prolific writers of Christian children’s fiction, Patricia M St John’s best-known books are the two mentioned. Treasures of the Snow is about a motherless girl in the Alps who brings up her baby brother, while fighting with Lucien, a neighbouring boy. He commits a terrible act which she is unable to forgive, but in the end redeems himself and also meets Jesus. Tanglewoods Secret is about a girl who gradually comes to know God for herself, in the midst of both happiness and sadness.
Noel Streatfeild - Ballet Shoes, Caldicott Place, Gemma etc
Noel Streatfeild’s books are all about ordinary families, most of whom live in London. Generally one or more of the children in the family has some particular talent, such as music, ballet or drama. She brings the characters to life and makes the talented children very believable, following their problems as well as their triumphs. Girls often read these books for themselves but many boys enjoy them too: reading one or two aloud may encourage them to find more to read on their own.
Laura Ingalls Wilder - Little House on the Prairie and others
Popularised by the long-running TV series of the same name, this is the story of a family in the USA who move across the country to find work. An excellent way of introducing children to the life of early settlers in the USA and seeing their difficulties through the eyes of a child.
