M favourite chapter books to spin some wonderful tales are as follows (these are all real gems!):
If your children are young and you find any of these in Op shops, eBay and bookstores, keep them in your treasure chest, they will be a gift one day! I do not know who enjoys the following books more, my children or me! With the old classics, words may need changing at times, olden day referrals for sex and race!
My children’s favourites, for the younger child four onwards:
My all time favourite is Teddy Robinson Stories – Joan G Robinson
Milly Molly Mandy stories – Joyce Lankester Brisley
Mr Galliano’s Circus series – Enid Blyton
The Children of Cherry Tree and Willow Tree Farm books – Enid Blyton
Naughty Amelia Jane – Enid Blyton
Billy-Bob Tales – Enid Blyton
My Naughty Little Sister series – Dorothy Edwards
Mrs Pepperpot series –Alf Proyson
A good ‘Nursery Story and Rhyme’ book with all the classic tales: Three little Pigs, Billy Goats Gruff etc… is essential reading to your child!
I found The Faraway Tree series (Enid Blyton) suitable for my children from around seven. They enjoyed these simpler Enid Blyton books first. Now is the time for classic Fairytales too!
For the older child (nine plus):
All Laura Ingalls Wilder – Little House on the Prairie series
Mary Poppins – PL Travers
Charlotte’s Web – EB White
Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
Bedknob and Broomstick – Mary Norton (I avoided the cannibal part, creatively changed the words a little!).
The Famous Five series (my son reads one a day – it may be a boy thing!).
Heidi – Johanna Spyri
The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Snuggle with a tale (especially if returning from an outing, playgroup, kinder, school or after a busy morning playing). Happy reading!