These are the most accessible books and a great starting point, particularly for a child who struggles to stay focussed. They have wonderful characters and great writing, but are perhaps less complex and use language that is clear and understandable.
Edith Unnerstad |
The Urchin This might be hard to find, but if you can get hold of it you will love these delightful stories. |
The Urchin at AbeBooks
The Urchin at Amazon |
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Laura Ingalls Wilder |
Little House in the Big Woods If they like this one, then read the rest of the series! |
Little House in the Big Woods at AbeBooks
Little House in the Big Woods at Amazon |
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Dick King-Smith |
Sophie's Adventures (or any of the Sophie books) |
Sophie's Adventures at Amazon
Sophie's Adventures at AbeBooks |
If they enjoy these go on to read his many other excellent books.
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Roald Dahl |
The BFG |
The BFG at Amazon
The BFG at AbeBooks |
The Enormous Crocodile Suitable for children of all ages. A book to be read aloud and enacted. Fun for story teller and listener. |
The Enormous Crocodile at Amazon
The Enormous Crocodile at AbeBooks |
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Matilda Matilda invents a game of punishing her parents when they treat her badly. She soon discovers that she has supernatural powers. |
Matilda at Amazon
Matilda at AbeBooks |
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Esio Trot and the other titles |
Esio Trot at Amazon
Esio Trot at AbeBooks |
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Rudyard Kipling |
Just-So stories |
Just So Stories at Amazon
Just So Stories at AbeBooks |
These use wonderful language and are magical to listen to. Start with the Elephant, the Rhinoceros and the Camel stories.
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Lewis Carroll |
Alice in Wonderland |
Alice in Wonderland at Amazon
Alice in Wonderland at AbeBooks |
Alice through the Looking Glass |
Through the Looking Glass at Amazon
Through the Looking Glass at AbeBooks |
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Harry Horse |
The Last Castaways or any of the "Last" series |
The Last Castaways at Amazon
The Last Castaways at AbeBooks |
Jenny Nimmo | The Night of the Unicorn |
The Night of the Unicorn at AbeBooks
The Night of the Unicorn at AbeBooks |
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Shirley Hughes | My Naughty Little Sister stories |
My Naughty Little Sister at Amazon
My Naughty Little Sister at AbeBooks |
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Michael Bond |
Paddington Bear stories Read the originals, not a modern adaptation! |
Paddington Bear at Amazon
Paddington Bear at AbeBooks |
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E B White |
Charlotte's Web The film was good; the book is better. |
Charlotte's Web at Amazon
Charlotte's Web at AbeBooks |
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Peggy Parish |
Amelia Bedelia stories These might be too young for some, but they are funny and introduce children to the many double-meanings in English. Very short stories! |
Amelia Bedelia at Amazon
Amelia Bedelia at AbeBooks |
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Astrid Lindgren | Pippi Longstocking |
Pippi Longstocking at Amazon
Pippi Longstocking at AbeBooks |