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. | ||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | ||
| 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 |