Books for reading aloud

This post was inspired by a request for ideas for reading aloud to a boy, 7 years old so I have left out more "girly" books and older books. As you can see from the list our tastes veer towards fantasy and humour. Other suggestions gratefully received.

Fantasy
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hynotism by Georgia Byng. This is the first in the series. They are very funny but with satisfying twists and turns. The series needs to be read in order.

Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
Charmed Life
Lives of Christopher Chant
Witch Week
Magicians of Caprona
Conrad's Fate
The Pinhoe Egg
These can be read in any order but it is worth reading Charmed Life first and the Pinhoe Egg last. In the first book Cat has a sister with very strong magic so they are taken to live at Chrestomanci Castle where things are not quite as Cat imagines.

Eva Ibbotson
The Haunting of Hiram
The Beasts of Clawstone Castle
Which Witch?
The Secret of Platform 13
Dial-a ghost
Each book stands alone and there are others. Magical creatures abound and often there is skullduggery at work. Funny and exciting.

Mary Poppins by P L Travers. The Mary of the books is nothing like the film. Much grumpier and far less sweet. Each chapter is complete so no pressure to read the next one to find out what happens next.

The Wizard of Oz by Frank L Baum. very enjoyable initial trip to Oz. There are lots of sequels but the only one I have read was not a patch on the original.

Fergus Crane by Stewart and Riddell.
Corby Flood
Hugo Pepper
Whimsical drawings and a slightly strange storylines make a charming combination. These books are not related to each other. In Fergus Crane 5 children are having their lessons on a pirate ship but very strange lessons they are. Then one day the ship sails off with all the children except Fergus and he must rescue them.


Humour
Little Wolf's Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow. Little Wolf has trouble being bad so is sent to stay with his uncle The Big Bad Wolf. LW wins through without even meaning to. Told in a series of letters. The 5 sequels are just as much fun.

Flat Stanly by Jeff Brown. One morning Stanley wakes up completely flat because a noticeboard has fallen on him. Splendidly surreal. Also comes with sequels.

How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is trying to become a Viking hero but is just not beefy enough. Luckily he ahs brains instead. I personally have avoided the film because I love the books SO much. Fun to read with lots of excuses for silly voices. The books can be read out of order but are better read consectutively.

Captain Underpants. I didn't particularly want to read this but it was actually more fun than I was expecting.

You're a Bad Man Mr Gum by Andy Stanton. Hysterically silly farce from which you will learn that the truth is a lemon meringue.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Very anarchic and funny. Trying school or dealing with burglars - nothing fazes Pippi.

Professor Branestawn by Norman Hunter. The Professor has an invention for every occasion. Another book where each chapter is complete in itself.

Animals
The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel. The King is dying and needs to be told stories to make his heart beat faster whilst the Doctor finds his medicine. A lovely mixture of stories. Unfortunately this is currently out of print but well worth finding a copy.

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien. Mrs Frisby is a mouse who needs help moving her home so she goes to the rats for help and discovers a whole different lifestyle. Fantastic and rather thought provoking.

Others
Railway children by E Nesbit. The children have to leave London and make a new life in Yorkshire when their father mysteriously goes away. You know the film. Well the book is good too.

When the Siren Wailed by Noel Streatfeild. Three children are evacuated during the Blitz and experience different households. Nice depiction of siblings.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Great depiction of life on the frontier. Laura was far more interested in what her father did than her mother!

Roald Dahl. Find the ones that work for your family. We like:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Matilda
The Magic Finger

The Last Polar Bears by Harry Horse. Grandpa sends letters home about his adventures with Roo the Dog.

Stig of the Dump by Clive King. Barney finds a cave boy living in his local dump.
The Town that went to sea by Clive King. Part of England separates and floats off to the other side of the world.

Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. When Marcus is wounded on battle he has to find a new life for himself. Adventure beckons when he has a chance to reclaim the lsot Eagle of the Ninth Legion.

Usborne Puzzle Adventure
Puzzle Island
Puzzle Mountain etc
There are lots in this series. They are not for bedtime reading but great for working on together.