Introduction

Age 5-8 years old is an exciting time for young readers. At this stage, many are starting to read on their own. They are being introduced to lots of books at school but they also need plenty of encouragement at home.

Some Tips for 5-8 year Olds

Remember that reading with and to children is very important at this age. Even if they are able to manage a book by themselves they will still benefit from reading with an adult. They will still enjoy books being read aloud and its an enjoyable way to spend time together. Pictures are very important for this age group. Illustrations will help draw the young reader in and help them understand the text. They will continue to enjoy the picture books they were introduced to at a younger age and will take pride in being able to read the text themselves. Books with short chapters and familiar vocabulary help them to enjoy reading and feel a sense of achievement when they reach the end of the chapter and the end of the book. Where possible, let children decide themselves which books they would like to read and help them to find books related to their own interests and past times.  You may not like all of the books they select but remember its important to support their choices. It is also important that there is a range of books is easily accessible at home. Most young readers this age will particularly enjoy stories that involve lots of humour and poke fun at familiar figures in their lives. Parents, teachers, librarians  and grandparents watch out!   

Our top reads 2006 and 2007

Astrid Lindgren,
Illustrated By Lauren Child,
Translated By Tiina Nunnally
Oxford University Press, £14.99 (Hbk), Isbn 9780192782403

Lingren's text, first published in 1945, is engaging, hilarious and completely unique. Who can resist Pippi? After all, here is a girl who can lift a horse, who lives alone in a house called Villa Villekula and who has a pet monkey. In this edition Child's illustrations are superb. The collage and vibrancy matches perfectly with Lingren's story. Child's Pippi is a delight and she enhances the tale with dynamic illustrations in her trademark style. There are typographical flourishes too, to engage a more sophisticated reader. This luxurious edition is an expensive purchase but could well become a family classic to be revisited again and again. It has everything a 6-8 year old might look for - engaging central character, child-centred plot, and a sense of the absurd as well as vibrant illustrations to pore over.  At nearly 200 pages, an emerging reader will need support, but Pippi is just the character to encourage you to read on. I can't think of a better book to share at bedtime. Read it first for the story, again for the illustrations, again for both together and then again and again and again!

Bored Bill

Liz Pichon
Little Tiger Press,
£5.99, PBK, ISBN 1 84506 189 6

It is impossible to read this book without a smile on your face. The main character, Bill, a dog and while his owner, Mrs Pickles is the ambassador of activity, Bill is locked in ennui and sloth- he is SO BORED. No matter what Mrs Pickle suggests, Bill is resolute in his boredom.  As events unfold Bill is confronted by his condition through a chance meeting with equally bored aliens and called upon to act with life altering results. The illustrations are full of expression and humor. Even the front cover shows Bill with a fantastically bored expression. As a book to share and read aloud, it is ideal. Parents will be as amused by Bill and his constant declarations of boredom as much as young readers will. Although primarily geared towards the younger ages in the 5-8 range, this book might just become a classic in any family collection.