Reading Recommendations for 3 Year Old Groups

[Donna]

Each night when I put my little one to bed I read her a chapter of a book when she's lying in bed. I've read the following to her:

Sophie (the book series)

The Faraway Tree

Now we're started on the first book of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

These are all well and good but starting on The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe made me realise that the language used is a bit too advanced for her. Do any of you have recommendations for a series of books I can read? We have lots of simpler books that I've read, Ladybird Bedtime Stories etc but we fly through these quickly and I'd like something that's small novel length so we can eke some time out of it and ideally a series so we can go from one book to the next.

 

[Cherub]

It's not a series but mine loves the Giraffe, Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl. We started a few other ones but they were too advanced.

 

[Alex]

Anything Julia Donaldson...

What the Ladybird Heard, What the Ladybird Heard Next, The Gruffalo, The Cook and the King, The Smeds and the Smoos, Tabby McTat, The Ugly 5, Stick Man etc.

The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner.

Winnie the Witch...these are a series, there are loads of these.

 

[hannah]

At three, I would still be going for short stories to hold the attention. We read three books a night to my almost three year old and they would be short enough but they are all different stories and we pick different ones (or sometimes the same ones) each night. I know you have mentioned before that your little one has a speech delay so I imagine sticking to shorter, more engaging stories and picture books will encourage conversation while reading the books. Maybe try the library to see what sorts of books she enjoys.

 

[Donna]

At three, I would still be going for short stories to hold the attention. We read three books a night to my almost three year old and they would be short enough but they are all different stories and we pick different ones (or sometimes the same ones) each night. I know you have mentioned before that your little one has a speech delay so I imagine sticking to shorter, more engaging stories and picture books will encourage conversation while reading the books. Maybe try the library to see what sorts of books she enjoys.

Thanks hannah

I used to read short stories to her and I still do on occasion. Sometimes in bed and sometimes when we're on the sofa. The reason I go for a longer book is that there's less stopping and starting. With a short story, you're finished in no time and then onto another story. That gap is enough for her to get up and start messing.

I tend to favour a longer book as I think it's soothing and it certainly makes the bedtime routine a lot less messy as generally speaking once she's in bed and you're reading away to her, she's drifting off to sleep. I'd try to read a full chapter to her but will read less if it's long. Really just enough of it until the point that she's asleep.

She did/does have a speech delay but WOW the pandemic has been incredible for her, she's come on so so much. She's yapping away now and there's what seems like new sentences each day, it's really wonderful. Sometimes she's not as clear as she should be, but we can see the improvements and she's getting there. We have lots of picture books but I try to avoid those during the bedtime routine.

She adores being read to, which is something I appreciate as it makes getting her to bed so much easier than if she didn't.

 

[Lisa]

If she likes The Far Away Tree then try The Wishing Chair, there are 3 books in that series, similar type of stories.

 

[Donna]

If she likes The Far Away Tree then try The Wishing Chair, there are 3 books in that series, similar type of stories.

Thanks Lisa, I'll check that out.

 

[Cherub]

Anything Julia Donaldson...

I have to admit I enjoy the Julia Donaldson stories myself as well. I got Zog for my little one and had to buy the sequel straight away to see how they got on as flying doctors

 

[Soffie]

My wee one is also a big fan of The Faraway Tree and Wishing Chair. Sticking with that vein I found the Amelia Jane books and she loves them. Each chapter is its own small story so ideal for that age group.

 

[Cherub]

There is a nice CD where many of those stories are re-done in song. I think Donaldson actually sings on some of it too.

If you search "The Gruffalo and Other Stories 8 CD Box Set" on Amazon it should come up.