Books you 'have' to buy for the grandchildren

Glad I read this thread. Illustrated Harry Potter purchased today. Thank you.

On a sad note.

When my dh passed away my dil bought my little grandson a book called
"Always and Forever," it's about a much loved member of a family (a fox) who died.

We read it together. It's the nicest thing my dil has ever done. It explains grief and missing someone.

On a lighter note.

The Minecraft books are very good also the Horrid Henry books.

I heard from a friend that there's a new book called "The teenager who came to tea."

I have kept all the ones that I really like- they are in the loft waiting!

The Bodyguard series by Chris Bradford are real page turners for young teens and up. They are about a young lad who becomes a secret bodyguard. Fast paced and exciting, whilst teaching youngsters how to look after themselves.

DGD is a huge fan of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan. She was very pleased with the two books about Greek myths and heroes which I gave her for her 13th birthday, one of them by Rick Riordan.

DGD age 9 loves Tom Gates books.

Thank you to Greyduster: I tracked down her suggestion to 'The Piratical Rumbustification' by Margaret Mahy, and have ordered it.

I received a free copy of The Something from Gransnet and gave it to my two year old granddaughter. She has it for. her bedtime story every night and has noticed three other stories by the same author advertised on the back page.She wants these for Christmas and so the decision was made for me and I was very happy with that. Thank you Gransnet.

The Mr Majeika series by Humphrey Carpenter entranced my grandchildren, and got DGD reading for herself - she HAD to know what happened next after her mother finished the bedtime stint.

Winnie The Pooh
Anything Julia Donaldson
Mr Men
Tiger Who Came to Tea
Elmer

I have just started reading Watership Down to older 2 & will read them The Hobbit too - as I did their fathers.
I have a copy of The Book Thief put away for when they are older- I think they need to read that when they are old enough.

Rule in DD's house is book first too. I didn't realise until last time GS was over and as we'd had a bit of a hectic day, I suggested we watch Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. "Can't, Nanny. Haven't finished the book yet!" Well, there you go.

Thanks Mollie and Cari - that's on my list for DGCs now

It's a delight, isn't it! I had palpatations looking at it! It's one of those books that I won't be able to resist!

(I'm desperately trying to keep him reading. Given up on the teen one - he doesn't sit still long enough to read)

Now, that's the trouble with kindles. You can't put that sort of book on them. And I've just given GS one. Sigh!

He seems to be reading a constant stream of books about naughty boys!

I've kept my children's books, so we are on the second round with them. I have added a few that didn't seem to be around when they were young, such as the much loved Gruffalo and Room on The Broom, Julia Donaldson's books are wonderful. I really loved reading the Alfie books to my children, but granddaughter not so keen on them, apart from the "splish, splash, splosh" story when Alfie got his new wellies. I bought a new Alice in Wonderland, with pop outs which she loves. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass were favourites with me as a child. I also hope to read her the Water Babies when she is a little older, perhaps when she gets around to doing the Victorians at school so she can put the story into the context of that time. My little grandson enjoys anything with Thomas The Tank Engine in it, really just the pictures and noises at this stage. Those Rev Awdry books were pretty tedious from what I can remember, I didn't enjoy reading those at all!

DDiL has posted a photo on FB of my other DGD reading the copy of The Little House on the Prairie that I gave her last Christmas, all by herself. She's nearly 6.
<proud Grandma emoticon>

Yep, I'm frequently surprised at what my granddaughter (also nearly 5) understands. She picks up on everything and asks so many questions. She seems to love stories with a lot of poo in them, thinks it's hilarious - and it's surprising how many stories with poo there are!! Not the bear, btw!

She stayed last weekend and to my surprise she had great fun doing the hoovering! She did the whole house including the stairs and changed heads accordingly - I'm waiting for the NSPCC to knock about child labour but if they don't come soon I'll have to invite my GD back to have another go, I can see fluff in the corners!!!

DGD aged nearly 5 came to stay recently. I had found in the loft the Ladybird version of The Secret Garden - one of my all time favourites.

It was obviously abridged, but the language wasn't dumbed down and I thought she might be bored or not understand it. I tentatively suggested we might read it - she not only sat through the whole thing, but asked an intelligent question at the end.
The next day, Grandad had to read it to her again and she wanted it also for her bedtime story.

I think it's easy to underestimate what children are capable of understanding and enjoying.

My GC love Quentin Blake's books, and so do I. Mrs Armitage, Cockatoos (great for counting), All join in (great for shouting!).

I need to buy some books for my GDG's 8th birthday. She's asked me for something that she can read for herself but her reading level is not particularly good. Can anyone suggest books that might be suitable. Preferably something to do with ponies or horses!

Pittcity - yes, love the David Walliams books and the tv versions made of at least a couple of them. The tramp one is so poignant.

Oooh, now I want to buy all the books mentioned here - for my granddaughter of course but I will need to read them myself first! Well, you do don't you...