Whether your children are only just learning to read or have been reading for a while, children's author Peter Corey has some suggestions for books they might enjoy reading with you:
This best-selling book follows the adventures of Little Fish as he swims around the ocean meeting his other fishy friends. It is a great introduction to reading as it is very colourful, has a rhyming text and comes with an animated DVD.
Puffy the Puffer Fish blows such amazing bubbles that he is the most popular fish around. But he is upset when a fish with fingers - fish fingers, obviously - becomes more popular! With unusual illustrations, this book will delight small children and parents alike.
The Mousehole Cat - by Antonia Barber (reading with
age 5+)
This story tells how Mowzer, the village cat of Mousehole, saves the lives of the villagers. It is a book to cherish that can be read time and time again - eventually your child will be reading it back to you! It is perfect for a chapter a night and Nicolas Bayley's wonderful drawings are like mini works of art.
This is one of a series of books centering on the mad-cap adventures of a girl called Daisy, for whom trouble is never far away. She makes friends with six kittens in this story but the trouble is that her mum is allergic to cats! The language is really well pitched, making these books ideal for improving reading, and the pictures really bring the text to life.
This is one of a series of books, about the adventures of a dog called Streaker who is described as 'a rocket on legs with a woof attached'. This is the perfect book to make the change from 'reading with' mum and dad, to 'reading to' them. The book has lots of black and white illustrations to accompany the text.
This book is told from the point of view of nine year Anna, who with her younger brother Tom wins a battle to own some hamsters. But when the pets are killed, the children have to find out who did it. It's a really well-written tale and you and your child will find the story very entertaining.
This is perfect for boys who think that books are for girls. The main character, Yuck, is a bright child with a great sense of fun. The book has lots of cartoon illustrations, making it fun for even the most unwilling reader. There are a series of Yuck books and they will help your child to pick up a lot of new words very easily.
This is perfect for dipping in and out of to your heart's content. It is stuffed full of great facts and figures to amaze, astound, even annoy your family! It has lists that include: six of the world's smelliest cheeses, five animals that look like something else, eight different types of hat, and much, much more. Did you know that there's no proper name for the back of the knee?
Books your kids can read alone:
Lemony Snicket's books follow the lives of three children placed in the custody of their distant cousin Count Olaf, who plots to steal their inheritance. They are a hugely popular series of books - if you've never read one, start at the beginning with The Bad Beginning.
This modern-day thriller is a perfect read during the summer holidays. It tells the story of Ty who is given police protection - and a new name - when he witnesses a crime. It is a gripping, moving and funny story that both teenage boys and girls enjoy. There is also a follow-up book called Almost True.
No school holiday would be complete without an activity book. The following top recommendations improve reading skills by using words to solve problems:
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