The cafe at the edge of the woods has been my 4 year old favorite lately, too. We started my father’s dragon. But I’m not sure if he’s ready for chapter books, and frankly, maybe I’m not either. Some illustrations are breathtaking in kids books.
We read picture books together with her two year old brother at bedtime, and after he is in bed we read a little bit of a chapter book together (honestly mostly as a bargaining chip to get her to stay in her bed at bedtime, but it’s been a sweet time together for us!)
Chapter books in verse are a thing! That's what novels in verse are 😉 (I think my top pick for the younger end of middle grade is probably Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan series -- some of the lines in those books are just breathtaking.)
But I think you mean chapter books that are written as lyrically as picture books, and yes, those are harder to find. I think this is where older authors, and older books, really shine -- the two that come to mind right this moment are E.B. White (any of his books) and Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting, but not limited to that title alone).
Some 4yo's are ready for chapter books and some aren't, but either way, it's not picture books versus chapter books... you can read picture books for years upon years after starting chapter books, in conjunction, and there are a lot of good reasons to do so.
The Princess in Black (chapter books) have been a hit with my 4-year olds I've been trying to find chapter books-style books that are better for younger reader -- fewer words per page, more pictures -- and they are surprisingly hard to find?! But these (mostly) fit the bill.
I've also been trying to make a more concerted effort to prioritise Australian authors. Some recent ones:
Meerkat Mayhem by Mem Fox. It is a "cumulative" story, like the 12 Days of Christmas song, which I have always had an irrational dislike for but my kids love meerkats so this was fine for them.
Afloat by Kirli Saunders (Aboriginal author) a tale of an Aboriginal Elder in a time of climate crisis sharing wisdom and gathering community. My kids found it too metaphorical to really follow what was going on.
Footprint by Phil Cummings. A nice "isn't nature great? you should pay attention to it more" picture book which I'm always a sucker for.
Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush chapter book series by Louise Zanni. Tiggy has a magic paintbrush that let's her bring anything to life that she can imagine. It rarely works out exactly as expected, though. We liked these because they have few words per page.
We tried both the Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series by Jacqueline Harvey but they're really more for older kids and require attention spans mine don't have yet. We'll try her Willa & Woof series next to see if that works.
Taronga presents Poo at the Zoo. The Sydney Zoo (aka Taronga Zoo) is putting out these series of zoo & zookeeper focused chapter books. They feature lots of zoo animals so my kids were into it.
Meet Sam at the Mangrove Creek by Sam Seder is part of the "Aussie Kids" series each of which features on a different kind of Aussie kid who lives in a somewhat unique place. "From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia." It was a bit of a struggle for my 4 year old's because it requires just a bit more context about the world than they have yet.
If you're looking for books like Princess in Black -- in the sense of beginning chapter books with a lot of images -- check out the Bibsy Cross series. (Bonus, they are novels in verse for this age group, which are almost nonexistent!) I reviewed the first one awhile ago: https://canweread.substack.com/p/toads-beds-apples-books?utm_source=publication-search
Huh, there's not a single copy of any Bibsy Cross books in the entire state-wide library system. Though they do have other books from the same author. And Amazon Australia claims to have it, so I guess it is published here. I'll have to ask the library to order some next time we go in.
I have recommended that one to so many people, so many times -- it's a gem. (Did you know it's the first in a trilogy? So there is more goodness where that came from!)
My mom got out more middle grade books from my childhood and we are now reading Animorphs! My youngest started reading Magic Treehouse by himself for the first time a couple weeks before his 6th birthday. He also loves Don’t Trust Fish. 8 yo has been reading a lot of Who Would Win feuds books and still reading Heroes in Training. They did a Living Wax Museum project and he read Who was Alexander Hamilton to prep.
We got Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors for my kid’s 5th birthday last year, we love that book!
My older grands are getting into chapter books. The two younger are still loving board books. But I find they ALL love for me to read board books to them while eating breakfast or lunch.
Orpheline by Katelyn Aronson has been a huge hit around here lately. It’s a beautiful book but oh man does it tug at my heartstrings. It’s such a beautiful ode to things (or merpeople, as the case may be) that are lost and found.
My 7yo is big into graphic novels, and she’s discovered she enjoys fantasy books - “with magic and powers and a hero and a bad guy.” So she’s tearing through the Amulet series as fast as I can get them from the library! If anyone has any other beloved graphic novels, please let me know! (We’ve done the dogman oeuvre!)
Have you explored the 'Wings of Fire' series? It's dragon fantasy, and a lot of fun (but somewhat intense as well). Our 7-year-old son was so obsessed we couldn't read anything else until we got through the first five books! (They have chapter books and graphic novel versions)
I really hope you enjoy it! ps. I would be remiss if I didn't provide fair warning that I do feel like Wings of Fire has some intense plot points... my son actually cried after the Prologue of Book 6 so we put the books on pause... I think it's fine for a lot of kids, but some kids who are more sensitive may need to be a bit older to fully lean into Wings of Fire! (We did the chapter books so not sure how the graphic novels compare in this respect, but it may be a good idea to preview it to some extent!)
All these books look wonderful - would love to add some to our list! I wasn't sure what we'd been enjoying lately but our family (Kids ages 9, 7, 5, 3, and 8mos!) is definitely having a series *moment*. So here's what we've been enjoying!
Little House Chapter Books
My First Little House Picture Book Treasury
Dragon Masters series
Firehawk series
Trumpet of the Swan (recently finished bedtime book w Dad)
Pond by Jim LaMarche (just read this last night and it was so lovely!)
Samantha American Girl books (read aloud with oldest / anyone else who wants to listen)
Wonderful Wizard of Oz (audio narrated by Anne Hathaway, fam fave, especially of our 5 yo)
Frog and Toad (audio, constantly in rotation on short car trips)
It was different, of course. Many characters missing (no Ferdinand the duck? What's even the point?) It was more serious, less funny and incredibly cute. But King-Smith is an excellent writer, you'll never convince me otherwise, and he has a way of telling stories for children that is so compelling.
Just started Belly Up (Stuart Gibbs) and still deep in the Lemony Snickett audiobooks with my 9yo (we're on Book 11 Grim Grotto) and I appreciate both for bringing up the idea of death but in a humorous and manageable way. My kid tends to want to avoid all discussions of mortality and this opens that door a little. I also hope he will eventually like mystery books and I'm liking Belly Up a heck of a lot more than the Greetings from Somewhere series (fine books! just much lower grade level for my adult brain to enjoy - probably best fit for ~first graders).
My 4yo was delighted to finish her first ever "Real Chapter Book!" with me last night - Stella and Marigold (Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall) which I found the same level of weird (complimentary) as Dory Fantasmagory. And Frog and Toad perpetually on audio/Yoto for her.
Stuart Gibbs is a genius - the different series all riff on different genres in fun ways that can have somewhat serious themes without being too heavy. Def. recommend the once upon a tim series also. My 7yo reads above grade level and they are the perfect middle grade for him that will hold attention but not be too thematically off for his age
Love this advice, thank you! Will definitely check out some more by Gibbs. I'm treasuring how much my 9yo still wants me to read to/with him - I know he'll want to be more independent eventually, but we're not there yet and I delight when I find stuff we're both legitimately enjoying (very much including the Lemony Snickett books - I missed them as a kid and don't know how this is going to end. Nobody spoil VFD for me. ;-)
The 9yo: Ronia (read aloud), Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclopedia (any video game or pokemon info book!), Winnie the Pooh and House at Pooh Corner, Greeking Out, Roald Dahl books, Bridge to Terabithia (read aloud),
The 4yo: Ernestines' Milky Way, Frog and Toad, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Strega Nona, Gruffalo's Child, Mother Goose, Du Iz Tak?, Stella Luna, Home in the Woods, Miss Maple's Seeds
The 21mo: Busy Bear, any board book with pictures of baby animals, Baby Bear Sees Blue...but lets face it, she doesn't really get through any books we just talk about the pictures.
We have a science-loving 6yo who's currently loving National Geographic's "Animal Encyclopedia" and Jess French's "Earth's Incredible Oceans". Earth's Incredible Oceans is truly incredible! Beautiful illustrations and just the right amount of text. We take turns reading it at night.
Our 4yo is all about Margaret's Unicorn (thanks for the rec!), Millions of Cats, and Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev (a surprise hit from a used bookstore).
My favorite picture book from our current library round up is To Live on an Island. Makes me and my girls want to pack everything up, move to the San Juan Islands, and never look back!
Picture Books were loving lately:
Leo Can Swim
Julius Baby of the World
The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods
Toes are to Tickle
Breakfast poetry we’re loving lately:
A Stick is an Excellent Thing
Honey, I Love
Fresh-Picked Poetry: Poems from the Farmers Market
Bedtime chapter books with 4 year old:
My Father’s Dragon
The Stories Julian Tells
Two Times the Fun
And we have a big swath of beach books coming in at the library in preparation for our upcoming beach trip!
The cafe at the edge of the woods has been my 4 year old favorite lately, too. We started my father’s dragon. But I’m not sure if he’s ready for chapter books, and frankly, maybe I’m not either. Some illustrations are breathtaking in kids books.
We read picture books together with her two year old brother at bedtime, and after he is in bed we read a little bit of a chapter book together (honestly mostly as a bargaining chip to get her to stay in her bed at bedtime, but it’s been a sweet time together for us!)
Most picture books (not all) are closer to poetry than prose, which is pretty hard to find in books for older readers.
I'd love some kind of "chapter books in verse" and "early readers in verse" listicles but I imagine there are essentially zero options.
Chapter books in verse are a thing! That's what novels in verse are 😉 (I think my top pick for the younger end of middle grade is probably Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan series -- some of the lines in those books are just breathtaking.)
But I think you mean chapter books that are written as lyrically as picture books, and yes, those are harder to find. I think this is where older authors, and older books, really shine -- the two that come to mind right this moment are E.B. White (any of his books) and Natalie Babbitt (Tuck Everlasting, but not limited to that title alone).
Try the Bibsy Cross series!
Some 4yo's are ready for chapter books and some aren't, but either way, it's not picture books versus chapter books... you can read picture books for years upon years after starting chapter books, in conjunction, and there are a lot of good reasons to do so.
I wrote a post about it, if you're interested in learning more: https://canweread.substack.com/p/the-case-for-continued-picture-books?utm_source=publication-search
What a list! So many good ones here...and many I recognize from my own recommendations, which makes me so happy, I can't even tell you 💗
The Princess in Black (chapter books) have been a hit with my 4-year olds I've been trying to find chapter books-style books that are better for younger reader -- fewer words per page, more pictures -- and they are surprisingly hard to find?! But these (mostly) fit the bill.
I've also been trying to make a more concerted effort to prioritise Australian authors. Some recent ones:
Meerkat Mayhem by Mem Fox. It is a "cumulative" story, like the 12 Days of Christmas song, which I have always had an irrational dislike for but my kids love meerkats so this was fine for them.
Afloat by Kirli Saunders (Aboriginal author) a tale of an Aboriginal Elder in a time of climate crisis sharing wisdom and gathering community. My kids found it too metaphorical to really follow what was going on.
Footprint by Phil Cummings. A nice "isn't nature great? you should pay attention to it more" picture book which I'm always a sucker for.
Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush chapter book series by Louise Zanni. Tiggy has a magic paintbrush that let's her bring anything to life that she can imagine. It rarely works out exactly as expected, though. We liked these because they have few words per page.
We tried both the Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series by Jacqueline Harvey but they're really more for older kids and require attention spans mine don't have yet. We'll try her Willa & Woof series next to see if that works.
Taronga presents Poo at the Zoo. The Sydney Zoo (aka Taronga Zoo) is putting out these series of zoo & zookeeper focused chapter books. They feature lots of zoo animals so my kids were into it.
Meet Sam at the Mangrove Creek by Sam Seder is part of the "Aussie Kids" series each of which features on a different kind of Aussie kid who lives in a somewhat unique place. "From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia." It was a bit of a struggle for my 4 year old's because it requires just a bit more context about the world than they have yet.
If you're looking for books like Princess in Black -- in the sense of beginning chapter books with a lot of images -- check out the Bibsy Cross series. (Bonus, they are novels in verse for this age group, which are almost nonexistent!) I reviewed the first one awhile ago: https://canweread.substack.com/p/toads-beds-apples-books?utm_source=publication-search
Huh, there's not a single copy of any Bibsy Cross books in the entire state-wide library system. Though they do have other books from the same author. And Amazon Australia claims to have it, so I guess it is published here. I'll have to ask the library to order some next time we go in.
Our librarian ordered the first three books for us today. Yay!
Happy to hear this! I’d love to know what you think.
My son and I are reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. It’s a wonderful adventure story with beautiful illustrations throughout.
Love that book!
We love that one too! My 9yo is a habitual re-reader. Lately, she and I have been re-reading Grace Lin's Dumpling Days and the Penderwicks series.
I have recommended that one to so many people, so many times -- it's a gem. (Did you know it's the first in a trilogy? So there is more goodness where that came from!)
We are big fans of the Sports Illustrated Goodnight books as a way to introduce the vocabulary to a toddler. Current favorite is Goodnight Baseball.
Other favorites are TRAINS:
- Choo-Choo School which includes a curious amount of word play for the reader
- Steam Train, Dream Train
My mom got out more middle grade books from my childhood and we are now reading Animorphs! My youngest started reading Magic Treehouse by himself for the first time a couple weeks before his 6th birthday. He also loves Don’t Trust Fish. 8 yo has been reading a lot of Who Would Win feuds books and still reading Heroes in Training. They did a Living Wax Museum project and he read Who was Alexander Hamilton to prep.
We got Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors for my kid’s 5th birthday last year, we love that book!
LOVE Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and love Don't Trust Fish. Funny books make me happy.
My older grands are getting into chapter books. The two younger are still loving board books. But I find they ALL love for me to read board books to them while eating breakfast or lunch.
Yes!
Orpheline by Katelyn Aronson has been a huge hit around here lately. It’s a beautiful book but oh man does it tug at my heartstrings. It’s such a beautiful ode to things (or merpeople, as the case may be) that are lost and found.
My 7yo is big into graphic novels, and she’s discovered she enjoys fantasy books - “with magic and powers and a hero and a bad guy.” So she’s tearing through the Amulet series as fast as I can get them from the library! If anyone has any other beloved graphic novels, please let me know! (We’ve done the dogman oeuvre!)
Molly, here are a couple suggestions off the top of my head:
Trot & Cap’n Bill Adventure series by Amy Chu
The Lightfall series by Tim Probert
The Wingbearer Saga by Marjorie Liu
Thanks!! I’ll request now from the library!
We LOVE the Hilda books and compass south
Thank you! I’m looking these up now!
Second the Hilda books -- they're great.
Have you explored the 'Wings of Fire' series? It's dragon fantasy, and a lot of fun (but somewhat intense as well). Our 7-year-old son was so obsessed we couldn't read anything else until we got through the first five books! (They have chapter books and graphic novel versions)
I have the graphic novel version on request at the library! Glad to have a rec for it :)
I really hope you enjoy it! ps. I would be remiss if I didn't provide fair warning that I do feel like Wings of Fire has some intense plot points... my son actually cried after the Prologue of Book 6 so we put the books on pause... I think it's fine for a lot of kids, but some kids who are more sensitive may need to be a bit older to fully lean into Wings of Fire! (We did the chapter books so not sure how the graphic novels compare in this respect, but it may be a good idea to preview it to some extent!)
All these books look wonderful - would love to add some to our list! I wasn't sure what we'd been enjoying lately but our family (Kids ages 9, 7, 5, 3, and 8mos!) is definitely having a series *moment*. So here's what we've been enjoying!
Little House Chapter Books
My First Little House Picture Book Treasury
Dragon Masters series
Firehawk series
Trumpet of the Swan (recently finished bedtime book w Dad)
Pond by Jim LaMarche (just read this last night and it was so lovely!)
Samantha American Girl books (read aloud with oldest / anyone else who wants to listen)
Wonderful Wizard of Oz (audio narrated by Anne Hathaway, fam fave, especially of our 5 yo)
Frog and Toad (audio, constantly in rotation on short car trips)
I could listen to Frog and Toad on audio forever and be totally content.
Arnold Lobel is a master 🙌
My 5 year old has really enjoyed the AdventureMice series by Philip Reeve. Good illustrations and a lot about teamwork, creativity, and helping others
Ooooh, I don't know this one, but my 11yo loves any books about mice, so I'm checking these out right now!
We’ve been enjoying: Mel Fell, That’s Me Loving You, Plant the Tiny Seed, and Hot Dog. ❤️
Love it.
Hot Dog! We rent that one from the library so often I should really just buy it at this point.
Babe is one of my favorite movies of all time, but I've never read the book. Maybe I should.
It was different, of course. Many characters missing (no Ferdinand the duck? What's even the point?) It was more serious, less funny and incredibly cute. But King-Smith is an excellent writer, you'll never convince me otherwise, and he has a way of telling stories for children that is so compelling.
Just started Belly Up (Stuart Gibbs) and still deep in the Lemony Snickett audiobooks with my 9yo (we're on Book 11 Grim Grotto) and I appreciate both for bringing up the idea of death but in a humorous and manageable way. My kid tends to want to avoid all discussions of mortality and this opens that door a little. I also hope he will eventually like mystery books and I'm liking Belly Up a heck of a lot more than the Greetings from Somewhere series (fine books! just much lower grade level for my adult brain to enjoy - probably best fit for ~first graders).
My 4yo was delighted to finish her first ever "Real Chapter Book!" with me last night - Stella and Marigold (Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall) which I found the same level of weird (complimentary) as Dory Fantasmagory. And Frog and Toad perpetually on audio/Yoto for her.
Stuart Gibbs is a genius - the different series all riff on different genres in fun ways that can have somewhat serious themes without being too heavy. Def. recommend the once upon a tim series also. My 7yo reads above grade level and they are the perfect middle grade for him that will hold attention but not be too thematically off for his age
Love this advice, thank you! Will definitely check out some more by Gibbs. I'm treasuring how much my 9yo still wants me to read to/with him - I know he'll want to be more independent eventually, but we're not there yet and I delight when I find stuff we're both legitimately enjoying (very much including the Lemony Snickett books - I missed them as a kid and don't know how this is going to end. Nobody spoil VFD for me. ;-)
My 7yo really prefers to read by himself, so I'm jealous! Although a kid lost in books for hours is a delight as well . . .
The 9yo: Ronia (read aloud), Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclopedia (any video game or pokemon info book!), Winnie the Pooh and House at Pooh Corner, Greeking Out, Roald Dahl books, Bridge to Terabithia (read aloud),
The 4yo: Ernestines' Milky Way, Frog and Toad, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Strega Nona, Gruffalo's Child, Mother Goose, Du Iz Tak?, Stella Luna, Home in the Woods, Miss Maple's Seeds
The 21mo: Busy Bear, any board book with pictures of baby animals, Baby Bear Sees Blue...but lets face it, she doesn't really get through any books we just talk about the pictures.
Love this so much!
We have a science-loving 6yo who's currently loving National Geographic's "Animal Encyclopedia" and Jess French's "Earth's Incredible Oceans". Earth's Incredible Oceans is truly incredible! Beautiful illustrations and just the right amount of text. We take turns reading it at night.
Our 4yo is all about Margaret's Unicorn (thanks for the rec!), Millions of Cats, and Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev (a surprise hit from a used bookstore).
My favorite picture book from our current library round up is To Live on an Island. Makes me and my girls want to pack everything up, move to the San Juan Islands, and never look back!