Chapter Books for a VERY sensitive 6 yo girl???

[Katie Bugs Mama]

The subject line pretty much says it all. I'm trying to find good, well-written books that won't scare the pants off dd. She actually does OK with violence (I think because it is so abstract to her,) but she gets really upset when a character is in physical danger or is being teased, embarrassed, etc.

For this reason, I've been hesitant about reading her the Narnia books or Charlotte's Web. We've read all the Ramona books (great, although some parts bothered her,) all the Junie B. books (she loved them; I hated them,) most of the younger Amber Brown books (OK, I guess, but not great,) and all of the Littles series.

Any suggestions? I like strong female characters and good writing with complex sentences. She likes funny things, especially involving animals. She seems to like stories that are more grounded in reality (situations like her life) or historical fact than fantasy, although she likes things told from alternative points of view. For example, any book told from the point of view of a dog or cat is bound to be a hit. "Down Girl and Sit" and "Mercy Watson" were big hits.

[windpowered]

Hi! Another mama of a sensitive DD here (she's almost 5).

We are reading Heidi, the full book right now, and enjoying it. We first picked up a Junior Readers version from the library, kind of by accident (someone left it lying in a place it shouldn't have been). That one took about 3 nights to read. We also happened to see an old version of a Heidi movie, and my DD really likes the story. So, for Christmas we got her the original book.

I don't remember reading it when I was a kid, but I gotta say it is a great book. Sometimes when DD falls asleep in the middle of a chapter, I finish it up because I don't want to stop.

HTH

~Diane

[ThreeBeans]

Would she like the American Girl books?

[crb]

I haven't read the Little House books w/a kid yet, but they are often recommended and seem benign. We read PollyAnna and Pippy Longstockings, which are pretty tame, I think.

[~*max*~]

I am right there w/ya, except my sensitive child is my 7 year old ds. For example, he would be devastated by Charlotte's death in Charlotte's Web. I mean full blown crying & upset for days. He likes funny/mischevious stories, like Captain Underpants - but I don't think a girl would enjoy that as much. I am going to look into the Super Fudge series too. I look forward to reading the replies.

[sunnmama]

Originally Posted by ThreeBeans

Would she like the American Girl books?

We've read most of these, and they are pretty intense. Death, slavery, whipping, separation from family, kidnapping.....we LOVED them, but they are definitely not for a sensitive child, imo.


We read the Fudge series recently, and they are funny and mostly light. One book does have a Santa spoiler, though....and they are written with the assumption that they reader understands how babies are made. Both ideas were fine for dd, but other 6 yo children might not be ready for these.

If she liked Ramona, how about the other Beverly Cleary books? The Mouse and the Motorcycle books.....or the Henry books. We just finished the Henry/Ribsy books, and they were great. Very dated, lol, but great. And many visits from Ramona and Beezus!

[Thalia the Muse]

Mr. Popper's Penguins is great, and so are the Moomintroll Books.

[PiePie]

mr. popper's penguins -- good choice!

[Katie Bugs Mama]

Thanks! Keep the great ideas coming! :

[Katie Bugs Mama]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

We've read most of these, and they are pretty intense. Death, slavery, whipping, separation from family, kidnapping.....we LOVED them, but they are definitely not for a sensitive child, imo.

I haven't considered the AG series because of the product tie-ins. She is already fascinated by that blasted catalog, which she always seems to get a hold of before I can hide it. If she knew the stories that went with the dolls, she would be that much more in to it.

Still, I think that I will take a look at them. She knows about death (two of her grandparents have died) and about slavery from reading Molly Bannaky half a million times. Maybe I could pick out a couple that wouldn't bother her too much.

[UUMom]

Trust me on this: Milly Molly Mandy-- there are 3 chapter books and believe- you- me, it's all sweet as barely malt. There is a small bit of 'mild' sexism (because of the time frame) but I was able to deal/edit/explain. Honestly, my dd could not get enough. My dd said when she was 5, 'I wish the author had written ten Milly Molly Mandy books!" when we finsihed them. Check www.chinaberrybooks.com. I was able to get them through interlibrary loan. I even enjoyed reading them.

Also, Children in Noisy Village, and the Pipi books all by Astrid Lindgren.

My Father's Dragon- it's a 'trilogy'. Kind of 'exciting' (not) but nothing bad happens.

I hated this book-- Mr Popper's Penguins, but all my kids liked it. I don't know why. (It's a parental shame that they liked it) . The penguins do not live in their native land, but you could talk about that. Simple is as simple does. It's on all the Waldorf reading lists. Take that as you will. :

I'll keep thinking.

[UUMom]

Oh! Hoew could I forget?! The All-of-A -Kind Family books are lovely. They are about an observant turn- of- the- last- century Jewish family, but are appealing to everyone-- the religion is just the background, meaning you don't need to be Jewish to love these books. I totally related on every level as I had 2 sisters-- a kind but no-nonsense mother, and our mother always dressed us alike when we were little. I loved those books.

[Thalia the Muse]

Oh, The Saturdays would be great too -- Elizabeth Enright.

[Attila the Honey]

Mary Poppins! I was so pleasantly surprised when we read that book, it was so adorable and charming and funny. And yes, like a PP said, Pippi Longstocking is another good one.

[mumm]

[QUOTE=UUMom;6922558]My Father's Dragon- it's a 'trilogy'. Kind of 'exciting' (not) but nothing bad happens.

QUOTE]

I'll second my Father's Dragon. Adventurous, yet mild.

Also the Catwings series. Some suspense and anxiety producing events, on a similiar level as My Father's Dragon, but told from the point of view of cats who have wings. Ursula Le Guin I really enjoyed these with my sensitive 6 year old, perhaps more than him.


What about Stink, Judy Moody's little brother? Not quality, but something to read.

It really is amazing the different tolerance level among kids. We were picking out dvds at the library today and my 6 year old put back a barney that he deemed to be too scary, right next to a 3 year old whose mom was getting him the 4th harry potter. I figure we'll think about introducing harry potter when he is 11 or 12!

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by UUMom

My Father's Dragon- it's a 'trilogy'. Kind of 'exciting' (not) but nothing bad happens.

There is one spanking reference toward the beginning of the first book but easy to skip over if you are expecting it. My ds enjoyed it.

[carnelian]

The Secret Garden by F.H. Burnett
The Little Princess by same
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea by same

[Thalia the Muse]

If she doesn't like scenes of teasing and cruelty, A Little Princess (my own favorite book from childhood!) will be far too upsetting. Anne of Green Gables could be problematic as well.

[Katie Bugs Mama]

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

If she doesn't like scenes of teasing and cruelty, A Little Princess (my own favorite book from childhood!) will be far too upsetting. Anne of Green Gables could be problematic as well.

A Little Princess is one of my favorites too. However, Kate is a total daddy's girl, and the idea of Sarah's daddy being (presumed) killed in a war would be pretty hard on her.

[dogmama]

I second the Moomintroll books- loved them as a kid and can't wait to read them to my children. They are very benign.