What are your favorite chapter books for young kids?

This week I decided that I’d like to start reading chapter books with the kids.  In my mind, I picture us curling up on the bunk bed reading fantastic stories, kids hanging on every word, begging for just one more page.

Chapter books for young kids

Ok, so it might not be that angelic, but I’d still love to get started with some great books.  I posed the question to Facebook on Thursday and got some great recommendations (see the list at the bottom of this post).

I couldn’t believe I had forgotten about such classics as The Boxcar Children, The Indian in the Cupboard, and Encyclopedia Brown.  Excitedly, Leila and I headed out to the thrift store to see what we could dig up.

Important things first, check out the cute purse and distressed mirror I found!

Thrift store goodies

Ok, onto the books.  Here is our haul from Goodwill.  They each cost between 69 cents and $2.99.

Chapter books for young kids

We also picked up a couple of early reader books for Joe.  Don’t you just love Amelia Bedelia?

Chapter books for young kids

One of our most exciting finds was an Encyclopedia Brown book.  I remember reading these when I was little, trying to solve the mysteries and fantasizing about becoming a detective.  They were some of my favorite books.  Too bad they were “just for boys”.

Chapter books for young kids

Not cool, Encyclopedia Brown.  Not cool.

When we got home, I dug out some of my old favorites to add to the pile.  My parents said they have a box of my books in storage, so I can’t wait to look through those too.

Chapter books for young kids

I’m excited to start reading these with the kids!

Here’s a list of all of your suggestions so far, what would you add? (affiliate links)

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Stuart Little

The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set

Magic Tree House Set

Charlotte’s Web

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

The Complete Ramona Collection

Poppleton

Mercy Watson Series: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder

My Father’s Dragon

The Wind in the Willows

James and the Giant Peach

The Complete Adventures of the Borrowers

Stuart Little

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Ivy & Bean

Anne of Green Gables

Junie B., First Grader

The Story of Doctor Dolittle

The Boxcar Children

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Nate the Great

Chronicles of Narnia

Flat Stanley

Winnie the Pooh

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Venus Among the Fishes

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective

  • Amy (@laundrydayblues) April 29, 2013 at 4:39 am

    I recently picked up some summer reading for the kids at Goodwill also! And found many of the same titles you got! I LOVED My side of the Mountain when I was younger and cannot wait for my son to read it. And the Anne of Green Gables series is one of my all time favorites!

    • inspiredrd April 29, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      I love Anne of Green Gables too. I actually want to re-read it myself!

  • Brandy April 29, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Try Bruce Coville’s Moongobble and Me series. My son loved these and they aren’t too advanced which makes them easy for the little ones to follow. I was able to find them at the library.

    • inspiredrd April 29, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      Thanks Brandy, I will look for those!

  • Stephanie April 29, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    We just bought “The Indian in the Cupboard” as a birthday gift for a party this weekend. SUCH a good one!

    • inspiredrd April 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      One of my favorites as a kid. I’m hoping my dad finds it in storage!

  • Gina Rau April 29, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    I love the memories we made together with our first chapter books. Our first was My Father’s Dragon, then Mr Popper’s Penguin. Even though my son initially read the Magic Tree House series almost five years ago, he still reads his favorites over and over.

    Each summer we choose a novel to read together and then watch the movie. We started with Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. It’s one of our summer break traditions that I really look forward to.

  • Lynne M April 30, 2013 at 2:40 am

    It is so nice to see that you have wonderful books for your kids. I do not remember that I like reading fairytale books when I was younger but I like to read the Bible, Reader’s Digest, newspaper comics and other wonderful kiddie books. Good luck with reading your books with the kids.

  • jen April 30, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    The Bobbsey Twins!!

  • Deanna Segrave-Daly May 5, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Oh, this brings back such great memories! I, too, adored Anne of Green Gables and Laura Ingalls series. Also loved all the Roald Dahl books (beyond Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) – Danny Champion of the World was my fav. A Cricket in Times Square was another beloved read 🙂

  • Deanna Segrave-Daly May 5, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Oh, and The Secret Garden!