This is still a time for sharing but now you will be sharing the reading with your child. Don't leave behind favourite picture books as children love the familiar, and follow up on writers they've always known. Allan Ahlberg's Happy Families series are very popular because of their humour. It's time for writers such as Roald Dahl, Anne Fine, Dick King-Smith and Jeremy Strong; writers who always tell a good story and touch the emotions as well as making children laugh. They'll adventure with Spud Murphy and Boris the Giant and, as they become independent readers they will know that reading is something they really want to do.

Happy Families series » Allan Ahlberg Ideal books for children just beginning to read on their own - family situations, humour, good language and lots of illustration combine to make them work.

Fantastic Mr Fox » Roald Dahl The story of Boggis, Bunce and Bean, the meanest of farmers delights every new generation of children.

Only a Show » Anne Fine
A perfectly observed school situation makes this book a winner.

Dumpling » Dick King-Smith
Dumpling longs to be long and sausage-shaped like her brothers in this lovely animal story.

The Witch's Dog
» Frank Rodgers Wilf wants to be the Witch's dog and soon proves that he's more than up to the job - entertaining from beginning to end.

Pirate School
Just a Bit of Wind » Jeremy Strong Everyone loves a pirate story and this one will have them giggling and longing for more.

The Legend of Spud Murphy » Eoin Colfer
Does the librarian really have a gas-powered spud gun? This book is super child-friendly and a good introduction to a very popular writer.

Doris the Giant » Carol Ann Duffy Doris is a very lonely giant who travels the world to find a friend; she discovers Boris, the Australian giant.

The Coldest Day at the Zoo » Alan Rusbridger The heating breaks down at the Zoo on the coldest day of winter and so the zoo keepers must take the animals home for the weekend - things of course are not as straightforward as they seem!