These are some of our favourite children's chapter book reviews from Sonlight and other places. The enjoyment from reading chapter books aloud with your children begins HERE! Please note that all the book title links go to Amazon.com - so if you are wanting to look around my page a bit more remember to bookmark it now.

If you are a South African parent it will be more affordable to use Kalahari.net for your orders, and I do appreciate your support.

Story of Dr Doolittle
One of the first chapter books we read. What an admiral story of courage and belief in following your hearts passion! It is full of the delightful fantasy world of a human doctor who can hear and heal the animals.

The House at Pooh Corner, AA Milne
Forget the Disney remakes the original is still the best. The language structure may be a bit more elevated than the more recent publications, but the real “Poohness” comes out in this original story.

Dick King Smith's children's books
We have loved his Animal Stories book where he highlights in short stories his favourite pets, of which he had many – form a bull called Midnight to a mouse. We have also enjoyed his book called Puppy Love, especially now that we have adopted yet another puppy. There is also a lovely semi guide book along with his grandfatherly way talking about Guinea Pigs (of which we have many too!) Other titles to look out for are: Lady Daisy Chain, Babe, Saddlebottom and many more.

In Grandmas attic, Arletta Richardson
Grandma share with her exuberant granddaughter stories form her own childhood when she learnt some valuable and hard lessons. There is a second book in this series with more delightful stories from Grandma. Be sure to consider other books by Arleta Richardson

The following chapter book reviews highlight some of our favourites!

Family under the bridge
This has to be the ultimate story about loving and giving over the Christmas period. A homeless man happens onto a group of three children and their mother who have been evicted and are living under a bridge. He has to face his own immaturity as he decides to care for them.

Boxcar children, Gertrude Chandler Warner
Junior sleuths but they start off as a family who have to make their won way in the world. The first in this series is our favourite. If your children enjoy this first book in the series, be sure to check out the other Boxcar children books.

This following chapter book is a gem of a book to inspire us moms as well as our children!

A Year of Miss Agnes, Kirkpatrick Hill
In an isolated fishing town in Alaska, Miss Agnes arrives to change the school children’s lives forever. She shows them that learning is one of the highest privileges that they can have and with her gentle way she helps each child achieve their best.

Charlotte’s Web, EM White
A beautiful book and story of true friendship against all odds. This classic is on every book list I know - make sure you read this with your children. Do not miss the original Stuart Little too.

Mountain born, Elizabeth Yates
Peter raises a little black lamb to become a leader of the flock. Peter learns about life as a shepherd as he grows up into a young man. This book is one of those that you remember forever. I found myself rather choked up with tears towards the end. A beautiful coming of age story. Elizabeth Yates has written many other stories for all ages and on a variety of topics. Each one is filled with a love for life and living.

The following chapter book reviews give you suggestions for older children who can sit still for more complicated storylines.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Florence Atwater
A delightful story about following your hearts desire. A whole lot of imagination thrown in too! Mr Popper has always been fascinated with the life of an explorer, but in particular the life of the Emperor Penguin in the South Pole. This story is about where his interests take him.

Understood Betsy, Fisher
This is a beautiful coming of age story about a spoilt fragile young girl who goes to live with her older cousin and finds out about really living and conquering her fears.

Henry and Ribsy, Beverley Cleary
All of Beverley Cleary’s books for younger readers are lovely. But Henry and Ribsy take the cake. Henry finds a stray emaciated dog and decides to take it home and care for it. The shenanigans that follow are hilarious. Beverley Cleary as written many series for children to read alone or for you to read aloud. Be sure to read more of hers.

The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes
A beautiful story of truth and being the odd one out. No one believe the little poor girl that she has 100 dresses at home. They tease her until the day that her family moves away and they visit her home to see where she lived....Again Eleanor Estes has written many enjoyable chapter books. We have loved her series about the Moffat Family.

Follow My Leader, James B Garfield
Jimmy looses his sight in a bizarre firecracker accident. Besides for the way we watch through the story as Jimmy relearns how to do everything, there is a wonderful underlying message of forgiveness. Leader, a German Shepherd, becomes Jimmy’s eyes. We read this book along with a biography from Scholastic about Louis Braille and even had an outing to the Blind Association to see how visually impaired could weave baskets and rugs and there we met Rachel – the guide dog.

The Strawberry Girl, Lois Lenski
We loved this story because of the subtle humor and finally for the reconciliation between two feuding families and ultimately the change of heart by the drunken father. We had great fun reading the accents in this book and laughed at all the antics that the folk get up too!

Ginger Pye, Eleanor Estes
Ginger Pye is a special dog who comes to live with the a welcoming family. When she gets dog-napped a large dog hunt follows. Ultimately this story is about overcoming prejudice and forgiveness.

Boy - Tales of Childhood, Roald Dhal
An enchanting story about the young boy behind the stories. In typical Roald Dahl fashion we hear of his exploits including how he had his tonsils taken out on the kitchen table at 11 without any anesthetic! And of course there are all the other silly but enjoyable Roald Dhal children's books.

The Five Little Peppers and how they grew, Margaret Sydney
Mrs. Pepper has five busy children. Her husband has died and together they face the challenges of this life. Even when life is tough, the family sticks together and pulls through. With the meeting of a man and his son, it looks as though there is a new page about to be written in their lives.

My Daniel, Pam Conrad
Julia is at the time fo the story, a grandmother with her grandchildren in a museum. She remembers a time when “fossil fever” hit the Nebraska countryside. Her older brother Daniel knew that by finding a dinosaur fossil on their farm, the farm could be saved. This story is a journey down memory lane and shows the strong bonds of love between siblings.

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