kept DD going from about 2 until she was 5+ and had been reading independently for quite a while. Dr Seuss too, except they aren't exactly gentle. Go for stuff that has a rhythm when you read it, something bouncy for non-bedtime stories. Mine were positively boring with their book choices for ages, and I know most kids like to hear books over and over until their parents want to scream, so don't worry about having too wide a choice.

It's often useful to go into a decent bookshop and see if you can find someone working in the children's section to ask what's popular. Of course The Gruffalo is making a comeback, with The Gruffalo's Child coming out recently. Maurice Sendak stories like 'Where the Wild Things Are' is good, and Jane Hissey for cute bear stories, and if you haven't got a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar I think we may have to call Social Services on you!! Well okay, other Eric Carle books are good too, but the Caterpillar is the place to start. The pictures are so specific to the words that it's easy to follow, and I remember loving the holes in the book as a child myself!

ok, I think I'm done for now!

Kerri.