Dd4.5 enjoys being read to and I love reading chapter books to her- not the really long novel type books but books with less than 10 chapters. She loves books where the lead character (fictional or real) is an adventurous female. For example, pippi longstocking books and a book on Amelia Earhart.
Any other book recommendations? Is there a kid friendly book about Nellie Bly, Madame curie, others? Thanks.

Check out http://www.amightygirl.com/books

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede.

It's a 3 book fantasy series about a princess who doesn't want to do "princess" stuff so she decides it would be best to let a dragon capture her. Only it doesn't turn out the way she expects it. These books are chapter books, but on the shorter side. The first one has 15 chapters.

You might try the Cam Jansen books -- girl detective, and there are lots of them.

And there's always Ramona.

Megmeg, that link is a treasure trove! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

Blumagic, I will check the dealing with dragon book out- sounds like just the character my dd can relate to! We usually read for about 20 to 30 minutes before bed and some books take just a couple of days, others upto two weeks. So 15 chapters is perfect! Thanks.

Nautigal, we have read a few of the Cam Jansen. Have to look into the Ramona books. It is nice to find a series you like so you don't have to rack your brains every time you go to the library to search for new books to read. Thanks.

Caddie Woodlawn ....a really spunky frontier girl...

The true confessions of Charlotte Doyle by AVi (might want to save until she is older)

I personally haven't read any of these but Judy Moody books?

Series of unfortunate events

DS liked the Clementine books which are at about the same reading level as Pippi.

Lily quench, clementine, ronia, the girl the dragon and the wild magic, the secret unicorn (though DH read some and said it was awfully written, I'm guessing like Magic Treehouse), Celia and the fairies, Fairy Realm series, enchanted forest dragon books (Cimorene is awesome!), the girl who circumnavigated fairyland....

FYI The Dealing in Dragons that I mentioned is the first of the enchanged forest dragon books (Cimorene is awesome!) I agree she most defiantly is..

And if you haven't read them, I love many of Robert Munsch's books except for his most famous. (I'll love your forever) They aren't chapter books and a bit quirky, but they are age appropriate and many of them have a strong female main characters. For example Stephanie's Ponytail, Angela's Airplane (Annikins), The Paper Bag Princess, Alligator Baby.

Sweetie, just read the book description of caddie Woodlawn at b&n site and she sounds like a hoot! Got to read that one to dd.

2 votes for celementine and Cimorene, added that to my list. Thank you raptor dad and st. Margaret- you have given me quite a few book suggestions. I will be busy at the library this week! Thanks.

The ones that really stuck with my daughter at that age were Pippi Longstocking, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and Ramaona books. I wouldn't suggest Judy Moody. Mine is reading and loving those at 6, but she would have found them boring at 4. Same with Caddie Woodlawn (great book though). Others my daughter liked at that age included the Clementine books, The Doll Shop Downstairs, All of a Kind Family, Little House on the Big Woods (but not the whole series), Bad Kitty (graphic series--no girl protag.), Betsy-Tacy, Lulu and the Brontosaurus (kid is kind of a brat, but the story is fun)

Judy Moody is an "early chapter" book. In general I found early chapter books did not make good "read out loud" books. They are written to keep the lexile level down (difficulty of words) so they are easy for a emerging reader to read and don't really roll off the tongue well. Nor are the stories as rich and intricate, or as enjoyable to both parents & child. If you daughter isn't reading the early chapter books on her own yet, I would stick to picture books and regular chapter books and skip over early chapter books (Judy Moody, Magic Tree House) until they are ready to read the early chapter books on their own. You aren't missing much.

Questions202, thank you so much for your personal recommendations. Since DD LOVED Pippi, I am guessing she might also like the other books that your DD enjoyed at that age.
bluemagic,DD started to read the beginning of this year and reads picture books fairly fluently now. However, she is definitely not ready to read chapter books on her own. When I read to her,I pick books that are well written and targeted for way above her age as she has good comprehension. So thanks for your opinion on the early chapter books. It is very helpful.

Sorry, bluemagic! I admit I skipped previous replies and just rattled off my standard list.

I agree, easy chapter books can be ok read aloud a when the child needs simply plots still, but if she can follow a longer more detailed story, they're much more satisfying for reader and child