Novels for young children, any suggestions?

[ovc88guelph]

That is, any suggestions besides the obvious! I am just beginning to 
read chapter books to my 5 and 6 year old children. My earlier 
attempts (Black Beauty, Lassie Come Home, and sadly, PS) didn't hold 
their interest for long. I abandoned long books for about 6 months, 
and then tried Charlotte's Web. They loved it! I think that it was 
relevant to them because we live on a farm. The language was 
sometimes difficult. They did ask what some of the words meant (just 
as Wilbur did!). And the humour appealed to them. So I am asking for 
help from other fathers, mothers, teachers, and anyone who used to 
be (or still is) a child; what short novels would you recommend for 
young and NOT precocious readers? Books with illustrations would be 
most appropriate. We are already planning on trying the Narnia 
series. Stewart Little is being read at school. All other 
suggestions would be welcome!

MMcK.