best educational books for 6 year olds

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The 15 best books for 6 year olds (2024 buying guide).

Updated 30th December 2021.

At the age of 6 your child will now be regularly bringing books home from school, which you are encouraged to read with them. Listen to your child patiently and don’t forget to be impressed with their efforts!

Unlike books at an earlier age , they will be using phonics to decode complex work, blending letters to work out unfamiliar words, and expanding their vocabulary on what can seem an almost daily basis. Progress often comes thick and fast at this magic age. It’s not unusual for a six-year-old to learn five new words every day.

So what do you look for in getting the best books for 6 year olds? In this guide, we'll go over the key considerations as well as our reviews of 15 of the best books for you to buy. Happy reading.

What to consider when buying books for 6 year olds

Whether for boy or girl, once your 6 year old is familiar with a certain piece of text, and can read it smoothly, encourage your child to read the passage with expression. Adding emotion to reading helps children appreciate stories and fall in love with them. Beyond that there are some key considerations for what makes a great 6 year old book:

•  1: Regular reading . At this age, it's important that you continue to read to your child regularly. Snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy the experience together. That may be easier and more enjoyable than ever, as you start introducing some old childhood favorites of your own into the mix.
•  2: Multiple chapters . At six, many children can follow stories that continue over multiple chapters (and are read over multiple bedtimes). They are simply happy to listen and become immersed in the story, and no longer always need pictures to help fire their imaginations.
• 3: Follow and read . Buying or borrowing books for six-year-olds should be a combination of stories they can follow on the page and perhaps read themselves, and longer, more complex stories that they can simply enjoy listening to. You might even incorporate new hobbies like stargazing into how you can create better reading experiences.

The 15 best books for 6 year olds

   1.    the puffin book of stories for six-year-olds.

Editors Review

“There’s a Martian in a supermarket, and a monkey in a heap of trouble, among many other entertaining tales.”

A selection of great stories from celebrated children’s authors, specially selected for six-year-olds.

• Nicely pitched for children to read alone or have read to them.

ANY ISSUES?

• Some of the stories stray onto the gruesome side!

   2.    The Dinosaur's Diary  

“More advanced readers may enjoy reading the story themselves, but all children will be immersed in the tale of a dinosaur in the modern world."

A lovely story from Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson about a time travelling dinosaur.

• Told with the author’s usual skill.
• We've found it works particularly well with a dinosaur toy nearby too!
• Fewer pictures than previous Julia Donaldson books - but it is aimed at older children.

Check out Jon and Raife's review of The Dinosaur's Diary here.

   3.     Funny Stories for 6 Year Olds

“The sort of stories you’ll read to your child, who will then dip back in whenever they feel like a funny story.”

Humour is a great way to get kids reading, and this collection is packed with it.

• A good, varied selection.
• Some of the stories are gently amusing rather than laugh-out-loud.

   4.     The Boy Who Grew Dragons

“This prizewinner is a warm, funny and character-full instant classic”

Dragons grow on trees, and when they hatch, well, they’re a handful.

• Imaginative and magic.
• An Amazon number 1 best seller.
• The story is quite simple - but charming.

Check out Jon (and Raife!)'s review of The Boy Who Grew Dragons here .

   5.     I Can Read! Oxford Poetry for 6 Year Olds

“ Great poems specifically chosen to support the requirements of the National Curriculum.”

Introduce your children to the joys of poetry with this fun and accessible collection.

• Poems are a great way to instill a love of word, sounds and themes, and this collection ticks all the right boxes.
• For some kids poetry will always be a chore rather than a pleasure, whatever the source.

   6.     Timmy on the Toilet

“ Funny, entertaining and easy to read. ”

Timmy saves a fairy and, as his reward, is granted one wish. Which is where it all goes a bit wrong…

• Getting revenge on an awful teacher is always a nice touch…
• It may for some be too simple a story for a bedtime read, but it's great for kids to read on their own.

   7.     Whispers in the Wind

"A charming story of friendship, family and belonging."

Secrets, magic and plots in a forbidden forest.

• There’s a great mystery at the heart of this story.
• The story is whimsical and not for everyone, but many kids will love it.

   8.     Dear Hound

"A great story of love and loyalty, and rip roaring adventure to boot."

Alife the deerhound is lost, but Charlie will never give up looking for his beloved pet.

• Beautifully illustrated.
• And a lovely story that fits a number of life lessons.
• At 192 pages, it’s a serious read and perhaps too involved for basic readers.

   9.     Mummy Fairy and Me

"A funny, colourful tale of the unexpected."

When mum’s a fairy life is great...except when it isn’t.

• Very nicely judged for six-year-old readers: funny, absorbing, but not too long.
• Few pictures (the norm for this age group - but be warned).

   10.    Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

"Every child should have a joke book."

Yep, it’s a joke book, and a good one. It will have your six-year-old in stitches.

• The jokes are generally way better than the Christmas cracker variety.
• An Amazon best seller.
• A few of the funnies fall flat.

Check out Jon and Raife's review of  Awesome Jokes Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

   11.    Dirty Bertie: Trouble!

“Dirty Bertie is something of a cult favourite, with nearly 30 more books in the series if your child likes this one.”

Three great stories featuring Dirty Bertie, the anti-hero with horrible habits.

• Bertie is filthy - kids will love it!
• An absolute cult classic.
• Correction: most kids will love it.

   12.    The Kitten Next Door  

“It’s written by Holly Webb, the queen of animal stories for children."

Sophia loves cats but her parents won’t let her have one. Then one day a kitten wanders through a gap in the garden fence…

• Beautiful illustrations of a very cute kitten.
• A story very much aimed at cat lovers.

   13.     The Hat Full of Secrets

“A delightful story of the bond between grandchildren and grandparents.”

Henry puts his secret under grandpa’s old hat - and finds a lot more.

• A story of memory and imagination, told with warmth and wit.
• Great illustrations on every page, but more advanced readers may want more text.

   14.     Rain Before Rainbows  

“A girl and a fox, a journey from darkness to light, and a beautiful story.”

Many kids - like adults - may have had a hard time recently. This is a book about hope and optimism, even in the gloomiest times.

• The dreamlike illustrations.
• It may be too short for some readers.

   15.     Midge and Mo

“ We all have to face a new beginning sometimes, and this heartwarming story is about overcoming fears.”

Midge has to go to a new school, and Mo wants to be his friend. But Midge is a hard nut to crack.

• A well judged mix of pictures and words for six-year-old readers.
• Poignant, warm, but not a barrel of laughs.

How to read to a 6 year old

Don’t be afraid to share more complicated plots and longer stories with your six-year-old. If you’re doing the reading, immerse yourselves in meatier books that take a few days to get through. There's a few key things to do when reading to a 6 year old: 

• Read with expression and convey the excitement of the story.
• When you’re finished, talk through the story, asking your child what they liked and what they didn’t.
• Make sure you keep it fun, and don’t persevere with books your child clearly isn’t enjoying.
• Remember, the books your child will be reading as learning tools at school at this age are likely to be quite simple and dull. That makes reading time with you even more important. Stories that fire their imaginations will ensure their love of books and reading remains as strong as ever. 

The 15 Best Books For 5 Year Olds (2024 Buying Guide)

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50 Best Books For 6 Year Olds in 2024

What books are good for 6 year olds.

This best books for 6 year olds list comes straight from a Certified Reading Specialist. So you can enjoy reading without the guesswork.

By age 6, most kids are in the thick of learning unfamiliar words and skills. And you may have discovered that reading can be both exciting and challenging .

Picking great books makes this easier for everyone!

After, keep reading for expert tips to help your reader and a free printable!

Best Picture Books For 6 Year Olds

Reading aloud continues to be important as your kids grow. Read these great storybooks with your kids.

This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. See our disclaimer for more.

1. When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore (Ages 5-7)

If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in ! The power of imagination can make an otherwise normal day at the beach a whole lot of fun.

2. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson (Ages 3-7)

*Crazy popular!

“A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo?” On a walk through the woods, a mouse uses his wit to outsmart a deer, an owl, a snake, and even a Gruffalo! Flowing words and colorful characters make this funny book a great one to read aloud .

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (Ages 4-8

*Inspired the hit movie!

Spaghetti raining down from the sky? For the people in the town of Chewandswallow, the weather brings all three meals a day. But what happens when the weather goes awry?

Things get sticky when the portions start getting larger and the people in the town of Chewandswallow get into trouble. Everyone will have an appetite for this bestseller !

4. The Good Egg by Jory John (Ages 4-8)

*Teacher’s Pick

The Good Egg in this story discovers that it’s hard to be good all of the time. And if he doesn’t want to crack under all the pressure, he will have to do something about it.

5. Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller (Ages 4-8)

*2004 Bank Street – Best Children’s Book of the Year

Deep fried, frosted, and sprinkled, Arnie the Doughnut is one of the best donuts in town. When Mr. Bing purchases Arnie from the bakery, Arnie thinks he is going on an exciting adventure. He doesn’t realize that adventure involves being eaten!

To save himself, Arnie comes up with a new plan. Readers will be surprised !

6. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon (Ages 4-8)

Camilla loves lima beans. But she is worried about what the other kids will think. In fact, she is so worried that she breaks out in a bad case of stripes. Luckily, she discovers that being herself is the best medicine.

See this great book here >>

7. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (Ages 3-7)

*Award Winner “Hoo-Hoo-Hooooo”

In this story , a girl has waited a long time to go owling with her father. Will they find an owl to admire? The author uses descriptive language to give the feeling that you are on this adventure too.

8. Ada Twist, Scientist (The Questioneers) by Andrea Beaty (Ages 5-7)

*NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Best Seller

Ada Twist has a head full of questions! Although her experiments do not always go as planned, she continues to search for the answer to satisfy her young scientist’s curiosities.

If you enjoy this book, you will also love: Rosie Revere Engineer and Iggy Peck Architect

9. What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada (Ages 3-7)

*New York Times & Award Winning Book

How can you bring your idea into the world? This beautiful story is about a little boy with a big idea. It inspires kids of all ages to welcome their ideas, give them space to grow, and watch the magic happen.

10. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (Ages 6-9)

From gum in his hair, to finding a cavity at the dentist AND having lima beans at dinner, Alexander is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Young readers relate to the struggles of growing up and the reality that we all have bad days.

Find Alexander the Great here >>

11. Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Ages 4-8)

*Classic books for 6 year olds

The Berenstain bear cubs and Papa are good at most things…. except chores. So, when Mama Bear decides to let everyone take a break from cleaning, things get a little messy . Well, A LOT messy around the bear house.

12. How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan (Ages 2-6)

*Excellent Mother’s Day Gift Idea!

With the amazing tips in this book, your child is sure to become an expert grandma-sitter! How to Babysit a Grandma is both funny and heartfelt. And don’t miss the section on “how to keep a grandma busy!”

We also love and have gifted How to Babysit Grandpa !

13. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak (6 Year Old Books)

*Wildly funny (and popular) read aloud

This book is both clever and silly as you read it completely without pictures! It turns every reader into a comedian. The reader MUST say all the words on the page. No matter how funny they sound.

This incredible author turns something that should be boring into a hilarious experience for kids and adults.

14. Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt (Ages 4-8)

*4x Award Winner!

Maddi’s Fridge is a heartwarming story of a friendship between Sofia and Maddi. When Sofia finds out that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough food in their fridge, Sofia finds a way to help her best friend.

This book explores themes of poverty, childhood hunger, friendship, and the burden of secrets

15. Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki (Ages 2-6)

Would you like to have a dragon for a pet?  In this funny story , a boy envisions life with a perfect pet dragon. With a dragon as a pet, always keep a fire extinguisher handy. And NEVER feed him broccoli!

16. Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion (Ages 4-8)

* An all-time top-100 children’s book

Harry doesn’t like baths. When he gets very, very dirty, his own family doesn’t even recognize him! Harry may have to finally take a bath to get his family back!

See Harry the Dirty Dog Here >>

17. The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble (Ages 4-8)

*Silly and fun!

Enjoy a hilarious retelling of a class trip to the farm. It’s complete with a boa constrictor wreaking havoc on the farm animals and the poor farmer’s wife!

Related: Funny Joke Books

Or watch this read aloud on video:

18. Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin (Ages 4-8)

*From the NYT Bestselling Team

What does a spider write about in his diary? In this funny book , follow a day in the life of spider and his best friend, a fly!

19. If I Built a Car (If I Built Series) by Chris Van Dusen (Ages 3-6)

*Inspires creativity & imagination

I Built a Car is a one-of-a-kind book for young inventors and kids with grand imaginations. Your child will love learning about Jack’s fantasy car. And they’ll be thrilled to read about Jack and his dad’s crazy test drive.

20. The Day You Begin by Jacquelin Woodson (Ages 5-8)

* Featured in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices!

This New York Times Best Seller is about highlighting a life truth. There are times when we all feel like outsiders. And that’s ok!

You can find the courage to connect when you’re scared. Or when you look and feel different than those around you. And often, you’ll find that you’re not alone.

There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. The day you begin

21. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt

*1 New York Times Bestselling Author

From the author of The Day The Crayons Quit, comes a silly and hilarious picture boo k about the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

“This is the sort of story that makes children love to read.” -School Library Journal

22. The Teacher from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Parents and children enjoy reading this funny story of what can happen when a child thinks his teacher is a fire-breathing dragon!

Look for other books in the Black Lagoon series including the Principal and the Gym Teacher !

23. Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale (Ages 3-6)

Clark the Shark thinks school is AWESOME! But as the biggest fish in the school, his enthusiasm for life is a little too much for the other fish to handle.

Adventure in the sea as Clark the Shark learns to be a better friend and classmate.

Good Books For A 6 Year Old Girl

These are books for 6 year olds that my daughter loved at this age!

24. Dear Girl,: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Ages 3-8)

*Heartwarming & inspiring

Dear girl is a beautiful book that inspires girls to love and accept who they are. This book is refreshing and heartfelt in a world where girls are often told to behave a certain way.

25. Bo’s Magical New Friend by Rebecca Elliot: Unicorn Diaries #1 (Ages 5-7)

*Early chapter book favorite!

Bo is a unicorn with the power to grant wishes. She loves unicorn school and her friends. When Sunny Huckleberry arrives to the forest, will she also be Bo’s friend? And what will Sunny’s magical power be?

Your 6 year old will be excited to find out !

If your daughter loves this series, check out the Owl Series too!!!

26. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale (Ages 5-7)

*New York Times Best Selling Series

Who says a princess can’t wear black? Girls love this series following Princess Magnolia. One minute she’s having scones and tea with the duchess, and the next she’s saving the day from monsters!

Find the first book to Princess in Black here >>

27. Fancy Nancy and the Dazzling Jewels by Jane O’Connor (Ages 4-8)

Fancy Nancy trades her charm bracelet with her friend, but then decides she wants it back. What will she do?

This beloved book character will become a favorite for your child.

28. Brave Irene by William Steig (Ages 3-8)

Irene has to help her feverish mom by delivering a new gown to the palace. While walking through snow and wind, the dress gets blown away! What will happen to Irene on the rest of her journey?

Read to find out!

Books For Boy 6 Year Olds

Dinosaurs, snakes, trucks, and more! Choose from topics that a lot of boys love!

29. How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace (Ages 2-6)

Do YOU have what it takes to catch a prehistoric creature?! Join the Catch Club Kids on another daring adventure to seek out the alluring dinosaur. Find out if these animals do still roam among us!

Find How to Catch a Dinosaur here   >>

30. Snakes by Gail Gibbons (Ages 4-8)

Bestselling author, Gail Gibbons brings us a great nonfiction text about SNAKES . Learn about types of snakes, where they live, what they eat, and many more interesting facts.

Readers will learn how to protect endangered snakes and how amazing these cold-blooded creatures are.

31. Step into Reading: Monster Trucks by Susan E. Goodman (Ages 3-6)

*Step into Reading Level 3

Beginning readers enjoy learning about monster trucks in this non-fiction reader . Engaging pictures and facts about monster trucks make this book an easy choice for any boy or girl interested in this topic.

32. Ty’s Travels: Lab Magic by Kelly Starling Lions

*My First I Can Read for beginning readers

Enjoy this book in the Ty’s Travels series. Ty and Corey have an adventure in the museum and become scientists. Simple text, engaging topics, and colorful illustrations appeal to emergent and beginning readers.

33. What If You Had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle (Ages 5-8)

What if you had shark teeth? This fun book helps your child learn about different animal teeth. Your child imagines what it would be like if they had each animal’s teeth. They may just discover why their own teeth are just right for them!

Explore other engaging books in this series including What If You Had Animal Eyes? and What If You Had Animal Feet?

Best Chapter Books For 6 Year Olds

Discover chapter books that are great for read-aloud or independent readers.

34. Mercy Watson Boxed Set (Ages 5-8)

*Great read aloud books for 6 year olds

Mercy is a pig who foils a robbery, squeezes into a tutu, drives a car…and lots more! Join the mischievous little pig in these unusual adventures.

See Books 1-6 in the set HERE >>

35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Ages 6-9)

* Fun read aloud!

When Charlie finds a rare and precious golden ticket, he is invited into Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory. He and four other winners have quite a unique time.

And Charlie will end up with the biggest prize of them all. This is a read aloud the entire family will love!

Related: Kids Books That Are Movies

36. Dragon Masters Series: Books for 6 Year Olds

*New York Times Bestselling Series

Drake not only discovers that dragons are real, but that he is the Dragon Master! Adventure with him to train dragons to battle an evil wizard.

Illustrations on each page draw young readers into this series .

37. Pizza and Taco: Too Cool For School by Stephen Shaskan (Ages 5-8)

*Cool graphic novel

Best friends Pizza and Taco are heading back to school. Soon, they meet the always cool B.L.T. Will Pizza and Taco discover that being too cool can lead to trouble?

Read this funny graphic novel chapter book with your kiddo to boost their reading confidence.

Best 6 Year Olds Educational Books

Does your reader enjoy nonfiction? Check out this list!

38. National Geographic Readers (Level 1-2/ Ages 5-8)

Discover…

• how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly
• how many teeth a shark has
• and how volcanoes violently erupt plus MORE in this 6-book set .

Vibrant photos and easy-to-understand text give readers a close-up look at each topic.

39. Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold (Great Books For 6 Year Olds)

Fly Guy takes you to the aquarium to teach you about sharks! Kids who love Fly Guy and Buzz will be interested in learning these interesting facts. Real photographs and cartoons draw readers into this easy nonfiction reader.

40. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine Hughes

What is a black hole? How far away are stars? What is it like on the moon? Captivating photographs and easy-to-read text help kids explore space and answer their curious questions.

41. My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner (Ages 2-6)

*New York Times Bestselling author

Help your child discover the magic of breathing in this interactive picture book . It will help calm emotions and equip children with a skill that benefits them for a lifetime.

*Find more:

• breathing exercises for kids
• mindfulness books for kids

42. Stephen Curry: The Children’s Book: The Boy Who Never Gave Up

*inspiring true story of NBA superstar Stephen Curry

Everyone said that this boy wasn’t good enough to play basketball. He was too small, too weak, and just not good enough. But against the odds, he never gave up. He not only realized his dream, but he became one of the best basketball players of all time.

Get inspired with The Boy Who Never Gave Up >>

Related: Inspiring Kids Books

43. The Fascinating Animal Book For Kids by Ginjer Clarke (Ages 5-10)

Some mantis shrimp are strong enough to break aquarium glass with their lightning-fast punches.

Engaging close-up photos and fun facts will make your reader excited to read this nonfiction animal book.

44. Who Would Win? Lions vs. Tiger by Jerry Pallotta

*A favorite nonfiction series in our house

Read this captivating nonfiction book to find out what would happen if a lion and a tiger met each other.

Who would likely win in an ultimate battle for survival? Your young reader will be on the edge of his/her seat to find out! Looks for more books in this series.

45. Ordinary People Change the World Series: I am Walt Disney by Brad Metlzer (Ages 5-9)

*#1 New York Times Bestselling author

Read a book out of this biography series to learn about American heroes and their accomplishments. The books include photos and timelines. This book features Walt Disney and his amazing story.

Learn about Disney here >>

*Looking for more nonfiction and educational books?

• books for 5 year olds
• books for 7 year olds list

Books For 6 Year Olds to Read Themselves

When your 6 year old is ready, introduce these independent readers.

46. Frog and toad: A Complete Reading Collection by Arnold Lobel (Ages 4-8)

*Caldecott Medal-winning fables

Share in the daily life of two different friends, Frog and Toad. This set of books is a Level Two I Can Read for young readers. To start with a good level 1 book, try Time for Bed the Babysitter Said .

47. Silly Milly by Wendy Cheyette Lewison (Ages 4-6)

*Level 1 easy reader

Why does Miss Milly like what she does? Read this easy rhyming text to find out the answer!

48. Elephant and Piggie: Complete Collection by Mo Willems (Ages 3-6)

*Caldecott Honor author Mo Willems

Adventure with friends Elephant and Piggie in this #1 New York Times Bestselling series.

49. BOB Books Set 2 Advancing Beginners by Bobby Lynn Maslen

Note: Set 1 is featured in the books for 5 year old list . But it’s good for 6 year olds too, and you’ll want to start there if you’re at the beginning of your reading journey.

50. I Can Read Phonics: Pete the Cat  by James Dean and Kimberly Dean (Ages 4-8)

*12 Beginner Mini-Books

Use these 12 beginners Pete the Cat books to start your child on their reading journey! This set was reviewed by a phonics expert. It features examples of long and short vowel sounds, as well as common sight words.

BONUS: Advanced Readers Books 6-7 Year Olds

Nate the great by marjorie weinman sharmat (ages 6-9).

*Best chapter books series for 6-7 year olds

In the award-winning Nate the Great series , Nate is on the case to solve the mysteries in his neighborhood. Using evidence and problem-solving skills, Nate helps his friend and solves the case.

Related: Mystery books kids can’t put down!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming (Ages 6-11)

The Potts family is an odd bunch. So, nobody is surprised when they come back with a car that looks like a wreck. But soon the family realizes the car is much more than a car. It’s also a plane and boat, and it’s on a mission to stop a gang.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is perfect for any kid who loves magic and adventure!

Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton (Ages 5-8)

*The first book of 8!

Meet Narwhal and Jelly. Two friends that love waffles and ocean adventures. Each book contains three stories, a comic strip, and interesting sea facts .

Start the award winning series here >>

Diary of a Pug: Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May (Ages 6-9)

Introduce your child to the first book in the Diary of a Pug series for newly independent readers. Baron von Bubbles or “Bub” loves his human, Bella. Will Bub be able to help her with her project for the Inventor Challenge?

Your kiddos will want to read all the books in this cute series .

Best Tips to Help Young Readers

Is a 6 year old supposed to read.

All kids develop at different rates. By age 6, their thought processes become more complex. In fact, they understand over 20,000 words. ( Scholastic ) Your child may be able to:

• decode words and read simple books aloud
• recognize sight words
• write words and use invented spelling

How do I help my 6 year old with struggling to read?

If your 6-year-old seems to be struggling, remember that reading independently is a new skill.

• Practice daily. Have your child read with or to you for 15-20 minutes daily.
• Model reading and discuss books as you read.
• Help your child find ‘just right’ books.
• Ask your child’s teacher for help.
• Be patient! Learning to read is a big job for your child. Continue to praise their efforts and build confidence in your child.

Why is my 6 year old not reading?

Your child may not be ready to be an independent reader yet. That’s okay! Model, practice, and encourage your kiddo as they build their reading skills.

Talk to your child’s teacher if you are concerned. They may be already working diligently to help your child.

Free Printable Books List For 6 Year Olds

What’s next.

Check out these reading challenges for kids to motivate your beginning reader (and yourself). And don’t forget the free tracker too !

Finally, keep reading! You are opening your child’s world to new possibilities with every book!

More book reading posts you’ll love…

• Good 8 Year Old Books & Book Series
• 2 Year Old Books Kids Love
• Best Books For 3 Year Olds to Read Together
• Ultimate 4 Year Old Books List

Best Childrens Books Your 6 Year Old Will Love

Jessica is a contributing editor for Healthy Happy Impactful. She is dedicated to fostering a love of reading and empowering women and families. Jessica holds a Master's degree in Education and is a licensed Reading Specialist. She is a mom to 2 kids.

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Best Books for Kids » Ages 6-8

Most recommended books.

I am a book. I am a portal to the universe. by Stefanie Posavec & Miriam Quick (illustrator)

“My very favourite of the books. In fact, I liked it so much that I bought fifteen copies and I’ve been giving them out to everyone…. I wasn’t the only one who loved this book. I think everyone was intrigued by it, because it’s so interactive. It’s a true and very creative art and science fusion.” Katharine Cashman , Scientist

Gut Garden: A journey into the wonderful world of your microbiome by Katie Brosnan

“ Gut Garden… was a fascinating book. You’d have to be living under a rock right now not to realize that viruses and microbes are very important to us and can have good and bad effects. This is not my field, but I know we’re constantly learning more and more about these microbial communities both in our body and in nature and everywhere, really. They point out in the book that there’s orders of magnitude more microbes in our body than there even are cells: in a sense, we’re just a host for these microbes. It’s really nicely presented. It’s clever the way it goes through the roles that the microbes play: in digestion preserving food, in our health when things go wrong, how our body tries to counteract this. There are some really good facts, like how they can lie dormant for years. There are even some speculations about what your appendix might be used for. It’s really good and this is the type of book that 10 or 20 years ago you wouldn’t have been able to write, because we didn’t know a lot of this stuff. It’s a really fast-moving field, and this is not your typical science book. We all enjoyed it.” Mike Kendall , Scientist

Fourteen Wolves: A Rewilding Story by Catherine Barr & Jenni Desmond (illustrator)

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Between the ages of five and eight is usually when children learn to read independently. There is a big difference between the books within this range. You have the easy reader books which resemble picture books, illustrated chapter books which are more like novels, and then novels for children age eight and older.

Easy reader / emerging reader books are short and often come in series so children can build their reading skills by reading one after another and gradually become more confident that way. These books are usually illustrated in colour, and children are often introduced to them at school.  

Chapter books for the 6-7 age range tend to have quite simple language and fast-paced plots. They still have lots of illustrations, usually in black and white. They often come in series and are very popular with newly confident readers who devour them in quick succession. Graphic novels are also popular with readers in this age group. We keep up to date with popular book series for six year olds,   book series for seven year olds and book series for eight year olds .

Perhaps to differentiate them from the phonics kids have to work through at school, a lot of the chapter books for 6-8 year olds are funny (at least for the target readership). Enjoying some books with silly humour at this age is not a bad way to start off on a lifetime of reading for pleasure.

It is hard to come by definitive data on dyslexia (or single word decoding and spelling difficulties), but it is clear that it affects a significant proportion of the population in English-speaking countries, with difficulties ranging from mild to severe. Without early-intervention high quality phonics tutoring, many of the children affected develop a dislike of reading.

Remember that audiobooks are another great way to access stories. As audiobooks continue to grow in popularity, more effort is often made to produce excellent ones. More and more of the children’s books recommended on Five Books have an audio version, often published at the same time as the print book.

Don’t stop reading to children as soon as they have learnt to read by themselves; they often still love being read to, and you can choose books that they might not yet feel confident to tackle independently. Besides, don’t you love curling up together on the sofa with a book just as much as they do?

Our book recommendations are made by experts, who explain their choices in an interview.

The Most Beautifully Illustrated Children’s Books , recommended by Ella Beech

I am the subway kim hyo-eun, translated by deborah smith, little echo by al rodin, up down inside out by joohee yoon, haunted house by jan pienkowski, a lion in paris by beatrice alemagna.

What makes an illustrated book stand out? Ella Beech , the artist who has just completed a beautiful new edition of The Night Before Christmas for the Folio Society, talks us through some of her favourites.

What makes an illustrated book stand out? Ella Beech, the artist who has just completed a beautiful new edition of The Night Before Christmas for the Folio Society, talks us through some of her favourites.

The Best Science Books for Children: the 2023 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Usha Goswami

Bodies, brains & bogies by paul ian cross & steve brown (illustrator), live like a hunter gatherer naomi walmsley, mia underwood (illustrator), am i made of stardust dr maggie aderin-pocock, chelen écija (illustrator), step inside science: germs by sarah hull & teresa bellon (illustrator), ben rothery's deadly and dangerous animals by ben rothery, a bug's world by dr erica mcalister & stephanie fizer coleman (illustrator).

The judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize look for books that explain high quality science in an engaging and accessible way. Neuroscientist Usha Goswami , chair of the 2023 judging panel, explains why it is important to get children excited about science via books, and introduces us to the fabulous titles that made this year’s shortlist.

The judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize look for books that explain high quality science in an engaging and accessible way. Neuroscientist Usha Goswami, chair of the 2023 judging panel, explains why it is important to get children excited about science via books, and introduces us to the fabulous titles that made this year’s shortlist.

Beautiful Science Books for 4-8 Year Olds , recommended by Our Children's Editor

A seed is sleepy by dianna aston & sylvia long (illustrator), how colour works by catherine barr & yuliya gwilym (illustrator), bright in the night by lena sjöberg, the big book of bugs by yuval zommer, creatures of the deep: the pop-up book by ernst haeckel & maike biederstädt (paper engineer).

Scientific picture books provide an enjoyable way for kids to explore different fields of science without realising how much they are learning. Our Children’s Editor picks science books for kids age 4-8 that are informative but also a pleasure to look at, both for children and for the adults that are reading with them.

Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Alan Wilson

How was that built the stories behind awesome structures roma agrawal, katie hickey (illustrator), microbe wars: humanity's biggest battles with the world's smallest life-forms by gill arbuthnott & marianna madriz (illustrator), fantastically great women scientists and their stories by kate pankhurst, if the world were 100 people jackie mccann, aaron cushley (illustrator), beetles for breakfast and other weird and wonderful ways to save the planet madeleine finlay, jisu choi (illustrator).

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson , Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson, Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.

The Best Books about Libraries for 4-8 Year Olds , recommended by Bahram Rahman

Library lion michelle knudsen, kevin hawkes (illustrator), write to me cynthia grady, amiko hirao (illustrator), tomás and the library lady by pat mora & raul colón (illustrator), the fantastic flying books of mr. morris lessmore william joyce, joe bluhm (illustrator), the lonely book kate bernheimer, chris sheban (illustrator).

Libraries provide a space for children to read for pleasure and discover the transformative power of books. Children’s author Bahram Rahman shares his favourite picture books about libraries for children age 4-8, and explains why book-recommending algorithms cannot replace librarians.

Best Science Books for Children: the 2021 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Katharine Cashman

Under the stars: astrophysics for everyone by lisa harvey-smith & mel matthews (illustrator), i ate sunshine for breakfast by michael holland & philip giordano (illustrator), agent asha: mission shark bytes by sophie deen & anjan sarkar (illustrator), inventors: incredible stories of the world's most ingenious inventions by robert winston & jessamy hawke (illustrator), 100 things to know about saving the planet.

In selecting the best science books for children, the judges of the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize identify books that are scientifically accurate as well as accessible and engaging. Katharine Cashman , Professor of Volcanology at Bristol University and Chair of this year's judging panel, talks us through the six wonderful books that made the 2021 shortlist.

In selecting the best science books for children, the judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize identify books that are scientifically accurate as well as accessible and engaging. Katharine Cashman, Professor of Volcanology at Bristol University and Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six wonderful books that made the 2021 shortlist.

The Best Science Books for Kids: the 2020 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Mike Kendall

Astrophysics for young people in a hurry by neil degrasse tyson & with gregory mone, cats react to science facts by izzi howell, in the key of code by aimee lucido, how to win a nobel prize by barry marshall, bernard caleo (illustrator) & with lorna hendry, everyday journeys of ordinary things by libby deutsch & valpuri kerttula (illustrator).

To find the best science books for kids, the judges of the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize look for books that are not only accurate but also entertaining. Mike Kendall , Professor of Geophysics at Oxford University and chair of this year's judging panel, talks us through the six fabulous books that made the 2020 shortlist (the final winner will be chosen by the real experts: more than 13,000 kids).

To find the best science books for kids, the judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize look for books that are not only accurate but also entertaining. Mike Kendall, Professor of Geophysics at Oxford University and chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six fabulous books that made the 2020 shortlist (the final winner will be chosen by the real experts: more than 13,000 kids).

The Best Roald Dahl Books , recommended by Tilly Burn

The giraffe and the pelly and me by roald dahl, fantastic mr fox by roald dahl, danny champion of the world by roald dahl, charlie and the chocolate factory by roald dahl, james and the giant peach by roald dahl.

Roald Dahl was one of the 20th century's most popular children's authors. Here, Tilly Burn , Archive and Collections Assistant at the wonderful Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, UK, chooses her top Roald Dahl books and discusses the secrets of his enduring appeal.

Roald Dahl was one of the 20th century’s most popular children’s authors. Here, Tilly Burn, Archive and Collections Assistant at the wonderful Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, UK, chooses her top Roald Dahl books and discusses the secrets of his enduring appeal.

Best Shakespeare Books for Kids , recommended by Natasha

Illustrated stories from shakespeare by anna claybourne, rosie dickins & william shakespeare, the shakespeare stories by andrew matthews, to wee or not to wee by pamela butchart, macbeth by conrad mason, twelfth night by rosie dickins.

Are you longing to get your children as excited about Shakespeare as you are? There's a lot of books out there to introduce kids to the Bard. Here, Natasha , a 10-year old living in Oxfordshire, recommends some of her favourite retellings of Shakespeare stories.

Are you longing to get your children as excited about Shakespeare as you are? There’s a lot of books out there to introduce kids to the Bard. Here, Natasha, a 10-year old living in Oxfordshire, recommends some of her favourite retellings of Shakespeare stories.

The Best Children’s Nonfiction of 2018 , recommended by Zoe Greaves

Maria sibylla merian: artist, scientist, adventurer by jeyaraney kathirithamby & sarah b pomeroy, young heroes by lula bridgeport, what we see in the stars: an illustrated tour of the night sky by kelsey oseid, ocean by emmanuelle grundmann & hélène druvert, a history of pictures for children by david hockney & martin gayford.

Author and Five Books children's editor Zoe Greaves selects the best nonfiction books for children published in 2018.

Author and Five Books children’s editor Zoe Greaves selects the best nonfiction books for children published in 2018.

We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

This site has an archive of more than one thousand seven hundred interviews, or eight thousand book recommendations. We publish at least two new interviews per week.

Five Books participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases.

© Five Books 2024

Best Books For 6 Year Olds

Unveil the top-rated books for 6-year-olds, aggregated from authoritative reading lists. frequently listed by literary experts, these books are designed to capture the imagination of young readers embarking on new educational journeys..

• Books for children

Books for 6-8 year olds

Our top books for 6-8 year olds, from beloved classics to exciting new releases. .

6-8 year olds are brilliant. They are becoming bravely independent, drawn more and more to big adventures and ready to show you that they can slay that metaphorical, (or when it comes to books, literal) dragon! Their imagination is wild and wonderful, so what better way to nurture it than with books? Here are the best books for 6-8 year olds, including books for independent reading, new releases, and classic books to help your little adventurer bloom.

The Jeweller's Apprentice

By axel scheffler.

When jeweller Mr Peacock receives a once-in-a-lifetime job from the Lion Prince, he’s grateful for the help from his new apprentice, a shy chicken. That is until he discovers a startling robbery and that his apprentice has disappeared! A heartwarming new animal fairy tale from Axel Scheffler, The Jeweller’s Apprentice is a story about forgiveness and learning from your mistakes.

The Ogre Who Wasn't

By michael morpurgo.

Clare isn’t like other princesses. Every minute she can, she escapes the stuffy palace to explore the great outdoors, climb trees and get as muddy as she can, much to the disgust of her nanny. So when a mysterious creature offers her a chance to have the life she dreams of, with just one catch, Clare has a huge choice to make. A funny new fairytale with a twist from an award-winning writer and illustrator duo, The Ogre Who Wasn’t is sure to be loved by children of all ages.

The 169-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

The 156-Storey Treehouse

The 143-Storey Treehouse

The 130-Storey Treehouse

Don't Miss

Discover all of the Treehouse books in order

InvestiGators

John Patrick Green

InvestiGators: Heist and Seek

InvestiGators: All Tide Up

InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder

More books from the investigators series, princess mirror-belle, by julia donaldson.

From the creators of What the Ladybird Heard comes this collection of six magical Princess Mirror-Belle stories. When Ellen meets Mirror-belle, a mischievous princess who appears out of mirrors and causes havoc, her life turns into a non-stop adventure! Designed to support young readers in developing their confidence when reading independently, the Princess Mirror-Belle books are packed with magic and mischief.

Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens!

By alex t. smith.

By day Astrid Atomic is a normal 6-year-old human. But when she goes to bed at night, she doesn’t stay there sleeping soundly. Instead, she jets off on the spaceship Stardust to explore outer space! A brand new series from the author-illustrator of the Claude series, Astrid and the Space Cadets is an illustrated adventure designed especially for newly confident readers to enjoy independently.

The Grumpus

Alex T. Smith

How Winston Came Home for Christmas

How Winston Delivered Christmas

The Nutcracker

Agents of S.U.I.T.

Agents of S.U.I.T.: From Badger to Worse

Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City: from the creator of Draw with Rob

Rob Biddulph

Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow

Long walk to freedom, by chris van wyk.

Nelson Mandela devoted his life to campaigning for freedom and justice in his native South Africa and around the world. Long Walk to Freedom is his incredible and heroic story. Adapted especially for children by poet Chris van Wyk and illustrated by South African artist Paddy Bouma, this book will introduce children to one of the world’s most exceptional leaders.

Max and the Midknights

By lincoln peirce.

Max dreams of becoming a knight, but he’s too small and definitely not brave enough to make the grade. When his Uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the nasty King Gastly, Max seizes the chance to prove he’s got what it takes to save the realm of Byjovia from peril! Fans of adventure stories will love Max and the Midknights , a hilarious illustrated chapter book from Lincoln Perice, creator of the Big Nate series.

Aziza's Secret Fairy Door

Lola Morayo

Aziza's Secret Fairy Door and the Ice Cat Mystery

Aziza's Secret Fairy Door and the Birthday Present Disaster

Aziza's Secret Fairy Door and the Mermaid's Treasure

Silas and the Marvellous Misfits

Tom Percival

Danny and the Slippery Stress

Erika and the Angermare

Chanda and the Devious Doubt

Chicken run dawn of the nugget: the junior novel, by amanda li.

Ginger is back! After escaping from Tweedy’s farm and setting up home with Rocky, their daughter Molly and the rest of the gang, she’s settling into free-range life. But when word reaches her that chicken-kind is facing a new threat, Ginger decides she has to head back to the mainland and rescue her feathered friends. With full-colour illustrations and fantastic facts about the new film, Chicken Run Dawn of the Nugget , this is the ultimate book for fans of the Aardman adventure.

The Queen's Wardrobe

By kate hindley.

From a little girl born a princess to her seventy-year reign, the late Queen Elizabeth II devoted her life to service. Now, Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning Julia Golding and illustrator Kate Hindley celebrate her reign through the story of her colourful clothes and beautiful jewellery. This stunning illustrated account of the life of Queen Elizabeth II is a special gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Racing Legends: Lewis Hamilton

Maurice Hamilton

Racing Legends: Max Verstappen

Racing Legends: Lando Norris

Racing Legends: Charles Leclerc

Santa Gets a Second Job

Michele D'Ignazio

The World of Sylvanian Families Official Guide

Macmillan Children's Books

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

Lewis Carroll

Joyful, Joyful

Dapo Adeola

Royal Animals

By julia golding.

The British Royal family has a connection with animals which goes back almost a thousand years, and this beautiful new illustrated history charts it with fantastic facts and beautiful full-colour illustrations. As they discover the real reason why there are lions on the British crest, and read true animal stories of royal elephants, ravens, parrots, and of course corgis, this beautiful and fascinating royal history will delight any young animal lover. 

My Heart Was a Tree

An anthology of poems and stories which celebrate the majesty of trees, My Heart Was a Tree makes a beautiful gift for young nature lovers. Curated by Sir Michael Morpurgo, who was inspired by the need to protect our woodlands, this collection brings together stories from Greek mythology, poems from all over the world, and contemporary accounts that celebrate our connection to nature. With stunning illustrations by Yuval Zommer on every page, this is a book to be cherished.

William's Wonderful Plan and Other Stories

Martin Jarvis

William's Birthday and Other Stories

The Teddy Robinson Storybook

Joan G. Robinson

Teddy Robinson meets Father Christmas and other stories

Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories

Joyce Lankester Brisley

Milly-Molly-Mandy Again

More of Milly-Molly-Mandy

Further Doings of Milly-Molly-Mandy

You may also like, 50 best books for 9 – 12-year-olds, 100 best classic children's books for all ages, books for 3-5 year olds.

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Books for Kids and Grown Ups

Books for 6 Year Olds

Good books for 6-year-olds fall into two major categories: books you read aloud to them and books most 6 year olds can read on their own. This list is the latter.

When you read to kids or play audiobooks, they can often read and enjoy more advanced texts like those on this list for 7 year olds and this list for 8 year olds . Independent readaloud books are a little more limited and some of them can be super boring. For this list, I’ve included actually fun(ny) stories that your 6 year old can read on their own. You’ll find a few picture books, heavily illustrated chapter books, and several graphic novels.

📚 Disclaimer in the books: Just so you know, Reading Middle Grade uses affiliate links. This means that when you shop via the links in our posts, we may earn a cent or two at no extra cost to you. Thanks for adding to our book buying fund.

25 Awesome Books for 6 Year Olds to Read By Themselves

Here are 25 great books for 6 year olds:

Go Camping (WOMBATS!)

Published: April 4, 2023

When unlikely besties Albert and Pickles head out on a camping trip together, Albert is prepared for the great outdoors while Pickles is expecting a glamping situation. Of course, this leads to some serious hysterics when the latter discovers that they are, in fact, camping. Add to the mix an unexpected encounter with an old friend and a koala rescue, and the duo is set for an exciting camping (mis)adventure. This one is a funny start to a new series.

Bowling Alley Bandit: The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut, 1)

Published: June 4, 2013

As Mr. Bing’s new pet “doughnut dog,” Arnie couldn’t be happier. When Mr. Bing joins a bowling league, Arnie gets to go along to practices and competitions. But then Mr. Bing starts rolling gutter balls. Someone or something is behind the madness. Arnie, together with his team of goofball friends, must sort through the shenanigans and solve the mystery. Get ready for some sleuthing and even some magic. I haven’t read this one but I’ve heard great things.

Dory Fantasmagory

Published: October 9, 2014

This one is a huge favorite of many young readers! Dory is a lastborn with an overactive imagination who exhausts her parents and siblings with her high energy and propensity for chaos. Join her in the first book of the series as she finds monsters around the house and puts them in their place. I thought this one was funny and cute — although not my preferred brand of story.

See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog

Published: September 8, 2020

See Max. Max is not a cat—Max is a dog. But much to Max’s dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to “see the cat.” How can Max get through to the book that he is a  DOG ? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces the excitable Max, who lets the book know in irresistibly emphatic dialogue that the text is not to his liking. This one is sure to elicit many laughs.

Princess Pig (Bright Owl Books)

Published: August 1, 2018

Pig and Twig are playing Princess. Pig gets three wishes. But she wants more! This is one of those educational stories — it focuses on the short “i” — that’s actually enjoyable to read and will help not-so-strong readers get more confident.

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible

Published: May 2, 2017

Here’s another one I haven’t read, but have heard great things about: Harriet Hamsterbone is not your typical princess. She may be quite stunning in the rodent realm (you’ll have to trust her on this one), but she is not so great at trailing around the palace looking ethereal or sighing a lot. She finds the royal life rather . . . dull.

One day, though, Harriet’s parents tell her of the curse that a rat placed on her at birth, dooming her to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she’s twelve and fall into a deep sleep. For Harriet, this is  most  wonderful news: It means she’s invincible until she’s twelve! After all, no good curse goes to waste. And so begins a grand life of adventure with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey…until her twelfth birthday arrives and the curse manifests in a most unexpected way.

Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World

Published: February 2, 2021

Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized . .

When You Can Swim

Published: May 2, 2023

When her mom takes her daughter to the pool for the first time, she shares all the wonderful experiences she can gain when she learns to swim. Breathtaking illustrations portray people of different ages, races, genders, and even a girl with a prosthetic limb (I gasped!) swimming. The text is rhythmic and sparse—perfect for readers of all ages. This brilliant new picture book is the perfect summer read-aloud!

Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books)

Published: March 12, 1961

Written for beginning readers using only 75 different words, this beloved Beginner Book by P.D. Eastman—edited by Dr. Seuss—features all kinds of wonderful dogs riding bicycles, scooters, skiis, roller skates, and driving all sorts of vehicles on their way to a party held on top of a tree! This is a perfect gift for P.D. Eastman fans and dog lovers of all ages!

This book blew me away. A baby girl is cheered on for growing bigger—until she isn’t. Until her bigger body becomes something to hide. Thankfully, she reclaims herself before it’s too late. Hand to kids and adults everywhere—especially those who can’t catch a break because of the way their bodies look. I loved, loved, loved this book!

Puppy Pirates #1: Stowaway!

Published: July 7, 2015

Wally is a pup with a nose for adventure. So when he stumbles onto a ragtag group of puppies who sail the seven seas, he knows he has to join the fun! But if pirates are supposed to be gruff and tough, this furry little guy isn’t exactly first-mate material.  Does he have what it takes to become a full-fledged puppy pirate?

Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends

Published: September 1, 2020

Bunbun has it all: a delightful Bunbun nose, a winning Bunbun smile, a ridiculously cute Bunbun tail, and not one, but two adorable Bunbun ears. But Bunbun doesn’t have a friend — until Bunbun meets Bonbon. Learning how to be fancy and eating donuts for lunch are two of the duo’s many adventures in this irresistible graphic novel debut by acclaimed author-illustrator Jess Keating.  Hop hop hooray!

The Not Bad Animals by Sophie Corrigan

Published: April 7, 2020

You know those animals we can’t stand? Like the mice that jump all over the place and the spiders that give you the ick? This non-fiction/humor chapter book opens our eyes to how they really are and why they aren’t as gross as people think.

The Cookie Fiasco-Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!

Published: September 20, 2016

Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . and four of them! They need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!

Beak & Ally #1: Unlikely Friends

Published: January 5, 2021

Ally the alligator is perfectly happy being alone . . . until one day a noisy bird named Beak lands on her snout.

Beak thinks Ally is lonely and needs a friend. He has all sorts of friendship goals in mind, like riding bikes together, going to the movies together, and even solving mysteries together! But when a Long-Billed Party Pooper crashes Beak’s nest-warming party, Ally decides to show Beak something important to her: sticking up for what’s right.

Lulu and the Brontosaurus (The Lulu Series)

Published: April 3, 2012

Lulu is an ill-mannered girl who throws tantrums to get what she wants, but when her parents refuse to get her a brontosaurus for her birthday, she angrily takes off into the forest to find one herself, with surprising results.

I liked this story, but I know some parents might worry about Lulu being so petulant. If it helps, she does get a good lesson in saying please and thank you and avoiding tantrums. The end is redeeming, and I liked the storytelling — the author breaks the fourth wall several times, which is fun for readers.

Bella’s Recipe for Success

Published: July 13, 2021

Bella can’t seem to figure out what she’s good at. Her brother plays piano excellently and her sister is a brilliant gymnast, but she can’t do either of those things well. She decides, though, that she’s going to bake, but it turns out baking isn’t that easy and her first recipe is a bust. But just before she gives up, her abuela steps in to teach her and Bella learns that learning new things — and becoming good at them — takes time and effort. This is a solid growth mindset picture book with Spanish words interspersed.

Monster and Boy (Monster and Boy, 1)

Published: July 28, 2020

Fall in love with the friendship between  Monster and Boy  in this exciting new chapter book series from writer Hannah Barnaby and illustrator Anoosha Syed. When Monster (who lives under the bed) meets Boy (who sleeps in the bed), Boy starts to scream―and Monster promptly swallows him. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship! I found this one to be quite delightful.

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories

Published: May 9, 2023

I love the Bear and Bird series, and this one is just as funny and charming as The Stars and Other Stories , the sequel I read an early copy of last week. It’s a set of short stories about two friends and their adventures.

Everything Awesome About Sharks

Published: October 6, 2020

Did you know that sharks can be as small as a banana, or bigger than a bus? Or that whale sharks have more than 3,000 teeth? Did you know that giant squids have eyes the size of dinner plates? Or that clownfish are protected by snot armor?? Find out all this and more, in this comprehensive, hilarious underwater deep dive from Mike Lowery!

Butt or Face

Published: July 11, 2023

Butt or Face  offers kids a delightfully cheeky challenge: examine a close-up photo of an animal, and then guess whether you’re looking at the top or the…um…bottom. The answer is revealed on the next page with a compete photo of the animal! Also included are factual animal details along with how these animals use camouflage or other trickery to engage with their home. Readers will discover animals like the Cuyaba dwarf frog whose backside looks like a pair of eyes, the Mary River turtle that breathes through its butt, and many more!

Wind Riders: Rescue on Turtle Beach

Published: October 19, 2021

This chapter book is environmental fiction with a fantasy twist as two kids discover a ship that teleports them to a new place somewhere else in the world where they can help with an environmental challenge. It’s short and sweet with likeable characters.

The Hunger Heroes

Published: November 9, 2021

It’s a typical Monday when the Hunger Heroes get the call: a kid in Ms. Sternbladder’s class missed breakfast and isn’t allowed to have snacks! How will he pass his math test, study for spelling, or play soccer at recess if his stomach is growling out of control? Hunger Heroes to the rescue!

Grumpy Monkey: Freshly Squeezed

Published: June 29, 2021

It’s Wednesday! Which means it’s time for Jim Panzee’s weekly Wednesday walk. He wakes up, stretches a little, grabs his stress orange, and sets off. Jim’s favorite part of the walk is the blissful silence. When he’s alone, he can hear all the jungle sounds. Until . . . his best buddy, Norman, decides to join him. And before he knows it, Jim is followed by every animal in the jungle. It’s all just too much. Now Jim and his not-so-helpful friends are on a quest across the jungle to find another stress orange before it is too late!

Owl and Penguin

This one is super short but very sweet — reminiscent of Bear and Bird’s adventures but in graphic novel format as Owl and Penguin help each other through ice-cream spills, a flying disaster, and learning to play in the rain.

There they are: 25 of the best books for 6 year olds! Which of these have you read? Which ones did I miss?

More Books for 6 Year Olds

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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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24 must-read books for 6-8-year-olds

From classic tales to the most spectacular of space adventures, these books will beat boredom and inspire young readers aged 6 to 8. And with so many to choose from, the fun need never stop…

Let us know what you think of these recommendations. Is there anything you’d like to see more of on the website? Send any suggestions to: [email protected]

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Top 10 Educational Books for 6-8 Year Olds

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The Best Books for a 6-Year-Old: 40+ Must-Read Stories!

Looking for the best books for a 6-year-old? We’ve got the perfect list for you!

Having raised 5 kids through this particular age, we are well-equipped to give suggestions for children with all kinds of book preferences. We’ve got suggestions for Harry Potter-loving fantasy fans and picture book suggestions for reluctant readers.

Below, you’ll find lots of great stories divided by category. Many of the books for a 6-year-old have links to book lists with even more recommendations, so be sure to poke around.

Table of Contents

Looking for more options? We’ve got tons of genre-specific book lists for 6-year-olds !

*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.

Best Books for 6-Year-Olds

Best fantasy books for a 6-year-old.

Dragon Masters by Tracey West

This is a wonderful series for the early reader.  High-frequency words, great stories, and bright colorful pictures fill these stories. 

Heidi Heckelbeck has a Secret by Wanda Coven

These early readers have large type, cute pictures but are definitely not short on fun.  Heidi seems like a regular eight-year-old girl but, she is a witch.  

She may not be ready for Hogwarts quite yet, but with 21 books in the series, she is keeping herself occupied in the meantime.  

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

This is a wonderful, magical book that is rich in plot and imagination. I love this book as my kid’s first fantasy chapter book.  It is such a great story and continues with two more books after.  Elmer and the Dragon and  The Dragons of Blueland   complete this trilogy.

It says 6+ for age range, but my 3 and 5-year-olds enjoy listening to me read this tale to them at bedtime too.

Love Fantasy Books? We do too! That’s why we created a list of Books Like Harry Potter and Books Like Percy Jackson !

Mystery books for 6-year-olds.

Fabio The World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express by Laura James

My kids adored this beginning reader chapter book based on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The bright colors in the drawings and the clever storytelling will have your child thoroughly entertained.

The first in a series, these kids mystery books are perfect for an 8-year-old detective!

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illus. by Marc Simont

This beginning reader kids mystery book series is wonderful for emerging readers. It’s all about kid detective, Nate, who solves mysteries for his friends and neighbors!

Baby Monkey Private Eye by Brian Selznick

This book is the perfect mystery book for a VERY beginning reader who is looking for a chapter book that looks like it’s made for older kids.

With Selznick’s signature illustrations, easy language, and repetitive sentences, this is book is hysterical and a great way to learn to read. Baby monkey putting his pants on gets me every time!

Best Family Books for a 6-Year-Old

Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

Ramona is another adorable character who is perfectly imperfect.  She is sweet and lovable and gets into her share of trouble.  Whether reading to boys or girls, every child can relate to Ramona.

Why We Love This Book:  When it comes to first chapter books Ramona can’t be beaten! Cleary’s classic has stood the test of time. Appropriate for ages  4-9 Find this book in Realistic Fiction / Books for 6-year-olds / Kids Audiobooks /

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones is the Ramona Quimby of the next generation. Junie is going into Kindergarten and definitely has a knack for getting into some trouble.  

This realistic fiction series is perfect for new readers and will keep your little reader laughing.

Mrs. Piggle-wiggle by Betty MacDonald

If your family loves Mary Poppins or Amelia Bedilia, they will love Mrs. Piggle-wiggle too! 

This cheery old lady has the craziest fixes to any childhood issues, but they work every time! I love that each chapter is its own short story. It makes it easier to digest for younger kids.

Best Audiobooks for a 6-Year-Old

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

This story is quite the classic and it revolves around all things candy! With its creeptastic vibes, it’s also wonderful for Halloween.

Charlie is thrilled when he gets a golden ticket to see inside Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory, but this is no ordinary candy factory. The machines and recipes behind the walls of the factory are what dreams are made of. This is a wonderful read-aloud book.

Find this book in Best Classic Books for Kids / Best Books for an 8-Year-Old / Read Aloud Children’s Books / Kids Food Books

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter’s Tales of Peter Rabbit are some of the most beloved stories in children’s literature. Her fantastic illustrations and Peter’s engrossing escapades have stood the test of time.

I was so pleased when I learned there would be a movie adaptation of the series. This book should be on every kid’s bookshelf! And don’t forget to watch the Netflix book adaptation!

Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

We Love Kate DiCamillo. She is a modern storyteller who appeals to children intelligently and thoughtfully.

I feel like I could choose every single one of her books to put on this list so take your pick. This Newberry Award-winning book is delightful.

Why We Love This Book : We love the message in this wonderful book that is a story of love, bravery, friendship, wishes, and dreams. Find this book in Best Books for a 6-year-old / The Best Family Audiobooks / Read Aloud Books

For more books like these, check out our list of Family Friendly Audiobooks

Books for 6-year-olds set at a school.

My Weird School by Dan Gutman

This school has the funniest and weirdest group of teachers. This series is funny and engaging and perfect for early readers!

With over 20 books in this series so far, your child will be entertained for months to come. These are books any 6-year-old will enjoy.

Magic School Bus Rides Again: Sink or Swim: Exploring Schools of Fish by Judy Katschke

The Magic Schoolbus is back with Miss Frizzle and the kids.  This early reader looks at an underwater ecosystem and endangered fish in Hawaii.  

There is sure to be an adventure with Miss Frizzle around. This is the first book in the series

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

Chris Van Dusen has done it again with this outrageous book.  Jack is imagining how he would like his school to be from the cafeteria and classrooms to the gymnasium and playground.  

Written in his signature rhyme, this book with amaze everyone and should lead to a fun discussion about your child’s ideal school!

Love Back to School Books? We do too! That’s why we created the School Hub with all things school.

Best spy books for a 6-year-old.

Mac B. Kid Spy: Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett

Mac B Kid Spy is an adorable series about a kid spy who works for the Queen of England!

It’s a great series of books for a 6-year-old looking to step up their reading game. It’s almost a mix between a first-chapter book and a graphic novel.

Spy Guy: The Not so Secret Agent by Jessica Young

This funny picture book is all about a young kid who is a spy. Except he’s not a very good spy! He’s not sneaky, it’s very clumsy and he has a lot to learn.

Olivia The Spy by Ian Falconer

Olivia the pig is back and being as silly as ever. It’s almost her birthday and she can’t stop eavesdropping and trying to figure out what presents she is getting!

But soon she thinks something else is afoot. My kids were giggling when Olivia started thinking she was being sent to military school! What a silly pig.

Love these kinds of stories, then check out these spy books for kids .

Royal books for 6-year-olds.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch 

This is a hilarious story about the princess who outwits a dragon, rescues the prince, and realizes she doesn’t need him to be happy!!!

It is a classic, wonderful story. Like most of Robert Munch’s books, it is funny and silly and the perfect read-aloud.

Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Keufler

This charming playground tale is simply adorable. It teaches playground behavior by showing what not to do.

Don’t hog the swings, don’t refuse to share the slide, and don’t act like you are the ruler of the playground or a battle of kings may break out!

Princess Smarty Pants by Babette Cole  

This is a hilarious tale in which Princess Smarty Pants does not want to get married.  She finds some unique solutions to her situation and ensures that she can continue to be the princess that she wants to be… single and happy!

Love these kinds of stories, then check out these royal books for kids .

Picture books for 6-year-olds we adore.

Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty

All three books in this “series” are amazing at encouraging passion and imagination.  (Have a look at  Iggy Peck Architect  and  Rosie Revere Engineer ). 

Ada is a thinker whose questions often lead to disasters in the house but, as a parent, how do you encourage your child’s outside-the-box thinking?

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw

These sheep are driving and get stuck in the mud. The entire story does not rhyme but there are many rhyming words from the same word family. It is funny and perfect for a young reader. Everyone in my family can still recite every word of this one!

This is a perfect book to include in a list of children’s books with alliteration because there are a few examples in this hilarious and silly book.

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool and he is overwhelmed with feelings. He is trying to get used to the new toys and new surroundings but he just misses his mama.

Soon he learns that it’s OK to love mama and have fun at school too. Love Llama llama? We have the school on all of Anna Dewdney’s books here.

Animal Books for 6-Year-Olds

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

This early reader graphic novel is adorable and the first in the Narwhal and Jelly book series. This book is three short stories in one featuring these ocean besties making new friends.

This is one of the best books for beginner readers to gain confidence.

Paddington by Michael Bond

Even before he became a motion picture star, this little bear won my heart.  With his hat, duffle coat, and suitcase, he was my favorite growing up. 

My kids love him just as much with his crazy antics.  He is sweet, lovable, and hilarious.  The perfect combination!

I recently found out that the story of Paddington was actually a story written about the children in WWII who were sent away from their parents to keep them safe. That aspect adds to a story that I already loved.

Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo

My youngest son’s favorite early reader series revolved around a pig named Mercy Watson. We have every book about this charming pig being raised as a child in the Watson home.

There is also a spin-off series about her neighbors on Deckawoo Drive. These are the perfect books for a 6-year-old and perfect for a list of read-aloud books as well!

Why we love this book : We love Kate DiCamillo and the wonderful messages in her books but we cannot overlook the wonderful drawings my Chris Van Dusen!

Classic Books for a 6-Year-Old

Charlotte’s Web by E.B White

This is such a wonderful story of unconditional love and friendship.  When Fern saves the life of Wilbur, the runt of the pig litter, she promises to take care of him. As Wilbur grows, he befriends Charlotte, a spider, who ultimately saves his life a second time.

Why We Love This Book:  This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying. Appropriate for ages  5-8 Find this book in Best Classic Books for Kids / Read Aloud Children’s Books / The Best Family Audiobooks

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Christopher Robin have lived in the hearts of children for generations. This edition features the complete works of A. A. Milne’s stories and is essential for any home library.

Why We Love This Book:  This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying. Appropriate for ages  0-6 Find this book in Rabbit Books / Best Audiobooks for Kids

The Mouse and The Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Ralph the mouse lives in a hotel where the main rule is simple… don’t get spotted by a guest! But Ralph lives for speed!

When a little boy leaves a toy motorcycle unattended in his room, it’s too much for Ralph to resist. Soon he’s zooming around the hotel and making friends with a human!

When my boys were deep into their car-loving phase, this book had them hooked! I loved the wholesome story too and found myself entertained by Ralph and his adventures too.

Sports Books for 6-Year-Olds

Little Shaq by Shaquille O’Neal

If your child likes basketball, they would love this story written by Shaq. It’s a perfect early reader story for kids that love sports and regular kid stuff.

It’s another series of perfect books for 6-year-olds.

The Berenstain Bears Play Football by Mike Berenstain

This I can Read book made it onto our list of football books for kids. This story is all about the Berenstain and their bear friends as they await the big Grizzly Bowl Game.

Soon all the cubs are outside playing their own game with Brother bear hoping to score!

She Persisted in Sports by Chelsea Clinton

Chelsea Clinton created She Persisted to highlight phenomenal women. In this installment, the women trailblazers of sports are highlighted.

This book tells the story of over a dozen American female Olympic athletes like Mia Hamm, the Venus sisters, Jean Driscoll, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and more. For more sports books for kids, check out our list of Olympics books !

Graphic Novels for a 6-Year-Old

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Dav Pilkey is THE author of books for reluctant readers. His graphic novels never disappoint. From Dog Man to Captain Underwear, these books will keep your kids laughing AND reading.

This particular story is about a half-man, half-dog hero.

Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! by Stephen Shaskan

This early reader series is hysterical! It gives full Mo Willems vibes with the way Pizza and Taco interact with each other.

These books are laid out in a graphic novel/comic book style that makes it easy for young kids to decipher. When looking for books for a 6-year-old who is new to reading, this is a great place to start.

Why We Love This Book: This is an adorable graphic novel with a funny story, but not a lot of words on the page. Appropriate for Ages: 5-8 Find this book in Books for a 6-year-old/ Kids Books About Food

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt

The first book in a series of delightful tales of a neurotic squirrel, this is a laugh-out-loud funny story. After reading it, my boys became obsessed with squirrels.

Now the series is 9 books long, so your kids will have lots of scaredy squirrel to read in the future!

Non-fiction Books for 6-Year-Olds

The History of Pearl Harbor by Susan Katz

Similar to the Who Is series, “The History of” series focuses on key moments in history told in a way that 6-9-year-olds can comprehend.

Books in the series include subjects like Pearl Harbor, the Titanic, The American Revolution, and The Civil War.

National Geographic Readers: Sharks by Anne Schreiber

National Geographic Kids has loads of leveled readers for your non-fiction reader. Reading and deciphering non-fiction is a key skills in reading to learn, so these are perfect for emerging readers .

The New Children’s Encyclopedia by D.K.

For curious kids, there is nothing better than a cool encyclopedia. The visuals in the pages of this Smithsonian classic will draw readers in and get them curious. Small facts and tidbits will engage the minds of young kids. Talk about a boredom buster!

Historical Fiction Books for 6-Year-Olds

The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I read this for our reading challenge and found it to be such a lovely book.  I love the details about life in the late 1800s.  I understand that the language used in some of these books is no longer acceptable; however, this book is sweet and wonderful. 

I would have no qualms about reading it to my daughter as long as I provided her with the appropriate context.

T he Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osbourne

The first in a MASSIVE series of time travel books, Dinosaurs Before Dark introduces us to Jack, Annie, and their magic treehouse.

Each book sends the duo careening back through time on a quest. Later books involve Merlin and there is now a graphic novel version as well.

Finding Winnie by Lindsey Mattick

This is the amazing and true story of the most beloved of all bears- Winnie the Pooh.  In 1914, a military veterinarian name Harry Colebourn rescued a baby bear and named him Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada.

That bear found his way to the London zoo where he became friends with a little boy named Christopher Robin.  The best part? This is a true story told by Harry Colebourn’s great-granddaughter.

The book has an album at the back filled with pictures.  This is an adorable book that I know I will be giving to Winnie the Pooh lovers of all ages (my sister-in-law comes to mind).

Did you find any books for a 6-year-old to add to your home library? For more options check out our list of books for 5-year-olds or age up with our book suggestions for 7-year-old .

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As a mother of two boys, Kirsten rediscovered her life-long love for reading while choosing appropriate books for her children. She started this website with Jackie to share their passion for literacy with other moms and kids. She uses her years of experience in marketing and public relations to create quarterly magazines, implement social media strategy, and ensure the website content is relevant and beautiful.

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School Reading List

Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK

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Books for 6 year olds

Books for 6 year olds – a panel of educators from schools around the country asked 6 year olds to name their favourite book, and these are the results. For more details about how these books were selected, please see our Children’s Favourites article which explains the survey process. This list includes titles by authors including Dav Pilkey, Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, Daisy Meadows, Lauren Child, Jeanne Willis, Nick Sharratt, Roald Dahl, Pamela Butchart, Alex T Smith, Julia Donaldson & Lucy Brandt.

Books for 6 year olds – favourites chosen by children

(In randomised order)

Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey

The Day The Crayons Quit series by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows

Clarice Bean series by Lauren Child

Stardust by Jeanne Willis

Shark in the Park series by Nick Sharratt

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl

Wigglesbottom Primary series by Pamela Butchart

Claude series by Alex T Smith

The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson

Special mention

These books received a very high number of votes in some schools but did not make the top 10 overall.

Leonora Bolt series by Lucy Brandt

Books for 6 year olds – buy the set or order in bulk

Click one of the buttons below to buy a pack of all or some of the books in this list, or to order class sets of book(s) in this list from uk.bookshop.org, an organisation that supports local bookshops, or Amazon.co.uk. Great for gifts or your classroom library.

Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Disclosure: If you buy books using the buttons above: we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops; as an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.

Schools & teachers: please respect copyright and don’t copy our books for 6 year olds list. If you find our book recommendations useful, please consider sharing on social media or linking to this page instead. Thanks .

If you liked our list of books for 6 year olds, have look at our KS1 books list, and our Year 2 books list.

About Tom Tolkien

Further Reading

• Books for 5 year olds
• Books for 7 year olds
• Books for 4 year olds
• Books for 8 year olds
• Books for 9 year olds
• Books for 10 year olds

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This booklist was last updated on January 2nd, 2024 and first published in 2022 .

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Popular Series for 6- to 7-Year-Olds

Use the book and author suggestions below to match the reading level and interests of your child..

At this age, kids will have a wide array of reading abilities. Look throughout these suggestions for books series for 6- to 7-year-olds and select those that match the reading level and interests of your child. Don’t limit your child to books they can read on their own — explore the books together! 

Shop book series for 1st graders below! Plus, explore our Scholastic Parents book lists to discover the  best children's books  by age, interest, and more. You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store .

For more book and reading ideas, sign up for our Scholastic Parents newsletter!

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100 Best Early Reader Books

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Do you have a child learning to read? Whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or grandparent, you want to find the best children’s early reader books to support beginning readers as they learn to read, practice decoding, and grow their reading skills. Moreover, you want good books that won’t bore your kids to tears! Guess what? I can help you find the best, most engaging early reader books with fun-to-read stories!

When my own kids were learning to read , I searched high and low for the best books — books that they’d want to read over and over again. (It was hard back then. Fortunately, it’s easier now.) As a teacher, book reviewer, and parent, I’ve read and reviewed hundreds beginner reader books for children.

Best Early Reader Books for 5- and 6- Year- Olds (Kindergarten and First Grade)

Discover the best early reader books for 5- and 6-year-olds in kindergarten and 1st grade, including phonics books and easy readers levels 1, 2, and 3 for boys and girls.

Sometimes, these books are called easy reader books, early readers, emergent readers, or beginning reader books.

I’m honestly feeling a bit heartsick about this list. I need to rewrite and take a lot of books off of it.

Not all of the books that I’ve reviewed are the right reading choices for beginning readers for kids in kindergarten and first grade. Because even if a so-called early reader is labeled level one or has minimal text, IT DOESN’T ALWAYS HAVE WORDS APPROPRIATE FOR BEGINNING READERS.

Yesterday, I was sent a level 1 reader with the word embarrassed in it. I was flabbergasted. R-controlled vowels are a second grade phonics skill (or at least harder than level 1) and a three syllable words with double letters? That word doesn’t belong in a level one book. But I’m seeing more and more of this — and now that I understand how kids learn to read, I’m feeling that some of these books do more harm than good.

The research on learning to read and teaching children to read ( the Science of Reading ) is clear that almost all children need to be taught phonics, the sounds of letters and combining those sounds into words.

Most kids need to learn to read in a specific sequence of phonics. They’ll have success reading decodable books and learn to READ instead of guess and feel confident instead of frustrated. Find more decodable books here and more about decodable vs. predictable books .

What Are Early Reader Books?

Early reader books are short, illustrated books for early emergent readers that help them learn to read and practice their reading skills. Some of these books are decodable, some are rhyming, some are leveled, and some have word families or controlled text.

They’re books with short sentences of one-syllable words and very few two-syllable words. Each page is usually one to four sentences. These simple sentences might feature sight words, word families, or controlled text. In addition, the font size is larger than books for older readers. Finally, all these kindergarten and 1st grade books are illustrated, often in full color, which is appealing to readers.

These books feature stories about friendship about topics relatable to children — such as riding a bike or going to a birthday party. Often, these books are in a series for children learning to read.

Early reader books are meant for students in kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade, who are around ages 5, 6, and 7. They’re good books for emergent readers learning to read and growing in their reading skills.

What’s the sequence for learning to read?

Start with phonemic awareness and letter sounds.

Before you introduce early reader books to your children or students, you’ll want to be sure that children know the sounds of the letters and the sounds of letter combinations. These include the following sounds:

• short vowels
• long vowels
• consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words
• high-frequency trick words (sight words)
• plurals (words ending in -s)
• words ending in ng, nk
• vowel sounds for ai, ay, ee, ea, ey, oi, oy, oa, oe, ow, ou, oo, ue, ew, au, aw
• suffixes -ing and -ed

If you want support for teaching your students or children to read, I highly recommend Dr. Marnie Ginsberg’s Reading Simplified Academy . She’s simplified reading instruction, and it’s brilliant!

High Frequency Trick Words (HFW or Sight Words)

I mentioned HFW words (also called sight words) in the list above. These are words that don’t follow the conventional rules or patterns of spelling. Usually, these are tricky to sound out phonetically. Hence the name. Some of the words from the HFW kindergarten word list include: the, and, is, we, she, he, or, from, by, and my.

However, just because a sight word doesn’t follow common language rules doesn’t mean you can’t help a child sound it out with their decoding abilities. Reading specialist Judy Kucera shares how she helps children apply phonics skills and sounds to learning sight words .

In the linked article, Kucera explains, “For example, if they’re working on the word “is” they will hear the zz sound at the end of the word. Remind them that the letter s can say the z sound at the end of a word, when it’s after a vowel or next to a silent e.”

Some educators suggest teaching 10 high frequency trick words before phonics instruction, one word at a time, and giving students lots of repetition and practice. Reading Rockets shares these ten words: the, a, I, to, and, was, for, you, is, and of. Read more about that here.

What Else Do Beginning Readers Need to Know?

If you’ve been reading to your children since they were babies, that’s fantastic news! It means that they’ll be familiar with narrative and informational texts. It also means that you’ve introduced important concepts and modeled reading fluency .

Young readers must become familiar with narrative story elements such as character, setting, and main events. Teach them how narrative stories are sequenced in a beginning, middle, and end format. Practice retelling a story after you’ve read it several times. Suggest your child use the illustrations in the book to help them retell and put the events in order accurately.

What about informational books? Do your children understand a nonfiction book is true with facts that are real? The difference between fiction and nonfiction is an important distinction for beginning readers to know!

Of course, beginning readers must know how to rhyme , too!

Finally, we need to teach children about basic punctuation . Teach readers about periods and how that makes readers reading out loud pause. Continue later when the child is ready with more punctuation marks like exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks.

How Can Adults Support Beginning Readers?

Teachers, parents, and caregivers can support your children by showing them how to track the words with their index finger from left to right. Model tracking every time you read aloud to them. Then, ask readers to track the words across the page from left to right, too.

When your reader gets stuck on a word, ask them to decode it (sound it out) using what they know about the sounds of the letters.

If your readers are guessing words, learn how to stop kids from “word guessing” and start decoding . This linked article explains how to help children tap and swoop, chunk, and play with their words.

What Are the Recommended Books for Starting to Read?

Beginning readers need to start reading decodable books to practice reading, not to memorize or guess the words.

What Is a Decodable Book?

That’s why beginning readers need to start reading decodable book . These are books in which the reader can use their reading skills to sound out and blend together the sounds to make words. Bob Books are examples of decodable books , and so are the books on this list.

Keep reading decodable books until the child has become proficient at using their phonics skills.

Leveled Books or Not Leveled Books?

Once children can decode and have had enough practice, they can move from decodable books to other easy reader book choices, such as Level 1 early readers or books without levels.

Honestly, leveled books are a whole can of worms. The intention of a leveling system is to help adults find books for kids that they can read. But, each publisher has their own system of leveling. And, the books aren’t always decodable or even written with controlled word lists. Even worse, they can be limiting to children if adults only allow books at specific levels.

So be confident that your reader can decode before you transition them to these next early reader books.

Read on for book recommendations!

R emember that readers need both volume and variety in their reading diet.

VOLUME: Make sure beginning readers have access to lots of easy reader books.

VARIETY: Be sure the easy reader books your child reads represent a range of topics, themes, and genres. Think about sharing fiction and nonfiction books, classics and contemporary books, and books about different topics.

What Are the Best Early Reader Books?

As children build their literacy skills, remember that young children love books about topics that interest them. If your child likes trucks, start reading books about trucks. Similarly, if they like ballet, read books about dance.

Most beginning readers enjoy reading stories with themes that resonate with their lives, such as friendship, family, friends, and more. Look for books that are funny. Kids love anything that makes them laugh, so keep some silly stories in rotation.

Of course, good early reader books for kids often include memorable characters. Lovable characters like Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggie will always be favorites to read and reread. (As you can tell from their top spots on the best-seller lists.)

Also, you’ll know your child’s favorite children’s books because they will want to read those books repeatedly. Repeat reading of books is often a wonderful confidence and skill booster.

Best Early Reader Books

If you’re looking for the best early reader books for 5-year-old and 6-year-old boys and girls in kindergarten and first grade, this list might be able to help.

**Go HERE for easy beginning chapter books for 6- and 7-year-old boys and girls.

Decodable Books

Predictable Books vs. Decodable Books Learn the difference between decodable and predictable books and why decodable books are better.

Decodable Books Discover the best decodable books for

Phonics Books and Pre-Level 1 Easy Reader Books

I am super picky about recommending easy readers and phonics books. Why? Because so many of them are really terrible. Like mind-numbing, not-a-story, insult your child’s intelligence terrible. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can practice phonics and decoding words without killing a child’s interest in reading. There are so many GREAT high-quality early reader books. Here are my favorite phonics and pre-level 1 book choices for emergent readers in kindergarten and first grade.

Charge Into Reading My favorite books on the decodable list, these gems are written with a specific phonetic scope and sequence by expert writer, editor, and literacy advocate, Brooke Vitale . Growing readers will be able to progress as readers because the books are written to build upon each other. Each book teaches and reinforces a phonics rule, such as CVC, blends, or diagraphs. Even better, kids will enjoy the books because the stories are funny and engaging. I also love that each decodable book includes eight pages of reinforcing reading activities after the story.

Laugh-a-Lot Phonics Scholastic mostly offers leveled books, but this is their decodable phonics series with simple short vowel words.

The Yak Pack Comic book decodable readers!? Yes. Cute and fun, with different sounds for each collection, such as short vowels, diagraphs, and blends.

Nat the Cat Takes a Nap by Jarrett Lerner Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1 Nat was taking a nap until the narrator woke him up! Then, the narrator wakes Nat up again with his brother Pat the Rat. Nat seems mad. Plus, Pat is NOT Nat’s brother. Will Nat ever get his nap? This book is hilarious, but it is NOT pre-level 1!

Early Reader Level 1 Books

As I mentioned before, now that I understand how kids learn to read, I need to go back through this entire list and decide which books need to be deleted. If you’re seeing an early book with ridiculously hard words, let me know, and I’ll delete it. I’m not saying that every book has to be deductible, but it shouldn’t have words that are more appropriate for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Why? Because our goal as parents and educators should be to support readers, not trick them. To provide books that scaffold learning to read, not encourage them to guess or make the child feel stupid. So read these recommendations and find books that work for you. Know that I’m learning and will update this page as often as I can.

Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier I Can Read Comics 1 Fish and Sun are two good friends who play all day together but the first day they meet, Fish is worried that Sun will never come back to play. But, the next day Sun returns! Adorable characters and a sweet friendship make this early reader comic for shared reading good to read aloud to beginning readers.

Let’s Go For a Drive by Mo Willems Gerald has the great idea of going for a drive! But first (and second and third), Piggie thinks of what they need to bring along. Silly fun about two best friends with big personalities. See ALL the Elephant and Piggie books.

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems I love this Elephant and Piggie book — but they are all awesome. You’ll notice the first page starts with “ Thank you ” which you’ll only understand once you read it. It is hilarious! These are the BEST beginning reader books because they’re not dumbed down; they’re hilarious and they’re engaging. See ALL the Elephant and Piggie books.

Pig Makes Art by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Fred Blunt Ready to Read A hilarious story about a pig who creates art for an unappreciative cat friend. Soon, Pig creates art ON the sleeping cat– and that inspires a fun chase and a new artist, Cat.

I’m On It (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading) by Andrea Tsurumi Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie I Like Reading Follow along as Goat and Frog try to outdo each other. You’ll laugh at their goofy antics, learn prepositions, and see an important lesson — that it’s okay to say no and stop playing something you don’t like.

It’s a Sign by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie I Like Reading New readers will enjoy this clever story about animals who make signs and start a sign-making club.

Goat Wants to Eat by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Fred Blunt Ready to Read Goats eats anything that Cat naps on in this playful and funny story with predictable text. “Cat will nap on the seat. // Goat will eat the seat. // Cat will nap on the coat. // Goat will eat the coat. ”

Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters by Dav Pilkey Green Light Level 1 Reader Non-decodable text tells the story of Little Dog who helps Big Dog get his own sweater . . . vest. Hard words like “sweater” are repeated but not decodable. Kids will guess using the pictures, which we DON’T WANT. Parents, you’ll like that the last few pages have fun activities — a maze, word search, story sequencing, and sentence-to-picture matching.

Little Big Horse Where’s My Bike  by Dave Horowitz Scholastic Level 1 Pablo takes Little Big Horse’s bike. And breaks it! But it’s only a flat tire and Little Big Horse knows what to do to fix it. Great illustrations and an engaging story make this a new early reader favorite for shared reading. Words like “finally” will be hard for kids to decode.

Tiny Goes Back to School by Cari Meister, illustrated by Rich Daivs  Penguin Level 1 Reader This is one of my favorite funny early reader books with only a few words per page. It’s about a dog who doesn’t know commands such as “sit” and has to return to doggy school.

That Egg is Mine by Liz Goulet Dubois Duck chases and claims the spotty egg that looks like Cluck who thinks the egg is hers. But they both are surprised when a creature that doesn’t belong to either of them emerges! Pay attention to the shadow on the last page — and you’ll figure out what the egg really is.  Filled with difficult words that aren’t decodable for early readers, including ladder, covered, outside, bumped, thunked, scored, actually, mistaken, indeed.

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin, illustrated by Brian Selznick Kids love this delightful, humorous collection of stories about an adorable monkey who solves mysteries . The predictable text forces new readers to use the pictures to guess and not read. I wouldn’t recommend this for teaching reading. Use it for a fun shared reading experience.

Ruby and the Magic Garden (Fairy Hill)  by Cari Meister, illustrated by Erika Meza Scholastic Level 1 Ruby and her fairy friends live in Fairy Hill. They love to learn magic and dream of what their big wings will look like when they earn them. In a sweet act of kindness, Ruby helps a lost baby deer find its home. Unfortunately, the words are all over the board in this book with no cohesive phonics basis, including garden, sparkle, frosting, beard, and ribbons.

My Toothbrush is MIssing  by Jan Thomas Dog tells his friends that his toothbrush is missing. Donkey asks Dog to describe it. Which leads to hilarious fun! Because for every description Dog shares (bristles, long handle), Donkey thinks he’s found it — but he finds other things that also fit those descriptions (Fat Cat, a broom, an egg beater, …) Entertaining dialogue, brilliant brightly-colored comic-style illustrations, and a funny ending. Not decodable, unfortunately.

What Is Chasing Duck? by Jan Thomas Bold graphic illustrations capture the humorous worries of the animals who describe something that they are all running away from. Which turns out to be . . . well, you’ll see when you read it. Get ready to giggle! I love the storytelling in Jan Thomas early reader books but don’t think they’re helpful for beginning readers.

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories I Can Read! Biscuit is a cute, playful puppy who lives with his little girl and her family. The Biscuit books are classic predictable early readers which means that kids will guess using the pattern and the pictures instead of sounding out the words. Even the word Biscuit is a very difficult word to sound out.

LEGO City: All Aboard by Sonia Sander Level 1 Reader These are a favorite for any LEGO enthusiast, especially boys! This book about trains is just one of many in this recommended easy level 1 reader series. See ALL the LEGO Easy Readers.

Snow Day by Candice Ransom, illustrated by Erika Meza Siblings, brother and sister, watch the flakes falling outside the window. When school is canceled, they’ll get to play outside with their friends.

Figgy & Boone The Big Cheese by Janee Trasler Ready to Read Graphics 1 (MORE LIKE A LEVEL 2!) Figgy wants cheese toast, but they don’t have cheese! Luckily, a big cheese wheel falls off a truck. But how can the friends roll it up the hill to their house? Boone thinks of trying levers and catapults, but nothing works until Figgy thinks about giving away some of the cheese to their friends!

This Is My Fort (A Monkey & Cake Book) by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Olivier Tallec Cake makes a fort but won’t let Monkey play in it. Monkey loves forts, so he turns the tables with a clever twist. I love the lesson of being inclusive and also the dialogue bubbles in different colors showing which character is speaking.

Let’s Make Cake (Bobo and Pup Pup) by Vikram Madan, illustrated by Nicola Slater The friends decide to make a cake. Bobo gathers silly things that aren’t part of the recipe (like a hat and a stick). This is a  charming story with conversation bubble dialogue and playful comic illustrations!

Baseball Buzz by CC Joven Sports Illustrated Kids Level 1 Readers In this simple story with one sentence per page, Jackson likes baseball. He plays in a game. All is going well until a bee comes along! If your kids like this book, there are more early reader books in the Sports Illustrated series.

We Are Growing by Laurie Keller Excitement abounds as the stalks realize that they are growing. But the excitement turns into comparisons (who is the crunchiest & pointiest). Just as they’re brainstorming, a lawn mower arrives and mows them down. Gasp!  Now, what will they do? Funny and sweet!

Hi, Jack!   (A Jack Book) by Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli I LOVE the Jack easy reader books. They’re very funny. In this story, read all about mischievous Jack who lives with Lady. Jack gets into trouble over and over again,… and it’s hilarious.

Jack Blasts Off! (A Jack Book)  by Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli Lady sends Jack and his friend Rex on a one-way ticket to space, where they crash land on an alien’s spaceship. The alien gets angry, so Jack and Rex leave for the dark side of the moon where they encounter a big scary monster! But the alien will save them! It’s a real, suspense-filled adventure in the packaging of an easy reader. Impressive!

Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes I Can Read Level 1 When Penny takes her little sister for a walk, she sees a shiny blue marble on her neighbor’s lawn and puts it in her pocket. But Penny feels bad that she keeps it because it isn’t hers. Penny must make a decision about what to do — keep it or give the marble back.

Friends Do Not Eat Friends (Thunder and Cluck)  by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Miles Thompson Ready to Read Graphics 1 100% hilarious fun!  When a grumpy and ferocious dinosaur, Thunder, meets a positive, unafraid bird named Cluck, Thunder can NOT believe that Cluck believes they should be friends.  But Cluck is determined to help Thunder believe — and before he knows it, the two of them are friends!

Little Penguin and the Mysterious Object   by Tadgh Bentley I Can Read Level 1 Penguin welcomes you to the book and shows you the found thing that no one can figure out. What will you think?  The penguins love a mystery and there is lots of playful exploration, some deductive reasoning, and a hilarious ending.

Am I a Frog?  by Lizzy Rockwell Don’t miss this decent nonfiction  easy reader !  The mostly simple text narrates a conversation between a tadpole and the author.  The author answers the tadpole’s questions and explains to the tadpole about his characteristics now (gills like a fish, a tail that helps him swim) and the upcoming change into a grog (grow front legs, shorter tail, and jumping out of water).

See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog  by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka Kids who like silly stories will want to read this story again and again!  Read the story that the narrator tells then on the opposite page, read Dog’s arguments disagreeing with the narrator’s story. There is no “ blue cat in a green dress ” argues the dog! But maybe they both are right? The repetition of words and similar short text structure makes this an excellent choice for growing readers.

See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat  by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka In three hilarious stories, Cat helps out with the story for Dog who is sick.  But when the narrator writes that Dog digs a hole, Cat doesn’t want to. And when the narrator writes that Dog fetches a stick in a lake, that doesn’t go well for Cat either. Let’s hope Dog feels better soon!

Your Friend Parker  by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson and Tajae Keith Ready to Read Level 1 Parker goes on vacation and writes one big letter  (this book) about her trip to her best friend.

Nick and Nack Fly a Kite  by Brandon Budzi, illustrated by Adam Record Highlights Puzzle Readers Level 1 Nick is a boy and Nack is a robot. After a windy day, they pick up sticks and use them to make a kite. But first, they need to find all the supplies.  The best part of this story is that as you read, you’ll get to help them find their supplies.  Fun, right?

Peach and Plum Here We Come!  by Tim McCanna (graphic novel) In this book, two good fruit friends experience tasty adventures, such as riding bikes and going to the beach.

I Want to Be a Doctor  by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri I Can Read Level 1 A story filled with  helpful information about doctors,  this little boy and his family go to the hospital because his brother Jack hurt his foot. They’ll learn about different doctors who can help fix Jack’s foot. Includes many non-decodable words that are not appropriate for a level 1 reader such as emergency.

What About Worms?  by Ryan T. Higgins Tiger is big and brave but he’s scared of worms.  “Worms ruin everything .” The Worms love the apples and dirt and the books that Tiger leaves behind. They’re so appreciative of his kind gifts, they rush off to give Tiger a big worm hug.  Elephant and Piggie fans will laugh at this silly ending and Tiger’s crazy antics.

Gran on a Fan  by Kevin Bolger, illustrated by Ben Hodson What a fun easy reader book!  Each page is like a cartoon with easy-to-read words and easy sentences using those words.  Fantastic illustrations.

Ice Cream Soup  by Ann Ingalls Penguin Level 1 A little boy makes an ice cream cake  that turns into soup because of everything he adds. I like the rhyming text because it helps cue early readers.

May I Please Have a Cookie?  by Jennifer Morris Level 1 Alfie really wants to eat the cookies, but his first attempts to get a cookie aren’t very polite.  His mom helps him figure out that he should ask nicely.

LEGO Star Wars: A New Hope  by Emma Grange DK Readers 1 Read the exciting story of the original  Star War (Episode IV  ) movie retold using mini-figures and sets. These DK easy reader books are a favorite at my school library!

Caterpillar to Butterfly  by Laura Marsh National Geographic Kids Level 1 I love the informational but simple text matching each beautiful photograph. These easy reader books are bright, colorful, and factual; perfect for any beginning reader.

Steve & Wessley in The Ice Cream Shop  by J.E. Morris  Scholastic Level 1 Reader Steve cannot get into that Ice Cream Shop. He pushes and pushes the door but it doesn’t work. You’ll laugh when you realize Steve’s mistake. These simple stories are funny and perfect for beginning readers.

Jungle Animals  by Camilla Gersh DK Level 1 This little nonfiction reader book packs a big punch with the perfect balance of colorful visuals (photographs) and informational text. Fantastic!

Acorn Scholastic Level 1

Princess Truly I Can Build It!  by Kelly Greenawalt, illustrated by Amariah Rauscher In this positive, diverse, girl powered, STEM story, inventor Princess Truly loves to build.  So when her dog Sir Noodles tells her that the animal shelter is out of treats, Princess Truly decides to invent a snack machine for the shelter.

Don’t Worry, BEE Happy  by Ross Burach Sure to give readers the giggles, this cute story in cartoon format is about  two bees named Bumble and Bee and their grumpy frog friend  and everything that happens in their day…told in short stories. From picture day to hiccups to a dance party, you’ll love their unlikely friendship and entertaining antics.

Frog Meets Dog  by Janee Trasler While this is not a phonics easy reader book but possibly controlled text, it’s simple and cute. You’ll find it reminiscent of Dick and Jane with very short sentences like, “ Frogs jump. Can dog jump too? “

The Great Bunk Bed Battle   ( An Acorn Book ) by Tina Kugler When fox siblings Fritz and Franny go to bed, they don’t actually go to sleep.  They compare which bunk bed is best and imagine adventures through a forest with a castle, a moat and a boat, a submarine, and a volcano on their beds. Simple text in speech bubbles and a relatable topic makes this a sure-fire hit with new readers.

Surf’s Up (Moby Shinobi and Toby Too!)  by Luke Flowers Moby the ninja and his dog go to the beach.  In these short stories, they discover that no matter what they do like building a sandcastle, it’s always better if they work together. Rhyming, easy-to-read text, adorable characters, and fun stories make this a popular book choice for beginning readers.

A Magic Spark  by Jessica Young, illustrated by Marie Vanderbemden Readers who love magic and fairies will love these short stories about  three fairies who become friends on the first day of fairy school . The new friends take a field trip to Crystal Pool to see what kind of magic they each have. After the fairies discover their special talents, they have more magic-filled adventures like baking a cake and planning a party.

Do You Like My Bike? (Hello, Hedgehog!)  by Norm Feuti Not only is this written in comic panels, but the dialogue is in bubbles in colors unique to the character speaking, making this a supportive first graphic novel experience.  Hedgehog can’t wait to show his friend Harry his new bike.  Darling stories of friendship and bike riding.

Sparkly New Friends (Unicorn and Yeti)  by Heather Ayris Burnell, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla Unicorn helps Yeti be grateful and confident about who he is and where he lives.  Then Yeti helps Unicorn try new things like a snowball fight. Short stories of friendship between two mythical creatures, what could be better!?

Level 2 Easy Reader Books

Moving on to Level 2 readers or books that are a step up from level 1 readers with more sentences per page and multi-syllable words…Remember that every publishing company has different criteria for what makes a level 2 book, but these will be around the same level.

The Lost Kitten (Katie Fry, Private Eye)  by Katherine Cox, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton Level 2 Reader It’s a good thing that Katie Fry solves mysteries because she needs to use her detective skills to  help a lost kitty  (whom she names Sherlock) find his home. would your readers love this darling, entertaining, and diverse book series for emergent readers?

Hi! Fy Guy  by Tedd Arnold Fly and the boy meet in this first book of a super hilarious early reader books . Fly becomes the boy’s pet and friend.  In this story, the boy enters his fly in an amazing contest. All the books in the series are 100% entertaining!

Unlimited Squirrels in I Lost My Tooth!  by Mo Willems Fans of Elephant and Piggie will recognize the familiar  dialogue bubbles, quirky humor, and  the many hilarious  double meanings  in this new, longer book about Zip Squirrel who has lost his tooth. Luckily his squirrel friends are there to help. Misunderstandings make this dramatic toothy adventure extra funny.

Even Robots Can Be Thankful!  by Jan Thomas Comic-book format, you will love the  lovable stories of Blue Robot and Red Robot who have big feelings  like fear of robot-eating monsters and love for bolts. Together they spend time at home talking, sorting bolts, and planning for a trip.

Henry and Mudge  by Cynthia Rylant, illustrations by Sucie Stevenson Level 2 Henry is lonely, so his parents allow him to get a dog.  He picks a puppy named Mudge who becomes his best friend. Kids love reading the classic heartwarming easy reader books.

Reina Ramos Works it Out  by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Andres Landazabal I Can Read Level 2 Reina can’t wait to be Frida Kahlo for her school’s wax museum, but her friend Nora picks Frida first. Reina feels upset but works things out with  Nora and chooses to be Celia Cruz instead.  A story of kindness and  Latinx  heroes.

Kit and Kaboodle Go Camping  by Michelle Portice, illustrated by Mitch Mortimer Highlights Puzzle Readers Level 2 Let’s Read These two friends pack for a camping trip then set off on a hike into the forest.  They play games, eat snacks, look at clouds, and set up their camp. Help them find what they need in their backpacks by searching for the hidden pictures. What a fun level 2 early reader book!

We Dig Worms!  by Kevin McCloskey I love, love, love this early reader book with eye-popping illustrations and one sentence of text per page that explains something about the worm — sometimes he has kids asking questions which the worm answers. McCloskey painted on recycled grocery bags which makes for a gorgeous, earthy feeling. I can’t say enough good things about this short little book! 

Pass the Ball, Mo!  by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks Level 2 In a favorite early reader series about a boy who likes to try new sports, in this story, Mo is obsessed with basketball. Unfortunately, everyone on his team is taller and he’s having trouble passing the ball high enough. His dad helps him practice passing higher and higher.  Their practice pays off during the next basketball game.

Monkey and Elephant Get Better   by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Galia Bernstein Hooray, another early reader that doesn’t stink!  Clever adventures of friends, Monkey and Elephant, with bright, bold illustrations.

Guinness World Records Daring Dogs  by Cari Meister I Can Read Level 2 Impressive dogs and their feats will grab animal lovers’ attention and keep them reading this engaging early reader book.

Slow, Slow Sloths  by Bonnie Bader Level 2 Penguin Young Reader I LOVE the photographs in this informational book for beginning readers. Your child will learn a lot while he or she is reading and viewing the photos. Highly recommended.

Scribbles and Ink Out of the Box  by Ethan Long Scribbles and Ink (a cat and mouse) find that a box is a really cool thing to play with  — it can become so many things (a race car, a mask, overalls). Unfortunately, the duo argue about who gets the box and the box rips in half. After working out their differences, they think of a boxtastic solution.

Emerson Is Mighty Girl!  by Meredith Rusu Level 2 Reader Emerson and her WellieWisher friends are playing pretend in the garden, searching for The Wicked Wellie of the West . Emerson enthusiastically catches the Witch, but her behavior ruins their fun. She’ll need to figure out how to fix things with her friends.

Fly Guy Presents Sharks  by Ted Arnold (series) Visit the aquarium with Buzz and Fly Guy to learn about sharks in this terrific easy non-fiction reader. I LOVE how Arnold combines cartoons with photographs!

Ed and Ted and Ted’s Dog Fred   by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton Easy Reader Level 2 Kids will love this silly caper written in rhyme with simple words about  Ed, Ted, a dog called Fred, and a whale named Ned  — well done!

Mr. Putter & Tabby Drop the Ball   by Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard (series) Would your 5- and 6- year olds enjoy this classic book? So many kids love these sweet stories about  Mr. Putter and his “ fine ” cat named Tabby.

The Party and Other Stories (Fox and Chick)  by Sergio Ruzzier Charming watercolor illustrations in comic panels accompany  three stories of humorous friendship . I love how Ruzzier’s artwork captures nuances of the characters’ personalities. Sure to be a favorite easy reader book for 5- and 6-year-olds.

Aggie the Brave   by Lori Ries, illustrated by Frank Dormer Aggie the dog who must go to the vet  to get spayed, stay overnight, and heal at home.  The story teaches about the process at the vet as well as what to expect – like the stitches and cone she must wear post-surgery. I love the way the little boy owner imagines that Aggie is not a cone-head but a LION.

Days with Frog and Toad  by Arnold Lobel (series) Level 2 Giggle and share in the daily life of two best but very different friends. An enchanting classic and best selling favorite early reader book seriies!

Snails Are Just My Speed!  by Kevin McCloskey McCloskey begins this book with interesting factual information about snails.  If you’re looking for a high-quality nonfiction easy reader book, this is an excellent choice.

Lunch, or WHAT’S THAT? Freckleface Strawberry  by Julianne Moore, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Step Into Reading Level 2 Kids will easily relate to this book about the curious (gross, terrifying) foods served in the school cafeteria. Funny!

Level 3 Readers

Level 3 easy reader books give readers paragraphs of writing to read, sometimes two paragraphs or more on each page. Just like the other levels of early readers for kindergartners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders, the level 3 difficulty varies by the publishing company.

CeCe Loves Science: Push and Pull by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Vashti Harrison I Can Read Level 3 Cece’s teacher, Miss Curie, explains to the class about the opposing forces of push and pull. She divides the class into two teams. The teams are tasked with making a dog treat dispenser using either pushing or pulling forces. Readers will appreciate the diversity, the STEM themes, and the growth mindset.

Yin-Yang Sisters and the Dragon Frightful by Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrated by Andrea Offermann Destined to fight the dragon, twins Mei and Wei each have their own ideas of how to thwart the dragon when he attacks. Nothing works until they learn to work together…and that kindness wins.

Hamster Chase by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Allan Elzen Oh, no! Peter takes the class hamster out of the cage and it scurries away. He and his friends try to capture it but every time they get close, it escapes again. Will they ever get it back in its cage?

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin Six short stories about twins, Ling and Ting, show their unique personalities. From getting their hair cut or making dumplings, kids will find their daily adventures to be funny, sweet, and relatable. This diverse easy readers series is a favorite with many kindergarten and 1st-grade students.

Twinky: The Dinky Dog by Kate Klimo, illustrated by Michael Fleming A darling rhyming story about Twinky, a dog who dislikes that his owner carries him around in a purse and dresses him up. How will Twinky show his owner (and the world) that he’s really a big, brave dog?

Rafi and Rosi Pirates! by Lulu Delacre Level 3, early fluent Set in Puerto Rico with Spanish words mixed into the text, tree frogs and siblings Rafi and Rosi with big imaginations . These three stories take place at Morro Fort in San Juan. The children explore and play — pretending to be pirates, finding real gold coins, and imagining a sea monster attack. 

Mythical Beasts: 100 Fun Facts About Real Animals and the Myths They Inspire by Stephanie Warren Drimmer National Geographic Kids Level 3 Learn about unique real creatures like giant squids who were mistaken for mythical creatures, such as a kracken. Fascinating facts and photographs plus imaginative stories and illustrations will keep readers enthralled.

Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai Level 3 Gigi is excited to play with her grandfather Ojiisan who is visiting from Japan. Onc they meet, she feels concerned that he’s too old to play tag and feels hurt that he was laughing at her. Gigi’s mom helps her understand their cultural differences, and they find a way to connect.

The Outside Dog by Charlotte Pomerantz, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas Level 3 Marisol lives a quiet life with her grandfather in Puerto Rico. One day, she finds a stray dog near her house and names it Pancho. Like the other stray dogs she sees, Marisol wants to keep Pancho. However, her Grandfather worries about fleas and ticks. 

Bling! 100 Fun Facts About Rocks and Gems National Geographic Kids Level 3 The writers pick interesting, readable information about rocks and gems that will fascinate readers along with the full-color photos and appealing graphic design.

More Book Lists By Age: Books for 2nd graders Books for 3rd graders Books for 4th graders Books for 5th graders Books for 6th graders Books for 7th Graders YA Books

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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10 Comments

Thank you so much for putting this together and sharing it! : )

Hi, Is there a PDF of this list? I cannot seem to find it. Thanks! ellen

Here you go — https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Books-for-5-and-6-Year-Olds.pdf

I worked in a very busy children’s dept. in a large diverse library. This selection of kindergarten age books are excellent. In the past nine years I’ve read most of the books you’ve listed, to the children during a storytime program or for my own enjoyment. Well done!

thank you! 🙂 And bless you for your great work with children!!

hooray, thanks!

Hi Melissa, I was really impressed to see these fabulous books for five to six years old kids. It helps to build their literacy foundations and keep them engaged with reading. I really appreciate bob books. My First Bob Books: Pre-Reading Skills are fun and simple books you read to your child. Each story contains important foundation skills as part of the plot. Inside the front cover you ll discover games to play with your child, discussion ideas and other simple ways to enjoy each story. As always, signature Bob Books quirky humour and silly illustrations mean fun for all. My best wishes for fun, joy and success as your family enter the wonderful world of reading.

My daughter and I love the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, especially the ones with their wacky neighbor. Very sweet stories; not for kids who need action-packed books, but enjoyable.

If she likes Mr. Putter, she may also like all the Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant, the same author as the Mr. Putter books. Children love series, because they get to know the characters. 🙂 Happy reading.

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Best books for six year olds: independent reading

Claude: Going for Gold by Alex T. Smith

(£5.99, Hodder Children's Books)

The Claude series is perfect for developing, early readers. It is short and succinct with splashes of silly, off-beat humour throughout. The story follows Claude, a beret wearing dog, and his side-kick Sir Bobbysock as they take part in an exciting sports day, run by the formidable Ivanna Hurlit-Farr. However, things don't run to plan – a group of sneaky robbers are out to steal the gold cup. Will Claude be able to save the day or will the crooks escape? This is wonderful fun – charming, funny and quirky.

Fergal is Fuming by Robert Starling

(£6.99, Andersen Press)

Poor Fergal the dragon has a terrible temper! He's constantly getting fired up - whether it's at football, in the bakery or being asked to eat his vegetables before dessert. This young dragon just cannot seem to control himself, which leads to all sorts of hot-headed decisions, including a burnt dinner and a football goal that is reduced to ashes. When his friends decide they've had enough of his fearsome outbursts, he turns to his mum for help. Will she be able to help Fergal control his anger and will Fergal be able to win back his friends? This is a delightful story about what happens when we lose our temper and how we can learn to manage our emotions. Fergal is a brilliant character and there's a powerful lesson, too.

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The Wardrobe Monster by Bryony Thomson

(£10.99, Old Barn Books)

Dora hasn't slept all night (and neither has Penguin or Lion or Bear). Despite being grouchy and very tired, Dora is reluctant to go to bed, however. She makes up every excuse she can think of! The problem is… the Wardrobe Monster. Every night a frightening thud and bang comes from the wardrobe. Finally Dora, with the help of her friends, decides it's time to face her fears. Who, or what, is really in the wardrobe and causing all that noise? This is a beautifully illustrated book and will reassure youngsters who are afraid of the dark. The scruffy, bright pencil drawings create an amusing cast of characters and the humour is gentle too.

The Clockwork Dragon by Jonathan Emmett

(£6.99, OUP)

This funny book follows the adventures of Max and Lizzie as they attempt to rid the kingdom of the man-eating, terrifying dragon Flamethrottle. Max works in a toy factory, until his inventions get him fired... and the only job on offer is that of a brave knight, needed to defeat a ferocious dragon. With Lizzie's help, Max concocts a plan, involving a clockwork dragon, to chase the dastardly dragon away. Flamethrottle is a fantastic villain and the story zips along at a frenetic pace, with plenty of tension and excitement along the way.

The River: An Epic Journey to the Sea by Hanako Clulow

(£7.99, Caterpillar Books)

In snow-capped mountains, among the firs, The north wind blows; something stirs. Through icy waters, a small fish darts  – This is where her journey starts… So begins this lovely rhyming picture book about a little fish's journey into the unknown. The tiny fish travels along sparkling rivers, past busy beavers, beneath a softly hooting owl and through snow and wind until she finally reaches the sea. With peep-through pages, glittering scales and beautiful artwork, this book offers young readers a glimpse into the journey of a fish through a series of stunning settings.

At the Same Moment Around the World by Clotilde Perrin

(£11.99, Chronicle Books)

In this beautiful, quirky book young readers are taken on an epic journey around the world to learn about what people are doing across the globe at exactly the same moment. At seven o'clock in the morning, in Paris, Benedict is drinking a steaming cup of hot chocolate before school whilst at the same moment Mitko is running for the bus in Bulgaria. At the same moment, it's midnight in Mexico and Pablo is having magical dreams while Ana is exploring the Amazon rainforest at two o'clock in the morning. Young readers will certainly take away from this book a sense of magic and wonder. Not only is the book informative and interesting, but it also offers a wonderful glimpse into a wide range of countries and cultures.

Jim and the Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs

(£7.99, Puffin)

Jim wakes up one morning to find a large beanstalk growing outside his window. At the top of the beanstalk, he finds a grumpy giant who is down on his luck. Another young boy has stolen everything from him and he is now well past his prime. The poor giant has no glasses to read with, no teeth and is balding. Jim agrees to help him but the giant soon feels better, renewed and re-energised, which can only mean one thing for poor Jim…This is a lovely story, full of warmth and humour. The giant is a wonderful creation and children will love the exciting twist at the end of this classic story. A brilliant re-working of the timeless fairy tale!

Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Libby Walden

(£10.99, Caterpillar Books)

This clever re-working of Aesop's classic house-swap fable is a real treat. Town Mouse is finding the bustling town exhausting and so writes to her cousin, Country Mouse, and requests that they swap homes for a holiday. But their new adventures bring fresh dangers. For Country Mouse the whizzing wheels, loud footsteps and mouse traps are just too much and the rain, poisonous berries and warbling birds all put Town Mouse in a terrible mood. Could what they are searching for be a little closer to home? Richard Jone's lush, gorgeous artwork make this rhyming story a delight to look at and the die-cuts and peep-holes add an engaging, interactive element too. Libby Walden's rhyming text is perfect for reading out loud and there's enough challenging and interesting vocabulary to initiate discussion and thought throughout.

Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud by Katie Harnett

(£11.99, Flying Eye Books)

The little raincloud is very lonely. All the other clouds have been driven away by the horrible, hot sun and the raincloud spends its days searching for a friend. But no one wants to be friends with a grey, soggy cloud! One day, the raincloud spots a young florist who looks grumpy and sad. Could the raincloud help the florist and will their friendship blossom into something beautiful? Harnett's illustrations are colourful and captivating, with a diverse range of children and adults included in the bustling background scenes. There's some wonderful attention to pattern and this is a heart-warming story about friendship and possibility.

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein

(£7.49, Little Simon)

Elmer is the happiest duckling in the whole forest. He likes to build things, paint pictures and decorate cookies. Unfortunately, there isn't a single other little boy duckling who likes to do the same things as Elmer. Despite his grumpy father's insistence that he should learn baseball, Elmer doesn't fit in and is bullied terribly by his classmates. When Elmer's father is shot by a group of hunters, it is up to Elmer to save him and prove that being different isn't so bad after all. This is an incredibly uplifting and empowering book for anyone who has ever felt different. Whilst it's full of humour and silliness it also offers a heart-warming and moving look at what it means to be different and the importance of staying true to yourself.

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More like this

The Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

Posted: April 19, 2024 | Last updated: April 19, 2024

Reading to your child is one of the best things you can do for their brain development, plus it's a fun way to spend some downtime together. Enjoying a good book can help them wind down for bed after a busy day of play and discovery, help pass the time in waiting rooms or keep them busy at the grocery store or in the car.

And it's never too early to start reading. One-year-olds are old enough to follow simple storylines, and it's the perfect age to start engaging them in books that help them learn about the world around them. Reading together can help them expand their spoken vocabulary and develop phonic and literacy skills like recognizing the alphabet and that words are made up of certain sounds and letters.

As they reach one to two years old, your child may start to be able to recognize familiar pictures in books and be able to respond when you ask, "Where is the cow?" or, "Show me the square!" Around that same age range, they'll probably begin to have favorite children books and want you to read them over (and over, and over) again.

Below you'll find the best books for one-year-olds , including baby board books with sturdy pages that will help little fingers develop fine motor skills, flap reveals to surprise and delight, and touch and feel reads.

1) I'm Still Up! by Antoinette Portis

Parents, you'll recognize the story behind this picture-perfect board book. Everyone in the house is sleepy, so baby must be too. Right? Right?! It's as hilariously accurate as it is cute.

2) My Party, Mi Fiesta: A Coco Rocho Book by Raúl the Third III

This bilingual board book centers around a first birthday party, so it's the perfect introduction to the concept for little readers. It's also a great way to start teaching both English and Spanish grammar.

3) Sunrise Dance by Serena Gingold Allen

Durable interactive components, like a wheel to turn and tabs to pull, make this quiet story about how animals start their day a nice way to begin yours, too.

4) Me and My Mama: Celebrate Black Joy and Family Love by Carole Boston Weatherford

Celebrate the unique bond between mother and child with this rhyming board book that's sweet but not saccharine. Colorful crayon-style illustrations accompany the story.

5) Roar! I’m a Dinosaur by Merrill Rainey

This fun board book does double duty as a mask for a reading adventure that will have your little one in stitches. It also features facts about dinosaur species as your kiddo develops a seemingly-inevitable interest in the prehistoric.

6) A Bedtime Hug for You! by Samantha Sweeney

With soft arms toddlers can cuddle while you read, the structure of this bedtime board book is as comforting as the story it tells.

7) Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz

Teach your toddler their body parts with this engaging lift-the-flap book. With thick pages and flaps that are easy to lift for little fingers, this book won't fall apart if they get a little overexcited.

8) Crinkle, Crinkle, Little Car by Jay Fleck

Make reading a tactile experience with this space-age twist on "twinkle twinkle, little star." After your little one enjoys the main character's crinkly body, the car's facial expressions can help them learn to recognize emotions.

9) First 100 Words: A Padded Board Book by Roger Priddy

An oldie but a goodie, this padded version of the classic has lots of words and pictures to help your little one begin to put them together.

10) Cat's First Baby by Natalie Nelson

This purr-fectly adorable book is great for the feline fans among us. Kids who live with cats will love that this story is told from the kitty's perspective.

11) Corduroy by Don Freeman

You may remember Corduroy from your own childhood, so carry on the engaging storytime tradition with your own little one. When you're done with this one, shop the other 28 Corduroy stories .

12) Paper Peek: Alphabet by Chihiro Takeuchi

Not all alphabet books are created equal, and we like this one because it harnesses — and encourages — your child's powers of observation while introducing new letters three at a time.

13) Hear Bear Roar By Eric Carle

Enter the gorgeous, fanciful world of picture book master Eric Carle with this gem that has 30 animal sound buttons for your kiddo to push. It's not the quietest book, but it sure is cute.

14) Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

If your child's library doesn't already include this bedtime classic, go for the board version so they can interact with themselves.

15) The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Come for that fish's grin-inducing pout, stay for the lesson about feelings. It's perfect for introducing toddlers to how emotions can impact others.

16) Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell

Animal-lovers will have a blast lifting the flaps to reveal an array of zoo animals in this classic book that's been on toddler shelves since 1982.

17) Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

Spot is a celebrity in the toddler world, so if you don't already have this one on your bookshelf, it's the perfect addition. It's been a bestseller for decades, and it won't take you long to see why.

18) Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

Teach your toddler that they can do anything they set their mind to with this colorful and inspiring board book about a giraffe who just wants to dance.

19) I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

A touching story, beautiful illustrations and customizable pages at the beginning make this a wonderful addition to your own collection or a great gift for a special one-year-old.

20) Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

One of my earliest memories is of my mom getting choked up as she read this emotional book. It's a must-have for any toddler's library, even — or especially — because it hits parents right in the feels.

21) What kind of books are good for a 1-year-old?

At this age, your child will be able to follow simple storylines, so it's the perfect age for books that help them learn about the world while strengthening their vocabulary and early literacy like recognizing that the letters of the alphabet form words that correspond with pictures.

22) How do I choose a book for my 1-year-old?

At this age, your kiddo will start to have favorite books, so if they already gravitate toward a particular subject or style (like dinosaurs or touch-and-feel), start there. Also think about little hands: If you want them to start reading on their own, look for board books with sturdy pages, so they don't rip them as they work on their fine motor skills.

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35 Best Toys and Gifts for 4-Year-Old Boys 2024

These unique and unusual picks have something for every kid.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

" The best gifts at this age include construction toys that allow them to build and problem-solve — think about plastic interlocking blocks, gear toys, domino runs, magnet tiles and other similar choices," Parlakian says. "If your child already has wooden blocks, consider expanding the set with new block types like turrets, arches and cylinders to spark their building play. Pretend play props, like costumes, a tea set or construction tools encourage role-playing. With more control over their fine motor skills, art supplies like paints and brushes, markers and other similar items can also be a big hit. And finally, simple board games and activities like dominoes and memory cards are also fun for preschoolers."

The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested toys in all of these categories and more, looking for ones that are safe to use, will last stand up to rough play and — most importantly — won't annoy parents. Then they hand their favorites over to real 4-year-olds for the true test, making sure they are ones kids will go back to again and again. When the results came in, these were the best toys and gifts for 4-year-old boys in 2024, including current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners.

Air Hogs Flippin’ Frenzy

The clever secret to this R/C is its big, soft wheels: They're mighty enough to roll over uneven terrain inside or outside, but they're squishy enough not to damage floors, furniture or walls. Kids can also pick their style, since one size features a red muscle car, and the other side features a blue sports vehicle. In Good Housekeeping tests, parents enjoyed playing with this as much as the kids did. Ages 4+

Disney Junior Firebuds Bo and Flash Action Figure Set

Fans of Firebuds on Disney Junior will thrill to the way these Bo and Flash figures talk to each other and sense when the other is nearby. The figures scored big with families. "This moves in a way that is unusual for a vehicle toy — it seems pretty technologically advanced,” a parent tester said. Ages 3+

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GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

Kids who are curious about science, nature and the world around can learn real facts about plants and animals with this talking microscope. It comes with more than 60 images on its slide, which easily store inside the microscope. There are also different modes of play, including Fact Mode for learning and Quiz Mode to see if they've absorbed the knowledge. If they're really into STEM, you can also get them the new GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope . Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best Educational Toys, According to Experts, Parents and Real Kids

The Ice Cream Vanishes

Squirrel and Bear are about to perform an amazing magic trick: making ice cream disappear! Can you figure out how they do it? Good Housekeeping Institute testers and experts loved this one because of the way, if they know how it ends, kids can look for "clues" that foreshadow their trick. Ages 4 – 8

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LaScoota 2-in-1 Kids Kick Scooter

Good Housekeeping experts were impressed at the long life of this scooter, which can start out as a ride-on for younger ones (or younger siblings) and then adjust in height until the kids are about 12 years old. But kids focused in on something else: The light-up wheels! It also comes in a bevy of colors. Ages 3+

RELATED: The Best Scooters for Kids

Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo

Kids build everything in this downhill race set, from the path to the cars to the checkered finishing line. Then, they can send the vehicles zooming down the track, learning about gravity and magnetism along the way. Parent testers say this toy appealed to the whole family, and siblings and adults alike loved competing in head-to-head races. Ages 3+

Splash Park Kids Puzzle

Kids can use their spatial skills to put together this puzzle, which depicts a fun day at the park. The pieces are sturdy to stand up to rough preschool play, and the puzzle is just the right size at 24 pieces . Ages 3+

Monster Jam Grave Digger Trax

Testers really put this one through its paces, sending it over obstacles indoor and out, on all kinds of terrain. When the results came in, it had perfect scores across the board. “People were jealous of its ability to go over rocks and through water," one tester said. Ages 4+

Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Rocket

This one fosters both imaginative play and motor skills: Kids use a toy, battery-operated drill to build and disassemble these playsets , getting a feel for how to take things apart and put them back together again. There are lots of different playsets, including a recycling truck, a plane , a recycling truck , a race car , a fire truck , a police motorcycle , a helicopter and a tractor for a barn set . Each one comes with two "buddies" who also act as screwdrivers. Ages 3+

Sing-Along Numberblock Five

If it's all high-fives for Numberblock Five, then this is the plush for your Numberblocks fan. It has 12 songs and phrases that reinforce the concept of the number five, and kids can activate it with a touch of the hand. And yet, the body is still soft like a plush. Parent testers reported that this became a "popular daily toy." Ages 3+

Hot Wheels Ultimate Octo Car Wash Play Set

It's all the fun of going to the car wash in a four-foot-long Hot Wheels play set that's ready to spark imaginative play. The coolest feature is that running the vehicles through the water changes the color of Color Reveal cars . Kids can move the robotic cleaning arms, but there's also a ramp, a loop and a spiral to make it a little more exciting. Ages 4+

My Ice Cream Shop Play Set

This play set comes with a whopping 60 pieces including ice creams flavors, cones, scoops and play money. There are even cards that prompt kids with different orders and what to charge for them, which gets them practicing their early math skills. “My kids loved pretending to scoop and eat, and they loved the money drawer,” one parent said. Ages 3+

Kids' Toy Golf Set

Fore ! He'll have to work on his control and focus to hit the golf ball on this set, and then he'll get all his energy out chasing the balls to put them back in the feeder again. It comes with 15 golf balls, along with three club heads (a left driver, a right driver and a putter). Ages 3+

LEGO Team Spidey at Green Goblin's Lighthouse Kit

It's your friendly, neighborhood LEGO set, and all the Spidey fans will flip for it! At 149 pieces, it's just the right amount of challenge for 4-year-olds. When they're done, they'll have made an island lighthouse full of the Green Goblin's traps — watch out for the cave jail! — for Miles Morales, Ghost Spider, Sandman and Green Goblin to use for adventures. Ages 4+

Glow-in-the-Dark Set

With this set of magnetic tiles, any 4-year-old kid can spark creativity and build shapes with the pieces that stay together based on the strength of the magnets . Whether they're already a fan or looking to add to their collection, kids will appreciate these groovy tiles, which glow in the dark to give their structures new flair. In the box, you'll get 16 pieces in various shapes and sizes. Ages 3+

Wonder Crew Superhero Buddy

The Wonder Crew is halfway between a stuffed animal and an action figure . Together, your boy and his new buddy can be rough and tumble when it's time for adventure, or snuggly when it's quiet time. There are four Wonder Crew buddies, each with a different look. Ages 3+

Switcheroo Coding Crew

This combination of coding and rescue vehicles was a certifiable hit with Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers., who found it explained coding in manageable bites without needing any computer science knowledge. Kids draw a challenge card, snap on one of the vehicle shells (police car, fire truck or construction vehicle ) and program the cars to go in and save the day. They can even figure out "secret" codes, like how to make lights or sounds. Ages 4+

Lincoln Logs

Both kids and parents will love this Lincoln Logs building set, since parents might remember playing with this building set in their own childhoods. The set includes 111 pieces made of real maple wood that can be used to build structures like a cabin or two small houses with a bonfire. There are three different guides in the manual, but kids might have even more creative fun by building their own ideas. Ages 3+

Rattlesnake Jake

This is a game of nerves: Rattlesnake Jake comes curled around a pile of gold pieces, and players have to steal them from him. But watch out, because his rattle gets more intense and then he strikes! Snatching the gold before the bite helps kids work on their fine-motor coordination, and Good Housekeeping testers who tried this game said it was always a "wow" moment when the snake struck . Ages 4+

Crayola Dinosaur 5-in-1 Art Kit

Now he can unleash his creativity on his favorite subject: Dinosaurs! This set comes with fuzzy, flocked coloring pages, so he'll have a sensory experience, too. It also has origami pages, pop-out scenes and activity sheets, along with crayons and markers to color them all in. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best Dinosaur Toys for Kids Who Love All Things Prehistoric

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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