10+ Best Award Winning Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect storytime upgrade? Dive into the magical world of award-winning books for 5-year-olds! These books aren't just loved by critics; they capture the hearts of little listeners and readers alike. Whether you're on the hunt for a new bedtime favorite or something to spark that early love of reading, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of award-winning books for 5-year-olds that promise to enchant and educate in equal measure.

Fun Award Winning Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power of their own minds to create adventures and manage emotions.
  • Perfect for: Children who love using their imagination and exploring new worlds.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter who explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the simple joys and explorations of a snowy day, encouraging outdoor play and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy the wonders of nature and the changing seasons.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, the pigeon makes several humorous attempts to get permission to drive the bus, engaging directly with the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and funny, perfect for keeping young readers engaged and entertained while also teaching them about responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to laugh and say "no" to silly requests.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character throughout the book, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches persistence and the importance of trying new things, all wrapped up in playful rhymes and fun illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to read and enjoy rhythmic, repetitive texts that make the learning process fun.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Madeline, a brave and mischievous girl who lives in a boarding school in Paris, as she goes on various adventures with her classmates.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to new experiences and cultures while celebrating courage and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Little adventurers who enjoy stories about friendship and exploration.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic tale tells the story of a mischievous rabbit named Peter who disobeys his mother's warnings and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the thrill of mischief and the consequences that come with it, all while engaging children with its charming narrative and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and learning about right and wrong.

Educational Award Winning Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Urban
  • Synopsis: This book follows a young boy named CJ as he travels through the city with his grandmother, learning to find beauty in everyday urban scenes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, appreciation for diversity, urban life understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children to see the beauty and value in their everyday surroundings and to appreciate diversity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who live in or are curious about urban environments.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A boy named Duncan finds letters from his crayons that express their feelings about how they are used.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and imaginative story that encourages children to think about others' perspectives and feelings.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love drawing and coloring.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Cultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is nervous about being accepted in her new American school, so she considers choosing a new name. Her classmates come to appreciate her and her Korean name.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-acceptance, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the importance of diversity and the beauty of maintaining one's cultural identity.
  • Perfect for: Children facing or curious about cultural integration and acceptance.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This wordless picture book showcases a lonely girl who draws a door on her bedroom wall and steps into a magical world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, storytelling, art appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and storytelling through its stunning, detailed illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and artists who love creating and exploring new worlds.

• The Water Princess by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel, a girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social awareness, empathy, geography
  • Why we recommend this book: It raises awareness about global water issues and inspires a sense of responsibility and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young activists and any child interested in learning about global challenges and how they can make a difference.

Challenging Award Winning Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Henry loves books, but not like you and I love books, no. Henry loves to eat books. This unusual diet leads to some surprising problems.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of a boy eating books instead of reading them introduces metaphorical thinking and abstract concepts, which are advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique story that encourages a love for books in a humorous and imaginative way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy quirky stories and those beginning to explore metaphorical concepts.

• The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set during the Great Depression, Lydia Grace Finch brings a suitcase full of seeds to the city and transforms a community with small acts of gardening.
  • Why this book is challenging: The historical setting and the themes of hope and resilience in tough times are complex concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about optimism and the impact of kindness and beauty.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and gardening.

• The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
  • Genre(s): Biography, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This true story recounts the daring act of Philippe Petit, who in 1974 walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative combines elements of suspense, history, and adventure which require a higher level of comprehension and emotional maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story of courage and determination, beautifully illustrated to capture the scale and drama of the feat.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who are fascinated by real-life heroes and thrilling acts.

• The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fairy Tale, Parody
  • Synopsis: A collection of twisted, humorous parodies of famous children's stories and fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and The Gingerbread Man.
  • Why this book is challenging: It plays with traditional narrative forms and introduces satire, which is a sophisticated concept for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to explore different storytelling methods while being incredibly entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and those with a budding sense of irony or sarcasm.

• Sector 7 by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: In this visually stunning book, a boy befriends a cloud at the Empire State Building, leading him to a fantastical cloud factory in the sky where he influences the weather.
  • Why this book is challenging: The lack of text requires children to interpret the story through pictures alone, enhancing their analytical and inferential skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and imagination through detailed illustrations that tell a unique story without words.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and young dreamers who love to create their own stories from pictures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young readers to award-winning books is a fantastic way to spark their love for reading. Here are some engaging exercises designed to help 5-year-olds develop good reading habits while enjoying some of the best children's literature out there. These activities are not only fun but also educational, helping to enhance comprehension and foster a lifelong love for reading.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Sit with your child and read the book aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and helps children understand the flow of language.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pitch to match different characters or emotions in the story.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and deeper connection with the story.
  • Tips: Let your child help pick out the outfit or props to make the experience more interactive.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Create cards with scenes from the book and ask your child to put them in order.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the narrative structure and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Start with fewer cards and increase the number as your child gets more comfortable with the exercise.

• Picture Reading
  • What it is: Look at the pictures and ask your child to describe what is happening.
  • How it helps: Develops observational skills and the ability to infer from visual cues.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage more detailed responses.

• Matching Words to Pictures
  • What it is: Show your child words and have them match these words to the corresponding pictures in the book.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition of sight words.
  • Tips: Start with simple words that are frequently repeated in the book.

These exercises are a great way to make reading a fun and integral part of your child’s daily routine. By engaging with award-winning books through these playful and educational activities, you’re setting the foundation for strong reading skills and a lifelong appreciation for literature. So, grab some books, and let's make reading exciting for your little one!