10+ Best Award Winning Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or a captivating read for your little one? Dive into our collection of award-winning books for 6-year-olds that promise to enchant and educate. From whimsical tales to adventurous escapades, these top picks are sure to spark a love for reading. Keep reading to discover various lists of award-winning books for 6-year-olds that are loved by children and praised by critics. Let's turn the page to find your child's next favorite book!

Fun Award Winning Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: 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 appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates imagination and creativity, showing kids the power of their own minds to create adventures and manage emotions.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who enjoy fantastical adventures and exploring emotions.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • 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 curiosity and appreciation for the small wonders in life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love exploring the outdoors and experiencing the magic of different seasons.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations with a variety of companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging read that introduces young readers to rhymes and helps build vocabulary through repetition and humor.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful language and those reluctant to try new things.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Illustrator: Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The bus driver has a simple request: Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! However, the pigeon is not going to give up without a fight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hilarious interaction between the reader and the book, encouraging children to participate actively in reading.
  • Perfect for: Energetic readers who love to laugh and enjoy interactive storytelling.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, despite his mother's warnings, leading to a series of adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about obedience and the consequences of one's actions in a charming and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals and learning through adventures.

Educational Award Winning Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
  • Illustrator: Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Urban
  • Synopsis: A young boy named CJ travels through the city with his grandmother, learning to appreciate the beauty in everyday urban life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, appreciation for diversity, urban life awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a vibrant and heartwarming story that teaches children about gratitude and finding beauty in the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in stories about family bonds and urban exploration.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
  • Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A box of crayons sends letters to their owner, expressing their frustrations and desires, leading to a humorous reflection on emotions and creativity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, letter writing
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a unique premise to engage children in thinking about perspective and communication.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love drawing and those who enjoy quirky stories with a message.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Cultural
  • Synopsis: A Korean girl named Unhei moves to America and decides to choose a new name to fit in, but learns the importance of her own cultural identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-acceptance, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that promotes the importance of embracing one's heritage and the uniqueness of every individual.
  • Perfect for: Children experiencing or learning about cultural diversity and the value of self-identity.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Illustrator: Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and escapes into a world where adventure awaits.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, storytelling, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: This wordless picture book allows children to tell their own story, enhancing creativity and narrative skills.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and imaginative thinkers who love to create and tell stories.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
  • Illustrator: David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life scientists, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to answer her questions about the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and scientific thinking, showcasing the importance of asking questions and conducting experiments.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any kid who's ever wondered "why?" about the world around them.

Challenging Award Winning Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
  • Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story is narrated by Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a cage at a mall. Ivan has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, he is moved to protect her from their grim reality.
  • Why this book is challenging: Complex themes of freedom, captivity, and animal rights are explored through the unique perspective of Ivan the gorilla.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches empathy and the importance of seeing life through another's eyes, fostering a sense of justice and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in stories that explore deep emotional and ethical questions.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Illustrator: Yuta Onoda (Cover art)
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magic Realism
  • Synopsis: This enchanting story revolves around a young girl named Luna, who is accidentally enmagicked as a baby. Raised by a witch, a tiny dragon, and a swamp monster, Luna must learn to control her powers before they control her.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes shifting perspectives and complex themes involving magic, power, and sacrifice.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written tale that encourages imagination and teaches about the consequences of actions and the power of love.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical adventures and complex character developments.

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
  • Illustrator: Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Beekle, an imaginary friend who, unheard and unseen by children, takes an incredible journey to the real world to find his perfect match.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of imaginary friends is explored with depth and sophistication, challenging young readers to think about friendship and the power of belief.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that celebrates the unseen connections that fulfill our lives.
  • Perfect for: Children who cherish friendships and those with a creative, imaginative streak.

• Locomotive by Brian Floca
  • Illustrator: Brian Floca
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This detailed book follows a family's journey across the United States on the newly completed Transcontinental Railroad in the late 1860s.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features detailed technical descriptions of the locomotive and its operation, paired with complex historical context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a captivating look at a significant historical achievement through engaging storytelling and detailed illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and technology enthusiasts fascinated by trains and American history.

• Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
  • Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure, Survival
  • Synopsis: In this nearly wordless picture book, a girl and a wolf cub lost in a snowstorm find and save each other, leading to a heartwarming friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: The lack of text requires interpretation of visual cues to understand the story, enhancing critical thinking and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning book that encourages kindness and bravery in challenging situations.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and children who appreciate stories of friendship and survival.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little ones dive into the world of award-winning books, why not make it even more exciting with some fun reading exercises? These activities are designed to enhance their reading skills and build good habits early on. Let’s check them out!

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading by providing a cozy, inviting environment.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite toys or decorations.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Before reading a book, have your child predict the story based on the title or cover.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and sets the stage for active reading.
  • Tips: Discuss the predictions after finishing the book to see which ones were right.

• Book-Themed Craft Day
  • What it is: Create crafts related to the themes or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a multi-sensory experience and reinforces the story.
  • Tips: Use simple materials found at home to keep the focus on fun and creativity.

• Read and Perform
  • What it is: Encourage your child to read aloud and act out parts of the book.
  • How it helps: Improves reading fluency and comprehension, and builds confidence.
  • Tips: Applaud their efforts and creativity to boost their enthusiasm.

• Reading Buddy System
  • What it is: Pair your child with a friend or a family member for shared reading sessions.
  • How it helps: Promotes social skills and makes reading a collaborative activity.
  • Tips: Choose books that are interesting to both reading buddies to keep them engaged.

• Interactive Reading Apps
  • What it is: Use educational apps that offer interactive story experiences.
  • How it helps: Integrates technology with reading, making learning more engaging.
  • Tips: Set time limits on app usage to balance screen time with traditional reading.

Wrapping up, these exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, integral part of your child’s daily routine. By incorporating these activities, you’re setting the stage for a lifelong love of books. So, grab some books, get comfy, and let the adventures begin!