10+ Best Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to wind down the day with your little one? Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds can transform nighttime into an enchanting adventure that gently lulls them to sleep. Whether you're aiming to foster a love of reading or just share some quiet moments together, these books are your ticket to a peaceful evening. Keep reading to discover our top picks for Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds that are sure to become nightly favorites in your home.

Fun Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max dresses in a wolf suit, causes mischief, and is sent to bed without supper. His bedroom transforms into a mysterious forest inhabited by wild creatures that crown him as their ruler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and emotions, encouraging imagination and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vivid illustrations and wild adventures.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to save him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as friendship, love, and the cycle of life, all presented in a gentle and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories about friendships.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl
  • Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike his peers, refuses to eat boys and girls. The book follows their adventures as they plan to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a magical story that combines humor with a heartwarming friendship, sparking imagination and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendships between unlikely characters and fantastical adventures.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, despite his mother's warnings, and finds himself in various troubles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the consequences of disobedience in a light and charming manner.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and vibrant illustrations.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Illustrator: Ingrid Vang Nyman
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and fending for herself against bothersome adults.
  • Why we recommend this book: Pippi's independence and unconventional outlook can inspire children to think independently and creatively.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who appreciate humor and stories about strong, independent characters.

Educational Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, the mouse invents a monster called the Gruffalo. However, the Gruffalo turns out to be real, and the mouse must use his wits to escape danger once again.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, and strategic thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever tale that encourages strategic thinking and shows how brains can triumph over brawn.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with clever characters and a touch of suspense.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Cultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young Korean girl, moves to America and decides to choose a new name to fit in. Her classmates help fill a jar with names, but through interactions and experiences, Unhei decides to keep her own name, teaching her new friends about her culture and identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-acceptance, and social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the importance of identity and cultural pride in a way that's accessible to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children experiencing or learning about cultural diversity and the value of self-identity.

• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
  • Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This story follows Alice Rumphius, who had a goal to travel the world, live by the sea in her old age, and make the world more beautiful. She accomplishes this by scattering lupine seeds everywhere she goes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, life goals, and community service
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to think about how they can contribute positively to the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and nature lovers.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, wakes up to find his neighborhood covered in a layer of snowy white. He spends the day exploring the snowy city, engaging in various activities like making tracks, knocking snow from trees, and trying to save a snowball for the next day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, the experience of seasonal change
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy exploring and experiencing the wonders of nature.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
  • Illustrator: David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Science
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, curiosity, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and the love of science through the adventures of an engaging and relatable young girl.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

Challenging Bedtime Story Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
  • Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Milo, a bored young boy who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Here, he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and whimsical characters.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is rich in wordplay, puns, and abstract concepts that require a higher level of reading comprehension and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful journey that celebrates the joys of learning and the richness of language, encouraging readers to see the world in new ways.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love language, puzzles, and imaginative adventures.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Illustrator: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe, gaining insights into human nature through his encounters with various adults.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss, presented through metaphorical and philosophical layers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep life lessons and encourages empathy, reflection, and the questioning of adult conventions.
  • Perfect for: Deep thinkers and young philosophers, as well as those who appreciate a story that can be read on many levels.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Illustrator: John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters peculiar creatures and experiences a series of surreal and often nonsensical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is unconventional, with complex wordplay, logic puzzles, and a deep layer of symbolism.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wildly imaginative book that plays with logic and language in a way that challenges and entertains, encouraging creative thinking.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy whimsical tales and intellectual challenges.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a precocious child with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress. She discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to stand up to the adults mistreating her and her friends.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of rebellion, justice, and personal empowerment are explored through rich language and complex characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of reading and the resilience of children, empowering young readers to believe in their own abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or underestimated and enjoy stories of triumph over adversity.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the riverside adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and the irrepressible Toad, whose escapades capture the essence of pastoral England.
  • Why this book is challenging: The richly descriptive text and the exploration of themes such as friendship, morality, and the joys of home require thoughtful engagement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written celebration of nature, friendship, and the simple pleasures of life, offering a peaceful retreat into a charmingly crafted world.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and anyone who appreciates stories about friendship and the quaint adventures of endearing characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading bedtime stories isn't just a wonderful way to end the day; it's also a fantastic opportunity to cultivate good reading habits in your 7-year-old. Here are some engaging exercises that can enhance this nightly routine and make reading even more beneficial and fun.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, cozy corner dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances the reading experience by making it comfortable and enjoyable.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite pillows, blankets, or even some fairy lights.

• Book Selection Basket
  • What it is: Have a small basket or box where different bedtime storybooks are kept.
  • How it helps: Gives your child a sense of control and excitement in choosing what to read.
  • Tips: Rotate the books regularly to keep the selection fresh and engaging.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before reading, ask your child to predict what the story might be about based on the cover and title.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and sparks curiosity about the story.
  • Tips: Discuss the predictions after reading to see which ones were right or surprising.

• Pause and Ask
  • What it is: Periodically pause during reading to ask questions about the story.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and keeps your child engaged.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions that encourage more than yes or no answers.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: After reading, act out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of a favorite character.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the character and story while making reading fun.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks the number of books read or nights spent reading.
  • How it helps: Motivates your child to read regularly.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards for reaching reading milestones, like a new book or extra storytime.

Incorporating these exercises into your bedtime reading routine will not only make this time more enjoyable but also foster a lifelong love of reading in your child. Remember, the key is consistency and making each reading session interactive and fun!