10+ Best Beginning Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect beginning reading books for 5-year-olds? Finding the right books can be a game-changer in sparking a lifelong love of reading. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or educator, you know how crucial this stage is. In this blog, we've curated a variety of must-have books that are ideal for young readers just starting their literary journey. Keep reading to discover our top picks for beginning reading books for 5-year-olds that are sure to captivate, engage, and inspire!

Fun Beginning Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows an unnamed character, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with a variety of dining partners.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text makes it an excellent choice for beginning readers to practice their reading skills and enjoy the playful language.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fun, rhythmic stories and whimsical illustrations.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in beautiful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are curious about nature and enjoy stories with colorful artwork.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colored animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish are sequentially asked what they see, introducing young readers to colors and details.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive text and engaging illustrations help children predict what comes next, aiding in their reading skills and memory retention.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just starting to learn how to identify colors and enjoy repetitive, rhythmic phrases.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and then tumble down, providing a fun and lively way to learn the ABCs.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful introduction to the alphabet with a rhythmic, energetic story that encourages participation and memorization.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy lively stories and are learning the alphabet.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems, illustrated by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, and tries to convince the reader to let him drive it after the bus driver steps away.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive format engages children directly, encouraging them to participate in the story by responding to the pigeon's pleas.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive stories and showing off their decision-making skills.

Educational Beginning Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, illustrated by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Early Reader, Friendship
  • Synopsis: This beloved book features five stories about the adventures and friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, emotional intelligence, understanding of friendships
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to early reading with stories that emphasize kindness, patience, and loyalty.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to read on their own and enjoy stories about friendship.

• We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems, illustrated by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Metafiction
  • Synopsis: Characters Elephant and Piggie discover they are in a book and playfully interact with the reader.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading confidence, breaking the fourth wall, reader engagement
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses humor and direct dialogue to engage readers, making them part of the story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive stories and humor.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A gentle, poetic text that bids goodnight to everything in a great green room.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhythmic language skills, calming bedtime routines, observation skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing pace and repetitive phrasing make it a perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children who benefit from a peaceful story time to help them wind down at night.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, exploration, self-discovery
  • 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 love exploring the outdoors and experiencing the wonder of nature.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, understanding of measurements, bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the tender relationship between parent and child with a sweet, relatable narrative.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and young children who enjoy heartwarming stories about family love.

Challenging Beginning Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, illustrated 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. He travels to a forest inhabited by wild creatures that crown him as their king.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes complex themes of anger, imagination, and authority, which are advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to explore emotions and the concept of home in a safe and imaginative way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy adventures and exploring their imagination.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, illustrated by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Animal Tales, Classic
  • Synopsis: This 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 this book is challenging: The use of more formal language and the moral complexities presented are sophisticated for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches lessons about obedience and the consequences of misbehavior through engaging, lively storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with animals and learning through adventures.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Madeline, a brave and precocious girl in Paris, goes on various adventures, including a trip to the hospital after appendicitis, all while showing no fear.
  • Why this book is challenging: The poetic and rhythmic text, paired with a storyline about hospitalization, introduces complex themes in a subtle manner.
  • Why we recommend this book: It portrays courage and resilience through the adventures of a young girl, inspiring bravery and independence.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate stories of adventure and strong female characters.

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, illustrated by Shel Silverstein
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The book tells the story of a lifelong relationship between a boy and a tree, where the tree provides the boy with everything he needs at various stages of his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with deep themes of selflessness, love, and loss, which are profound for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a poignant exploration of relationships and generosity, encouraging thought and discussion about giving and taking.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to understand deeper emotional concepts and the importance of kindness.

• Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola, illustrated by Tomie dePaola
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Strega Nona (“Grandma Witch”) owns a magical pasta pot in her Italian town. Her helper, Big Anthony, causes chaos when he uses the pot without permission.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates elements of magic and moral lessons, which require a higher level of comprehension and ethical reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends humor with important lessons about responsibility and the consequences of one's actions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical stories and learning about different cultures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-year-old develop good reading habits, here are some fun and effective exercises you can try. These activities are designed to make reading enjoyable while enhancing their skills.

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story using pictures from magazines or printed images.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps in understanding narrative structures.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the pictures and ask them to explain the story behind them.

• Match Words to Pictures
  • What it is: Have your child match words to corresponding pictures.
  • How it helps: Improves word recognition and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Start with simple words that depict clear and familiar images.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud with your child every day.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of sentence structure.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to pick books they're interested in and discuss the story as you read.

• Alphabet Treasure Hunt
  • What it is: Create a treasure hunt game where each clue involves finding something that starts with a specific letter of the alphabet.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the alphabet and initial letter sounds.
  • Tips: Keep the clues simple and the hunt playful.

• Story Sequencing Cards
  • What it is: Use cards with pictures or sentences that tell a story out of order; ask your child to arrange them in the correct sequence.
  • How it helps: Boosts understanding of story flow and logical sequencing.
  • Tips: Start with three to four cards and gradually increase the complexity as your child gets better.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Engage in rhyming games where you or your child think of words that rhyme with a given word.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and listening skills.
  • Tips: Make it a fun competition or a sing-along to keep the interest alive.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine will not only improve your child's reading skills but also strengthen your bond with them. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and fun, so your little one always looks forward to reading time! Happy reading!