10+ Best Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to fuel your little one's fascination with vehicles? Look no further! Our list of Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds is packed with exciting picks that are sure to captivate the imagination of young car enthusiasts. From stories that zoom into the world of race cars to tales that explore the daily adventures of family cars, there's something for every curious mind. Keep reading to discover our top picks for Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds that will get their engines running with joy!

Fun Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds

• Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Beginner reader
  • Synopsis: This delightful book features dogs in all sorts of cars, going to and fro, up and down, all in a whimsically illustrated world. The simple text and repetitive patterns make it easy to follow along.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it an excellent choice for young readers to start recognizing words and phrases. Plus, the fun illustrations of dogs driving cars are sure to entertain.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and vehicles, and beginner readers.

• If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Imagination
  • Synopsis: This book follows a young boy named Jack who designs the car of his dreams, complete with swimming pools and robotic features.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and innovation, showing kids that their imaginations can lead to big ideas. The rhyming text also makes the reading experience enjoyable and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and dreamers, and fans of whimsical stories.

• Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Picture book
  • Synopsis: The book showcases various vehicles and transportation methods, all illustrated in Scarry's playful and detailed style, as different animal characters go about their adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with detailed illustrations that can keep a child engaged for hours, and it subtly teaches about different types of vehicles and their purposes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are fascinated by vehicles of all kinds and enjoy finding small details in pictures.

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Classic
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows a small blue engine as she tries to bring a train full of toys to the children on the other side of the mountain, using her motto, "I think I can, I think I can."
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches perseverance and optimism, instilling the idea that determination and a positive attitude can help overcome challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a motivational boost and those who enjoy stories about trains and determination.

• Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Humor
  • Synopsis: Follow the hilarious journey of a truck driver who delivers a truck full of ducks to various funny and unexpected locations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and silly situations that will keep kids laughing, making reading a fun activity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy laughter and playful stories, and anyone who loves ducks and trucks.

Educational Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds

• My First Car Was Red by Peter Schössow
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Family
  • Synopsis: A heartwarming tale about a boy and his first car, gifted by his grandfather, exploring the adventures they have together.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family bonding, early reading skills, memory and recall
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the joy and excitement of a child's first experience with cars, enhanced by charming illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young children who dream about driving and families looking to bond over a shared reading experience.

• Cool Cars and Trucks by Sean Kenney
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This engaging book showcases various cars and trucks built from LEGO bricks, providing step-by-step instructions and the inspiration behind each design.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, fine motor skills, following instructions
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to build and design their own vehicles using LEGO, blending reading with interactive play.
  • Perfect for: LEGO enthusiasts and young mechanics who love building and designing.

• Everything Goes: Henry on Wheels by Brian Biggs
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Beginner reader
  • Synopsis: Follow Henry as he takes his new bike on a journey around his neighborhood, discovering all sorts of vehicles on his way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic reading skills, recognition of different transportation modes
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun introduction to various vehicles while also encouraging outdoor exploration and reading.
  • Perfect for: Beginners readers and young explorers eager to learn about transportation.

• Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Michael Slack
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Counting book
  • Synopsis: Count from one to ten with vibrant race cars speeding through the pages, each car with its own unique style and personality.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting skills, color recognition, early mathematics
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of race cars with educational content, making learning numbers fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young racers who enjoy fast cars and are learning to count.

• Cars Galore by Peter Stein, illustrated by Bob Staake
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Rhyming book
  • Synopsis: A whimsical rhyming journey through a world filled with bizarre and imaginative cars.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming and rhythmic language, imagination, vocabulary building
  • Why we recommend this book: Its playful text and vibrant, quirky illustrations capture the imagination, making it a delightful read.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and playful rhymes.

Challenging Books About Cars for 5-Year-Olds

• The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Alphabet book
  • Synopsis: This book presents each letter of the alphabet through racecars and related terminology, with vivid illustrations depicting various types of racecars in action.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex vocabulary related to car mechanics and racing, which is typically not familiar to young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It not only teaches the alphabet but also educates about the exciting world of racing, expanding both literacy and technical knowledge.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are fascinated by racecars and eager to learn both their ABCs and more about how cars work.

• Monster Trucks by Mark Todd
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Picture book
  • Synopsis: This book explores the thrilling world of monster trucks, showcasing their massive tires, incredible stunts, and the loud, energetic atmosphere of a monster truck rally.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features detailed illustrations and technical descriptions that go beyond simple storytelling, offering a deeper insight into the mechanics and excitement of monster trucks.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the intense, dynamic nature of monster trucks, appealing to children's sense of adventure and curiosity about how things work.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are thrilled by big vehicles and loud, action-packed events.

• How to Build a Car by Saskia Lacey, illustrated by Martin Sodomka
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Educational
  • Synopsis: A detailed step-by-step guide that explains the engineering behind building a car, from the basics of automobile mechanics to the complexities of an engine.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into technical details and engineering concepts that are advanced for young readers, encouraging them to think critically and learn about physics and mechanics.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is a fantastic resource for budding engineers, providing a clear explanation of how cars are designed and built, which encourages scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young engineers and curious minds interested in how cars and other machines are made.

• The Ultimate Book of Vehicles: From Around the World by Anne-Sophie Baumann, illustrated by Didier Balicevic
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This interactive book features more than 60 vehicles from around the world, including emergency vehicles, construction machinery, and everyday cars, with flaps to lift and various mechanical parts to explore.
  • Why this book is challenging: It provides a comprehensive look at different types of vehicles through interactive elements that require fine motor skills and cognitive understanding beyond simple reading.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging, hands-on way to learn about transportation, fostering curiosity and knowledge about how different vehicles are used globally.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive reading experiences and have a keen interest in vehicles of all types.

• Drive: A Look at Roadside Opposites by Kellen Hatanaka
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Concept book
  • Synopsis: This innovative book takes readers on a journey along the road, exploring the concept of opposites through various road scenes and vehicles, presented in a stylish, graphic art style.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces the concept of opposites through a thematic exploration of vehicles and road signs, requiring children to apply abstract thinking to a concrete context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines learning basic concepts with a love for cars, making it both educational and visually appealing, which helps in retaining young readers' attention.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early readers who enjoy stylish illustrations and are learning about basic concepts like opposites.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a little one who's all about cars and you're looking to pair that passion with some good reading habits, you're in the right place. Here are a few simple exercises designed just for 5-year-olds that can help turn those car stories into a supercharged reading adventure!

• Picture Walk Before Reading
  • What it is: Look through the pictures in a car book before starting to read.
  • How it helps: Helps children predict the story and get excited about the text.
  • Tips: Ask your child to describe what they see and guess what might happen in the story.

• Spot the Favorite Car
  • What it is: Find a favorite car in the book and focus on pages that feature it.
  • How it helps: Keeps the child engaged by connecting their interest in cars with the reading material.
  • Tips: Turn it into a game by counting how many times the favorite car appears.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the book aloud to your child, or alternate pages.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and listening skills.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters or sounds of cars to make it more fun.

• Character Connections
  • What it is: Discuss the characters in the book and their roles.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and empathy.
  • Tips: Relate the characters to real-life behaviors or people your child knows.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Have your child retell the story in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use their toys to act out parts of the story.

These exercises are not just fun; they're stepping stones to developing lifelong reading habits. By integrating their love of cars with these activities, you're not only boosting their literacy but also fueling their passion for learning. So, grab those car books and let's get those little engines running on the road to reading!