10+ Best Books for 5-7-Year-Old to Read w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect "Books for 5-7-Year-Old to Read"? You're in the right place! Whether you're looking to ignite a love for reading in your little one or find new adventures to captivate their growing minds, we've curated a variety of must-read books that are just right for this exciting age group. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to delight and engage young readers!

Fun Books for 5-7-Year-Old to Read

• 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 appear, and he 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 with a wild imagination and a love for adventures.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The crayons in Duncan's box are frustrated and have decided to go on strike. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan, expressing their grievances and demands.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to teach children about expressing feelings and resolving conflicts, plus it's filled with humor and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and those learning how to navigate their emotions.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • 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 save him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life in a gentle and thoughtful way.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children who are beginning to read longer stories.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by 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. But what happens when he meets the real Gruffalo?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever tale that celebrates quick thinking and bravery, with rhythmic text and delightful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good tale with a twist and enjoy rhymes.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Humor, Beginner Reader
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with various companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to try new things and demonstrates the power of persistence in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful language and rhymes.

Educational Books for 5-7-Year-Old to Read

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The story captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter who explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of seasons, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the simple joys and explorations of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy snowy days and exploring the outdoors.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The bus driver has a simple request: don't let the pigeon drive the bus! However, the pigeon is not so easily dissuaded and tries every argument to get a chance to drive.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasive skills, understanding rules, decision-making
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and humorous, engaging children in dialogue and decision-making.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to say "no" and enjoy interactive stories.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Despite her fears of failure, she learns that you can only truly fail if you quit.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, perseverance, introduction to engineering
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages kids, especially girls, to embrace their inventions and learn from failure.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young inventors and creators, and any child who needs encouragement to keep trying.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young Korean girl, worries that American kids will not like her name, so she decides to choose a new one. Her classmates come to love her real name as they understand its unique beauty and meaning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural diversity, self-acceptance, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of cultural identity and the beauty of being oneself.
  • Perfect for: Children facing or curious about cultural differences and the significance of names.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • 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, critical thinking, curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and determination in young scientists.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who are always asking "why?" and "how?" about the world around them.

Challenging Books for 5-7-Year-Old to Read

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. Despereaux is banished to the dungeon for speaking with a human but plans a daring escape to save the princess.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex vocabulary and intricate plot lines that weave together the stories of multiple characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a rich narrative that encourages empathy and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and stories of unlikely heroes.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This charming tale follows Stuart Little, a small, intelligent mouse born into a human family in New York City. Stuart faces several adventures as he navigates the world with his diminutive size.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses a higher level of vocabulary and sophisticated themes about identity and adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic story that inspires imagination and courage in facing the larger world.
  • Perfect for: Children who love adventure and exploring different perspectives.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic follows the adventures of four animals: Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. Together, they explore the English countryside, face challenges, and learn the value of friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: It contains rich, descriptive language and a slower narrative pace that requires concentration and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about friendship, adventure, and the beauty of the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in classic stories with deep, enduring themes.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the man-eating giants from invading the human world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book invents new words and plays with language in creative ways, which can be challenging but rewarding for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks creativity and imagination through its whimsical language and unique characters.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young readers with a love for quirky adventures.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey. She befriends the neighbors' children, Tommy and Annika, and together they go on various humorous escapades.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's adventures and the book's playful use of language provide a rich, engaging reading experience that is slightly more complex than typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates independence, imagination, and the importance of being true to oneself.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and any child who enjoys stories filled with humor and adventure.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-7-year-old develop some great reading habits, I've got just the thing for you. Here are a few fun and easy exercises that can make reading a delightful habit for your little ones. These activities are designed to engage young readers and make the reading process more enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child or take turns reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps children understand the flow of language.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and helps the child predict the story.
  • Tips: Ask your child to describe what they think is happening in each picture.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Find objects around the house that start with the same letter/sound as the beginning of the book title.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the connection between sounds and letters.
  • Tips: Make this a playful scavenger hunt to add excitement.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to arrange pictures or sentences from the story in order.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory.
  • Tips: Start with simple stories that have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more fun and realistic.

• Book-Based Drawing
  • What it is: Encourage your child to draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Fosters creativity and helps with visual memory.
  • Tips: Display their artwork at home to show appreciation for their effort.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about creating a whole world of imagination and learning for your child. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you’re not only helping your child develop a love for reading but also boosting their cognitive skills in a fun and engaging way. Happy reading!