10+ Best Books for 5 To 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 5 to 6-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and nurture their love for reading? You've landed in the right spot! Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a book-loving aunt or uncle, finding age-appropriate and engaging books can be a delightful yet daunting task. Keep reading as we dive into various lists of books for 5 to 6-year-olds that are sure to spark joy and curiosity in your little readers.

Fun Books for 5 To 6-Year-Olds

• 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 grow out of his imagination, and Max 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.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who love exploring fantasy worlds.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows a character who refuses to try green eggs and ham. Through a variety of scenarios, Sam-I-Am continues to offer the dish until it is finally tried and liked.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches persistence and the importance of trying new things, even if they seem unappealing at first.
  • Perfect for: Picky eaters and young readers who enjoy rhymes and repetitive patterns.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated 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.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Cause and effect
  • Synopsis: The story explores a series of increasingly demanding requests made by a mouse after it is given a cookie, demonstrating a humorous chain of cause and effect.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun introduction to the concept of consequences and sequences.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humorous twists and playful scenarios.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern book, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: A repetitive pattern book that features a series of colorful animals being asked what they see, promoting reader interaction and prediction.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps with color recognition, memory, and sequencing skills in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

Educational Books for 5 To 6-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhythm and Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet chant that sees all the letters of the alphabet racing up the coconut tree, only to fall down and be picked up by their parents.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm, and rhyming skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful text and vibrant illustrations to make learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are just starting to learn the alphabet.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story captures a young boy named Peter exploring his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, and understanding seasonal changes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful depiction of childhood wonder and the simple joys of snow, with beautiful, collage-style illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy snowy adventures and exploring the outdoors.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Persuasion
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, and tries every persuasive trick to get permission from the reader.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasive skills, decision making, and understanding of consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and humorous, encouraging children to make decisions and stand firm.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive stories and have a good sense of humor.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Classic fiction
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story that bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary, calming bedtime routines, and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, comforting words and peaceful pace make it a perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children who need a calm and soothing story before sleep.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Family, Emotions
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as far as he can reach and as high as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare can reach farther and hop higher.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, measuring, and comparison.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents, fostering a loving bedtime ritual.

Challenging Books for 5 To 6-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with big ears, on his quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the dungeons.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex themes of bravery, darkness, and redemption, paired with a rich vocabulary that goes beyond typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that also teaches about courage, forgiveness, and the power of stories.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and heroic quests.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces themes of friendship, loss, and mortality, which are profound and thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming tale that celebrates friendship and the cycle of life, encouraging empathy and reflection.
  • Perfect for: Children who are animal lovers and those dealing with themes of friendship and loss.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to fend off predators, only to encounter the mythical beast itself.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses witty rhymes and a clever plot twist that requires understanding of strategy and foresight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging read that encourages creativity and quick thinking.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with clever protagonists and mythical creatures.

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Emotional
  • Synopsis: This poignant story explores the relationship between a boy and a tree as it selflessly gives him everything it can throughout his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and unconditional love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a moving tale that can help instill values of kindness and consideration for others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to explore deeper emotional and ethical concepts.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a precocious child with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, who discovers she has telekinetic powers that help her stand up to bullies and change her own destiny.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features advanced vocabulary and themes of rebellion and justice, which are more sophisticated than typical books for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and courage in the face of adversity, inspiring readers to believe in their own abilities.
  • Perfect for: Gifted children and any young reader with a love for stories of triumph and magical adventures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5 to 6-year-old develop great reading habits, you're in the right place. Here are a few fun and effective exercises that can make reading a regular and enjoyable part of their daily routine. Remember, at this age, it's all about making reading fun and engaging!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child or take turns reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make it more engaging.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Before turning a page, ask your child to guess what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Encourages imaginative thinking and helps with understanding narrative structure.
  • Tips: Praise any effort, whether the guess was right or wrong, to boost confidence.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a picture book and discuss what's seen before reading the words.
  • How it helps: Builds pre-reading skills by using visual clues to understand the story.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to stimulate critical thinking.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify objects in a book or story that start with a specific letter or sound.
  • How it helps: Improves phonemic awareness, which is crucial for learning to read.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are easy to recognize and pronounce.

• Role Play Reading
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading it.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and memory by physically engaging with the story.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make it more fun and memorable.

• Reading Buddy
  • What it is: Encourage your child to read to a stuffed animal or an attentive pet.
  • How it helps: Builds confidence and fluency as they practice reading aloud.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their reading buddy to increase their excitement and involvement.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine can make a significant difference in their reading skills and their love for books. Each activity is designed to be fun and engaging while providing valuable learning benefits. So, grab some books and let the adventures begin! Happy reading!