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

Looking for the perfect way to keep your little one engaged and learning? You're in the right place! Our guide to Busy Books for 5-Year-Olds is packed with exciting options that promise to keep those tiny hands and minds active. Whether you're on the hunt for a birthday gift or just want to refresh your child's reading collection, stick around as we dive into various lists of Busy Books for 5-Year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate!

Fun Busy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This charming book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally turning into a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic introduction to counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all presented through colorful and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vibrant, interactive books and learning basic concepts.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently invites his friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations with a variety of companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text makes it an ideal read for beginners, helping them to build phonemic awareness and early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy silly stories.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max sails away to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who crown him as their king.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book encourages imagination and creativity, showcasing a whimsical journey with stunning illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Children who love letting their imaginations run wild and exploring fantastical worlds.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A repetitive patterned text guides young readers through a colorful array of animals and their activities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching animal names and colors, plus the rhythmic and repetitive text helps develop memory and predictive skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy repeating lines and guessing what comes next in the story.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its gentle, lulling words and soothing rhythm make it a perfect bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who need a calming read before sleep, making bedtime a peaceful experience.

Educational Busy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet rhyme where all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful, rhythmic text with bold, cheerful illustrations, making learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic 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 scare them away, the mouse invents a creature called the Gruffalo... only to meet one!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, problem-solving, imaginative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a witty, clever story with delightful rhymes and a smart, resourceful protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories featuring clever twists and playful language.

• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: This unique book invites the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, and tilt the book to experience an exciting journey through simple instructions and colorful illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Following instructions, cause and effect, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive experience that creatively engages children in playful learning.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive play and are learning to follow instructions.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure to hunt for a bear, facing several challenges along the way. They go through grass, a river, mud, a forest, a snowstorm, and finally come face to face with a bear!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, rhythm and sounds, courage and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text coupled with delightful illustrations make it a captivating story that encourages participation and movement.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous children who enjoy stories with repetitive phrases and a bit of suspense.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Duncan just wants to color, but when he opens his crayon box, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: his crayons have had enough and quit! Each crayon writes a letter expressing their grievances and demands.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, empathy, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a humorous take on conflict resolution and creativity, with each crayon providing its unique perspective.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys a good laugh and learning about emotions and perspectives.

Challenging Busy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming a great engineer. Alone in her room at night, she constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Afraid of failure, she hides them away until she meets her great-great-aunt Rose, who shows her that the first step towards success is failing.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of perseverance, innovation, and the scientific process, which are advanced concepts for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes resilience and creativity, encouraging kids to experiment and learn from their failures, which are key skills in any field, especially engineering.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who are interested in how things work and aren't afraid to try new ideas.

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Art
  • Synopsis: Vashti believes she can't draw, but her teacher challenges her to make a mark and see where it takes her. Starting with a small dot on a piece of paper, Vashti discovers her creative spirit and embarks on a journey of self-expression and confidence.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the concepts of self-doubt and artistic expression, encouraging children to explore their own paths and believe in themselves.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to embrace their creativity and shows the power of a positive mindset and encouragement in discovering one's potential.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who needs a little encouragement to explore their creative side.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces scientific inquiry, hypothesis testing, and the importance of perseverance in learning, which are sophisticated concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a love of science and inquiry, teaching children to ask questions and think critically about the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds who have a penchant for asking "why" and "how" about everything they see.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Using her imagination and a red marker, a lonely girl draws a door on her bedroom wall and steps through it into a magical world. Her journey takes her on a fantastical adventure across diverse landscapes and challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: This wordless book requires children to interpret and narrate the story themselves, enhancing their storytelling and cognitive skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters imagination and creativity, allowing children to create their own narrative and encouraging independent thinking and storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who love creating stories and exploring new, fantastical worlds.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: A young girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing with the help of her assistant, her pet dog. Despite several unsuccessful attempts, she learns the value of perseverance and the importance of a positive attitude towards setbacks.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with frustration and the iterative process of creating, which can be complex emotional and cognitive concepts for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of continued effort and creativity in the face of challenges, which are valuable lessons for budding innovators.
  • Perfect for: Young creators who enjoy building and tinkering and need to learn that setbacks are a natural part of the creative process.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-year-old develop good reading habits while having fun, busy books are a fantastic resource. Below are some engaging exercises that will not only entertain your little one but also boost their reading skills. Let's dive in!

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on pictures in the busy book.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and helps in understanding the sequence of events.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell a different story each time using the same pictures.

• Match the Words
  • What it is: Find words in the book that match pictures on the page.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Tips: Start with simple words and gradually introduce new ones as your child progresses.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You and your child take turns reading pages or sentences aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and listening skills.
  • Tips: Use expressive voices to make the reading fun and engaging.

• Find the Rhyme
  • What it is: Identify rhyming words in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and memory.
  • Tips: Clap or tap together when you find rhymes to make it interactive.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Arrange story cards or sections of the book in the correct order.
  • How it helps: Teaches logical thinking and understanding of story structure.
  • Tips: After sequencing, ask your child to tell the story in their own words.

These exercises are designed to make reading a playful and enjoyable experience for your child. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you'll help your little one develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime. Happy reading!