10+ Best Children's Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect children's books for 6-year-olds? Whether you're looking to spark imagination, encourage reading, or find a story that sticks, choosing the right book can be a game changer. In this blog, we'll dive into a variety of captivating books tailored specifically for six-year-olds. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to delight and engage your young reader!

Fun Children's Books for 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. His bedroom transforms into a wild forest where he sails to an island inhabited by fierce creatures known as the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing children that they can explore wild and fantastical worlds from the safety of their own rooms.
  • Perfect for: Children who love letting their imaginations run wild and those who enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy.

• 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 they decide to go on strike. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan, explaining why they are upset and what they want him to do about it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to introduce children to expressing feelings and resolving conflicts, plus it's filled with humor and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and those who could use a creative way to think about how to express their feelings.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another 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: It teaches persistence and the value of trying new things, all wrapped up in fun rhymes and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and anyone who’s a bit hesitant to try new things.

• 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 persuade the farmer to save him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches about friendship, love, and the cycle of life, all while improving reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories about friendships.

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book offers a humorous retelling of the classic "Three Little Pigs" story from the perspective of the wolf, who insists that the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to alternative perspectives and encourages critical thinking, all while being incredibly funny.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fairy tales and those who appreciate a good twist on a classic story.

Educational Children's Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Science
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to discover the truth about everything she encounters.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance in young scientists and shows the importance of asking "why."
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A young girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing with the help of her canine assistant, but finds that creating something new isn't as easy as she thought.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, perseverance, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the value of hard work in achieving one’s goals.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who might need encouragement to overcome frustration.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer and learns to pursue her passion despite fears of failure, inspired by her great-great-aunt Rose.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering principles, creativity, overcoming fear of failure
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages kids, especially girls, to explore engineering and learn from their failures.
  • Perfect for: Budding engineers and any child who needs to learn that it’s okay to fail.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is nervous about being accepted in her new American school, so she tells her classmates that she will choose an American name. Her journey helps her realize the value of her own unique identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-acceptance, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of embracing one’s heritage and the beauty of diversity.
  • Perfect for: Children facing cultural transitions and any child learning about diversity and acceptance.

• If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story demonstrates the process of planting seeds and the consequences of selfishness versus kindness through the simple acts of animals in a garden.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of nature, kindness, cooperation
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the rewards of planting seeds of kindness through both gardening and actions.
  • Perfect for: Young gardeners and any child learning about kindness and cooperation.

Challenging Children's Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and philosophical insights.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is rich in wordplay, puns, and abstract concepts that challenge young readers to think critically and creatively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and appreciation of language and mathematics in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy puzzles and word games, and those who are curious about different ways of thinking.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It tells of his adventures in a castle full of characters with complex fates.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is sophisticated, featuring stories within stories and shifting viewpoints, which require careful reading and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches lessons about bravery, forgiveness, and the power of stories.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are not afraid of a little darkness in their fairy tales and enjoy stories of adventure and heroism.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the irrepressible Mr. Toad. Themes of friendship, mischief, and the changing seasons are explored.
  • Why this book is challenging: The language is rich and descriptive, with a level of vocabulary that challenges young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless story that celebrates nature, friendship, and the joys of rural life.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories set in the natural world.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Classic, Philosophical, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This philosophical tale, with its own illustrations by the author, tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes are deep and existential, exploring complex ideas such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers profound insights into human nature and the adult world through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful children who appreciate deep conversations and those intrigued by the mysteries of life.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a bizarre world of whimsical characters and puzzling adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is filled with logical puzzles, wordplay, and a non-linear story that can be perplexing but stimulating.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and problem-solving, and is delightfully nonsensical.
  • Perfect for: Kids with a fondness for the absurd and those who enjoy solving riddles and puzzles.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop stellar reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here's a list of fun and effective exercises tailored specifically for young readers. These activities are designed to make reading a delightful habit for your child, ensuring they not only improve their skills but also fall in love with the world of books!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time each day reading a book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, improves listening skills, and helps children understand the flow of language.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make the story more engaging and entertaining.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from a book.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper connection with the story and stimulates imagination.
  • Tips: Let your child pick their character and help them create a simple costume together.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to predict what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Encourage open-ended predictions to foster creativity.

• Book-Themed Crafts
  • What it is: Create crafts based on themes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the story's elements and enhances understanding through hands-on activity.
  • Tips: Use simple materials found at home for the craft projects.

• Interactive Reading Apps
  • What it is: Use educational apps that promote reading through interactive stories and games.
  • How it helps: Integrates technology with reading, making learning fun and accessible.
  • Tips: Choose apps that are age-appropriate and have positive reviews from educators and parents.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Implement a system where your child earns stickers or points for each book they read.
  • How it helps: Motivates children to read more and track their own progress.
  • Tips: Let your child help design the chart and pick the rewards.

• Library Visits
  • What it is: Regularly visit the library to borrow books and attend children’s events.
  • How it helps: Exposes children to a wide range of books and fosters a love for libraries.
  • Tips: Get your child their own library card to heighten their sense of involvement.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can make reading a fun and habitual part of your child’s life. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also build foundational skills that are crucial for their academic future. So, grab a book and let the adventures begin! Happy reading!