10+ Best Children's Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for your little bookworm? Finding engaging children's books for 7-year-olds can be a delightful yet daunting task. Whether you're looking to spark their imagination, enhance their reading skills, or simply enjoy storytime together, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our handpicked lists of children's books for 7-year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate in equal measure. Let's dive in!

Fun Children's Books for 7-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 appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and emotions, encouraging imagination and dealing with feelings like anger and loneliness.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative kids who love going on adventures in their minds.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Friendship
  • Synopsis: This story follows a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about friendship, love, and the cycle of life in a gentle, understanding way that resonates with young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children learning about friendship and loss.

• The Magic Tree House Series: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical
  • Synopsis: Two siblings, Jack and Annie, discover a tree house filled with books that can transport them through time. Their first adventure takes them to the time of dinosaurs.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines history with adventure, making learning fun and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Curious explorers who enjoy history and time-travel tales.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A box of crayons sends letters to their owner, expressing their frustrations and demands for better treatment.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious and creative story that encourages empathy and understanding of others' perspectives.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who appreciate a good laugh.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents mistreat her and her school headmistress is a tyrant. She discovers she has a special telekinetic power and uses it to stand up to the adults in her life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, and it's a story of empowerment and justice for a young girl facing tough challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or undervalued, and those who enjoy stories of triumph over adversity.

Educational Children's Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Fiction
  • 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, problem-solving, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity, the importance of asking questions, and introduces basic scientific concepts in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Growth Mindset
  • Synopsis: A young girl decides to make the most magnificent thing with the help of her canine assistant, but finds that the task is more challenging than she thought.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, resilience, engineering basics
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the value of perseverance and the importance of handling frustration in creative endeavors.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who need encouragement to keep trying.

• National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book answers common "why" questions that kids ask, covering a wide range of topics including animals, the human body, and how things work.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge, critical thinking, curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear, understandable answers to complex questions, encouraging a deeper understanding of the world.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids who have lots of questions about how the world works.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Alone in her room at night, she constructs great inventions from odds and ends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering principles, creativity, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to invent, create, and not fear failure, as each mistake is a step towards success.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring engineers and creative minds who love to tinker and build.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This is the inspiring story of a boy from Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from drought and famine.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Innovation, environmental science, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a true story of ingenuity and determination, showing that young people can indeed change the world.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in real-life heroes and sustainable technologies.

Challenging Children's Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It intertwines with the tales of a servant girl named Miggery Sow and a rat named Roscuro, all weaving a narrative about bravery and forgiveness.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes like redemption, courage, and light vs. darkness, presented through sophisticated narrative structures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages deep thinking and empathy, offering a rich, multi-layered story that captivates and educates.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales with depth and moral challenges.

• 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 Lands Beyond, where he embarks on a quest full of puns, wordplay, and wisdom.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a playful use of language and introduces abstract concepts through a whimsical narrative, requiring readers to think critically.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging adventure that celebrates the joys of learning and the richness of language.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love word games, puzzles, and imaginative journeys.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a sour-faced and spoiled young girl, transforms alongside a hidden, neglected garden she discovers at her uncle's house, revealing secrets and changing lives.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is intricate, and the themes of loss, healing, and transformation are deeply woven into the plot.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a beautiful exploration of friendship, nature, and the healing power of love.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate nature and stories about personal growth and healing.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom through encounters with various inhabitants of different planets.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound philosophical questions about life, love, and human nature in a subtle manner that requires thoughtful interpretation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless story that speaks to the heart with its simplicity and depth, encouraging readers to contemplate what truly matters in life.
  • Perfect for: Dreamers and thinkers who enjoy delving into life’s big questions.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This beloved book follows the riverside adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger in the English countryside, filled with camaraderie, moral lessons, and a touch of mysticism.
  • Why this book is challenging: The language is rich and descriptive, with a leisurely paced story that explores themes of friendship, adventure, and home.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of pastoral England and offers a charming, deeply nuanced exploration of friendship and life’s simple pleasures.
  • Perfect for: Those who love nature and stories of friendship and timeless adventures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits, you're in the right place. Here are some engaging exercises that can make reading a fun and habitual part of their daily routine. These activities are simple, effective, and designed to keep young readers excited about their literary journeys.

• Set a Daily Reading Time
  • What it is: Dedicate a specific time each day exclusively for reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a routine, making reading a regular part of the day.
  • Tips: Choose a time when your child is usually relaxed and not too tired, such as after dinner or before afternoon playtime.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in your home as a reading area.
  • How it helps: Provides a comfortable and inviting space that encourages reading.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up the space with their favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Book Choice Day
  • What it is: Allow your child to choose any book they wish to read on a particular day of the week.
  • How it helps: Encourages decision-making and makes reading a more personalized and enjoyable experience.
  • Tips: Guide them towards selecting a variety of genres to broaden their interests.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and helps in vocabulary building.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging and fun.

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

• Book-Based Projects
  • What it is: Create a small project based on the current book they are reading.
  • How it helps: Helps in understanding and retaining the content of the book.
  • Tips: Projects can be anything from drawing a scene from the book, creating a map of the book's setting, or even acting out a favorite scene.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Implement a chart to track books read and reward milestones.
  • How it helps: Motivates children to read more and track their progress.
  • Tips: Offer rewards that are meaningful to your child, like choosing the next family movie or an extra half-hour of playtime.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s daily routine can transform reading from a chore into a delightful adventure that they look forward to every day. Remember, the goal is to foster a love of reading that will grow as they do. Happy reading!