10+ Best Dyslexia Friendly Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for dyslexia-friendly books for 6-year-olds that make reading a fun and accessible adventure? You're in the right place! Discovering the right books can transform reading from a challenge into a joy for young readers with dyslexia. Keep reading to explore our carefully curated lists of dyslexia-friendly books that are perfect for 6-year-olds, ensuring they fall in love with reading, one page at a time.

Fun Dyslexia Friendly Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This playful story follows the adventures of a three-legged, one-eyed donkey, highlighting his unique characteristics in a fun and musical way.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text helps children with dyslexia to predict and decode the words more easily, making reading a fun activity rather than a challenging task.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and music in stories, and who might benefit from rhythmic and repetitive text.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor, Beginner Books
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently invites his friend to try green eggs and ham in various settings until he finally agrees to taste them and discovers he actually likes them.
  • Why we recommend this book: The simple vocabulary and repetitive phrases are ideal for dyslexic readers, helping to build their confidence and fluency in reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful, persistent characters.

• Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Hairy Maclary goes out for a walk with several friends, each dog with its own unique trait, and they all find themselves on an adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, rhyming text and the repetitive, predictable story structure support dyslexic readers in decoding text and enjoying the narrative flow.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and playful stories, and who need engaging, easy-to-follow text.

• Pug Pig Trick-or-Treat by Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Joyce Wan
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Pug and Pig are best friends who have different feelings about Halloween. They navigate their differences and find a way to enjoy the holiday together.
  • Why we recommend this book: The clear, large typeface and the simple, concise sentences make this book accessible for readers with dyslexia, while the story teaches about friendship and acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who might be overwhelmed by more complex texts and enjoy sweet stories about friendship.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A family embarks on an adventure, facing various obstacles, as they go on a bear hunt.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and rhythmic phrases, combined with the interactive elements of the story, make this book enjoyable for dyslexic readers and help in building their reading confidence.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who enjoy interactive narratives and overcoming challenges in stories.

Educational Dyslexia Friendly Books for 6-Year-Olds

• A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer, illustrated by P.D. Eastman
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This delightful tale follows a young boy who overfeeds his pet fish, causing it to grow incredibly large. He faces various humorous challenges as he tries to find a suitable place for his oversized fish.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, cause and effect relationships, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: The simple, repetitive text and engaging illustrations help maintain the interest of young readers with dyslexia, making the reading process more enjoyable and less daunting.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and humorous stories.

• Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This story features a mysterious animal who believes he belongs in a zoo. As he demonstrates his unique abilities, such as changing colors and juggling his spots, he explores where he truly belongs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, self-discovery, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its bright, bold illustrations and playful text engage readers, while the repetitive and predictable storyline supports those with dyslexia.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful, engaging stories with a touch of fantasy.

• Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Dogs of all shapes, sizes, and colors engage in various activities, driving cars, wearing hats, and attending a dog party. The simple narrative explores concepts of movement and differences.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Early reading skills, understanding of prepositions, color and size differentiation
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, direct text and repetitive phrases help dyslexic readers grasp reading fundamentals in a fun and active setting.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just beginning to read and enjoy lively, action-packed stories.

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: A small engine overcomes a seemingly impossible task through determination and courage, pulling a train full of toys over a mountain to the children on the other side.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, resilience, early literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive refrain "I think I can" encourages engagement and mimics the building blocks of reading, aiding dyslexic readers in gaining confidence.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need encouragement and those who enjoy uplifting stories about overcoming challenges.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Pattern Books
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colorful animals, including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish, are asked what they see, introducing children to different animals and colors.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, animal identification, pattern prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: The predictable, repetitive text structure and vivid illustrations help dyslexic readers easily follow along and anticipate the text, making reading a less stressful experience.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early readers who enjoy vivid illustrations and learning about animals and colors.

Challenging Dyslexia Friendly Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A tiny snail with an itchy foot longs for adventure and hitches a ride on the tail of a great big, grey-blue humpback whale. Together, they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces a wide vocabulary and a variety of sentence structures, which are advanced for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines lyrical rhymes and a compelling tale of adventure that can boost phonemic awareness and reading fluency.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love nature, animals, and thrilling journeys.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A kind witch and her cat fly happily on their broomstick until the witch drops her hat, bow, and wand, which are retrieved by three helpful animals who ask for a ride on the broom.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book features rhyming text that requires understanding of rhyming schemes and rhythm, which are more complex reading concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages teamwork and problem-solving, wrapped up in a magical, rhythmic narrative that captivates young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy magical stories and learning about kindness and cooperation.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A mouse takes a stroll through the deep dark wood and outsmarts a succession of predators with clever tales of an imaginary monster, only to encounter the real Gruffalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The clever twists and rich vocabulary provide a higher level of intellectual engagement for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that encourages creativity and quick thinking, with engaging rhymes that help with reading fluency.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who love stories with clever protagonists and a touch of suspense.

• Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, but the world outside the family tree is dangerous. Stick Man is carried far from home. His odyssey to make it back to the family tree is both harrowing and hopeful.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story's structure introduces a repetitive, cumulative tale with a rhythmic flow that can be challenging yet rewarding to master.
  • Why we recommend this book: It emphasizes perseverance and the importance of family through an engaging, rhythmic narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy heartwarming family stories and rhythmic, repetitive texts.

• Charlie Cook's Favorite Book by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, and so on. The story comes full circle when the last character reads a book about Charlie Cook.
  • Why this book is challenging: The nested narrative structure and the introduction to various genres within a single book make it a complex read.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the joy of reading and introduces children to different literary genres, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of literature.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love books and stories within stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring dyslexia-friendly books for your 6-year-old, you're already on a great path to nurturing a love for reading. Incorporating some simple exercises can further enhance their reading experience and skills. Here are a few that are both fun and effective:

• Picture Story Match
  • What it is: Pairing pictures from the story with written descriptions.
  • How it helps: Strengthens reading comprehension and visual association skills.
  • Tips: Use colorful pictures and simple sentences to keep your child engaged.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You and your child take turns reading pages or paragraphs aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves reading fluency and pronunciation.
  • Tips: Encourage your child by showing excitement and using expressive voices for different characters.

• Word Hunt
  • What it is: Finding specific words in a text using hints or descriptions.
  • How it helps: Enhances word recognition and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Start with words your child is already familiar with to build confidence.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Drawing a map that outlines the events of a story.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure and sequence of events in the story.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identifying rhyming words in the book or coming up with new ones.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and enjoyment of language sounds.
  • Tips: Make it a playful activity by singing the rhymes or turning them into a small song.

Each of these exercises can turn reading time into a dynamic learning experience that caters to the needs of a child with dyslexia. By engaging in these activities, you're not just helping your child to read better; you're also making reading a fun and rewarding part of their day. Keep it light, keep it fun, and watch as your child's reading skills flourish!