10+ Best Early Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect early reading books for 6-year-olds? Finding the right stories to spark a love for reading in young minds can be a delightful challenge. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you know how crucial it is to choose books that not only entertain but also enhance learning and comprehension skills. In this blog, we'll dive into various lists of early reading books for 6-year-olds that are sure to capture their imagination and curiosity. Keep reading to discover your child's next favorite book!

Fun Early Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows a grumpy character trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations with various companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text helps young readers develop phonemic awareness and keeps them engaged with its silly plot.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful language and humorous stories.

• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Two children, left alone at home, are visited by a mischievous cat who turns a rainy afternoon into an unexpected adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: The imaginative story and rhythmic, easy-to-follow text make it an enjoyable read that encourages creativity and keeps young readers entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with whimsical characters and a touch of mischief.

• 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. He then embarks on a journey to the land of the Wild Things, where he becomes their king.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and understanding, allowing children to explore their emotions through Max's adventures.
  • Perfect for: Children with vivid imaginations and a love for adventures in fantastical settings.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Early reader, Friendship, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of stories highlighting the adventures and friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple text and endearing illustrations foster early reading skills and teach valuable lessons about friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers beginning to explore books on their own and anyone who values stories about friendship.

• Charlie and Lola: I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Lola is a picky eater, but her brother Charlie has some clever ideas to change her mind about tomatoes and other foods.
  • Why we recommend this book: The creative approach to dealing with picky eating can help children become more open to trying new foods while enjoying the fun story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are picky eaters and their parents, as well as fans of imaginative sibling dynamics.

Educational Early Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A boy named Duncan finds a stack of letters from his crayons, each expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, perspective-taking, color recognition, and creative problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and imaginative story that encourages children to consider others' feelings, even inanimate objects like crayons!
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys interactive and playful stories.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: The bus driver has a simple request: Don't let the pigeon drive the bus. However, the pigeon is not going to give up without a try.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, understanding rules, and persuasive argument
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive format and the pigeon's hilarious attempts to get his way make it a hit with young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love to say "no" and those who enjoy stories with a lot of humor.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance, especially in science, which is essential for budding young scientists.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring scientists, curious minds, and any kid who loves to ask "why?"

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores 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: Its beautiful illustrations and simple, relatable story capture the magic and possibilities of a snowy day.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love snow days and outdoor adventures.

• We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Social themes
  • Synopsis: Auggie Pullman, who feels ordinary inside but not always on the outside, shows everyone how to look with kindness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, kindness, diversity, and acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches the importance of looking beyond appearances and showing kindness to everyone.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning about diversity and acceptance, and fans of the novel Wonder by the same author.

Challenging Early Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her family mistreats her and her school's headmistress is a tyrant. She discovers she has a special telekinetic gift and uses it to stand up to the adults in her life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex vocabulary and themes of justice and personal courage.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, encouraging readers to believe in their own power.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy stories about triumph over adversity.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It explores his adventures as he navigates a world filled with danger and darkness.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes sophisticated themes and a rich vocabulary that go beyond typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that teaches lessons about bravery, forgiveness, and the importance of being true to oneself.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales with depth and moral lessons.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved book tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise 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 this book is challenging: It deals with themes of friendship, loss, and survival, using a higher level of vocabulary to convey complex messages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers emotional depth and enduring life lessons about the importance of friendship and the cycle of life.
  • Perfect for: Children who are emotionally mature and can handle themes of friendship and loss.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they devise a plan to save the world from the other, more dangerous giants.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book invents new words and plays with language in a way that requires more advanced reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination and creativity, while providing a fun and adventurous story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy whimsical tales and learning new, playful uses of language.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family, navigates the challenges of being small in a big world as he embarks on an adventure to find his friend, a little bird.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich language and complex themes such as identity and belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to think about diversity and resilience in the face of challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love adventure and exploring big themes in accessible ways.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to boost your 6-year-old's reading skills, incorporating some fun and effective exercises can make a huge difference. Here are some engaging activities that not only make reading enjoyable but also help develop good reading habits early on.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you discuss the pictures in a book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell a story based on the pictures they see.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Find objects around the house that start with the same letter or sound.
  • How it helps: Reinforces phonics and initial sound recognition.
  • Tips: Turn it into a scavenger hunt to make it more exciting and dynamic.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or sentences from a favorite book.
  • How it helps: Improves fluency and confidence in reading aloud.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to keep it fun and engaging.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Rearrange pictures or segments of a story into the correct sequence.
  • How it helps: Develops comprehension and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Start with simple stories and gradually increase complexity as your child gets more comfortable.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and come up with words that rhyme with a given word.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Incorporate rhyme games during everyday activities like driving or during bath time.

• Silent Reading
  • What it is: Set aside quiet time where your child reads silently to themselves.
  • How it helps: Fosters independence and a love for reading.
  • Tips: Create a cozy reading nook that invites your child to curl up with a good book.

By integrating these exercises into your daily routine, you'll not only help your child develop essential reading skills but also instill a lifelong love for books. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light, fun, and pressure-free. Happy reading!