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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect French books for 5-year-olds to introduce a new language in a fun and engaging way? You've come to the right place! Whether you're raising a bilingual child or just starting with French, the books we've curated are just what you need to spark that love for language. Keep reading to discover our diverse selection of French books for 5-year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate your little ones.

Fun French Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe, gaining wisdom through encounters with various inhabitants of different planets.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination and introduces philosophical concepts in a way that is accessible and enchanting to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Dreamers and young philosophers, as well as children who appreciate stories about adventure and friendship.

• La Belle Lisse Poire du Prince de Motordu by Pef
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around Prince de Motordu, who lives in a world where words are delightfully mixed-up, leading to amusing misunderstandings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It plays with language in a fun way, encouraging children to explore and enjoy the quirks of words and language.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love wordplay and those with a good sense of humor.

• Max et Lili veulent tout savoir sur les bébés by Dominique de Saint Mars, illustrated by Serge Bloch
  • Genre(s): Family, Educational
  • Synopsis: Through the characters Max and Lili, this book explores questions and curiosities about where babies come from in a kid-friendly way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps satisfy the natural curiosity of children about family and life’s beginnings in a respectful and appropriate manner.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are soon-to-be older siblings or are curious about the addition of new family members.

• T'choupi va sur le pot by Thierry Courtin
  • Genre(s): Educational, Fiction
  • Synopsis: T’choupi, the beloved character, faces the challenge of transitioning from diapers to using the potty.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s great for kids undergoing or about to start potty training, offering them encouragement and making the process seem more approachable.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who are in the potty training phase.

• Cornebidouille by Pierre Bertrand, illustrated by Magali Bonniol
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: When a boy refuses to eat his soup, the imaginary witch Cornebidouille comes to confront him, leading to a humorous battle of wits.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a touch of suspense, making it a delightful read that also subtly encourages good eating habits.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a good laugh and a bit of mischief in their stories.

Educational French Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Mon Ami le Dictionnaire by Alain Rey, illustrated by Serge Bloch
  • Genre(s): Educational, Language
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the joy of words through the eyes of a young protagonist who discovers a magical dictionary.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, understanding of language structure, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning new words fun and engaging, encouraging children to explore the richness of the French language.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who show an interest in words and their meanings.

• Quand je serai grand, je serai le Père Noël by Grégoire Solotareff
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Career Exploration
  • Synopsis: A young boy dreams about becoming Santa Claus, imagining the exciting and magical aspects of delivering gifts to children around the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, understanding of different careers, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to dream big and teaches them about the joy of giving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love Christmas and are fascinated by Santa Claus.

• Les Trois Brigands by Tomi Ungerer
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Moral
  • Synopsis: The tale of three fearsome robbers who change their ways after meeting an orphan girl who sees the good in them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral reasoning, empathy, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a powerful message about redemption and the impact of kindness.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a moral and those who like tales of adventure and transformation.

• Roule Galette by Natha Caputo, illustrated by Pierre Belvès
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A freshly baked galette escapes from an old woman's oven and rolls away, encountering various animals along its journey.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequence of events, animal recognition, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic story that engages young readers in a chase while introducing them to different characters.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy lively and interactive read-alouds.

• Maman! by Mario Ramos
  • Genre(s): Family, Emotions
  • Synopsis: A little boy navigates his day with different emotions, calling out for his mother in various situations, showing the comforting presence of parents.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, family bonding, communication
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the emotional world of children and the reassurance they find in their parents' presence.
  • Perfect for: Young children learning to express their feelings and those who appreciate family-centric stories.

Challenging French Books for 5-Year-Olds

• L'arbre sans fin by Claude Ponti
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story follows the journey of a young girl, Blaise, who enters a fantastical tree filled with whimsical creatures and mysterious adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex narrative structure and rich, imaginative language that goes beyond simple storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and imagination, offering a rich narrative that challenges young readers to think outside the box.
  • Perfect for: Children who love fantasy and are ready for more complex stories.

• Le Jour où Loup Gris est devenu bleu by Gilles Bizouerne, illustrated by Ronan Badel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Loup Gris wakes up to find his fur has turned blue, which leads him on a quest to find out why and how to reverse it, encountering various characters along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of irony and subtle humor in the narrative requires a higher level of comprehension and inferential thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous story that also teaches about acceptance and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and stories with a moral lesson.

• Le Mystère Ferdinand by Agnès Bertron-Martin, illustrated by Eric Gasté
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ferdinand is a detective who receives a mysterious letter that leads him on an adventure across Paris to solve a puzzling case.
  • Why this book is challenging: The mystery genre introduces complex plot twists and requires critical thinking to solve puzzles alongside the protagonist.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the mystery genre in an engaging way, promoting problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and any child who loves solving puzzles and mysteries.

• Zélie et Compagnie by Danielle Marcotte, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon
  • Genre(s): Social Issues, Realism
  • Synopsis: Zélie starts a new school and faces the challenge of making friends, dealing with bullies, and finding her place.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex social themes and emotional intelligence, requiring readers to understand and empathize with diverse perspectives.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about friendship, resilience, and social skills.
  • Perfect for: Children experiencing or preparing for school transitions and those dealing with similar social situations.

• La Grande Fabrique de Mots by Agnès de Lestrade, illustrated by Valeria Docampo
  • Genre(s): Conceptual, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: In a strange country where people must buy and swallow words to speak, a young boy named Philéas finds a way to express his love with just a few words.
  • Why this book is challenging: The conceptual nature of the story introduces abstract ideas about communication and the value of words, which are advanced topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the power of words and encourages thoughtful communication.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful young readers and those interested in stories that explore the value and impact of language.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring French books with your 5-year-old, it's a fantastic way to dive into a new language and culture while developing strong reading habits. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can help your little one along their reading journey.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a French book aloud to your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps with pronunciation.
  • Tips: Change your tone for different characters to keep it engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book looking at pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and sets a context before the actual reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Match Words with Pictures
  • What it is: Find specific words in the text and match them with pictures on the page.
  • How it helps: Strengthens word recognition and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Start with simple, frequently occurring words.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Pause during reading to predict what happens next.
  • How it helps: Encourages active thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Validate all predictions to encourage more participation, whether they're right or wrong.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book after reading.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding and helps with memory retention.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more fun and immersive experience.

• Sing Along
  • What it is: Find books that include songs or can be read in a sing-song manner.
  • How it helps: Makes learning fun and enhances phonetic awareness.
  • Tips: Repeat songs often to build familiarity with the sounds and rhythms of French.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, interactive, and regular part of your child's day. Remember, the goal is to build a lifelong love for reading, and starting with these engaging activities can set the right tone. Happy reading!