10+ Best Illustrated Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read that will captivate your seven-year-old's imagination? Illustrated books for 7-year-olds are a fantastic way to combine the magic of art with the power of words, helping to foster a love for reading. From whimsical adventures to heartwarming tales, these books are designed to engage and entertain young readers. Keep reading to discover our diverse lists of must-have illustrated books that are sure to delight any 7-year-old reader.

Fun Illustrated 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 costume, creates his own imaginary world—a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown him as their ruler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids that they can explore and rule their own worlds in playful and adventurous ways.
  • Perfect for: Children who love using their imagination and embarking on adventures in their play.

• 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 tired of how they're being used and decide to go on strike, each expressing their grievances through letters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that introduces children to the concept of perspective and negotiation, all while being incredibly entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humor and can appreciate a good laugh while learning about resolving conflicts.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, it invents a monster called the Gruffalo... only to meet one!
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches strategic thinking and the power of intelligence over brute force, all wrapped up in rhythmic text and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about clever protagonists and mythical creatures.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This charming book follows the adventures of Madeline, a brave and spirited girl living in a Paris boarding school.
  • Why we recommend this book: Madeline’s adventures are both heartwarming and inspiring, showcasing courage and independence.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate stories of adventure and girls who stand up for themselves.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A fun and whimsical story about dragons who love tacos but have an aversion to spicy salsa, which leads to hilarious consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines silly concepts with a light-hearted narrative to engage children’s love for fantasy and food.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful stories and have a big imagination, especially those who love dragons and tacos.

Educational Illustrated Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: This story follows Henry, a boy who discovers that he loves to eat books, and the more he eats, the smarter he gets. However, he soon learns that eating books might not be the best way to absorb knowledge.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, love for reading, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a quirky and imaginative story that encourages a love of reading in a fun and unusual way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love quirky stories and those beginning to develop their own reading habits.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this book follows Ada Twist, 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, critical thinking, curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes STEM education and inspires children, especially girls, to be curious and passionate about science.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Educational
  • Synopsis: The story centers around Jerome, a boy who collects new words that he reads or hears. By piecing the words together, Jerome discovers the immense power of words and the joy of sharing his word collection with the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, communication skills, emotional expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the beauty and power of words and encourages children to express themselves through language.
  • Perfect for: Young readers and writers, and all children who are fascinated by words.

• Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams, illustrated by Lucy Letherland
  • Genre(s): Educational, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book takes children on a journey around the world, exploring continents and introducing them to different cultures, landmarks, and wildlife through beautifully illustrated maps and scenes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, cultural awareness, environmental consciousness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging and visually stunning way to learn about the world, promoting curiosity about different cultures and places.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who dream of traveling the world and learning about different cultures.

• The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen
  • Genre(s): Science, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ms. Frizzle takes her class on a field trip inside the Earth's crust, where students learn about rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape our planet.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Earth science, observation skills, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun adventures with educational content, making science accessible and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Budding geologists and any child who enjoys science and adventurous field trips.

Challenging Illustrated Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This wordless narrative tells the story of an immigrant's journey to a strange new world, using detailed and evocative illustrations to convey the emotions and challenges of adapting to a new life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The lack of text requires readers to interpret complex visual narratives, enhancing their analytical and inferential skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience through powerful and engaging artwork, encouraging deeper thought and discussion.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and children interested in stories about journeys and human experiences.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world filled with adventure, danger, and opportunity for bravery and friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: The absence of words pushes readers to create their own narrative, developing their storytelling and imaginative skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and courage, providing a visually stunning platform for children to explore and narrate their own tales.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and any child who loves drawing and storytelling.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, this novel follows young Hugo as he tries to solve the mystery of a broken automaton and a hidden message from his late father, using both prose and intricate illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel's complex narrative structure, which interweaves graphics and text, challenges readers to think critically about how stories are told.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating blend of art and literature that immerses readers in a cinematic adventure, encouraging a love for history and mechanics.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and mechanically inclined children who enjoy puzzles and stories with depth.

• The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Surrealism
  • Synopsis: Through a series of fantastical landscapes, a young girl travels a dark world searching for hope, depicted in striking and emotionally resonant illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of surreal and abstract imagery to explore themes of despair and hope invites deep reflection and interpretation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses complex emotions like sadness and hope in a visually engaging way, helping children understand and express difficult feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with or ready to explore complex emotions, and fans of visually driven narratives.

• Flotsam by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A young boy discovers an underwater camera washed up on the shore and explores the fantastical images it contains, leading him on an imaginative journey across the ocean.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed and layered illustrations require careful observation and interpretation, enhancing critical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks curiosity and imagination through beautifully crafted scenes that transcend the ordinary, inviting readers into a magical world.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and aspiring marine biologists or photographers, and any child who cherishes the mysteries of the sea.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits while enjoying illustrated books, I've got some fun and effective exercises for you. These activities are designed to engage young readers and enhance their reading experience. Let’s dive in:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you flip through the book, looking at pictures to predict the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make guesses about the story together.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Drawing a map that includes major events and characters from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall of the story’s structure.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map engaging and memorable.

• Character Puppet Show
  • What it is: Creating puppets based on characters from the book and putting on a show.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of character traits and motivations.
  • Tips: Use simple materials like socks or paper bags for puppet making.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: Reading a page or a passage and then drawing a scene based on the text.
  • How it helps: Reinforces visualization skills and understanding of the text.
  • Tips: Encourage creativity; there are no right or wrong drawings.

• Book-Based Treasure Hunt
  • What it is: Setting up clues around the house that relate to elements of the story.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and fun, enhancing engagement.
  • Tips: Keep the clues simple and related to the illustrations or key details in the book.

• Reading Buddy Time
  • What it is: Pairing up with a friend or family member to read the book together.
  • How it helps: Promotes shared reading experiences and discussion.
  • Tips: Take turns reading aloud and discussing your favorite parts.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic and enjoyable part of your child’s daily life. By incorporating these activities, you’ll help your child develop a love for books and a curiosity for storytelling that can last a lifetime. Happy reading!