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

Are you on the hunt for long books for 5-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and hold their attention? Finding the right lengthy reads that are both engaging and age-appropriate can be a challenge. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Keep reading to discover a variety of long books for 5-year-olds that are perfect for cozy read-aloud sessions or for young readers starting to tackle bigger books on their own.

Fun Long Books for 5-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 grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power and freedom of their own minds. The story also deals with emotions and temper tantrums in a way that is accessible to young children.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy tales of fantasy and exploration.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a 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 we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the reality of death in a gentle manner. The narrative provides emotional depth and develops strong empathy in readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children who are beginning to explore deeper life lessons through reading.

• 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 scare them away, he invents a monster called the Gruffalo. To the mouse’s surprise, the Gruffalo actually exists.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic story that plays with the idea of outsmarting bigger foes through cleverness. The repetitive and rhyming text helps develop early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with clever protagonists and a touch of humor.

• The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Ferdinand is a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights. He sits quietly under a cork tree until one day his peaceful life is interrupted when he is chosen for a bullfight in Madrid.
  • Why we recommend this book: This story promotes themes of peace and individuality. It teaches children the value of being true to oneself rather than conforming to societal expectations.
  • Perfect for: Gentle souls who appreciate peacefulness and the beauty in nature.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Madeline is a brave, plucky little girl living in a Paris boarding school. The book details her adventures and misadventures with her schoolmates and their strict but loving caretaker, Miss Clavel.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its charming rhymes and adventurous spirit capture the essence of youthful exploration. Madeline's courage in the face of adversity is both inspiring and uplifting.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and strong female characters in a quaint setting.

Educational Long Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before finally transforming into a butterfly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, days of the week, food knowledge, life cycle of a butterfly
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple storytelling with educational content, making learning fun and accessible for young children.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning to count and understand sequences.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character throughout the book trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, vocabulary, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text is ideal for early readers, making it fun to read aloud and easy to remember.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful language and whimsical illustrations.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the objects in the room and the world outside.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, routine and relaxation techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a soothing bedtime ritual that helps children wind down with its gentle, rhythmic words and warm illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who need a peaceful bedtime story to help transition to sleep.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter experiences the joy of a snowy day in the city, exploring and playing in the snow.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploring new experiences, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Children who love snow and adventures, or those who dream about experiencing snow.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, understanding of love and relationships
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the immeasurable nature of love between parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking to strengthen their emotional bond through reading.

Challenging Long Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world full of peculiar creatures and surreal experiences.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex with whimsical logic and wordplay that can be puzzling for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination and encourages exploration of abstract thinking and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy a good puzzle and the thrill of a whimsical adventure.

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story of a boy who wouldn't grow up and his adventures in the magical world of Neverland with Wendy, John, Michael, and the infamous Captain Hook.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features sophisticated themes of innocence, maturity, and the nature of childhood.
  • Why we recommend this book: Offers a captivating escape into a fantasy world while subtly exploring deep and complex themes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of adventure and magic, and those who are intrigued by the idea of staying young at heart.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: An orphaned girl named Mary discovers a neglected garden on her uncle's gloomy estate and dedicates herself to bringing it back to life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The language and themes of loss, rejuvenation, and transformation are profound and thought-provoking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the healing power of nature and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories about discovery and the transformative power of nature.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong, and cheerful girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and fending for herself against bothersome adults.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional lifestyle and the book’s playful approach to language and social norms present unique ideas for young readers to consider.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates independence, imagination, and the importance of challenging societal expectations.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and any child who enjoys laughter and adventures that break the mold.

• Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, illustrated by E.H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh, a good-natured bear, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, as they engage in various adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle humor and philosophical undertones provide depth beyond the simple surface stories.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers timeless wisdom through charming tales of friendship, thoughtfulness, and the simple joys of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy gentle humor and exploring the larger questions of life through relatable stories and characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading long books with your 5-year-old can be a fantastic journey of discovery and learning. To make the most of this experience, here are some engaging exercises designed to help develop good reading habits in young children. These activities are fun, interactive, and tailored to enhance their reading skills gradually.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading exercise where you flip through the pages and discuss the pictures.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to stimulate your child's imagination.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify words in the book that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Improves phonemic awareness, which is crucial for reading development.
  • Tips: Focus on sounds at the beginning of the session and gradually include sounds from the middle or end of words.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Drawing a map that outlines the story's main events.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out parts of the book after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to express different characters' emotions and actions.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read a page or passage and then have your child repeat it in their own words.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Keep the passages short to make repetition easier for your child.

• Question Time
  • What it is: Ask questions about the story before, during, and after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages active thinking and engagement with the text.
  • Tips: Start with simple "what" questions and gradually introduce "why" and "how" questions.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a deeper connection with books and nurturing a lifelong love for reading. By incorporating these simple, playful activities into your reading routine, you're setting a strong foundation for your child's reading skills. Happy reading!