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

Are you on the hunt for long books for 6-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and help build their reading skills? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you're looking for a bedtime story that continues night after night or something that challenges their growing minds, our comprehensive list of long books for 6-year-olds is sure to include just what you need. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will keep your young reader engaged and excited!

Fun Long Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This touching tale follows a young pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte uses her web to write messages praising Wilbur, aiming to convince the farmer to spare his life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life, all presented in a gentle manner suitable for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children who are beginning to explore deeper themes in literature.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children and to convince the Queen of England to help them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsical and imaginative story that encourages creativity and shows the power of friendship and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a big imagination and a love for stories about friendships between unlikely characters.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong, and free-spirited girl who lives alone in Villa Villekulla with her horse and her monkey, Mr. Nilsson. She befriends the neighboring children, Tommy and Annika, and leads them on various playful adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: Pippi's unconventional lifestyle and her humorous antics provide laughter and promote the idea of independence and self-confidence.
  • Perfect for: Energetic kids who enjoy tales of adventure and children who appreciate strong, quirky characters.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a previously unloved and spoiled child, is sent to live at her uncle's estate where she discovers a neglected garden. She, along with her cousin Colin and new friend Dickon, bring the garden back to life, which in turn transforms their own lives.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of rejuvenation and the healing power of nature, encouraging readers to find beauty in the world around them and within themselves.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories of transformation and the wonders of nature.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a bright young girl who, despite being mistreated by her family and the headmistress at her school, discovers she has the power of telekinesis. With her intelligence and powers, she defends her friends and punishes the wicked adults in her life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, and it's a heartening tale that shows that anyone can make a difference, no matter how small they are.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or underappreciated and those who love stories where kids triumph over adversity.

Educational Long Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the adventures of four anthropomorphic animals: Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. Together, they explore the English countryside, facing challenges and learning life lessons along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of friendship dynamics, moral lessons, vocabulary expansion
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines rich, descriptive narrative with exciting adventures and moral lessons, making it both entertaining and educational.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animal characters and stories that blend fantasy with real-life lessons.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Young Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters peculiar creatures and experiences bizarre and whimsical adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, problem-solving, understanding of literary nonsense
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, offering young readers a delightful journey into a world where the impossible becomes possible.
  • Perfect for: Kids with a vivid imagination and a taste for stories that challenge reality.

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up, takes Wendy and her brothers from London to the magical Neverland, where they encounter pirates, fairies, and the Lost Boys.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, adventure storytelling, understanding themes of growing up
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
  • Perfect for: Children who dream of adventure and have a longing for magical worlds.

• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animals, Classic
  • Synopsis: Told from the perspective of a horse, this novel chronicles the joys and sorrows of Black Beauty, from his carefree days as a young colt to his difficult times as a cab horse in London.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, animal welfare awareness, historical insight into animal treatment
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as kindness, respect, and compassion towards animals.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in a poignant, beautifully told story from an animal’s perspective.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, on his quest to save a human princess named Pea. It intertwines his tale with that of a rat named Roscuro and a servant girl named Miggery Sow.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of narrative structure, development of empathy, moral reasoning
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating, multi-layered narrative that explores themes of bravery, redemption, and the power of forgiveness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of unlikely heroes and the interplay of different character perspectives.

Challenging Long Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious package containing a magical tollbooth. He drives through it in his toy car and finds himself in a fantastical world where he embarks on a quest that involves a series of riddles and puns.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is filled with wordplay, puns, and philosophical ideas that challenge young readers to think more deeply about the meaning of their education and the world around them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and creativity, making it a fun and intellectually stimulating experience.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love puzzles and word games, and those who enjoy a good adventure.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom. The story is as much a philosophical exploration as it is a children's book, dealing with themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative's abstract ideas and philosophical undertones present a level of complexity unusual for children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers profound insights into human nature and relationships, presented through a simple but deeply affecting story.
  • Perfect for: Young thinkers and dreamers, as well as children who appreciate stories that explore deep emotional and philosophical themes.

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative girl who is mistakenly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert at Green Gables. Her adventures and mishaps in the small town of Avonlea are both humorous and heartwarming.
  • Why this book is challenging: The rich vocabulary and descriptive passages enhance its literary value and challenge young readers to improve their language skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: Anne's optimism and resilience, along with her imaginative escapades, make for an inspiring and entertaining read.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy character-driven stories and those who can relate to or aspire to be like the spirited and imaginative Anne.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This charming tale follows Stuart Little, a small mouse born into a human family in New York City. He embarks on a series of adventures, often involving his quest to find his bird friend, Margalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The blend of fantasy elements with real-world settings encourages young readers to expand their imagination and think creatively about the world.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of adventure and friendship that teaches about loyalty, perseverance, and the importance of embracing one's own identity.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and anyone who loves stories where the underdog comes out on top.

• Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, illustrated by E.H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh, a teddy bear, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood captures their adventures and misadventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle humor and play on words provide a level of sophistication that goes beyond simple children's tales.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with charming stories that teach valuable lessons about friendship, patience, and the joys of simple living.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy gentle humor and stories about friendship.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading long books can be a daunting task for 6-year-olds, but it's a great opportunity to develop their reading skills and love for literature. Here are some fun exercises to help your little reader along the way:

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a positive association with reading and provides a distraction-free environment.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up the space to make it more personal and inviting.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading the book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and comprehension, and it's a great bonding activity.
  • Tips: Change your tone and voice for different characters to make the reading more engaging.

• Book-Based Activities
  • What it is: Create activities related to the themes or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the book's content.
  • Tips: You could organize a simple craft, draw scenes from the book, or even act out parts of the story.

• Use Bookmarks with Questions
  • What it is: Use bookmarks that have questions about the story printed on them.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and engagement with the text.
  • Tips: Ask questions that are open-ended to encourage more thought and discussion.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Establish small, achievable reading goals for each reading session.
  • How it helps: Keeps the child motivated and makes the task of reading a long book less overwhelming.
  • Tips: Reward your child with small treats or extra playtime when they reach their reading goals.

• Picture Walks Before Reading
  • What it is: Go through the book looking at pictures and discussing what might be happening in the story before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and aids in comprehension by setting a context.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell their version of the story based on the pictures.

• Discussion Time
  • What it is: Set aside time after reading to discuss the book.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding, and allows the child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think deeply about the story and its characters.

These exercises are designed to make reading a long book an enjoyable and enriching experience for your 6-year-old. By incorporating these activities into their reading routine, you'll help cultivate a lifelong love of reading and learning. Happy reading!