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

Are you on the lookout for the latest page-turners for your little one? Dive into our handpicked selection of new books for 5-year-olds, perfect for captivating those curious minds! From whimsical tales to adventurous escapades, we've scoured the shelves to bring you the best new reads. Keep reading to discover our various lists of new books for 5-year-olds that promise to enchant and educate in equal measure. Ready to turn the page? Let’s get started!

Fun New Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar's First Summer by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: Follow the beloved caterpillar as it explores the sights and sounds of summer, meeting new friends and learning about the environment.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the concepts of seasons and nature through vibrant illustrations and simple, engaging text.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about the natural world.

• Dragon Post by Emma Yarlett
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Interactive
  • Synopsis: A young boy finds a dragon under his stairs and decides to write letters to different people to figure out what to do with it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and problem-solving, and the interactive letters make the reading experience fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Children who love dragons and interactive reading experiences.

• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family and all her schoolmates, and she wants to be beautiful and bright. One night, a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
  • Why we recommend this book: This beautifully illustrated book addresses important themes of self-esteem and beauty standards, encouraging children to see their own unique beauty.
  • Perfect for: Young readers struggling with self-esteem or who need affirmation that they are beautiful just as they are.

• Albie Newton by Josh Funk, illustrated by Ester Garay
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Meet Albie Newton: child genius and inventor. When he starts school, his inventions don’t exactly make him popular. But can his big ideas win the hearts of his classmates?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to STEM themes with a story that highlights the importance of social skills and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young inventors and scientists who also need to learn the importance of teamwork and empathy.

• The Bench by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: This touching story captures the evolving and expanding relationship between a diverse group of fathers and sons and the bench that becomes a symbol of their bond and love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartfelt look at family dynamics and the special bond between fathers and sons, illustrated with warmth and love.
  • Perfect for: Children who cherish family stories and those looking to celebrate paternal bonds.

Educational New Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Biography, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA who played a crucial role in sending astronauts to the moon.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematics, history, perseverance, and problem-solving skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the importance of determination and passion in achieving one's dreams, making complex mathematical concepts accessible to young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in space, science, and inspiring historical figures.

• The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: A small knight is convinced that the wall in the middle of the book protects him from the dangers on the other side, but he may not be quite as safe as he thinks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, perspective-taking, and understanding of safety and danger
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and clever story that encourages children to think about barriers, both literal and metaphorical, and to question their assumptions.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humor and a twist.

• My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: A young girl cherishes the daily motorcycle rides with her father through their vibrant neighborhood, observing the changes that time brings.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, family bonding, and community engagement
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the joy of a simple shared experience between a father and daughter, while also celebrating the rich tapestry of community life.
  • Perfect for: Children who love family stories and those interested in exploring different cultures and communities.

• The Bear and the Moon by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A bear finds a balloon and imagines it's a gift from the moon. However, when the balloon pops, the bear goes through a journey of emotions from joy to sadness and back again.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, coping with loss, and resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated tale that helps children understand and express their emotions, especially dealing with loss in a gentle way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning to navigate their emotions and those who enjoy heartfelt stories.

• Saturday by Oge Mora
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: A mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine, but this particular Saturday doesn’t go as planned, leading to unexpected joys.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Adaptability, problem-solving, and appreciation for family time
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that even when things don’t go as planned, there can be beauty and fun in improvisation and enjoying the moment with loved ones.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about family adventures and learning to adapt to changes.

Challenging New Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of an imaginary friend who, unseen by children, takes a daring journey to the real world to find his perfect match.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative explores complex themes of existence and belonging, using sophisticated language and concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching and beautifully illustrated tale that encourages children to understand and cherish the power of friendship and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love whimsical stories and exploring deep themes of friendship and self-discovery.

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: This book addresses the feelings of being an outsider and the courage it takes to share your story with others.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex emotions and social situations, which are presented through poetic language and metaphor.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand and appreciate diversity and the strength found in sharing one's own unique experiences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel different or left out and need encouragement to find their voice.

• Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Brothers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy builds a ship to honor his late grandfather and goes on a magical journey across the ocean, meeting fantastical creatures and exploring wondrous places.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book combines intricate illustrations with a narrative that blends reality with fantasy, requiring the reader to interpret and engage with the story actively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning book that fuels imagination and creativity, while also dealing with themes of loss and memory.
  • Perfect for: Children with a love for adventure and those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

• The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A magical book with words that have disappeared sends a little girl on an extraordinary journey where she creates her own stories for the images left behind.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages readers to engage in storytelling and narrative development, which are advanced cognitive skills for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and imagination, allowing children to develop their storytelling abilities in a uniquely interactive reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Young storytellers and any child who delights in creating and imagining their own tales.

• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Coming of Age
  • Synopsis: Jabari overcomes his fear of jumping off the diving board after he realizes that it's okay to be scared and that taking it slow can help manage his fear.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the complex emotions associated with fear and courage, presented through a simple yet impactful narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about overcoming fears and the importance of perseverance and courage.
  • Perfect for: Children facing their own fears or challenges and needing a little encouragement to take the next step.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little one to the world of books is an exciting journey. With new books tailored for 5-year-olds, it's the perfect time to develop strong reading habits that can enhance their learning and imagination. Here are some fun and effective exercises to help your child along this path:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Previewing the pictures in a book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Encourages storytelling skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud with your child, taking turns on pages or sentences.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading fluency.
  • Tips: Emphasize the fun by changing your voice for different characters.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Guessing what happens next in a story before reading further.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and analytical thinking.
  • Tips: Pause at exciting moments and ask your child what they think will happen next.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identifying words that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness, an essential skill for reading.
  • Tips: Start with simple words from the story or pictures in the book.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out the story after reading it.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make it more engaging and fun.

These activities not only make reading fun but also instill a love for books in young children. By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll help your 5-year-old develop a lifelong passion for reading. Happy reading!