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

Are you on the hunt for the latest page-turners for your little reader? Dive into our curated selection of new books for 6-year-olds, perfect for captivating young minds with fresh adventures and delightful stories. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to enchant, educate, and entertain!

Fun New Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by Loren Long
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Motivational
  • Synopsis: A small train engine proves that, despite being small, determination and courage can lead to great achievements as it pulls a train full of toys over a mountain.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches perseverance and the power of positive thinking, which are crucial values for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love trains and stories about overcoming obstacles.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A fun and whimsical story about dragons who love tacos but have to avoid spicy salsa at all costs to avoid disastrous consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious read that engages children with its quirky narrative and vibrant illustrations, fostering a love for reading through humor.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy silly stories and have a budding sense of humor.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This story features a box of crayons that has had enough, and they each write a letter to their owner, expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and empathy by helping children understand different perspectives and emotions.
  • Perfect for: Creative youngsters who love drawing and coloring.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and scientific experiments to understand the world.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity, problem-solving, and a love for science, which are essential skills for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids with a passion for science and discovery.

• We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Penelope Rex finds out that it's hard to make friends at school when you have a habit of eating them. This story is about learning school rules and the challenges of being a dinosaur in a human world.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a funny yet heartfelt story about friendship and fitting in, which can help ease school anxieties for first-timers.
  • Perfect for: Children starting school or those who appreciate a good laugh while learning life lessons.

Educational New Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Magic of the Solar System by Lucy Bell, illustrated by Thomas Chamberlain
  • Genre(s): Children’s Non-fiction, Science, Space
  • Synopsis: This engaging book takes young readers on a journey through our solar system, exploring planets, moons, stars, and more with the help of magical illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Astronomy basics, understanding the solar system, scientific curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies complex concepts about space into digestible information that sparks curiosity about the universe.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who dream of stars and planets.

• Sandy's First Numbers by Emma Thomson
  • Genre(s): Children’s Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Follow Sandy the squirrel as she learns about numbers through adventures around her forest home, counting objects from leaves to nuts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic math skills, counting, number recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces numbers in a fun and engaging way, using nature and storytelling to teach important early math concepts.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers beginning to learn about numbers.

• Milo's Museum by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Purple Wong
  • Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Cultural Awareness
  • Synopsis: Milo visits a museum and is inspired to create her own collection that reflects her identity and community, leading to a journey of self-discovery and expression.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural appreciation, creativity, self-expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to think about representation and the importance of seeing themselves in the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in arts, culture, and self-expression.

• Timmy & Tammy's Train of Thought by Julie Merberg, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
  • Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Timmy and Tammy take a train ride that stops at various exciting places, each stop offering a new learning experience and adventure.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, critical thinking, imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes adventure with education, teaching geography and problem-solving skills in an enjoyable narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love trains and exploring new places.

• The Colorful World of Animals by Katie Johnson
  • Genre(s): Children’s Non-fiction, Biology
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book explores the diversity of the animal kingdom, focusing on the colors and features of various species.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Biology, environmental awareness, animal behavior
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a vivid introduction to biology and helps foster a love for animals and nature.
  • Perfect for: Young nature lovers and budding biologists.

Challenging New Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Adventures of Sherlock Chick by Robert Quackenbush
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Join Sherlock Chick from the moment he hatches from his egg and starts solving farmyard mysteries.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces elements of mystery and deductive reasoning that are more complex than typical stories for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and lovers of mystery stories.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It's a tale of destiny, courage, and forgiveness.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure featuring multiple viewpoints and the rich, descriptive language provide a more complex reading experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written saga that teaches about bravery and compassion.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and heroic quests.

• When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Julie Morstad
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Seasons
  • Synopsis: A book of poems about the four seasons, expressed through the changes in nature and the feelings each season evokes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The poetic form and the subtle nuances of changing seasons challenge young readers to think deeply about the text and illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances appreciation for poetry and the natural world, stimulating emotional and aesthetic responses to literature.
  • Perfect for: Young poets and nature lovers.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Motivational
  • Synopsis: A little girl tries to make the most magnificent thing with the help of her canine assistant, facing frustrations and challenges along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of frustration, perseverance, and the iterative process of creating.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of persistence when facing difficulties.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who need encouragement to keep trying.

• Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
  • Genre(s): Historical, Biographical
  • Synopsis: The true story of Ruby, a determined young girl in China who strives for an education at a time when girls were expected to focus only on household duties.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces historical and cultural contexts that are likely unfamiliar to young readers, along with more complex themes of gender roles and education rights.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story that promotes the value of education and gender equality.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and inspiring real-life stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading can be a thrilling adventure for 6-year-olds, especially with the right books and activities to guide them. Here are some fun exercises that can help your little reader develop good reading habits while enjoying the process. These activities are simple, engaging, and perfect for kids just starting to explore the world of words.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child, or they try reading to you.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Choose a regular time each day for read-aloud sessions to build a routine.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book and discuss the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and sets the stage for the story.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify words that start with the same sound in a story.
  • How it helps: Improves phonetic awareness which is crucial for reading development.
  • Tips: Highlight sounds and corresponding words while reading to make it interactive.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Arrange story events in the order they happened after reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts understanding of narrative structure and sequence.
  • Tips: Use simple drawings or printed pictures from the story to make sequencing fun and visual.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the book with costumes or props.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and brings the story to life.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite character to role play and help them improvise scenes.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks books read or minutes spent reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages reading through a visual progress display and rewards.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards like extra playtime or a special treat for reaching reading milestones.

By incorporating these exercises into your child's reading routine, you not only make reading more enjoyable but also foster a lifelong love for books. Whether it's acting out their favorite stories or discussing the adventures of beloved characters, these activities will enrich their reading experience and build essential skills. Happy reading!