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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to captivate your little reader's imagination? Look no further than pop up books for 6-year-olds! These interactive gems bring stories to life with their delightful surprises and intricate details that leap off the page. Whether you're looking to gift one or just add to your home library, we've rounded up various lists of pop up books that are sure to enchant and entertain. Keep reading to discover your child’s next favorite book!

Fun Pop Up Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This interactive pop-up book helps children identify and understand their feelings through the story of a colorful monster.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses engaging pop-up elements to visually represent emotions, making it easier for young readers to connect with and express their own feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to express their emotions and parents looking for a tool to help with emotional education.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-up Adaptation by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Robert Sabuda
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is a pop-up version of the classic tale where young Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a magical world full of peculiar characters and bizarre adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: The stunning pop-up art by Robert Sabuda brings a new dimension to the classic story, making it more engaging and magical for first-time readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love fantasy and adventure, and anyone who appreciates artistic books.

• Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Dinosaurs, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers a detailed introduction to the world of dinosaurs with fascinating pop-up illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines educational content with the thrill of pop-up art, capturing the imagination of young readers while teaching them about prehistoric life.
  • Perfect for: Young dinosaur enthusiasts and children who enjoy learning about the natural world.

• The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A Pop-Up Book by Keith Faulkner, illustrated by Jonathan Lambert
  • Genre(s): Animal Tales, Humor
  • Synopsis: A bold frog goes around asking other creatures what they eat until he meets a creature that eats wide-mouthed frogs!
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, humorous story and vibrant pop-up illustrations make reading fun and engaging, encouraging young readers to love books.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy funny stories and animals, as well as those just starting to read independently.

• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Adventure, Interactive
  • Synopsis: The Jolly Postman delivers letters to various fairy-tale characters with lots of surprises included in the envelopes for the reader to discover.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of Christmas with interactive elements like letters, cards, and puzzles that keep readers engaged and excited.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love Christmas and interactive reading experiences, as well as fans of fairy tales.

Educational Pop Up Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Pop-Up Planet: A 3D Exploration of the Solar System by Anne Jankeliowitch, illustrated by Annabelle Buxton
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Space
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers on a journey through our solar system with stunning 3D pop-ups of each planet.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Astronomy, spatial awareness, understanding of the solar system
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides an immersive way to learn about the planets, making complex scientific concepts accessible and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young space enthusiasts and children curious about the universe.

• The Pop-Up Book of Ships by David Hawcock
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, History, Transportation
  • Synopsis: This detailed pop-up book explores the history and technology of ships from ancient times to modern day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, technological understanding, engineering concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually engaging way to learn about maritime history and the evolution of shipbuilding.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in ships, history, and engineering.

• Bugs: A Stunning Pop-up Look at Insects, Spiders, and Other Creepy-Crawlies by George McGavin, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Nature, Science
  • Synopsis: Readers can explore the intricate world of bugs through pop-ups, discovering details about various insects and their environments.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Biology, environmental science, attention to detail
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a close-up look at the often-overlooked world of insects, enhancing a child's appreciation for nature and science.
  • Perfect for: Young naturalists and anyone fascinated by the smaller creatures of our planet.

• A Butterfly's Life Cycle: Explore the Fascinating World of Butterflies by Nancy Dickmann, illustrated by Tebogo Ndlovu
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biology, Environmental Science
  • Synopsis: This pop-up book tracks the life cycle of a butterfly, from egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of life cycles, biological processes, environmental impact
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the transformation of butterflies, providing a magical and educational experience.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in biology and the natural transformations of animals.

• The Human Body: A Pop-Up Guide to Anatomy by Richard Walker, illustrated by Rachel Caldwell
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Human Body, Science
  • Synopsis: A detailed pop-up book that explores the human body, layer by layer, from the skeleton to the organs and the skin.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Anatomy, health education, spatial thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses the pop-up format to demystify complex anatomical information in an engaging and understandable way.
  • Perfect for: Kids curious about how their bodies work and young aspiring doctors or scientists.

Challenging Pop Up Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Creatures of the Deep: The Pop-Up Book by Ernst Haeckel, illustrated by Maike Biederstaedt
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Marine Biology, Science
  • Synopsis: This book dives into the mysterious world of deep-sea creatures, featuring intricate pop-up spreads of various marine species.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced biological concepts and the complex ecosystems of the deep sea, which are less commonly explored at this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a visually stunning and educational exploration of marine life, encouraging a deeper understanding of biodiversity and the importance of ocean ecosystems.
  • Perfect for: Young marine biologists and any child fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean.

• The Amazing Pop-Up Grammar Book by Jennie Maizels, illustrated by Kate Petty
  • Genre(s): Educational, Language Arts
  • Synopsis: This interactive book makes learning grammar fun with pop-up spreads that illustrate parts of speech, sentence structures, and punctuation rules.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the complexities of English grammar in a detailed and interactive way, which is typically challenging for younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It transforms what can be a dry subject into a lively and engaging learning experience, making grammar accessible and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are advancing in reading and writing, and parents seeking to boost their child's language skills.

• The Pop-Up Book of Magic by Matthew Reinhart
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Magic, Performing Arts
  • Synopsis: This book explores the art of magic through pop-up features that demonstrate classic magic tricks and the history of magicians.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of illusion and performance art, combining historical content with practical applications, which are sophisticated topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an interactive way to learn about the secrets behind magic tricks, fostering both creativity and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young magicians and children interested in performing arts.

• Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy by Matthew Reinhart
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Film Tie-in
  • Synopsis: Celebrating the Star Wars universe, this pop-up book brings to life iconic characters and scenes from the films with stunning three-dimensional art.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves complex mechanical pop-ups and detailed information about the Star Wars galaxy, appealing to both technical skills and cognitive understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances the experience of the movie franchise with interactive elements that engage readers in the expansive universe of Star Wars.
  • Perfect for: Star Wars fans and young readers interested in science fiction and intricate pop-up mechanics.

• The Fairy-Tale Princess: Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forest by Su Blackwell, illustrated by Wendy Jones
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tales, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This collection includes seven classic fairy tales, each represented with delicate and detailed pop-up scenes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The pop-up art adds a layer of depth to the storytelling, requiring readers to engage both visually and textually with the tales.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a new dimension to beloved stories, enhancing the magical elements through interactive, three-dimensional art.
  • Perfect for: Children who love fairy tales and those who appreciate art and design in storytelling.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a curious 6-year-old at home, pop-up books can be a magical way to enhance their reading habits. These books aren't just fun; they're also interactive tools that can help develop a child's love for reading. Below are some exercises you can try with pop-up books to make reading a habit that sticks!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read a pop-up book together.
  • How it helps: This reinforces reading as a daily habit and improves listening and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time each day for reading, like before bed or after dinner.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Ask your child questions about the story and the pop-up elements.
  • How it helps: Encourages engagement with the material and helps develop critical thinking skills.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions that promote discussion, such as "What do you think happens next?"

• Create a Storyboard
  • What it is: Encourage your child to create their own storyboard based on the pop-up book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the story structure and boosts creativity.
  • Tips: Provide materials like paper, crayons, and markers, and let your child's imagination run wild.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the pop-up book with your child.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more engaging and fun.

• Design a Pop-Up Page
  • What it is: Have your child design their own pop-up page inspired by the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages artistic skills and a deeper interaction with the content of the book.
  • Tips: Start with simple pop-up mechanisms and use safety scissors for cutting.

Using these exercises, you'll not only make reading time more fun, but you'll also lay a strong foundation for good reading habits in your child. Pop-up books offer a unique opportunity to interact with literature in a tactile and engaging way, making them perfect for young readers. So, grab a pop-up book and let the adventures begin!