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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or a fun read to share with your little one? Dive into our latest roundup of popular books for 5-year-olds, where imagination runs wild and adventures await on every page. Whether you're looking to spark a love for reading or find a new family favorite, keep reading to discover our top picks of engaging and delightful books that are just right for your five-year-old reader.

Fun Popular Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max dresses in a wolf suit and creates his own world of wild creatures that crown him as their ruler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showcasing the power of a child's mind to create and rule their own fantastical world.
  • Perfect for: Children who love using their imagination and embarking on adventures.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches young readers about the days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character throughout the book, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching rhymes and persistence, and it encourages children to try new things, even if they seem strange at first.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are picky eaters and anyone who enjoys silly stories.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Picture book
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story that captures the process of a little bunny saying goodnight to everything around him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for settling down at bedtime and has a soothing, rhythmic quality that helps children relax.
  • Perfect for: Children who need help winding down at the end of the day.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern book, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to a variety of animals and colors, with simple repetitive text that helps build language skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vibrant illustrations and learning about different animals and colors.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhythmic book
  • Synopsis: Letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and end up tumbling down, only to begin all over again.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, rhythmic way to teach the alphabet and encourages children to recognize letters.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic reads.

Educational Popular Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie, a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. Armed with a pencil, some paper, and her imagination, Rosie attempts to turn her dreams into reality, facing failures and successes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, perseverance in STEM fields
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages girls and boys alike to engage with engineering and teaches that failure is a stepping stone to success.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who are interested in how things work and love building and designing.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Humor
  • Synopsis: A box of crayons sends letters to their owner, expressing their frustrations and demands for better treatment, leading to a humorous and insightful exploration of their colors and uses.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, empathy, persuasive writing
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and unique approach to teaching children about perspective and negotiation, using a familiar and beloved object: crayons.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who enjoy quirky stories with a lot of personalities.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploring new experiences, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder and possibilities of a snowy day, encouraging children to explore and appreciate the simple joys of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in the magic of winter and outdoor adventures.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Humor
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, a pigeon makes several humorous attempts to get permission to drive the bus, despite the reader's likely objections.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, understanding rules, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and funny, allowing children to participate in the story by making choices and standing firm on them.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive stories and love having a role in the narrative.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Circular tale
  • Synopsis: This classic book explores the chain reaction of events that unfold when a young boy gives a cookie to a mouse, leading to increasingly whimsical demands.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, prediction, sequencing
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces logical thinking and consequence in a very engaging and humorous way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories that involve a series of funny and unexpected events.

Challenging Popular Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur in her web to persuade the farmer to spare his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text includes a rich vocabulary and a deeper exploration of themes such as friendship, death, and survival, which are complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches values of friendship, compassion, and creativity, providing emotional depth that resonates with readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for more complex narratives and emotional storytelling.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother by sneaking into Mr. McGregor's garden, eating as many vegetables as he can before Mr. McGregor chases him away.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses an older style of English and includes some sophisticated vocabulary that is not typically found in simpler children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the consequences of mischief in a charming way, and Potter's delightful illustrations add depth to the narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal stories and those looking to expand their vocabulary.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the forest and uses clever tricks to evade danger by inventing a monster called the Gruffalo. Surprisingly, the Gruffalo turns out to be real, and the mouse has to outsmart him too.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of rhyme and sophisticated plot structure in which the mouse continuously outsmarts predators can be conceptually challenging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches strategic thinking and the power of intellect over brute strength, all wrapped up in engaging rhymes and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with clever protagonists and those who appreciate rhythmic, rhyming texts.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Madeline is a fearless little girl who lives in a boarding school in Paris. The story describes her daily adventures, including a trip to the hospital after she develops appendicitis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text features vivid descriptions and a rhythmic, repetitive structure that can be more complex for young readers to follow.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to a different culture and the spirited protagonist provides a role model for bravery and free-spiritedness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in stories about other cultures and those who admire strong, adventurous characters.

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
  • Genre(s): Animal fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After being separated from her mother, Stellaluna, a young fruit bat, is adopted by a family of birds but struggles to fit in due to her differences.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of identity and conformity through more complex narrative elements and detailed illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story about friendship and the celebration of differences, encouraging acceptance and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel different or are dealing with fitting in, and those who love animal stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring ways to enhance your 5-year-old's reading journey, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can help develop good reading habits in young children. These activities are not only enjoyable but also crucial in building a strong reading foundation.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading exercise where you discuss the pictures in a book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to stimulate your child's imagination and curiosity.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child, involving them in the process.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and listening skills, and models fluent reading.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading more engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading, your child retells the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and the ability to recall details.
  • Tips: Encourage them to discuss their favorite parts or any surprises in the story.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: An activity where your child matches words that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness, an essential skill for reading.
  • Tips: Use objects around the house to make it more interactive and fun.

• Letter Hunt
  • What it is: Look for a specific letter while reading a book or in the environment around you.
  • How it helps: Helps with letter recognition and understanding that letters form words.
  • Tips: Keep a tally of how many times you find the letter to incorporate counting skills.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable space dedicated to reading activities.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special and enjoyable time, encouraging more frequent reading sessions.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up the space with their favorite cushions, toys, or books.

Wrapping up, these exercises are designed to make reading a delightful and educational experience for your little one. By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you're not only helping your child develop essential reading skills but also instilling a lifelong love for books. Happy reading!