10+ Best Read Along Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to make reading fun and engaging for your young reader? Look no further than read along books for 7-year-olds! These books are a fantastic tool to help enhance your child's reading skills and spark their love for stories. Keep reading as we dive into various lists of read along books that are sure to capture the imagination of every 7-year-old reader.

Fun Read Along Books for 7-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, causes mischief, and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and emotions, exploring themes of anger, imagination, and reconciliation. The vivid illustrations and engaging narrative make it a captivating read for young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love letting their imaginations run wild and those who enjoy stories about fantastical journeys.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book features a series of letters from Duncan's disgruntled crayons, each expressing their frustrations and demands. From overuse to neglect, each crayon states its case.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and creative story that encourages empathy and problem-solving. The unique premise and colorful characters make reading fun and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy creative stories and those learning about expressing feelings and resolving conflicts.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte crafts clever plans to save her friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as friendship, compassion, and the natural cycle of life. The narrative is both heartwarming and educational, making it a great book for developing readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers who are beginning to explore deeper themes in literature.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: This series follows siblings Jack and Annie who discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book combines history, magic, and adventure, making learning fun and accessible. It's great for expanding vocabulary and historical knowledge.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who enjoy series and learning about different times and places.

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book offers a humorous retelling of the classic "Three Little Pigs" tale from the perspective of the wolf, who claims he was just trying to borrow a cup of sugar and had a bad cold.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces perspectives and critical thinking in a fun way. The quirky narrative and playful illustrations engage young readers and encourage them to question the story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fairy tales and exploring different viewpoints.

Educational Read Along Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to discover the truth about everything around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, problem-solving, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance, especially in science, encouraging young readers to ask questions and explore the world like scientists.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young scientists and curious minds.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: A young girl, referred to as "the girl," sets out to make the most magnificent thing with her assistant, her pet dog. Despite several failed attempts, she learns the value of perseverance and creativity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, resilience, engineering skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful story about the importance of perseverance and the rewards of not giving up on your creative endeavors.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who need encouragement to keep trying.

• What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book is about a child who comes up with an idea and, despite doubts and ridicule, decides to nurture it and see it grow into something amazing.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, confidence, individuality
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children the value of nurturing their ideas and the courage it takes to bring them to life, fostering a sense of confidence and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Children with big ideas and dreams, and anyone who needs a little encouragement to bring their ideas to fruition.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Alone in her room at night, she constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Afraid of failure, she hides them away until she has the chance to prove that she can actually be a great engineer.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, engineering principles, overcoming fear of failure
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children, especially girls, to embrace their engineering skills and learn from their failures instead of fearing them.
  • Perfect for: Young engineers and any child who needs to learn that the only true failure is giving up.

• The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Educational
  • Synopsis: Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him — short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllabic words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, appreciation of language, communication skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of words and the joy of collecting and sharing them with others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love words and anyone who enjoys the beauty of language and storytelling.

Challenging Read Along Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Milo is bored with life until a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room. Driving through it in his toy car, he finds himself in a strange land filled with peculiar characters and nonsensical laws, embarking on a quest that is anything but mundane.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a rich vocabulary and a series of complex puns and wordplay that challenge the reader's understanding of language and logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book stretches the imagination and encourages critical thinking through its creative use of language and whimsical adventures.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, word games, and thinking outside the box.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, learning about the bizarre behavior of grown-ups and the loneliness that pervades the adult world.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its subtle themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss are interwoven with philosophical insights that require deeper understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers profound insights on human nature and relationships, presented through the simple yet deep story of the Little Prince.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful children who enjoy stories with deeper meanings and philosophical questions.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are too engrossed in their own lives to notice her. At school, the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull makes life difficult for everyone, but Matilda discovers she has a very special power.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes such as child abuse, intellectualism, and justice, all wrapped in Dahl’s sophisticated language and dark humor.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and courage in the face of adversity, and the whimsical yet powerful narrative encourages a love for reading and learning.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood and those who revel in stories of triumph over adversity.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters a series of peculiar creatures and experiences a series of surreal and often nonsensical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is filled with playful manipulations of logic and language that require agile thinking and a good grasp of abstract concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a delightful and intellectually stimulating journey that encourages imagination and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy surreal stories and exploring fantastical worlds.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a sour-faced and unloved child, is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy mansion in Yorkshire. Here, she discovers a neglected garden and, with the help of new friends, begins to bring it back to life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of loss, healing, and transformation are explored in a narrative rich with symbolism and emotional depth.
  • Why we recommend this book: It is a moving tale of friendship and renewal, and the transformative power of nature and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with change or those who find solace and joy in the natural world.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits with read-along books, here are some fun and effective exercises to try out. These exercises are designed to be engaging and beneficial, ensuring your child enjoys reading while learning.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read a page or passage and then have the child repeat it in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory retention.
  • Tips: Encourage them to express the story in a way they understand, even if it's with different words.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves empathy and deeper understanding of character motivations.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more exciting and memorable.

• Illustration Station
  • What it is: After reading a chapter, have your child draw a scene or a character from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces visual memory and encourages creativity.
  • Tips: Display their artwork to show appreciation for their effort and creativity.

• Question Balloons
  • What it is: Write questions about the story on pieces of paper and put them inside balloons; pop them after reading sessions.
  • How it helps: Makes reviewing the story interactive and fun.
  • Tips: Use a mix of easy and challenging questions to keep it stimulating.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the story with drawings and labels.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding plot structure and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Assist them initially to organize the story logically before letting them take over.

• Reading Buddy Time
  • What it is: Schedule a regular reading session where your child reads to a pet, a sibling, or even a stuffed animal.
  • How it helps: Builds confidence and fluency in reading aloud.
  • Tips: Encourage a regular schedule to develop a routine.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic and integral part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these activities, you'll help your child not only improve their reading skills but also have a lot of fun in the process. So, grab those books and let the adventures begin!