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

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to spend quality time with your little one? Dive into the magical world of "Read Aloud Books for 7-Year-Olds," where each page turn brings a new adventure! Whether you're tucking in for the night or lounging on a lazy afternoon, these books promise to be the perfect companion for both of you. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Read Aloud Books for 7-Year-Olds that are sure to captivate and enchant.

Fun Read Aloud Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows a young pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte uses her web to write messages to persuade the farmer to save him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life in a way that is accessible and touching for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children learning about friendship and compassion.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, doesn't eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the man-eating giants from harming anyone.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical characters, making reading both fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who enjoy stories about friendship and overcoming fears.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and often outsmarting adults around her.
  • Why we recommend this book: Pippi's unconventional antics and independence encourage creativity and self-confidence in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and anyone who enjoys humorous tales of mischief and adventure.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a brave mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It tells his adventures in a castle full of darkness and rats plotting revenge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of bravery and forgiveness that also enhances a child's understanding of narrative structure and character development.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales and rooting for the underdog.

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Humor
  • Synopsis: A collection of humorous and imaginative poems that explore various themes through quirky and whimsical illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to poetry in a fun and engaging way, encouraging them to explore language and its creative possibilities.
  • Perfect for: Kids with a love for poetry and playful language, and those who enjoy drawing and illustrations.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's literature, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This charming story centers around Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family, and his many adventures, including his quest to find his lost friend, a bird named Margalo.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s full of adventure and the unique challenges Stuart faces, which can help children learn about resilience and courage.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of adventure and animals with human-like qualities.

Educational Read Aloud Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals who all wish to eat him. To avoid becoming dinner, the mouse invents an imaginary monster called the Gruffalo... only to meet the real creature face-to-face!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem solving, creativity, and strategic thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a clever tale that combines wit, rhyme, and a twist that delights and surprises.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories with clever protagonists and a dash of humor.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Poor Duncan just wants to color, but when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough and quit! Each crayon writes a letter explaining why they're tired and what will make them come back to work.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, perspective-taking, and creative expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique look into the minds of crayons with a humorous twist, encouraging children to think about how even the simplest objects have roles and feelings.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys a good laugh and a unique story.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments, all in the name of discovery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and the love of science in a fun and engaging way, showing that perseverance and questioning can lead to amazing things.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and curious minds who are always asking "why?"

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Social Themes, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: After Unhei moves from Korea to the US, she worries that American kids will like her. Instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, empathy, and identity
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the importance of accepting and preserving one's culture and identity in a new environment.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring themes of friendship, diversity, and self-acceptance.

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
  • Genre(s): Nature, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A young child and her father go owling on a cold winter night. They trek into the woods in search of the Great Horned Owl, experiencing the special magic that comes when you're out in the woods at night.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Appreciation for nature, patience, and bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the quiet softness of a snowy night and the wonderful bond between father and child.
  • Perfect for: Young nature lovers and any child who appreciates a quiet, poetic story.

Challenging Read Aloud Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows a bored young boy named Milo who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth one afternoon and drives through it in his toy car. The tollbooth transports him to a magical land called the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest that leads him to discover the value of learning and knowledge.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story is rich with puns, wordplay, and abstract concepts that challenge readers to think critically and creatively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and appreciation of language and mathematics in a uniquely engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, word games, and imaginative adventures.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are too caught up in their mundane lives to notice her. At school, the sweet Matilda faces a nasty headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda discovers she has a special telekinetic power and decides to use it to stand up to the bullies in her life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex characters and themes of justice and personal courage.
  • Why we recommend this book: Matilda's resilience and the creative ways she handles challenges can inspire readers to think critically about right and wrong.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood and those who appreciate stories of triumph over adversity.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale tells the story of a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid. The story is philosophical and includes social criticism, remarking on the strangeness of the adult world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep reflections on life and human nature in a simple, yet moving way.
  • Perfect for: Deep thinkers and dreamers, as well as children who enjoy stories that explore emotional depth.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a magical, bizarre world known as Wonderland. Here, she encounters a series of peculiar creatures and an unusual, often nonsensical world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex and filled with riddles and wordplay.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stretches the imagination and encourages creative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy surreal stories and whimsical characters.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the adventures of four anthropomorphic animals: Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. Together, they explore and share life lessons in the English countryside.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of rich, descriptive language and the exploration of complex themes such as friendship, morality, and the joys of home.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the importance of friendship and the simple pleasures of life through beautifully crafted storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate nature and stories of camaraderie and adventure.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading aloud isn't just about sounding out words—it's an engaging, interactive way to explore stories. Here are some fun and effective exercises you can try with your 7-year-old to boost their reading skills and make the most of your read-aloud time together.

• Character Voices
  • What it is: Change your voice to match different characters in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of character traits and emotions.
  • Tips: Let your child suggest voices or take turns doing different characters.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Pause during reading to guess what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and analytical thinking.
  • Tips: Encourage creative guesses, no matter how wild they might seem.

• Reading Relay
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or paragraphs aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Builds confidence and fluency in reading.
  • Tips: Adjust the length of reading time based on the difficulty of the text to keep it fun and challenging.

• Illustration Station
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Use a variety of materials like crayons, markers, or paints to make it more engaging.

• Question Master
  • What it is: After reading, let your child ask you questions about the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Tips: Praise imaginative and thoughtful questions to encourage more.

• Summarize and Share
  • What it is: Have your child summarize the story to another family member.
  • How it helps: Helps with information recall and narrative skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use their own words, and to include a beginning, middle, and end.

These exercises are not just about reading better; they're about enjoying the process of storytelling. By incorporating these activities into your read-aloud sessions, you'll help your child develop a love for reading that goes beyond just words on a page. Dive into these exercises and watch your little one grow into a confident reader and a creative thinker!