Books Lists
10+ Best Roald Dahl Books for 5-7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories or early reader books that will ignite a love of reading in your little ones? Look no further than Roald Dahl books for 5-7-year-olds! These magical tales are just the ticket for sparking young imaginations and creating cherished reading moments. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks from the whimsical world of Roald Dahl that are perfectly suited for young readers.
Table of Contents
Fun Roald Dahl Books for 5-7-Year-Olds
- The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
- Synopsis: This story features a greedy crocodile who loves to eat children and his clever plans to catch them. However, the other animals in the jungle come up with a plan to thwart his sneaky schemes.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to Dahl's unique style of humor and creativity, encouraging children to think about right and wrong.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy mischievous characters and jungle adventures.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Mr. Fox steals food each night from three mean and wealthy farmers. The farmers, fed up with Mr. Fox's thefts, try to catch him. Mr. Fox must outsmart them to keep his family safe and fed.
- Why we recommend this book: It showcases themes of cleverness, bravery, and family unity, all wrapped up in thrilling escapades.
- Perfect for: Children who love stories about animals and clever tricks.
- The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A young boy, Billy, meets a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey who work as the "Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company." The story unfolds with their adventures cleaning windows and catching burglars.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a tale of friendship and teamwork, filled with humor and imagination.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about unusual friendships and teamwork.
- The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A girl with magical powers is upset with her neighbors for their hunting habits and turns them into birds to teach them a lesson.
- Why we recommend this book: This story introduces themes of empathy and justice, encouraging young readers to think about the consequences of their actions.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a moral and those who love magic and transformation tales.
Educational Roald Dahl Books for 5-7-Year-Olds
- George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
- Synopsis: George decides to make a special medicine to cure his grumpy grandma's crankiness. As he concocts a potion from household items, unexpected results lead to a series of gigantic adventures.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, and understanding cause and effect.
- Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination and teaches children the fun and consequences of experimentation.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love wacky stories and experimenting with ideas.
- Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
- Synopsis: Mr. Hoppy devises a plan to win the heart of his neighbor, Mrs. Silver, by helping her pet tortoise grow using a special 'spell.'
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, emotional intelligence, and understanding relationships.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a sweet story that combines humor with a lesson on how caring and thoughtfulness can win over someone's heart.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy gentle tales of love and clever problem-solving.
- Billy and the Minpins by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Young Billy embarks on an adventure in the Forest of Sin where he meets the Minpins, tiny tree-dwelling creatures who face a terrible beast.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage, friendship, and environmental awareness.
- Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of bravery and the power of community in overcoming challenges.
- Perfect for: Adventurous young readers who love stories about mythical creatures and heroic deeds.
Challenging Roald Dahl Books for 5-7-Year-Olds
- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: After the tragic death of his parents, young James Henry Trotter lives with two dreadful aunts. A mysterious gift leads to the growth of a gigantic peach, which becomes the setting for his thrilling journey with a group of oversized insect friends.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces sophisticated themes of loss, hope, and friendship, coupled with rich, descriptive language and complex character development.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating adventure that stimulates the imagination and teaches resilience and the value of chosen family.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for more complex narratives and those who enjoy whimsical tales of adventure and camaraderie.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a contest to visit the mysterious Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with four other children. The visit turns into an extraordinary adventure as they discover the factory's magical secrets.
- Why this book is challenging: The story explores deep themes such as poverty, greed, and morality, presented through advanced vocabulary and a richly imaginative setting.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a magical, yet morally instructive tale that encourages critical thinking about behavior and consequences.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy magical realism and stories that provide moral lessons through fantastical plots.
- Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and telekinetic powers, uses her abilities to manage life with her crude parents and tyrannical school principal, Miss Trunchbull.
- Why this book is challenging: It features complex themes of family dynamics, personal strength, and justice, woven into a narrative with advanced language and emotional depth.
- Why we recommend this book: This story empowers young readers, highlighting the impact of education and self-belief in overcoming adversity.
- Perfect for: Gifted children and any young reader with a love for stories of triumph and magical abilities.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl with your little ones, you're in for a treat. His stories are not only fun but also offer fantastic opportunities to develop good reading habits in children. Here are some engaging exercises tailored for 5-7-year-olds that can make reading Dahl's books even more beneficial and enjoyable.
- Character Match-Up
- What it is: Create cards with character names and traits and have kids match them.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory by linking characters with their characteristics.
- Tips: Use pictures from the books for younger kids to make it easier to remember the characters.
- Story Map Creation
- What it is: Draw a map based on the settings from the story.
- How it helps: Helps with understanding the sequence of events and spatial awareness.
- Tips: Encourage the use of bright colors and symbols to represent different parts of the story.
- Reading Aloud Session
- What it is: Take turns reading the book aloud with your child.
- How it helps: Improves pronunciation and fluency in reading.
- Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading more engaging.
- Word Hunt
- What it is: Find new or difficult words in the book and look them up together.
- How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of language.
- Tips: Create a fun "word journal" where new words are collected and illustrated.
- Question Jar
- What it is: Write down questions about the story on slips of paper and put them in a jar.
- How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and curiosity.
- Tips: Have a special time each day to draw a question from the jar and discuss it.
Using these exercises can turn reading time into an adventure, making the magical worlds of Roald Dahl come alive for your child. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also build foundational skills that benefit their reading abilities. So, grab your favorite Dahl book, and let's make reading a blast!