10+ Best Roald Dahl Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories or afternoon adventures for your little reader? Look no further than Roald Dahl books for 6-year-olds, where imagination runs wild and the fun never stops! These books are just the ticket for young minds eager to explore magical worlds while tucked safely under their covers. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks from the whimsical world of Roald Dahl that are perfect for six-year-olds.

Fun Roald Dahl Books for 6-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 juicy little children. Throughout the book, he devises secret plans and clever tricks to catch his prey, only to be foiled by other jungle animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s filled with humor and clever tricks that keep the story engaging, perfect for encouraging young readers to explore the fun in reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy mischievous characters and playful storytelling.

• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The clever Mr. Fox lives with his family in a burrow, stealing food each night from three mean and wealthy farmers. When the farmers decide they’ve had enough, they band together to get rid of Mr. Fox, leading to a series of cunning adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases themes of cleverness, bravery, and survival through engaging and witty storytelling that captivates young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories of adventure and clever tactics.

• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: George decides to make a marvelous medicine to cure his grumpy old grandmother of her unpleasant nature. What follows is a series of unexpected and hilarious consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and imagination with its absurd and fantastical plot, making reading a delightful experience.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in the silly and the unexpected, and those who like experimenting.

• 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 dancing monkey who together make up the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. Their adventures begin when they are hired to clean the windows of a large mansion, leading to an encounter with a burglar.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a story of friendship and teamwork, filled with fun and adventure, ideal for encouraging cooperative play and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories about animals and teamwork.

• The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A girl with magical powers is upset with her neighbors for their hunting habits, so she uses her magic finger to teach them a lesson, leading to unexpected transformations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces themes of empathy and justice in a way that’s accessible and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about magic and learning important life lessons.

Educational Roald Dahl Books for 6-Year-Olds

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young James escapes his dreary life with two cruel aunts by entering a gigantic, magical peach. Along with a group of friendly talking insects, James embarks on a thrilling journey across the ocean.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating adventure that encourages creativity and teaches the value of friendship and courage.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who love fantastical tales.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. This magical journey reveals all the fantastical secrets of the factory and tests the character of Charlie and the other children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral lessons, creative thinking, and understanding consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a mix of wonder, morality, and humor, making it a timeless story that captivates and teaches.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy whimsical stories with moral undertones and imaginative settings.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a bright young girl who loves reading and learning, but her family treats her poorly. She discovers she has telekinetic powers, which she uses to stand up to her cruel school principal and protect her friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading and literacy appreciation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and standing up for oneself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story of a young girl using her intelligence and power to overcome obstacles and unfair treatment.
  • Perfect for: Intelligent young readers who value education and justice, and anyone who loves a good underdog story.

Challenging Roald Dahl Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around a young boy named Danny and his father who live in a caravan and share a passion for pheasant hunting. They concoct a plan to poach pheasants from a wealthy landowner's estate.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of morality and legality, challenging young readers to think about right and wrong in a nuanced way.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a heartwarming tale of father-son bonding and clever problem-solving, wrapped in a thrilling adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about family relationships and clever tactics.

• The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: A young boy stumbles upon a convention of witches, who despise children and have a plan to eliminate them from the world. He must stop their evil scheme to save all the children.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with dark themes and complex narratives that require a higher level of comprehension and emotional maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling narrative that engages with its suspense and moral lessons about courage and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who appreciate a mix of horror and humor, and stories with brave young protagonists.

• The Twits by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Twit are a spiteful couple who enjoy playing nasty pranks on each other. Eventually, the animals they have mistreated decide to teach them a lesson.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book's use of irony and sophisticated humor can be challenging for young readers to fully appreciate without guidance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous story with a moral about treating others with kindness, delivered in a uniquely Dahl-esque style.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a moral and a good laugh, particularly those involving clever animals and foolish humans.

• Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Romance, Humor
  • Synopsis: Mr. Hoppy devises a plan to win the heart of his neighbor, Mrs. Silver, by helping her tortoise grow using a special chant. However, his plan involves a bit of deception.
  • Why this book is challenging: The plot involves subtle themes of love and ethical dilemmas, which are advanced concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle introduction to romantic feelings and ethical questions, wrapped in a light and humorous story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to explore more complex stories and themes, especially those involving pets and gentle humor.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 6-year-old to the magical world of Roald Dahl, you're in for a treat! Not only are his stories captivating, but they also offer a fantastic opportunity to develop good reading habits early on. Here are some fun exercises you can do together to make reading a regular and enjoyable part of your child's routine.

• Create a Dahl Dictionary
  • What it is: Make a homemade dictionary of the unique words found in Dahl’s books.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps in understanding the context better.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to illustrate the words or use them in sentences.

• Story Map Drawing
  • What it is: Draw a map based on the settings of the story.
  • How it helps: Reinforces comprehension and recall of the story’s details.
  • Tips: Use bright colors and symbols to make the mapping activity more engaging.

• Character Puppets
  • What it is: Create puppets of favorite characters from Dahl’s books.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and helps with story retelling.
  • Tips: Use craft materials like socks, yarn, and buttons for a fun DIY puppet-making session.

• Reading Aloud Together
  • What it is: Set aside time to read Dahl's stories aloud together.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and pronunciation.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading session more lively and entertaining.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: Write down questions about the story on pieces of paper and put them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and curiosity.
  • Tips: Take turns drawing questions from the jar and answering them after each reading session.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only enhance your child's engagement with Roald Dahl's books but also foster a deeper love for reading. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light, fun, and interactive to maintain your child’s interest and excitement about reading. Happy reading!