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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material to spark the imagination of your little one? Look no further! Our roundup of Scholastic Books for 5-Year-Olds is packed with captivating stories that are just right for their age. From whimsical adventures to characters that will become like friends, these books are tailored to keep your child engaged and excited about reading. Keep reading to discover the various lists of Scholastic Books for 5-Year-Olds that we’ve compiled just for you!

Fun Scholastic Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: 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: Its vibrant illustrations and interactive die-cut pages help keep young readers engaged while teaching them about counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy colorful stories and learning about nature.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet rhyme where the letters climb up a coconut tree, only to tumble down and be comforted by their parents.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, playful text makes learning the alphabet fun and memorable, encouraging phonemic awareness.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, energetic stories.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern Books, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A teacher asks various animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish what they see, creating a repetitive and predictable pattern that delights young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to colors and animals through simple repetitive text and bold, colorful illustrations, enhancing both memory and predictive skills.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy repetition and vibrant illustrations.

• Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Llama experiences bedtime fears and learns that his mama is always nearby, even if she isn't right in the room.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses common bedtime anxieties and reassures children of their parents' presence and love, helping to ease nighttime fears.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who have trouble going to bed or experience separation anxiety.

• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Music
  • Synopsis: Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes!
  • Why we recommend this book: The story teaches colors and resilience, as Pete keeps "walking along and singing his song" despite the setbacks.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy sing-along books and stories about staying positive no matter what happens.

Educational Scholastic Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad are caught out in the rain, finding shelter and comfort with other farm animal friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, weather awareness, animal sounds
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a soothing bedtime story that combines friendship and adventure, perfect for calming down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals and friendship.

• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: The Pout-Pout Fish believes he's destined to be glum until his friends help him discover that being glum isn't really his destiny.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, emotional recognition, rhyming
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about emotions and the power of friendship through delightful rhymes and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning to identify and express their feelings.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: A whimsical and humorous story about dragons who love tacos but hate spicy salsa, which leads to fiery consequences.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequence of events, humor, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging tale that encourages laughter and enjoyment in reading, while subtly teaching about cause and effect.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny stories and have a budding sense of humor.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall, experiencing the simple joys and adventures of a snowy day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, weather conditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child, with beautiful, collage-style illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in the wonders of winter and outdoor play.

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: A timeless story of a small engine that, despite its size, successfully pulls a train full of toys over a mountain while repeating its motto: "I think I can, I think I can."
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, motivation, self-confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: It instills important values of determination and hard work through a compelling and motivational narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children who are facing challenges and need encouragement to believe in themselves.

Challenging Scholastic Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's orders and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing consequences as he tries to escape.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses more complex language and sentence structures than typical for this age group, along with subtle moral lessons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about obedience and the consequences of one's actions, wrapped in a charming, classic tale.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and are ready for more complex narratives.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Max, dressed in his wolf costume, creates mischief at home and is sent to bed without supper. His room transforms into a forest leading him to the land of the Wild Things, where he becomes king.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and coming to terms with one's emotions in a way that is profound and not typically addressed in children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: The story encourages children to explore their feelings and the consequences of their actions through creative storytelling and vivid illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Children who have vivid imaginations and enjoy stories that explore emotional depth.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: Madeline, a brave and spirited girl living in a Paris boarding school, undergoes an appendectomy. She shows courage and earns the admiration of her peers.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text features rhyming and rhythmic patterns that are more sophisticated, and the story introduces concepts like hospitalization and resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated book that celebrates bravery and independence in young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and strong female characters.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to keep himself safe from predators, only to encounter the mythical beast himself.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of clever wordplay and rhymes presents a linguistic challenge that is more advanced than typical books for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and strategic thinking through the mouse’s clever tricks to avoid danger.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with clever protagonists and a bit of suspense.

• Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Strega Nona ("Grandma Witch") owns a magical pot that produces endless pasta. Her helper, Big Anthony, causes chaos when he uses the pot without permission.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates elements of Italian culture and language, presenting a cultural and linguistic learning opportunity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches lessons about responsibility and the consequences of misusing someone else’s belongings.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in magical stories and learning about different cultures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring ways to nurture a love of reading in your 5-year-old, Scholastic books offer a treasure trove of resources that can make reading both fun and educational. Here are some engaging exercises that can help your little one develop good reading habits early on:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about what they see and guess what the story might be about.

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

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identifying objects around the house that start with the same letter/sound as words in the book.
  • How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness, a critical skill for early reading.
  • Tips: Keep it playful and use objects your child is already familiar with.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Your child retells the story in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to talk about their favorite parts or any surprises in the story.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Finding rhyming words in the story or coming up with new ones.
  • How it helps: Develops phonological awareness and enjoyment of language sounds.
  • Tips: Make a game out of it to see who can come up with the most rhymes.

These simple yet effective exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a fun and integral part of your child's daily routine. By incorporating these activities, you'll help your 5-year-old build a strong foundation in literacy and a lifelong love for reading. Happy reading!