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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material to spark the imagination of your budding reader? Look no further! Our guide to Scholastic Books for 6-Year-Olds offers a treasure trove of options that are just right for their reading level and interests. Keep reading to discover the various lists of engaging, age-appropriate Scholastic books that will keep your little one hooked on reading!

Fun Scholastic Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Illustrator: Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beloved book follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character throughout the book, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text makes it an excellent choice for beginning readers to practice their reading skills while being thoroughly entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful language and silly stories.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
  • Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: In this rhythmic, lively book, the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic romp through the alphabet, encouraging letter recognition and early phonics skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are learning their ABCs and enjoy vibrant, energetic stories.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Illustrator: Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture book
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, a pigeon makes several humorous attempts to get permission to drive the bus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages children with its interactive text and expressive illustrations, encouraging them to participate in reading aloud.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy funny stories and shouting "No!" at the mischievous pigeon.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
  • Illustrator: Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern book, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its predictable pattern and simple repetitive text help children anticipate what comes next, which is great for developing reading confidence.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who enjoy animal characters and learning colors and names.

Educational Scholastic Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Educational
  • Synopsis: Jack and Annie discover a tree house filled with books that can transport them through time. Their first adventure takes them back to the age of dinosaurs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, historical knowledge about dinosaurs, curiosity about science and history
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with learning, making it an exciting way for children to explore history and science.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love stories about time travel and dinosaurs.

• Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
  • Illustrator: James Dean
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Music, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pete the Cat wears his favorite school shoes while discovering the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and other spots at school.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Confidence building, familiarity with school settings, rhythm and music appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and musical way to help kids look forward to school and learn about different school activities.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are about to start school or have just begun their school journey.

• The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
  • Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Early Chapter Book
  • Synopsis: Princess Magnolia has a secret—she's also the Princess in Black, a superhero who fights monsters. When monster alarms go off, she must sneak away from her royal duties and save the kingdom.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic reading skills, imagination, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to chapter books and features a strong female protagonist who balances duty and heroic adventures.
  • Perfect for: Young readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books, especially those who enjoy stories about princesses and superheroes.

• Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Fly Guy and Buzz visit the aquarium to learn all about sharks. This book is filled with fascinating facts about different types of sharks and their environment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Knowledge about marine life, reading comprehension, factual recall
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging and informative read that combines humor with educational content.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who have an interest in marine animals and enjoy the Fly Guy series.

• The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing
  • Illustrator: Deborah Zemke
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Storybook
  • Synopsis: It's the night before the first day of first grade, and Penny is both excited and nervous. The story captures the preparations and feelings associated with starting a new grade.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional preparation for school, understanding school routines, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps reduce anxiety about starting first grade by addressing common fears and excitements in a relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Children about to start first grade or those experiencing similar new beginnings.

Challenging Scholastic Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic, Animal story
  • Synopsis: This timeless story follows a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur in her web to help save his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces themes of friendship, loss, and mortality, which are complex concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as kindness, selflessness, and the importance of true friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready to explore deeper themes and enjoy animal characters.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It explores his adventures from being banished from his mouse community to saving the princess.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex vocabulary and a narrative that interweaves different characters' stories.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and courage, showing that even the smallest creature can have a big heart and brave spirit.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy fairy tales and stories of adventure and heroism.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Stuart Little, a small mouse born into an ordinary New York family, on his many adventures. The story captures his quest to find a lost friend, his love of adventure, and his experiences in the big city.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book blends fantasy and reality, which can be a complex concept for young readers to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of perseverance and courage, inspiring readers to face their own challenges with determination and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love adventure and exploring new worlds, even if they are the size of a mouse.

• Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Sarah Wheaton, who travels from Maine to the prairie to answer a widowed farmer's advertisement for a wife and mother. It explores themes of change, adaptation, and the power of family.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of loneliness, abandonment, and the concept of mail-order brides, which are mature and complex.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gentle introduction to historical perspectives and the importance of family bonds and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history and stories about family dynamics and rural life.

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
  • Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal story
  • Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, this novel follows Ivan, a captive gorilla who lives in a mall and hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. His perspective changes when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives and he starts to see their home through her eyes.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses themes of captivity, animal rights, and friendship through a narrative that requires empathy and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches compassion and the importance of seeing life through another's eyes, encouraging a deeper understanding of animal emotions and rights.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are animal lovers and those interested in stories that promote empathy and ethical thinking.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to foster a love for reading in your 6-year-old, Scholastic books are a fantastic choice. To make the most out of these engaging books, here are some exercises that can help your child develop good reading habits. These activities are designed to be fun, educational, and perfect for a 6-year-old's learning stage.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You and your child take turns reading pages or paragraphs aloud.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and improves pronunciation skills.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Before reading, flip through the book looking at pictures and predicting the story.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and sets the stage for context before reading.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to encourage your child to think and predict.

• Match the Word
  • What it is: Create flashcards with words from the book and match them with corresponding images or definitions.
  • How it helps: Reinforces word recognition and comprehension.
  • Tips: Keep the activity light and fun; reward correct matches to motivate further learning.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map or a sequence of events from the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and sequencing events.
  • Tips: Use large paper and colorful markers to make this activity visually appealing and memorable.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with costumes or props.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the story and characters, and enhances empathetic skills.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing scenes and characters to role play.

• Reading Timer Challenge
  • What it is: Set a timer for a fun, uninterrupted reading session.
  • How it helps: Builds focus and the ability to sit still for periods, which are essential for school readiness.
  • Tips: Start with short times and gradually increase as your child's endurance improves.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only improve your child’s reading skills but also make the experience enjoyable and something they look forward to. Remember, the key is consistency and making sure reading is seen as a fun and rewarding activity. Happy reading!