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

As a parent, teaching your little ones about safety is paramount, and what better way to introduce such an important topic than through reading? Stranger danger books for 5-year-olds can be a gentle and effective way to discuss awareness and caution. Curious about which books to start with? Keep reading to discover various lists of stranger danger books for 5-year-olds, each thoughtfully selected to engage and educate your child on this vital subject.

Fun Stranger Danger Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Never Talk to Strangers by Irma Joyce, illustrated by George Buckett
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This whimsical book uses rhymes and charming illustrations to teach children the important safety rule of not talking to strangers.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its catchy rhymes make the serious message engaging and memorable for young kids, helping them learn vital safety information in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic stories and parents looking for a gentle approach to discuss safety with their children.

• The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: When Papa Bear tells the cubs to never talk to strangers, Sister Bear starts treating all strangers as if they are dangerous, which confuses her until Mama Bear teaches her how to handle stranger encounters safely.
  • Why we recommend this book: It strikes a perfect balance between teaching caution and recognizing that not all strangers are bad, which is crucial for developing social skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who love engaging stories and parents who wish to discuss the nuances of stranger safety.

• Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Classic
  • Synopsis: A young girl meets a cunning wolf on her way to visit her grandmother. The wolf tricks her and her grandmother, but they are eventually saved by a huntsman.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic fairy tale serves as an allegory for the dangers strangers can pose, taught through a story that also entertains and captivates.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy classic tales with a moral, and parents seeking to teach caution through storytelling.

• Not Everyone Is Nice by Frederick Alimonti, illustrated by Ann Teddy
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book helps children understand that while most people are good, there are some who can be deceptive. It follows Kathy, who learns why it’s important to be cautious when strangers approach her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides practical advice through a relatable story, helping children learn how to react in potentially dangerous situations.
  • Perfect for: Parents looking for a straightforward and effective way to teach their children about stranger danger.

• Once Upon a Dragon: Stranger Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Martine Gourbalt
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: After a fun day at the park, a dragon and his friend learn important lessons about stranger danger, including what to do if a stranger approaches and how to find help.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book uses the element of fantasy and adventure to teach safety tips, making the learning process exciting and less intimidating for children.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love fantasy stories and need to learn important safety rules in an engaging way.

Educational Stranger Danger Books for 5-Year-Olds

• I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Zack and Kimberly King, illustrated by Sue Rama
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book, written from a kid's perspective, helps children understand how to set boundaries and deal with uncomfortable situations involving their private parts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Personal safety, boundary setting, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It empowers children by teaching them about consent and personal boundaries in a very clear and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who need straightforward advice on personal safety and parents who want to discuss sensitive topics openly with their children.

• Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spelman, illustrated by Teri Weidner
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explains to young children that their bodies are their own and that they have the right to say no to unwanted touches.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-awareness, personal safety, understanding consent
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the concepts of personal space and consent, essential for building a child's confidence and safety awareness.
  • Perfect for: Young children learning about personal boundaries and families seeking to reinforce the importance of consent and body autonomy.

• Do You Have a Secret? by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, illustrated by Marta Fábrega
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book helps children differentiate between good and bad secrets and encourages them to talk about secrets that make them uncomfortable.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Communication skills, emotional intelligence, understanding of privacy
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children the importance of sharing troubling secrets with trusted adults, which can be crucial in preventing harm.
  • Perfect for: Children who need to understand the importance of sharing certain types of information with parents and teachers.

• The Safe Side: Stranger Safety by Julie Clark and John Walsh
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Hosted by "Safe Side Superchick," this book offers practical advice on how to stay safe around strangers, distinguishing between "don't knows" and "kinda knows."
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Stranger awareness, decision-making, safety skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear, actionable safety tips in a fun and memorable way, appealing directly to a child's sense of adventure and caution.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive and lively discussions about safety and parents looking for effective and engaging ways to teach about strangers.

Challenging Stranger Danger Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: George the Giant, known for his old patched clothes, buys a new outfit and decides to become the "smartest giant in town." Along his journey, he meets various animals who need his help, and he gives away parts of his new clothes to aid them.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text introduces a range of vocabulary and encourages understanding of context and metaphor, which are advanced concepts for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches kindness and generosity in a way that also encourages critical thinking about when and how to help others, including strangers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to understand social cues and the importance of helping others.

• The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: The story follows a pigeon who finds a hot dog and is confronted by a clever duckling who wants a piece of it. The interaction explores themes of sharing and negotiation.
  • Why this book is challenging: The dialogue-heavy format and the exploration of conflict resolution are sophisticated for young readers, requiring them to infer emotional cues and resolve.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to discuss sharing and dealing with strangers who may want something from them.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humorous stories and need to learn about sharing and negotiation in social interactions.

• Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Skills
  • Synopsis: Llama Llama deals with a bully goat at school and learns how to stand up to bullying in a constructive way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subject of bullying is a complex social issue, presented here in a way that requires young readers to grasp emotional resilience and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses how to handle negative interactions, including with strangers, in a safe and assertive manner.
  • Perfect for: Children who are starting school and might encounter bullying or need to learn about standing up for themselves and others.

• Ruby's Worry by Tom Percival
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Health
  • Synopsis: Ruby, a happy child, one day discovers a worry that grows bigger each day. She learns that talking about her worries makes them smaller and more manageable.
  • Why this book is challenging: The conceptualization of worries as physical entities that can grow and shrink challenges young readers to visualize abstract emotional concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches a crucial lesson in emotional intelligence—communicating feelings and fears, including those about strangers or unfamiliar situations.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are dealing with anxieties or fears, helping them learn to express and manage their emotions effectively.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! When introducing young children to important topics like stranger danger, pairing the lessons with engaging reading exercises can be incredibly effective. Not only do these exercises help in understanding the material, but they also foster good reading habits. Here are a few exercises tailored for 5-year-olds that you can incorporate into your reading routine.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read stranger danger books together.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and repetition.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time each day to read to create a routine.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenarios from the books with your child taking on different roles.
  • How it helps: Helps children empathize with characters and understand their feelings and actions.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to express what they think the character is feeling and why.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book, looking at pictures and discussing what might be happening before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and understanding of the story context.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to stimulate your child’s imagination and prediction skills.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Pause your reading to ask questions about the story and relate the scenarios to real-life situations.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and critical thinking about safety.
  • Tips: Use questions like "What would you do?" or "Why is this important?"

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a simple map that outlines the story’s main events and characters.
  • How it helps: Helps with retention and understanding of the story structure.
  • Tips: Keep the map visible and refer back to it as you read through the book.

By integrating these exercises into your reading sessions, you're not just teaching your child about safety; you're also laying the foundation for strong reading skills. Remember, the goal is to make reading both educational and enjoyable, so keep the sessions light and fun. Happy reading!