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

Are you on the lookout for the perfect reading material to spark the imagination of your little one? Look no further than Usborne Books for 5-Year-Olds, a treasure trove of engaging and beautifully illustrated books designed to captivate young minds. Whether your child is a budding reader or still loves a good story at bedtime, Usborne has something that will brighten their world. Keep reading to discover our various lists of Usborne Books for 5-Year-Olds that are sure to be a hit!

Fun Usborne Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Peep Inside the Zoo by Anna Milbourne
  • Illustrator: Simona Dimitri
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: A delightful peek into the bustling world of a zoo, where children can lift flaps to discover hidden animal surprises.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift, which keeps young readers engaged while teaching them about different animals.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Dinosaurs by Katie Daynes
  • Illustrator: Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Dinosaurs, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: This book explores intriguing questions about dinosaurs with fun flaps to lift, providing young readers with answers that fuel their prehistoric curiosity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It satisfies the curiosity of young minds about dinosaurs while encouraging them to think and engage actively with the content.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters fascinated by the prehistoric era and hands-on learning.

• That's Not My Puppy... by Fiona Watt
  • Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel Book
  • Synopsis: A tactile board book designed to engage young readers through repetitive text and touchy-feely patches as they search for their puppy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes sensory development and the simple, repetitive text helps build language skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy sensory play and animal lovers.

• The Usborne Big Book of Colors by Felicity Brooks
  • Illustrator: Sophia Touliatou
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: This vividly illustrated book introduces children to colors through engaging images and interactive elements like flaps and sliders.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a colorful exploration that helps children understand and recognize colors, enhancing their visual and cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to learn basic concepts and love interactive elements.

• First Thousand Words in English by Heather Amery
  • Illustrator: Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Language, Picture Dictionary
  • Synopsis: An engaging picture dictionary that features a thousand everyday words depicted in lively scenes, each labeled with its English name.
  • Why we recommend this book: It aids vocabulary building in a fun and engaging way, with pictures to stimulate recognition and recall.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are expanding their vocabulary and enjoy detailed illustrations.

Educational Usborne Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Look Inside Science by Minna Lacey
  • Illustrator: Stefano Tognetti
  • Genre(s): Science, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: This interactive book delves into the wonders of science with over 60 flaps to lift. It covers topics like energy, forces, and the human body.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic scientific concepts, curiosity about how things work, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes science accessible and fun, encouraging exploration and interactive learning.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• First Sticker Book Nature by Felicity Brooks
  • Illustrator: Maribel Lechuga
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: A sticker book that invites children to fill colorful scenes with stickers, from gardens to ponds, and learn about the natural world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Hand-eye coordination, knowledge about natural environments, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of sticker play with educational content about nature.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love crafts and outdoor exploration.

• The Usborne Book of the Moon by Laura Cowan
  • Illustrator: Diana Toledano
  • Genre(s): Astronomy, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book takes young readers on a journey to the Moon, detailing its phases, the history of lunar exploration, and its role in our Earth's environment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of astronomy, historical knowledge, environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive insight into one of Earth's most fascinating celestial neighbors.
  • Perfect for: Young astronomers and any child interested in space and science.

• All About Feelings by Felicity Brooks
  • Illustrator: Mar Ferrero
  • Genre(s): Emotional Learning, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: An engaging exploration of feelings, helping children to understand and manage different emotions they experience.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, communication skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a helpful resource for emotional development, offering practical advice through engaging illustrations and simple texts.
  • Perfect for: Children learning to express and understand their emotions.

• Big Book of Big Bugs by Emily Bone
  • Illustrator: Fabiano Fiorin
  • Genre(s): Insects, Informational
  • Synopsis: A large-format book that introduces children to the world of bugs, featuring some of the biggest and most fascinating insects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Knowledge of biology, attention to detail, curiosity about nature
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases spectacular illustrations and interesting facts that capture the amazing world of insects.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers who are fascinated by bugs and the natural world.

Challenging Usborne Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Usborne Complete Book of the Microscope by Kirsteen Rogers
  • Illustrator: Gary Bines and Peter Bull
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the exciting world of microscopy, detailing the different types of microscopes and what you can see with them, from plant cells to insects.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex scientific concepts and equipment that are typically beyond the usual curriculum for a 5-year-old.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a deep curiosity about the microscopic world and fosters a scientific way of thinking from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who are interested in biology and how things work on a microscopic level.

• The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math by Tori Large
  • Illustrator: Adam Larkum
  • Genre(s): Mathematics, Reference
  • Synopsis: An engaging and comprehensive guide to mathematical terms and concepts, complete with illustrations, examples, and simple explanations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of mathematical concepts, some of which can be quite advanced for young learners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It serves as a great foundational tool for early math skills, presenting complex ideas in a digestible format.
  • Perfect for: Budding mathematicians and any child with an interest in numbers and problem-solving.

• The Usborne Book of Greek Myths by Anna Milbourne
  • Illustrator: Elena Temporin
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Storybook
  • Synopsis: A collection of captivating stories from Greek mythology, featuring gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates ancient cultures and complex themes of morality, heroism, and mythology that are typically not introduced at this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic introduction to classic literature, enhancing cultural literacy and storytelling skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories filled with adventure and fantastical elements.

• The Usborne Science Encyclopedia by Kirsteen Rogers
  • Illustrator: Gary Bines and Peter Bull
  • Genre(s): Science, Encyclopedia
  • Synopsis: An extensive resource that covers a broad range of scientific topics including physics, chemistry, and biology, enriched with QR links to further educational content.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents a breadth of scientific knowledge that is typically tackled in later school years.
  • Why we recommend this book: This encyclopedia fosters a love for learning and satisfies curious minds with its depth and breadth of information.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids who have a thirst for knowledge about the world around them.

• The Usborne Art Treasury by Rosie Dickins
  • Illustrator: Various
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book showcases various works of art and artists through history, offering activities and projects inspired by their techniques and styles.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to complex artistic concepts and historical contexts along with hands-on activities that require fine motor skills and creative thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages artistic expression and appreciation for art history, developing both creativity and cultural awareness.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child eager to explore their creative talents through the inspiration of historical figures in art.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

If you're exploring Usborne books for your 5-year-old, you're on the right track to fostering a love of reading! Here are some engaging exercises that can help your little one develop good reading habits while enjoying these colorful and informative books. Let’s dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look at the pictures in the book before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud with your child, taking turns if they are able to read some words.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading fluency.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session fun and engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading, your child tells the story back to you in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child by asking questions about the story to guide their retelling.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify words in the book that start with the same sound or letter.
  • How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness, a critical skill for early reading.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are easy to recognize and gradually introduce more challenging sounds.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child, using costumes or props as necessary.
  • How it helps: Boosts understanding and recall, and adds a sensory element to the reading experience.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing roles and deciding on the props.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more fun but also enhance your child’s literacy skills. Usborne books, with their engaging content and vibrant illustrations, provide the perfect platform for these activities. Happy reading!