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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to captivate your little one? Look no further than Waterstones Books for 5-Year-Olds! Whether you're aiming to ignite their imagination or foster a love of reading, Waterstones has a delightful selection tailored just for their age. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Waterstones Books for 5-Year-Olds that are sure to enchant and entertain!

Fun Waterstones Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the myth of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to fend off predators during a walk in the woods, only to encounter the mythical beast itself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful tale that encourages creativity and quick thinking. The rhythmic, rhyming text makes it a joy to read aloud.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories with clever protagonists and a touch of humor.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Max, dressed in his wolf costume, creates mischief of one kind and another at home and is sent to bed without supper. His bedroom undergoes a mysterious transformation, and he ends up sailing to an island inhabited by fearsome wild creatures that crown him as their ruler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and reconciliation, and is perfect for sparking discussions about emotions and consequences.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy adventures and exploring their own imaginations.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. When danger strikes, the animals come together to save the witch from a fearsome dragon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship and cooperation, with engaging rhymes that make the reading experience enjoyable and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about teamwork and magical adventures.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows the journey of a newly hatched caterpillar as he eats his way through a wide variety of foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all through simple and engaging text and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning to read and appreciate nature.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: A family embarks on an adventure to find a bear, traveling through grass, a river, mud, a forest, a snowstorm, and finally into a cave where they encounter a bear and hastily retreat.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an action-packed story that encourages physical activity and interactive reading, perfect for energetic storytelling sessions.
  • Perfect for: Active children who enjoy participatory reading and adventures.

Educational Waterstones Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A boy finds a penguin at his doorstep and decides they must be lost. The story follows their journey to the South Pole to reunite the penguin with its family.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of friendship, empathy, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that beautifully illustrates the themes of friendship and helping others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy touching stories about friendship and adventures.

• The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: The crayons in Duncan's box are fed up and they each write him a letter explaining why they're tired of coloring the same old things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, color recognition, persuasive writing
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an imaginative and funny story that encourages children to think about colors and their uses in a new light.
  • Perfect for: Children who love drawing and coloring, and those who appreciate a good laugh.

• Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three. One day, Stick Man is carried away from his family and must navigate a perilous journey back to them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family values, resilience, adventure
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor and adventure, making it a captivating read that also tugs at the heartstrings.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rooting for a character on a challenging journey.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: Babies from all over the world are introduced, each having ten little fingers and ten little toes. The story celebrates the joy and diversity of babies everywhere.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, multicultural awareness, rhyme and rhythm
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful, rhythmic read that introduces young children to concepts of diversity and similarity.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn about numbers, body parts, and the wider world.

• Oi Frog! by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: A frog learns about the whimsical and strict rules of where animals can sit, dictated by rhyming constraints set by the cat.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, humor, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious read with vibrant illustrations that keep children engaged and entertained while learning about rhymes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful storytelling and learning through laughter.

Challenging Waterstones Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur in her web to persuade the farmer to spare his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces themes of friendship, loss, and mortality, which are complex topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written story that teaches about compassion, creativity, and the value of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready to explore deeper themes through a touching narrative.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, eating as many vegetables as he can before Mr. McGregor chases him away.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates older language and a moral lesson that requires inference, which can be advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the imagination with its delightful story and beautiful illustrations while imparting lessons about obedience and the consequences of misbehavior.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with animal characters and a bit of mischief.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with a variety of dining partners.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of rhyme and repetitive structure provides a linguistic challenge that helps build early reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to try new things and demonstrates the power of persistence and persuasion through amusing, rhythmic storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful language and exploring new experiences through reading.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with extraordinary intelligence, discovers she has the power of telekinesis. She uses her abilities to overcome difficulties including her neglectful parents and tyrannical school principal, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex characters and a plot that involves themes of justice and individuality.
  • Why we recommend this book: Matilda's story is inspiring, promoting the values of reading, intelligence, and standing up against wrongdoing.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy stories of triumph and magical adventures.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the riverside adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger in Edwardian England, combining elements of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text features rich, descriptive language and a slower narrative pace than many modern children’s books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a timeless story that explores themes of friendship and nature with whimsical characters and picturesque settings.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate nature and stories filled with whimsical adventures and deep friendships.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little ones dive into the magical world of reading, here are some fun exercises that can make books from Waterstones even more engaging for 5-year-olds. These activities are designed to develop good reading habits and make storytime a highlight of their day!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look at the pictures in a book before reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages 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're able.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and phonetic skills by hearing the words pronounced.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to match different characters or action parts, making it more fun and engaging.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of a character.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and empathy by exploring characters' feelings and actions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting and memorable.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Drawing a map or a sequence of events from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and sequencing events.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to include as many details as they can remember, and discuss the map after it's completed.

• Question Time
  • What it is: Asking questions about the story before, during, and after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves critical thinking and comprehension.
  • Tips: Start with simple questions and gradually move to more thought-provoking ones as your child becomes more comfortable.

• Matching Games
  • What it is: Creating matching cards with themes, characters, or vocabulary from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and helps with recognizing words and images.
  • Tips: Let your child help in making the cards to boost their engagement and creativity.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only enhance your child's reading skills but also deepen their love for books. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and fun, because at this age, learning should feel like play. Happy reading!