10+ Best Writing Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to spark a love of writing in your young ones? Look no further! Our latest blog dives into the world of writing books for 7-year-olds, offering a treasure trove of resources that can help ignite creativity and enhance writing skills. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or guardian, these carefully selected books are designed to be both educational and entertaining. Keep reading to discover our various lists of writing books for 7-year-olds that are sure to captivate and inspire your budding writer!

Fun Writing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids that they can explore vast new worlds and emotions safely within the pages of a book.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy letting their imaginations run wild.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
  • Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The crayons in Duncan's box are fed up. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan, expressing their grievances and demands, from being overworked to being neglected.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to discuss feelings and perspectives, fostering empathy and problem-solving skills in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love to draw and color, as well as those who enjoy quirky stories with a lot of personalities.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows an unnamed character, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with various dining partners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches persistence and the importance of trying new things, all wrapped up in fun rhymes and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Picky eaters and young readers who are just starting to read on their own.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Friendship
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to spare him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches about friendship, love, and the cycle of life, helping young readers deal with complex emotions.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children dealing with themes of friendship and loss.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, the mouse invents a monster called the Gruffalo... only to meet the mythical creature face to face.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes cleverness and quick thinking, with engaging rhymes and a delightful twist that captivates young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good adventure and learning about wit and bravery in the face of challenges.

Educational Writing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• My First Book of Planets by Bruce Betts
  • Illustrator: Micah Acord
  • Genre(s): Educational, Science
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the wonders of our solar system, including all the planets and their unique features.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic astronomy, scientific curiosity, reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with fascinating facts and vibrant illustrations that make learning about space exciting and accessible.
  • Perfect for: Young space enthusiasts and budding astronomers.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Illustrator: Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young girl decides to create the most magnificent thing with the help of her canine assistant, but the task proves more challenging than she expected.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, perseverance, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of persistence when facing difficult tasks.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who are learning to navigate frustration and failure.

• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why by Amy Shields
  • Illustrator: National Geographic
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book answers common "why" questions that children ask, covering a wide range of topics from science to history.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Curiosity, general knowledge, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the inquisitive nature of young minds and provides clear, well-explained answers to complex questions.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have a lot of questions about how the world works.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
  • Illustrator: David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life scientists, Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, problem-solving, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a keen interest in learning how things work.

• The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book (without pictures)
  • Synopsis: This innovative book proves that words alone can be fun and entertaining as it forces the reader to say silly and ridiculous things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading aloud, understanding of phonetics, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It shows that reading can be hilarious and joyful, even without illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and parents who want a fun, interactive reading experience.

Challenging Writing Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story centers on Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with enormous ears, who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. Despereaux faces numerous challenges, from being banished from his mouse community to navigating the dark dungeons of a castle.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex, incorporating themes of bravery, darkness, and redemption that are more sophisticated than typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages young readers to be brave and to believe in the power of stories and light over darkness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and stories of unlikely heroes.

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
  • Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from his owner and embarks on a journey where he experiences love, loss, and hope.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with deep emotions and the concept of transformation through experiences, which are profound for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches empathy and the importance of opening one's heart, conveyed through the journey of a toy rabbit.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to explore deeper feelings and the complexities of relationships.

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
  • Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: Based on a true story, this novel follows Ivan, a captive gorilla who lives in a shopping mall, and his journey to a better life, thanks to the promise he makes to a dying elephant friend.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of captivity, friendship, and the fight for a better life, which are serious and thought-provoking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful story that promotes compassion for animals and awareness of wildlife conservation.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in real animal stories and conservation efforts.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a previously unloved and spoiled child, discovers a neglected garden and, along with her cousin Colin, brings it back to life. The garden, in turn, transforms their lives and health.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses early 20th-century English and explores complex themes such as loss, neglect, and rejuvenation both physically and emotionally.
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates the healing power of nature and shows how nurturing something can lead to personal growth and healing.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy transformation stories and nature.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her talents are constantly belittled by her crude and distant parents. At school, she meets a kindred spirit in her teacher, Miss Honey, and confronts her tyrannical principal, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a young protagonist dealing with complex issues like neglect and abuse with courage and intelligence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the resilience and resourcefulness of children, and the transformative power of education and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Gifted children and any young reader who feels misunderstood or underappreciated.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop good reading habits, you've come to the right place. Below are some fun and effective exercises designed specifically for young readers. These activities not only make reading enjoyable but also enhance comprehension and retention skills. Let’s dive in!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or paragraphs from a book with your child.
  • How it helps: This exercise improves pronunciation and helps children understand the rhythm and flow of language.
  • Tips: Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Form a small group with your child’s friends or family members where they can discuss a book they all have read.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion and critical thinking about the story and characters.
  • Tips: Keep the discussions light and fun; perhaps have some questions ready to spark conversation.

• Picture Book Summary
  • What it is: After reading a picture book, ask your child to summarize the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and the ability to recall details.
  • Tips: Ask questions that prompt your child to think about the plot and characters, not just recount them.

• Match the Quote
  • What it is: Write down quotes from the book and have your child match them to the character who said them.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory and better understanding of the characters.
  • Tips: Start with distinctive or funny quotes that your child is likely to remember.

• Design a Bookmark
  • What it is: Encourage your child to create their own bookmarks themed around their current reading material.
  • How it helps: Makes the act of reading special and personalized.
  • Tips: Provide materials like markers, stickers, and glitter for decoration.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before finishing a story, ask your child to predict what they think will happen next.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and deductive reasoning.
  • Tips: Discuss why they think their prediction might come true, based on the story’s events.

• Character Diary
  • What it is: Have your child write diary entries from the perspective of a favorite character.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of the narrative and motivations.
  • Tips: Encourage them to think about how the character feels during major events in the book.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a lifelong love for books and stories. By engaging in these activities, your child will not only improve their reading skills but also have a lot of fun in the process. So, pick a book, grab some supplies, and get started on fostering those crucial reading habits today!