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

As your little one steps into the magical world of reading, finding age appropriate books for 6-year-olds that capture their imagination and cater to their reading level is key. Whether you're on the hunt for bedtime stories or beginner readers, this guide has you covered. Dive into our carefully curated lists and discover the perfect reads to spark a love of books in your young reader. Keep reading to explore our selections!

Fun Age Appropriate Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf costume, creates his own imaginative adventure and becomes the king of a wild, mystical land of large creatures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood imagination and the emotional ups and downs that come with it. The story encourages creativity and self-expression.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love using their imagination and enjoy tales of adventure.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince his friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with different companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging book that uses simple words and rhymes, making it perfect for early readers. It also teaches children about trying new things.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and those who enjoy playful, rhythmic stories.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches important lessons about friendship, love, and the cycle of life.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories about friendships.

• 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 tired of how they're being used and decide to go on strike, each expressing their grievances in a letter to him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's creative and humorous, providing a new perspective on everyday objects. It encourages empathy and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy drawing and coloring, as well as those who appreciate a good laugh.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Early reader, Friendship
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of stories about the adventures and friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for developing readers with its simple language and endearing stories that teach lessons about friendship.
  • Perfect for: Beginning readers and children who appreciate stories about friendship and adventures.

Educational Age Appropriate Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children’s fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story captures a day in the life of a young boy named Peter as he experiences the joy of the first snowfall of the season in his city.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of seasons and weather, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the simple pleasures of childhood and the wonder of snow through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy seasonal stories and exploring the outdoors through the pages of a book.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet rhyme that sees all the letters of the alphabet racing each other up the coconut tree.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhyming skills, letter sequencing
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an energetic and rhythmic story that makes learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are learning the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, lively reads.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture book
  • Synopsis: The book follows a pigeon who dreams of driving a bus, trying to convince the reader to let him do so after the bus driver steps away.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasion techniques, understanding of rules and responsibilities
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s humorous and interactive, allowing children to make decisions and understand the consequences.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy interactive stories and those with a good sense of humor.

• 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, facing various challenges and learning important lessons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding consequences, problem-solving, and empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons through the adventurous misadventures of Peter, engaging children with its charming narrative and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animal stories and classic tales with moral lessons.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Cause and effect, Humor
  • Synopsis: This circular tale begins with a mouse receiving a cookie, which sets off a chain of events that leads right back to the beginning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of cause and effect, sequencing, prediction skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a playful and imaginative story that helps children understand the concept of consequences and predictions.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humorous twists and those learning to predict outcomes and understand sequencing.

Challenging Age Appropriate Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: This story is about Henry, a boy who loves books so much that he eats them, which leads to an unexpected problem when he finds he can no longer digest them properly.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces metaphorical thinking and abstract concepts, challenging young readers to think beyond literal meanings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages a love for books in a unique and humorous way, while also teaching important lessons about moderation and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy quirky stories and those beginning to explore deeper meanings in stories.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, he invents a monster called the Gruffalo, only to meet the real Gruffalo later on.
  • Why this book is challenging: The clever use of rhyme and rhythmic patterns along with a layered narrative structure introduces advanced literary devices to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that boosts imagination and teaches strategic thinking through the clever actions of the mouse.
  • Perfect for: Children who love engaging in fantastical adventures and learning through clever storytelling.

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Creativity
  • Synopsis: This book follows Vashti, a young girl who believes she cannot draw until her teacher encourages her to make a mark and see where it takes her.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of self-expression and the growth mindset, encouraging readers to think about how they can overcome self-doubt.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and confidence in personal abilities, inspiring children to explore their own forms of expression.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who needs encouragement to try new things and believe in themselves.

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
  • Genre(s): Animal fiction, Friendship
  • Synopsis: After being separated from her mother, a young fruit bat named Stellaluna is raised by birds but struggles to fit in due to her differences.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story explores themes of identity and adaptation through rich, descriptive language and complex emotional layers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values about acceptance and the beauty of being true to oneself, even when surrounded by differences.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal stories and those dealing with themes of fitting in and discovering one’s identity.

• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A boy finds a penguin at his doorstep and decides to help it find its way home, leading to an unexpected friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative deals with complex themes of loneliness and friendship wrapped in a simple yet profound storytelling style.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that highlights the value of compassion and helping others, illustrated through beautiful and engaging artwork.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate stories about friendship and adventures, and those who enjoy visually driven narratives.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to nurture a love for reading in your 6-year-old, incorporating some fun and age-appropriate reading exercises can really help. These exercises are designed to be engaging and beneficial, perfect for young readers. Let's dive in!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud with your child, taking turns page by page.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of sentence structure.
  • Tips: Pick books with exciting dialogues and characters to make it more engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Before reading, flip through the book and look at all the pictures, guessing what the story might be about.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell their version of the story based on the pictures.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Find objects around the house that start with the same letter/sound as the book title.
  • How it helps: Reinforces phonetic awareness and letter-sound associations.
  • Tips: Keep this activity playful and use it as a scavenger hunt game.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to rearrange pictures or sentences from the story in the correct order.
  • How it helps: Develops comprehension and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Start with simple stories and gradually increase complexity as your child gets better.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with costumes or puppets after reading it.
  • How it helps: Boosts understanding and retention of the story, and develops empathy.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing roles and deciding how the story unfolds in the play.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more fun but also enhance your child's reading skills significantly. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light, fun, and engaging to foster a lifelong love of reading. Happy reading!