Books Lists
10+ Best Books for 6-Year-Old to Read By Themselves w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 6-year-olds to read by themselves? Finding engaging and age-appropriate reading material can be a game-changer for your budding reader's confidence and skills. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or educator, you'll want to stick around as we dive into a variety of captivating books that are just right for six-year-olds to tackle on their own. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will not only entertain but also foster a love of reading in your young reader.
Table of Contents
Fun Books for 6-Year-Old to Read By Themselves
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: This beloved book features Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince his friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with a host of colorful characters.
- Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhymic text makes it ideal for young readers to practice their reading skills while being thoroughly entertained.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful language and vibrant illustrations.
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Short Stories
- Synopsis: This collection of stories details the adventures and friendship between Frog and Toad, exploring themes of loyalty, friendship, and the simplicity of life's joys.
- Why we recommend this book: The simple text and engaging stories are perfect for new readers, and the themes of friendship are relatable to children.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read independently and enjoy stories about friendship.
- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: The story follows the adventures of a mischievous cat who turns a dull, rainy afternoon into a magical and just-messy-enough adventure for two children.
- Why we recommend this book: Its imaginative narrative and rhythmic, catchy phrases help build young readers' confidence.
- Perfect for: Children who love fun, mischief, and imaginative stories.
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A young boy named Max sails away to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, creatures who crown him as their king.
- Why we recommend this book: It explores emotions and creativity, encouraging children to explore their feelings and the limits of their imagination.
- Perfect for: Kids with a wild imagination and a love for adventures.
- Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond, illustrated by Diane deGroat
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Animals
- Synopsis: Charlie is a basset hound who lives on a ranch and thinks he's in charge of daily operations, but in reality, he's mostly interested in food and naps.
- Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and heart, teaching lessons about responsibility in a light-hearted way.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and tales of countryside adventures.
Educational Books for 6-Year-Old to Read By Themselves
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Animals
- Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden and finds himself in all sorts of trouble.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding consequences, problem-solving, and animal behavior
- Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful storytelling with important lessons about curiosity and obedience.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and outdoor adventures.
- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, and when the bus driver takes a break, the pigeon tries to convince the reader to let him drive.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasion skills, understanding of rules, and interactive reading
- Why we recommend this book: Its interactive style engages children directly, making them part of the story as they decide the outcome.
- Perfect for: Kids who love to laugh and interact with the story they’re reading.
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Pattern Books
- Synopsis: A teacher and various colorful animals, including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish, are asked what they see, introducing children to different animals and colors.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, animal identification, and rhythmic pattern recognition
- Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, predictable pattern supports early reading skills, and Eric Carle's illustrations captivate young minds.
- Perfect for: Young children who are just starting to recognize words and colors.
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Alphabet Book
- Synopsis: The lowercase letters of the alphabet climb up a coconut tree, leading to a chaotic and fun-filled adventure.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, phonics, and early literacy
- Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic and lively text makes learning the alphabet an exciting and memorable experience.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners learning the alphabet.
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Cause and Effect
- Synopsis: A boy gives a cookie to a demanding mouse, setting off a chain of events that leads from one activity to another.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding cause and effect, sequencing, and prediction skills
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches logical connections and consequences through a humorous and engaging story.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories that involve a series of funny events.
Challenging Books for 6-Year-Old to Read By Themselves
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
- Synopsis: Matilda Wormwood is a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and telekinetic powers who uses her abilities to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal.
- Why this book is challenging: The book features rich vocabulary and complex character dynamics that are more advanced than typical books for this age group.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of reading and the resilience of children, inspiring young readers to believe in their own abilities.
- Perfect for: Gifted children and young readers who enjoy stories about triumph over adversity.
- Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
- Genre(s): Fiction, Classics
- Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte, who crafts words into her web to save her friend from being slaughtered.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of friendship, loss, and mortality, presented through sophisticated language and emotional depth.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as compassion, selflessness, and the impact of kindness.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are emotionally mature and enjoy heartwarming stories of friendship and sacrifice.
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: This classic novel details the adventures of anthropomorphic animals such as Mole, Rat, and Toad in the English countryside, blending adventure with poignant reflections on nature and friendship.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative uses elevated language and a leisurely storytelling pace that requires sustained attention and comprehension.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a blend of exciting adventures and thoughtful quiet moments, encouraging appreciation for both action and reflection.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy nature, tales of friendship, and classic literature.
- Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family, embarks on a series of adventures, including a perilous journey in search of his lost friend, a bird.
- Why this book is challenging: The story blends realistic and fantasy elements, requiring readers to navigate and reconcile these different aspects.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a tale of courage and determination that encourages readers to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.
- Perfect for: Adventurous young readers who enjoy stories about quests and overcoming challenges.
- Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
- Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and bucking conventional norms and expectations.
- Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional adventures and the book's humorous, nuanced take on societal norms offer a deeper level of meaning for advanced readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes independence, imagination, and the questioning of societal rules, wrapped up in a fun and engaging narrative.
- Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate humor and tales of independence and adventure.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop great reading habits, here are some fun and engaging exercises that they can do on their own. Not only will these activities keep them interested, but they'll also enhance their reading skills. Let's dive in!
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Flipping through the book and discussing the pictures before reading.
- How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
- Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.
- Magic Words
- What it is: Identify and write down new or interesting words found in a book.
- How it helps: Expands vocabulary and aids in word recognition.
- Tips: Encourage your child to use these new words in sentences throughout the day.
- Read Aloud to Toys
- What it is: Reading stories aloud to their favorite toys.
- How it helps: Improves fluency and expressive reading.
- Tips: Create a special reading space with a 'toy audience' to make it more exciting.
- Story Map
- What it is: Drawing or mapping out the main events of the story after reading.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall.
- Tips: Use simple symbols or pictures to represent different parts of the story.
- Rhyme Time
- What it is: Finding and listing words that rhyme within the book.
- How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
- Tips: Turn it into a fun game by seeing how many rhymes can be found in a single page or chapter.
- Book Review Stars
- What it is: Rating the book after reading by giving it 1 to 5 stars.
- How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and opinion formation.
- Tips: Discuss why they chose that rating, focusing on what they liked or didn't like about the story.
These exercises are not only helpful but also a lot of fun! They're designed to be engaging and to foster a love for reading in your young one. By integrating these activities into their reading routine, your child will not only improve their reading skills but also look forward to their reading time every day. Happy reading!