10+ Best Books for 6-Year-Old to Read Themselves w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect books for 6-year-olds to read themselves? Finding engaging and appropriate reading material for young readers can be a delightful challenge. Whether they're just starting out on their reading journey or ready to tackle new adventures solo, we've compiled a fantastic list of books that will captivate their imaginations and boost their reading confidence. Keep reading to discover our top picks for books that 6-year-olds can enjoy reading by themselves!

Fun Books for 6-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the protagonist to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with various dining partners.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text makes it easy for beginning readers to grasp and enjoy, while the whimsical plot keeps them engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to read independently and enjoy playful, repetitive stories.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of stories about the adventures and friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Why we recommend this book: The simple vocabulary and engaging stories are perfect for young readers, promoting themes of friendship and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to read on their own and enjoy stories about friendship.

• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mischievous cat visits two children, bringing chaos and fun to their home on a rainy day.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to rhymes and helps them develop phonemic awareness, which is crucial at this learning stage.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fun, imaginative stories and learning through playful rhymes.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max sails away to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who crown him as their king.
  • Why we recommend this book: The book encourages imagination and creativity, with rich illustrations and a captivating storyline that resonates with the themes of independence and emotion management.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy adventures and exploring imaginary worlds.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the eccentric Willy Wonka.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative setting and quirky characters, while also imparting lessons on good behavior and the consequences of greed.
  • Perfect for: Children who love magical adventures and stories with moral lessons.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he gets into trouble in Mr. McGregor's garden.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons through the adventures of Peter, with delightful illustrations and simple text suitable for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals and learning about right and wrong through storytelling.

Educational Books for 6-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of weather and seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a charming story that celebrates the simple joys of playing in the snow, with beautiful illustrations that capture the wonder of a snowy day.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy seasonal stories and exploring the outdoors through the eyes of a character.

• 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, but the reader is in charge of making sure the pigeon doesn't get its way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision making, understanding of rules and responsibilities
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and funny, encouraging children to participate in the story by saying "no" to the persistent pigeon.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive reading and are learning about responsibility and decision-making.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A boy named Duncan faces a dilemma when his crayons write him letters expressing their frustrations and quit.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, problem-solving, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique perspective by giving voices to inanimate objects, which helps children understand different viewpoints and encourages creative problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful, imaginative stories and learning about emotions and conflict resolution.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Alphabet Book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and chaos ensues as the tree becomes too crowded.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyming
  • Why we recommend this book: It's vibrant and rhythmic, making learning the alphabet fun and engaging with its catchy, repetitive phrases.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are beginning to learn the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic stories.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, overcoming various obstacles, in search of a bear.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, physical and emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages active participation through its repetitive and rhythmic narrative, and beautifully illustrates the spirit of adventure and overcoming challenges.
  • Perfect for: Children who love adventures and interactive storytelling.

Challenging Books for 6-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This story centers around Matilda, a brilliant and sensitive girl who uses her talents to overcome difficult family situations and an oppressive school environment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich vocabulary and complex characters that delve into themes of personal strength and justice, which are more sophisticated than typical books for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the power of intelligence and courage, inspiring young readers to believe in their own abilities to overcome challenges.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy stories of triumph and have a keen sense of justice.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: The novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte, who goes to great lengths to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces readers to complex themes such as friendship, loss, and the cycle of life, which are dealt with in a nuanced and profound way.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers emotional depth and ethical lessons that resonate with readers, encouraging empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are emotionally mature and enjoy deep, meaningful stories.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The book explores the adventures of a young girl named Sophie and her friend, the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), as they set out to stop the other giants from eating human children.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of imaginative language and Dahl's creative phrasing (like the BFG's unique way of speaking) provide a linguistic challenge that is uncommon in typical books for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination and enhances linguistic skills, while also teaching important values like kindness and courage.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young readers who delight in whimsical tales of friendship and adventure.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Stuart Little, a small mouse born into a human family, on his adventures in a human-sized world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features an elevated vocabulary and complex narrative structure that are more advanced than typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to think creatively and embrace differences, promoting a message of resilience and adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of adventure and characters who face their challenges head-on.

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story centers on James, an orphan who enters a gigantic, magical peach, and goes on a journey with several anthropomorphic insect friends.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces complex themes of fear, freedom, and self-discovery, combined with rich, descriptive language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastical tale that sparks imagination and teaches lessons about friendship, courage, and self-worth.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who enjoy exciting, imaginative journeys and stories about overcoming adversity.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop strong reading habits, incorporating some fun and engaging exercises can make a big difference. Here are a few exercises designed to make reading a regular and enjoyable part of their routine. Let's dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and discussing the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and context, making the story easier to understand.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You and your child take turns reading aloud from the book.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps them learn new words.
  • Tips: Encourage your child by showing excitement when it's their turn to read.

• Match the Word
  • What it is: Create flashcards with words from the book and match them with pictures or definitions.
  • How it helps: Enhances word recognition and vocabulary skills.
  • Tips: Keep the flashcards handy and practice for a few minutes each day.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Drawing or outlining the main events of the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and memory of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the book with costumes or props.
  • How it helps: Makes reading fun and enhances understanding through physical activity.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing scenes and characters to act out.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you not only make reading more fun but also enhance your child's literacy skills. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for reading that will last a lifetime. Happy reading!