10+ Best Children's Books for 6-8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for your little one? Dive into our latest blog where we explore a variety of delightful children's books for 6-8-year-olds. Whether you’re looking to ignite a love for reading or find a new bedtime favorite, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover our handpicked selections that are sure to captivate and inspire young minds!

Fun Children's Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the reality of death in a gentle manner that is accessible to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers dealing with the concept of loss for the first time.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie teams up with the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) to stop other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its imaginative storytelling and creative language make reading both fun and engaging, encouraging a love for reading and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy magical adventures and quirky characters.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a bright young girl who uses her wit and telekinetic powers to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and resilience, inspiring readers to believe in their own power to overcome challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or underappreciated and enjoy stories of triumph over adversity.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Siblings Jack and Annie discover a tree house filled with books that transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book combines fun, adventure, and educational elements that engage children’s curiosity about history and science.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers and any child who dreams of time travel and magical adventures.

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Humor
  • Synopsis: A collection of humorous and imaginative poems that explore various themes through quirky and whimsical illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to poetry in a fun and accessible way, sparking creativity and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a love for silly stories and playful language.

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, illustrated by Pauline Baynes
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Four siblings enter a magical world called Narnia, where they battle the evil White Witch with the help of Aslan, a noble lion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a captivating escape with strong moral lessons and introduces themes of bravery and loyalty.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and fans of epic battles between good and evil.

Educational Children's Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Science, Children’s Literature
  • Synopsis: 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, critical thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance, especially in science, and illustrates the importance of asking questions.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any child with a curious mind and a love for discovery.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is worried that American kids will not like her name, so she decides to choose a new one. Her classmates come to appreciate her real name and its unique significance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, social skills, self-acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the value of cultural diversity and the importance of being true to oneself.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring their own identity and those learning to appreciate the diversity of their peers.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A young girl, referred to simply as “the girl,” sets out to make the most magnificent thing with her assistant, her dog. Despite several failed attempts, she learns the value of perseverance and creativity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, resilience, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a wonderful story about the rewards of not giving up despite facing challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who might occasionally find themselves frustrated by the creative process.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Science, Children’s Literature
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. Afraid of failure, she hides her inventions until she learns that you can only fail if you quit.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering principles, creativity, overcoming fear of failure
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages innovation and teaches that each failure is a step closer to success.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring engineers and any child who needs encouragement to try, fail, and try again.

• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: The story of Alice Rumphius, who seeks to make the world a more beautiful place by planting lupines all around her town.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, social responsibility
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to think about how they can contribute positively to the world.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and anyone who enjoys beautiful stories with a strong message about personal legacy and nature conservation.

Challenging Children's Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with oversized ears, who loves music and reading, but is banished from his mouse colony. He goes on an adventure in a castle where he must save a princess.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes complex themes such as bravery, forgiveness, and light versus darkness, which are woven through multiple storylines.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages deep thinking and empathy, presenting a tale where characters overcome fears and societal expectations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and stories of unlikely heroes.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Milo, a bored young boy, receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and philosophical insights.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is rich in wordplay, puns, and abstract concepts that challenge readers to think critically about language and meaning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and intellectual curiosity, making it a delightful read that encourages a deeper understanding of language and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Children who love puzzles, word games, and thinking outside the box.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom. The story explores themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative delves into profound philosophical questions about life and human nature that can provoke deep thought and discussion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers timeless wisdom through the simple yet profound observations of the little prince, making it a must-read for its depth and simplicity.
  • Perfect for: Young philosophers and thinkers, and anyone who appreciates stories that ask big questions about life.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she meets peculiar creatures and experiences bizarre adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book plays with logic and absurdity in a way that encourages readers to think critically and creatively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsical adventure that stimulates the imagination with its clever wordplay and fantastical plot.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and anyone who enjoys a story that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family, navigates the challenges of being small in a big world as he embarks on adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The blend of fantasy elements with real-world issues provides a platform for readers to explore and question identity and belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor and adventure, making it engaging while also offering insights into resilience and the pursuit of one's dreams.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous spirits and those who enjoy stories about overcoming obstacles and finding one's place in the world.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-8-year-old develop some stellar reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises designed to make reading a regular and enjoyable part of their routine. Let's dive in!

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, cozy corner dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a positive association with reading and provides a distraction-free environment.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Book Bingo
  • What it is: Make or print a bingo card with different types of books or reading-related activities.
  • How it helps: Encourages children to read a variety of books and complete reading challenges.
  • Tips: Offer a small reward for completing a row or the entire card to keep motivation high.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Pause while reading and ask your child to predict what happens next in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension skills and engages their imagination.
  • Tips: Discuss their predictions and the actual outcomes to encourage critical thinking.

• Reading Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud together each day.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and pronunciation skills.
  • Tips: Alternate who reads each page to keep it interactive and fun.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Dress up and act out scenes from the book as the characters.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the story and characters, making reading more memorable.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more engaging.

• Design a Book Cover
  • What it is: Have your child design a new cover for a book they have read.
  • How it helps: Encourages artistic expression and helps them think about the main themes of the story.
  • Thanks: Display their artwork at home to show how much you value their effort and creativity.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, integral part of your child's daily life. Give them a try and watch as your little reader grows not just in their ability to read, but in their love for it as well. Happy reading!