10+ Best Classic Books for 5-6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for timeless stories that will captivate your little one's imagination? Dive into our curated selection of classic books for 5-6-year-olds, perfect for sharing those magical reading moments. Whether it's bedtime stories or afternoon reading sessions, these classics have charmed generations and continue to win the hearts of young readers. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to become beloved additions to your child’s library!

Fun Classic Books for 5-6-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in his wolf costume, creates mischief of one kind and another and is sent to bed without his supper. He then travels to the land of the Wild Things where he becomes their king.
  • Why we recommend this book: It unleashes the imagination and explores themes of anger and redemption in a way that is both understandable and captivating to young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy adventures and have a wild imagination.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Animals, Classic
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's orders and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of exciting and dangerous adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about obedience and the consequences of one's actions, all wrapped up in a charming and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and outdoor explorations.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny saying goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and calming pictures make it an ideal bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy soothing, repetitive texts to help them relax before bedtime.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This is the story of a newly hatched caterpillar eating his way through a wide variety of food before pupating and emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a simple and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are curious about nature and enjoy colorful illustrations.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Classic
  • Synopsis: Madeline is a fearless little girl who lives in a boarding school in Paris, and the story details her adventures from dealing with appendicitis to bravely saving her friends.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates bravery and independence, showcasing a strong female protagonist in a series of delightful escapades.
  • Perfect for: Young girls and boys who appreciate stories of adventure and resilience.

Educational Classic Books for 5-6-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Rhyming, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story features Sam-I-Am, who persistently asks his unnamed friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with various dining partners.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, vocabulary expansion, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about persistence and the benefits of trying new things, all wrapped in fun rhymes and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful language and whimsical stories.

• Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Corduroy is a teddy bear who lives in a department store and goes on a nighttime adventure to find his missing button, hoping to find a home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, emotional development
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that teaches the values of perseverance and hope, along with the importance of a loving home.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories about toys and adventures.

• Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Animals
  • Synopsis: This book introduces Curious George, a mischievous monkey, and his adventures after being brought from his home in Africa to the big city by The Man with the Yellow Hat.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Curiosity, exploration, consequences of actions
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and learning through exploration, while also teaching about the consequences of mischievous behavior.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who are full of curiosity and enjoy animal characters.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Friendship, Beginner readers
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of stories about the adventures and deep friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading skills, understanding of friendship dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the ups and downs of friendship through simple, engaging stories that also help build early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are starting to read independently and value friendships.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Weather
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season, experiencing the joy and wonder of a snowy day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observational skills, understanding of weather
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day, encouraging children to explore and appreciate the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love playing in the snow or are fascinated by weather patterns.

Challenging Classic Books for 5-6-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur in her web to persuade the farmer to let him live.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with themes of friendship, loss, and survival, which are profound and thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches values of friendship, compassion, and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about animals and those dealing with complex emotions.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: The story follows Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family in New York City. He has various adventures, including a quest to find his bird friend, Margalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel features rich language and a mix of realistic and fantasy elements that challenge young readers to expand their imaginations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages adventure and shows that being small doesn't limit one's abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love adventure and exploring different perspectives.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong, and free-spirited girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey. The book recounts her adventures with her neighbors Tommy and Annika.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional lifestyle and the imaginative adventures present unique themes and vocabulary that are more complex than typical children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes independence, strength, and the importance of having fun.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about unconventional characters and those who question societal norms.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale features a young prince who travels from planet to planet, learning life lessons from the inhabitants he meets along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The philosophical elements and abstract concepts presented through the prince's adventures offer a deeper level of thinking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of love, loss, and human nature in a way that resonates with readers of all ages, encouraging deep thought and reflection.
  • Perfect for: Young thinkers and dreamers who enjoy deep stories with meaningful lessons.

• 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 encounters various magical creatures and embarks on a series of surreal and often nonsensical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of logic and language in Alice's encounters challenges young readers' understanding and interpretation of narrative norms.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination and encourages creativity and problem-solving through its complex wordplay and whimsical characters.
  • Perfect for: Children who love puzzles, wordplay, and imaginative worlds.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing classic books to young children can be a magical experience, setting the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. To enhance this journey, here are some engaging exercises designed to develop good reading habits in 5-6-year-olds. Each activity is simple, fun, and tailored to help little ones connect with the stories and characters they're beginning to discover.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading stories aloud to your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances listening skills, vocabulary, and comprehension.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading more engaging.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Look through the pictures of a book before reading to guess the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to stimulate your child’s thought process.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of a character.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of the story and character empathy.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting and memorable.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the story’s main events together.
  • How it helps: Helps with sequence understanding and memory.
  • Tips: Use drawings or cut-outs to visually represent different parts of the story.

• Word Hunt
  • What it is: Find new words in the book and look up their meanings together.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and dictionary skills.
  • Tips: Keep a special notebook for new words and their meanings.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Use a chart to track the books your child finishes.
  • How it helps: Encourages reading and gives a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards for completing a row or column in the chart.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only help your child develop essential reading skills but also create memorable moments together. These activities are designed to be flexible and fun, so feel free to adapt them to your child's interests and pace. Happy reading!