10+ Best English Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect English reading books for 6-year-olds? Whether you're a parent aiming to nurture a love for reading in your child or a teacher looking for engaging stories to share in class, finding the right books can be a game changer. In this blog, we'll dive into a variety of captivating English reading books for 6-year-olds that are sure to spark imagination and joy. Keep reading to discover our top picks that young readers will absolutely love!

Fun English Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing children the power of their own minds. It's also great for discussing emotions and how to deal with them.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy vivid illustrations and wild stories.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Illustrator: Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book follows a newly hatched caterpillar as he eats his way through a wide variety of foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches days of the week, counting, and the process of metamorphosis in a simple and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Little learners who love colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character to convince him to try green eggs and ham, using a variety of scenarios and repetitive phrases.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text helps build phonics and reading skills, making it fun and educational.
  • Perfect for: Early readers who enjoy playful language and silly scenarios.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  • Illustrator: Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story
  • Synopsis: In this classic bedtime book, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the things in the room and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: It has a soothing, rhythmic text that helps calm children before bed and is perfect for establishing a bedtime routine.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a gentle wind-down at bedtime with comforting stories.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's orders and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing several challenges as he tries to escape.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons about the consequences of misbehavior and disobedience in a light and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and mischief.

Educational English Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
  • Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A playful story that sees the letters of the alphabet climb up a coconut tree, only to tumble down and be nursed back to health by their uppercase "parents."
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhyming skills, early reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun, rhythmic text with bold, colorful illustrations, making learning the alphabet an enjoyable experience.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are beginning to learn the alphabet.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
  • Illustrator: Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Cause and effect, Humorous
  • Synopsis: This circular tale starts with a mouse receiving a cookie, leading to a series of increasingly imaginative requests.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding cause and effect, predicting outcomes, sequence of events
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and delightful story that encourages prediction and teaches consequences in a light-hearted way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories with playful scenarios and those beginning to understand logical connections.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Illustrator: Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Persuasive
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, a pigeon makes every possible argument to persuade the reader to let him drive the bus.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasion skills, understanding of narrative voice, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages children directly, making them part of the story as they get to deny the pigeon's pleas, which is both fun and empowering.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive stories and those who like humor and engaging directly with characters.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Realistic fiction
  • Synopsis: The story captures a young boy named Peter exploring his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, understanding of seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder of a snowy day through the eyes of a child, with simple yet profound narrative and artwork.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy quiet adventures and exploring the world around them.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
  • Illustrator: Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern book, Animal recognition
  • Synopsis: A teacher and children explore the colors and creatures they see around them in a repetitive, rhythmic pattern.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color and animal recognition, rhythmic pattern recognition, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive phrasing and vibrant illustrations make it perfect for reading aloud and sharing with young children.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who are learning colors, animals, and enjoying rhythmic, repetitive texts.

Challenging English Reading Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: 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 vocabulary and themes of friendship, loss, and survival are more complex, introducing young readers to more sophisticated language and ideas.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches values such as friendship, loyalty, and the reality of life and death, all handled with care and thoughtfulness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready to explore deeper themes and enjoy stories that involve animals and friendships.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This classic novel follows the adventures of four animals—Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Toad—who live along a river in the English countryside. Their escapades are both humorous and moral, involving car chases, boat trips, and homes under siege.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of rich, descriptive language and the exploration of themes like friendship and morality make this book a challenging yet rewarding read for advanced readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with lessons about personal responsibility and the importance of friendship, all wrapped in beautiful, evocative prose.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories set in nature and those who are interested in character-driven narratives.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family in New York City. Despite his diminutive size, Stuart embarks on several adventures, including a quest to find his bird friend, Margalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The blending of fantasy elements with real-world settings challenges the reader's understanding of reality and fiction.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an imaginative tale that encourages readers to think creatively and to be open to the unexpected in life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in stories that blend the fantastical with the everyday and those who love adventure.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child unappreciated by her mundane and crude family. She develops telekinetic powers, which she uses to overcome obstacles, including her tyrannical school principal, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex character dynamics and a higher level of vocabulary that demands more advanced reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence, creativity, and the power of individuality, providing both humor and a satisfying sense of justice.
  • Perfect for: Intelligent young readers who appreciate humor and stories of triumph over adversity.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Illustrator: Sir John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows young Alice as she falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world. In Wonderland, she encounters various bizarre characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of language, logic, and mathematics in nonsensical ways provides a unique challenge that goes beyond simple narrative understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsical exploration of a nonsensical world that encourages imagination and critical thinking about the rules of logic and how they can be bent or broken.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young readers who enjoy puzzling through unusual stories and quirky characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

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

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Preview a book by discussing the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about what might happen next based on the pictures.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Find objects around the house that start with the same letter or sound.
  • How it helps: Reinforces phonics and initial sound recognition.
  • Tips: Turn it into a fun scavary hunt to keep them engaged.

• Storytelling Swap
  • What it is: Take turns telling parts of a story or making up your own.
  • How it helps: Boosts imagination and narrative skills.
  • Tips: Use a favorite book as a starting point and then let creativity take over.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and create rhymes from a book or independently.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and appreciation for language sounds.
  • Tips: Make a game of finding rhyming words during a car ride or while doing chores.

• Reading Buddy
  • What it is: Pair your child with an older sibling or yourself as a reading partner.
  • How it helps: Provides a model of fluent reading and makes the experience more social.
  • Tips: Encourage the reading buddy to ask questions about the story to deepen understanding.

These exercises are not just educational, but also a lot of fun! Incorporating them into your child's routine can help foster a lifelong love for reading. Remember, the key is consistency and making sure reading stays fun. Happy reading!