10+ Best First Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Hey there! Are you on the hunt for the perfect first reading books for 5-year-olds? Choosing that first book can be a pivotal moment in sparking a lifelong love of reading. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or educator, finding the right stories can make all the difference. Keep reading as we dive into a variety of captivating first reading books for 5-year-olds that are sure to engage and inspire your little readers. Let’s get started and discover their next favorite book!

Fun First Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book features Sam-I-Am as he attempts to convince the narrator 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 young readers to grasp and remember, encouraging them to try new things.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just starting to read and those who enjoy playful, rhythmic stories.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, food, and life cycles in a simple, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love nature and learning about animal transformations.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max dresses in a wolf suit, causes mischief, is sent to bed without supper, and then journeys to an island inhabited by fierce creatures known as the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and understanding, all wrapped up in a beautifully illustrated adventure.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about adventures and fantastical creatures.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Cause and effect
  • Synopsis: The story describes a series of increasingly demanding requests made by a mouse after it is given a cookie.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's fun and engaging, teaching children about cause and effect in a humorous way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with a bit of silliness and a logical flow.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Rhyming book
  • Synopsis: This repetitive text book features a series of colorful animals and people, asking each one what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its predictable pattern and simple, bold illustrations help children anticipate and learn the text, making it a perfect first reader.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who are just beginning to recognize colors and words.

Educational First Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhythm and Rhyme
  • Synopsis: In this lively story, the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. As the tree becomes overloaded, the letters fall off and begin their adventure again.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm, and coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful text and vibrant illustrations to make learning the alphabet fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, lively stories.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Interactive
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, the pigeon makes several humorous attempts to get permission to drive the bus, despite the reader's likely objections.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Decision-making, reasoning, and persuasive skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive style engages young readers directly, encouraging them to participate in the story by saying "No" to the pigeon.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy interactive reading and those who love stories with humor and mischief.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season. He experiences the joy of playing in the snow, making tracks, and trying to save a snowball for the next day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, and seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy seasonal stories and learning about weather and nature.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to everything around: from the room's items to the stars and moon.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Routine building, calming techniques, and vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: Its gentle, poetic words and soothing rhythm help children wind down at bedtime.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who benefit from a bedtime routine and enjoy a peaceful storytime.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Family, Emotions
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love each other.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, bonding, and measurement concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the tender relationship between parent and child, with charming illustrations and a heartwarming narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents who enjoy sharing moments of love and affection through reading.

Challenging First Reading Books for 5-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: It deals with complex themes of friendship, loss, and survival, using a rich vocabulary that is more advanced than typical books for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully written story that not only improves vocabulary but also offers important life lessons about friendship and the value of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for more complex narratives and emotional depth in storytelling.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's warnings and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, only to face consequences as he tries to escape.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of old-fashioned, descriptive language and the implicit moral lessons challenge young readers to think critically about the story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to consequences of actions and decision-making, wrapped up in engaging, beautifully illustrated tales.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal stories and are beginning to explore more sophisticated themes.

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal story
  • Synopsis: After being separated from her mother, Stellaluna, a young fruit bat, is adopted by a family of birds but struggles to fit in due to her differences.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of identity and conformity through rich, complex narrative and vocabulary that goes beyond simple storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a touching narrative on friendship and acceptance of others’ differences, encouraging empathy and self-acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animal stories and are learning about embracing differences and finding one’s place in the world.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse uses clever tricks to evade danger while walking through the woods, inventing a monster called the Gruffalo... which he then unexpectedly meets.
  • Why this book is challenging: The strategic use of rhyme and rhythm paired with a plot that involves trickery and wit makes this book more advanced.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun and engaging story that promotes creativity and quick thinking.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with clever protagonists and those who appreciate the rhythmic, poetic storytelling style.

• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sylvester Duncan, a donkey, finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. However, a wish made in panic transforms him into a rock, leading to a series of unexpected challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses sophisticated language and explores deeper themes of desire, consequence, and family love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about appreciating what one has and the unintended consequences of one's actions.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy magical stories and learning life lessons through fiction.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Sure, let's dive into some great exercises to help your little one develop solid reading habits with their first books! These activities are designed to be fun and engaging while boosting their reading skills.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look through the pictures of a book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify objects in the book that start with a specific letter or sound.
  • How it helps: Reinforces phonemic awareness which is crucial for reading development.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are familiar to your child and progress to more challenging ones.

• Story Retell
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of the book’s illustrations to aid in recollection.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Find and discuss rhyming words within the book.
  • How it helps: Develops phonological awareness, a key component in learning to read.
  • Tips: Make a game out of finding rhymes, perhaps turning it into a rhyming treasure hunt.

• Letter Hunt
  • What it is: Search for and identify specific letters on a page.
  • How it helps: Helps with letter recognition and familiarity, which are the building blocks of reading.
  • Tips: Focus on letters in your child’s name or other familiar words to start.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading aloud with your child, or read together simultaneously.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary, fluency, and confidence in reading.
  • Tips: Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more engaging.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Pose questions about the story before, during, and after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and engagement with the text.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and open-ended to encourage discussion.

These exercises are not just educational, but also a great way to spend quality time with your child, fostering a love for books and reading. Remember, the goal is to make reading a fun and interactive experience that your child looks forward to. Enjoy exploring the world of books together!