10+ Best Harry Potter Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Harry Potter books for 5-year-olds? Whether you're eager to introduce your little ones to the magical world of Hogwarts or looking for a way to spark their imagination, you've come to the right place! In this blog, we'll explore a variety of Harry Potter books that are just right for young readers. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to enchant and entertain your budding wizard or witch!

Fun Harry Potter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Harry Potter: A Magical Year, The Illustrations of Jim Kay by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This book takes readers through a year in the wizarding world, highlighting magical scenes and characters from the Harry Potter series with beautiful illustrations for each day.
  • Why we recommend this book: The book is visually stunning and helps young readers connect with the story through vivid artwork, making the magical world more accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy visual storytelling and fans of the Harry Potter universe.

• The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by J.K. Rowling
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tales
  • Synopsis: A collection of fairy tales set in the wizarding world, featuring magical creatures and moral lessons, framed as stories that wizarding children would grow up hearing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces younger readers to the concept of storytelling with a magical twist, enhancing their imagination and understanding of moral themes.
  • Perfect for: Children who love fairy tales and are just starting to explore the world of fantasy.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The first book in the Harry Potter series, introducing Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
  • Why we recommend this book: The illustrated edition brings the story to life with beautiful images, making the narrative more engaging and easier for young children to follow.
  • Perfect for: New readers who are beginning their journey into the Harry Potter series and enjoy illustrated books.

Educational Harry Potter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Diagon Alley and Beyond by Matthew Reinhart
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Pop-up Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive pop-up book allows young readers to explore the magical world of Diagon Alley, featuring intricate pop-up creations of various shops and other locations from the Harry Potter series.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spatial thinking, fine motor skills, and understanding of the Harry Potter universe.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hands-on, engaging way for children to discover the magical shops and settings of Harry Potter, enhancing their interaction with the magical world.
  • Perfect for: Young fans of Harry Potter who enjoy interactive and tactile books.

• Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic by British Library
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, History
  • Synopsis: This book explores the history of magic in the context of the Harry Potter universe, including historical artifacts, manuscripts, and magical myths.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, reading comprehension, and connection to mythical and magical elements.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides educational content in an exciting format, linking real-world history and mythology with the fictional elements of Harry Potter.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds interested in both the real history of magic and its fictional representation in Harry Potter.

Challenging Harry Potter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In the second book of the Harry Potter series, Harry returns to Hogwarts despite warnings from a strange creature named Dobby. He encounters the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, which has been opened to threaten the school with dark forces.
  • Why this book is challenging: The plot is complex involving multiple characters and a deeper exploration into the magical world, which includes darker themes and more advanced language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It builds on the foundations laid in the first book, expanding a young reader's vocabulary and understanding of narrative structure. The illustrations help to visualize the expanding world.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoyed the first book and are ready for a slightly more challenging read.

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: This third installment follows Harry as he learns about Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner from Azkaban believed to be after him. The book introduces complex new elements like time travel and deeper backstories.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces more complex themes and a non-linear storyline that can be challenging to understand for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and comprehension skills through its intricate plot and character development. The illustrations enhance understanding and engagement.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who are looking for a gripping story with more complex themes and plots.

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
  • Synopsis: Harry is mysteriously entered into the Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous contest reserved for wizards over the age of seventeen. He must face deadly tasks, dragons, and dark wizards.
  • Why this book is challenging: It's a longer story with a more intricate plot, including a broader cast of characters and more intense themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a rich, immersive experience in the magical world with complex conflicts and moral questions, which helps in developing a deeper understanding and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young readers ready for more detailed and lengthy narratives that challenge their reading stamina and comprehension skills.

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Political
  • Synopsis: As Harry grows older, he faces an even darker turn of events. The Ministry of Magic denies the return of Lord Voldemort, and Harry forms Dumbledore’s Army to prepare his peers for the coming battle.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book introduces complex political themes and deeper character development, along with a significant increase in length and depth of narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges young readers to think about issues of authority, truth, and resistance, fostering critical thinking and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are developing a deeper interest in the series and are capable of handling more complex issues and longer stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 5-year-old to the magical world of Harry Potter, you're in for a treat! Reading can be a fantastic journey, especially with such engaging stories. To make this experience enriching and to develop good reading habits early on, here are some fun exercises you can try together:

• Picture Storytelling
  • What it is: Look at pictures from the Harry Potter books and tell a story.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and helps in understanding the context without needing to read the text.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make the storytelling interactive.

• Character Match
  • What it is: Match characters' names with their descriptions or actions.
  • How it helps: Helps in recognizing characters and remembering their traits and roles.
  • Tips: Use flashcards with characters' names on one and descriptions or pictures on the other.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a page or a paragraph aloud, then have your child repeat after you.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps them learn new words.
  • Tips: Emphasize the pronunciation of new or difficult words, and pause to explain their meanings.

• Simple Word Hunts
  • What it is: Find simple words from the book that your child can recognize.
  • How it helps: Enhances word recognition and builds vocabulary.
  • Tips: Start with very simple words and gradually introduce new, slightly more challenging words.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the books using simple dialogues.
  • How it helps: Encourages interactive engagement with the text and helps in understanding the story better.
  • Tips: Use props like a wand or a hat to make the role play more exciting and relatable.

• Book-Based Drawing
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters based on the description in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with visual memory and understanding descriptive text.
  • Tips: Read a short passage from the book and then ask your child to draw what they imagine.

These exercises are not just educational, but also a lot of fun! They can help your little one dive into the world of books with enthusiasm and curiosity. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and enjoyable, so your child grows to love reading and storytelling. Happy reading!