10+ Best Julia Donaldson Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect read to captivate your little one? Dive into the magical world of Julia Donaldson books for 6-year-olds! Whether it's whimsical tales that spark the imagination or adventures that keep them on the edge of their seat, Julia Donaldson's enchanting stories are just the ticket. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Julia Donaldson books that are sure to delight any 6-year-old reader. Ready to explore? Let's get started!

Fun Julia Donaldson Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the myth of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to fend off predators, only to encounter the mythical beast itself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that encourages creativity and quick thinking. The rhythmic, repetitive text makes it a joy to read aloud.
  • Perfect for: Children who love mythical creatures and adventurous tales.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the chagrin of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes themes of friendship and cooperation, and the rhyming text helps develop phonemic awareness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about teamwork and magical adventures.

• Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Stick Man faces a series of perilous adventures as he tries to get back to his family tree, encountering various challenges along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story about perseverance and the importance of family. The repetitive and rhythmic phrases make it engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy root-for-the-hero adventures and heartwarming family stories.

• The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Travel
  • Synopsis: A tiny snail with an itchy foot joins a humpback whale on a journey around the world, facing immense challenges together.
  • Why we recommend this book: This story illustrates the value of curiosity and bravery, and shows how even the smallest creature can make a big difference.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who are curious about the world and the creatures in it.

• Zog by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Education
  • Synopsis: Zog, a keen but accident-prone dragon, learns flying, roaring, and breathing fire at Dragon School. He strives to win a gold star and finds unexpected friendship.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of persistence in learning new skills. The engaging narrative and vibrant illustrations keep readers entertained.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring learners and young dreamers who enjoy tales of growth and friendship.

Educational Julia Donaldson Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Social Skills
  • Synopsis: George the giant embarks on a journey to transform himself into the smartest giant in town, but along the way, he encounters various animals in need and decides to help them with his new clothes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, sharing, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that teaches the value of kindness and generosity over appearances.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about kindness and making friends.

• The Detective Dog by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Nell, the Detective Dog, uses her keen sense of smell to help find lost or missing items, including solving the mystery of the missing books from school.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, teamwork, observational skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and deduction skills, wrapped up in a fun and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and any child who loves a good mystery.

• A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Rhyme, Fiction
  • Synopsis: An old woman thinks her house is too small, so she seeks advice from a wise old man. His unusual advice causes her to realize that her house is not as cramped as she initially thought.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spatial awareness, gratitude, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, rhythmic story that teaches children to appreciate what they have.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about appreciation and those who enjoy rhythmic, repetitive texts.

• Tiddler: The Story-Telling Fish by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Tiddler is a small fish with a big imagination, and every day he tells a tall tale. But when he gets caught in a net, his stories help him find his way back home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, storytelling, punctuality
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of creativity and storytelling, and it's packed with fun and adventure.
  • Perfect for: Little storytellers and any child who loves undersea adventures.

• The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
  • Genre(s): Family, Memory
  • Synopsis: A little girl and her paper dolls go on a fantastical adventure through the house and beyond, facing challenges and making memories.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Memory, creativity, emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that deals with loss and the enduring power of memory, told through a simple yet profound narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children dealing with loss and those who enjoy imaginative play.

Challenging Julia Donaldson Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A greedy rat who steals food from other animals meets his match when he tries to take advantage of a clever duck.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story features rich vocabulary and a narrative structure that introduces themes of justice and redemption, which are complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about the consequences of greed and the virtues of fairness, wrapped in engaging rhymes and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with moral lessons and rhythmic, poetic texts.

• The Further Adventures of The Owl and the Pussy-cat by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Charlotte Voake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This sequel to Edward Lear's classic takes the beloved characters on a new adventure to find the stolen ring of the Bong-tree land.
  • Why this book is challenging: It employs lyrical language and sophisticated poetic forms, challenging young readers to explore more complex literary devices.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands imagination and introduces children to sequel storytelling and poetry, enhancing their literary appreciation.
  • Perfect for: Young poets and dreamers who enjoy whimsical tales and continuation of classic stories.

• The Giants and the Joneses by Julia Donaldson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three children climb up a beanstalk and find themselves in a land of giants where they must navigate their way through giant adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a constructed language, Groilish, which requires children to engage with and decode new vocabulary, enhancing their linguistic skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that promotes problem-solving and creativity, along with introducing a rudimentary second language.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who enjoy puzzles and learning new languages.

• The What the Ladybird Heard Next by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Lydia Monks
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Farm Life
  • Synopsis: Following the original story, the ladybird hears a new plot to steal the farmer's fine prize cow, and she again needs to come up with a plan to save the day.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book continues the use of rhyme and also incorporates sound play and repetition, which are key elements in developing advanced reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages strategic thinking and teamwork, as well as the enjoyment of a recurring character solving new challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young strategists and fans of animal adventures and clever plots.

• The Troll by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A troll whose life under a bridge is less than satisfactory finds himself on a pirate ship. The story combines two popular folklore and children's story themes: trolls and pirates.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure that flips between troll and pirate perspectives offers a complex viewpoint that can challenge young readers to think about stories from multiple angles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and engaging story that encourages flexibility in thinking and enjoyment of mixed narrative genres.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love tales of mischief and unusual friendships, and those who enjoy stories that twist traditional folklore.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring the charming world of Julia Donaldson books with your 6-year-old, you're in for a treat. To make the most of these reading sessions and develop good reading habits, here are some fun and effective exercises you can try together. These activities are not only enjoyable but also beneficial in boosting comprehension and engagement.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or sentences from a Julia Donaldson book.
  • How it helps: Enhances pronunciation skills and builds confidence in reading out loud.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading session more fun and engaging.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using dialogues of favorite characters.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of the story and characters, and enhances empathy.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting and memorable.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Rearrange story cards or pictures in the order they appear in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the sequence of events and logical thinking.
  • Tips: Start with fewer cards and gradually increase as your child gets better at sequencing.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book, looking at the pictures and predicting the story before reading.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and sets the stage for context before reading.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about what they see and think might happen next.

• Word Hunt
  • What it is: Find new or interesting words in the book and make a list.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of word usage.
  • Tips: Use each new word in a sentence to better grasp its meaning and usage.

• Question and Answer Game
  • What it is: After reading, ask each other questions about the story.
  • How it helps: Improves recall and comprehension.
  • Tips: Include questions of varying difficulty, and perhaps offer small rewards for correct answers.

• Creative Drawing
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book based on the child's imagination.
  • How it helps: Encourages creative expression and helps solidify memory of the story.
  • Tips: Display the artwork around the house to keep the stories alive and appreciated.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make the experience more interactive but also deepen your child's love for reading. Julia Donaldson's books, with their rhythmic texts and imaginative stories, provide a perfect foundation for these activities. Enjoy your reading adventures!