10+ Best Learning to Read Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Hey there! Are you on the hunt for the perfect learning to read books for 6-year-olds? You're in the right place! Whether you're helping a little one who's just starting out or looking to encourage a budding reader, finding the right books can make all the difference. Keep reading as we dive into a variety of engaging and effective options that will transform reading from a task to a treat for your young reader. Let’s get started and discover the magic of reading together!

Fun Learning to Read Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Beginner Books
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows the unnamed character, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with a variety of dining partners.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and simple vocabulary is ideal for young readers, making it fun and easy to follow along.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful, repetitive texts.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, illustrated by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of stories detailing the adventures and friendship between a frog and a toad.
  • Why we recommend this book: The stories are short, engaging, and written with simple language, perfect for building confidence in new readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about friendship and adventures.

• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mischievous cat visits two children, Sally and her brother, on a rainy day, turning a dull day into a magical adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its imaginative plot and rhythmic, rhyming text captivate young readers and keep them engaged.
  • Perfect for: Children who love whimsical stories and learning through playful rhymes.

• Henry and Mudge: The First Book by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Suçie Stevenson
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Series
  • Synopsis: This is the first book in a series about a young boy named Henry and his dog Mudge and their everyday adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: The text is easy to read and the stories about Henry and Mudge provide a sense of warmth and security.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and stories about friendship.

• Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond, illustrated by Diane deGroat
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Animals
  • Synopsis: Charlie is a basset hound who lives on a ranch and thinks he's in charge of everything, although his lazy nature says otherwise.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and simple text, making it enjoyable for children to read and relate to the characters.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy funny stories and have a love for dogs.

Educational Learning to Read Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: The story follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, days of the week, food names, and the life cycle of a butterfly
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful illustrations with educational themes, making learning fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are beginning to learn numbers and natural science concepts.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max dresses in a wolf suit, causes mischief, and is sent to bed without supper. He then embarks on a journey to the land of the Wild Things, where he becomes their king.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, emotions, and creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to explore their feelings and the boundaries of their imagination in a safe and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy adventures and exploring emotional growth through storytelling.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Bedtime story
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to everything around it in a great green room.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary related to household items, rhyming skills, and bedtime routines
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing, rhythmic text helps wind down the day, making it perfect for bedtime reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a gentle story to help them relax at bedtime.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Alphabet book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and then tumble down, creating a delightful, rhythmic story.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm, and rhyming
  • Why we recommend this book: Its lively, rhythmic text and bold colorful illustrations make learning the alphabet exciting and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are just starting to learn the alphabet.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Pattern book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colored animals including a red bird, yellow duck, and green frog, are asked what they see, creating a repetitive and rhythmic pattern.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color and animal recognition, sequencing, and rhythm
  • Why we recommend this book: Its predictable pattern and simple repetitive text help children anticipate what comes next, aiding in learning and retention.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning through repetition.

Challenging Learning to Read Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children'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 introduces themes of friendship, loss, and mortality, which are profound and complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written story that combines warmth, sophisticated language, and timeless themes, offering both emotional and educational growth.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready to explore deeper themes in literature and enjoy stories about animals.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This story revolves around Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It follows his adventures as he navigates a world filled with dungeons, an evil rat, and a servant girl who wishes for a different life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a sophisticated narrative style and vocabulary, and it weaves together multiple storylines, which require higher comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to dream big and be brave, and it teaches important life lessons through its rich, multi-layered narrative.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy intricate plots and fairy tale adventures.

• Stuart Little by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Stuart Little, a small, intelligent mouse born into a human family in New York City. The story details his adventures and challenges as he searches for his friend, a bird named Margalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features a blend of fantasy and reality that can be conceptually challenging, along with a higher level of vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a tale of adventure and courage, teaching children about resilience and the importance of family.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories featuring animals and adventures that stretch their imagination.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong, and fiercely independent young girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey. The book captures her adventures and misadventures with her neighbors, Tommy and Annika.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional lifestyle and the book's humorous, nuanced exploration of independence and societal norms present complex themes for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes themes of independence and confidence, showing children that it's okay to be different and to stand up for oneself.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter-filled adventures and strong, quirky characters.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a previously unloved and spoiled child, is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy mansion in Yorkshire. There, she discovers a neglected garden and, along with her cousin Colin and new friend Dickon, brings it back to life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure, language style, and historical setting require advanced reading skills and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a transformative story that explores themes of healing and friendship through the beauty of nature.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are interested in stories about personal growth and the redemptive power of nature.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop good reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here are some engaging exercises that not only make reading fun but also enhance their reading skills. Let's dive in!

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Create a story based on a sequence of pictures.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps in understanding narrative structure.
  • Tips: Let them narrate the story to you as they see it, without correcting them immediately.

• Match the Word
  • What it is: Match written words to corresponding pictures.
  • How it helps: Enhances word recognition and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Start with simple words that describe the pictures clearly.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Parents and children take turns reading a book aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and fluency.
  • Tips: Encourage them by showing excitement in your voice and expressions.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and create rhymes for different words.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and enjoyment of language sounds.
  • Tips: Make it a playful activity by singing the rhymes or turning them into a small song.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the events of a story.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall of story details.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

• Flashcard Fun
  • What it is: Use flashcards with words or phrases for quick identification.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and quick recognition of words.
  • Tips: Keep the sessions short and playful to maintain their interest.

• Book-Based Charades
  • What it is: Act out different scenes or characters from a book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of characters and plots.
  • Tips: Choose their favorite books to keep them engaged and enthusiastic.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily or weekly reading routine can make a significant difference in your child’s reading journey. They're designed to be fun and educational, ensuring that your little one enjoys every step of learning to read. Happy reading!