10+ Best Must Read Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories or engaging reads that will capture your little one's imagination? Look no further! Our carefully curated list of must-read books for 5-year-olds is packed with charming tales that are just right for their age. Whether you're looking to stock up your child's bookshelf or find that special book that sparks a love for reading, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks in the must-read books for 5-year-olds that promise to delight and educate in equal measure!

Fun Must Read Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by 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. His bedroom transforms into a magical forest where he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and emotions, encouraging children to explore their imagination and learn about managing feelings.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love letting their imaginations run wild and enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy.

• 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's great for teaching days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in vibrant, engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy learning about nature and those who appreciate colorful artwork.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character throughout the book, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhymical text makes it an ideal read for early readers, helping to build phonemic awareness and fluency.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful, repetitive texts.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Picture book
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a calming bedtime story with rhythmic text and gentle illustrations, perfect for settling down at night.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy soothing read-alouds to wind down their day.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern book, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colored animals are sequentially asked what they see, introducing young readers to colors and prediction skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive structure and colorful illustrations make it engaging and educational for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning colors and enjoy animal characters.

Educational Must Read Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: In this lively story, the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? As the tree bends and the letters tumble, children follow the chaotic fun.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyming, early literacy skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a rhythmic, joyful read that playfully introduces the alphabet in a memorable and entertaining way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy vibrant, dynamic illustrations.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Cause and effect, Humorous
  • Synopsis: This circular tale begins with a boy giving a mouse a cookie, which leads to a series of increasingly elaborate requests from the mouse, showcasing a fun and humorous cause-and-effect scenario.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, prediction, understanding cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It demonstrates the consequences of actions in a funny and relatable way, which can help children think about the sequence of events.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with humor and those learning about logical connections and consequences.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Seasonal
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, wakes up to find his neighborhood covered in snow. He spends the day exploring his transformed world, making tracks and playing in the snow.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, understanding seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child, encouraging exploration and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Children who love snowy days and adventures, or those learning about weather and seasons.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Animal fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, despite his mother's warnings, leading to a series of adventures and troubles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding consequences, empathy, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of listening to guidance, all wrapped in a charming and timeless story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and those learning about making good choices.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an exciting adventure, facing rivers, mud, forests, and snowstorms in search of a bear, leading to a surprising discovery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory language, rhythm and repetition, courage and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging, rhythmic story that encourages participation and imagination, making it a fun read-aloud experience.
  • Perfect for: Children who love interactive and adventurous tales.

Challenging Must Read 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 spare his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of more complex vocabulary and themes of friendship, loss, and survival are advanced for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches about compassion, creativity, and the cycle of life, enriching a child's emotional and moral understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who are animal lovers and those who appreciate stories about friendships and life lessons.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the forest and uses clever tricks to evade danger by inventing a monster called the Gruffalo. Surprisingly, the Gruffalo turns out to be real, and the mouse must use his wits to escape danger once again.
  • Why this book is challenging: The strategic use of rhyme and sophisticated plot structure require higher-level thinking and comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: This tale encourages strategic thinking and bravery, and the rhythmic, rhyming text makes it a delightful read that boosts phonetic skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a good adventure and learning through clever, poetic storytelling.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child unappreciated by her crude, distant parents. At school, she meets a kindred spirit in her teacher, Miss Honey. However, they both face challenges from the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda discovers she has a special telekinetic gift that she uses to stand up to the adults mistreating her and her friends.
  • Why this book is challenging: Features complex character dynamics and themes of justice and personal empowerment, which are usually comprehended at a higher age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the resilience and resourcefulness of children, and encourages readers to think critically about right and wrong.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy stories with a mix of humor, justice, and magical elements.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, who loves music and reading. Despereaux is banished from his mouse community for being too different but goes on a heroic adventure to save a human princess.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative's sophisticated structure, including stories within stories and complex themes about bravery and forgiveness, challenge young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a tale of courage and redemption that teaches children about the importance of following one's heart and doing what is right.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales and stories of unlikely heroes.

• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, illustrated by William Nicholson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This story explores the life of a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real through the love of his owner. The rabbit learns about love and reality through his experiences and the wise old Skin Horse's advice.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into deep philosophical themes like existence and the nature of love, which are complex for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a poignant exploration of love and reality, encouraging empathy and a deeper understanding of emotional bonds.
  • Perfect for: Children who are thoughtful and enjoy emotionally rich stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing reading to 5-year-olds can be a delightful adventure, and the right exercises can make the journey even more effective and enjoyable. Here are some engaging exercises tailored to help your little ones develop good reading habits while exploring must-read books for their age. Let's dive in!

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

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud with your child, taking turns if they are able to read some words.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading comprehension, and models fluent reading.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading more fun and engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding of the narrative structure.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of expressions and gestures to make the retelling dynamic.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identify words in the story that start with the same sound or contain rhymes.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness, an essential skill for early reading.
  • Tips: Highlight sounds and rhymes while reading to make them more noticeable.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child, using costumes or props if available.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the characters and plot, and makes reading a multi-sensory experience.
  • Tips: Let your child choose which character they want to be to increase engagement.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, integral part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these activities, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading. So, pick up one of those must-read books for 5-year-olds, and let the adventures begin! Happy reading!