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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect spelling books for 6-year-olds? You're in the right place! Whether you're looking to boost your child's confidence in spelling or just want to give them a fun way to learn new words, we've got a fantastic selection lined up. Keep reading to discover our carefully curated lists of spelling books that are just right for 6-year-old learners. Let's dive in and find the perfect tools to enhance your child's reading and writing skills!

Fun Spelling Books for 6-Year-Olds

• P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever by Raj Haldar and Chris Carpenter, illustrated by Maria Beddia
  • Genre(s): Children's, Humor, Educational
  • Synopsis: This unique alphabet book explores the quirks and oddities of English spelling through silent letters and bizarre spellings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It turns the traditional approach to learning the alphabet on its head with fun, whimsical examples that will capture a child's imagination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humor and quirky facts, making learning to spell a fun adventure.

• ABC See, Hear, Do: Learn to Read 55 Words by Stefanie Hohl
  • Genre(s): Children’s, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book teaches children to read through a combination of phonics, vivid illustrations, and physical activity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a kinetic approach to reading that helps active children engage with and remember phonetic sounds.
  • Perfect for: Energetic learners who benefit from moving while learning.

• Miss Rhonda's Readers Set One by Rhonda Lucadamo
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: A set of simple, engaging stories designed to help beginning readers master basic phonetic patterns.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book builds confidence with repetitive patterns and familiar words, accompanied by charming illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers just starting their reading journey, who need a confidence boost with easy-to-read texts.

• Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen, illustrated by John R. Maslen
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beloved series helps children step into the world of reading with simple and short stories that gradually increase in complexity.
  • Why we recommend this book: Bob Books are celebrated for transforming new readers into proud book lovers, using repetition and fun stories.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who are just learning their letters and sounds, and need straightforward, rewarding reading material.

• The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
  • Genre(s): Children's, Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow the Good Egg and his pals on a fun-filled adventure that includes clever word plays and delightful characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines storytelling with spelling and playful language, enhancing both reading skills and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with humor and a bit of action, making reading a joyous time.

Educational Spelling Books for 6-Year-Olds

• See It, Say It, Spell It by Nancy E. Krulik, illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book encourages children to spell words by associating letters with pictures and sounds.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spelling, phonics, visual association
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a multisensory approach that's effective for young learners, making spelling intuitive and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are visual learners and enjoy interactive reading experiences.

• My First Spelling Book by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Yukiko Kido
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: This workbook-style book helps children learn to spell basic words with fun exercises and colorful illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spelling, word recognition, handwriting
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to build confidence in young spellers through repetition and practice in a playful format.
  • Perfect for: Beginning spellers who need practice with the basics in a structured, yet fun way.

• Charlie's Super Spelling Book by Sue Mongredien, illustrated by Kate Sheppard
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: Follow Charlie as he discovers his superpower: spelling! This story integrates spelling lessons into a fun superhero narrative.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spelling, creative writing, imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines storytelling with educational content, making spelling fun and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love superheroes and adventures, and are learning to spell.

• Spell It Out: The Curious, Enthralling, and Extraordinary Story of English Spelling by David Crystal
  • Genre(s): Children's, Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book delves into the history and quirks of English spelling through engaging explanations and examples.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spelling, historical knowledge of language, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a deeper understanding of why English spelling is the way it is, which can help demystify confusing words for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds that are fascinated by history and the reasons behind the rules of spelling.

Challenging Spelling Books for 6-Year-Olds

• The Spelling Bee Before Recess by Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Carey F. Armstrong-Ellis
  • Genre(s): Children's, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around a thrilling school spelling bee where the protagonist competes against classmates to win the coveted title before recess.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced vocabulary and the concept of competitive spelling, which can be complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to engage with spelling in a narrative format, teaching perseverance and the value of preparation.
  • Perfect for: Kids who thrive on competition and those interested in expanding their vocabulary in an entertaining setting.

• Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Children's, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rocket, an adorable dog, finds inspiration around him to write stories, but he struggles with spelling the words he wants to use.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles spelling within the context of story creation, encouraging readers to think about words in a creative and applied manner.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires creativity and the love of writing, while also focusing on the challenges and triumphs of learning to spell.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring writers and readers who enjoy stories about animals and creative pursuits.

• The Case of the Scary Spelling Bee by Rod Van Natta, illustrated by David Mottram
  • Genre(s): Children's, Mystery
  • Synopsis: This mystery book features a young detective who solves a puzzle at a school spelling bee, using her spelling skills to crack the case.
  • Why this book is challenging: The integration of spelling into a mystery context makes this book more advanced, requiring critical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of a mystery with educational spelling challenges, making it both thrilling and instructive.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, mysteries, and using their spelling skills in fun, new ways.

• Spellbound: The ABCs of Spelling by Ann R. Heinrichs, illustrated by Mark Anthony
  • Genre(s): Children's, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the intricacies of spelling through engaging poems and illustrations for each letter of the alphabet.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses poetry to introduce complex spelling rules and exceptions, which requires a higher level of linguistic understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: The poetic approach makes learning spelling rules captivating and memorable, enhancing both reading fluency and spelling skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy poetry and are looking to challenge their spelling and reading comprehension skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

When you're helping your 6-year-old develop their spelling and reading skills, it's great to incorporate some fun and engaging exercises that complement their spelling books. Here are a few exercises designed to make learning a delightful journey for them:

• Alphabet Soup Game
  • What it is: Cut out letters from magazines or newspapers to spell words.
  • How it helps: Enhances letter recognition and understanding of word formation.
  • Tips: Use a timer to make it a fun, fast-paced game, challenging them to spell as many words as they can.

• Picture Word Match-Up
  • What it is: Draw or cut out pictures and ask your child to spell the word that matches the picture.
  • How it helps: Connects visual images with words, enhancing vocabulary and spelling skills.
  • Tips: Start with simple pictures and gradually introduce more complex words as their skills improve.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Read rhyming books together and point out the rhyming words.
  • How it helps: Encourages phonemic awareness, which is crucial for spelling and reading.
  • Tips: Sing rhyming songs or make up rhymes during everyday activities to keep the learning going.

• Flashcard Fun
  • What it is: Use flashcards with words and corresponding images to practice spelling.
  • How it helps: Reinforces word recognition and memory through repetition.
  • Tips: Keep the flashcard sessions short and lively to maintain their interest.

• Story Scramble
  • What it is: Write simple sentences from a story on strips of paper and have them arrange the strips in the correct order.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of sentence structure and sequencing, which are important for spelling and reading comprehension.
  • Tips: After rearranging, read the story together to validate the sequence and discuss any mistakes.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's routine can make learning to spell not only educational but also incredibly fun. Remember, the key is consistency and making sure the activities remain enjoyable and engaging. Happy spelling!