10+ Best Usborne Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material to spark the imagination of your little one? Look no further! Our curated selection of Usborne Books for 6-Year-Olds is tailored to captivate and educate, ensuring your child enjoys every moment of their reading journey. Keep reading to discover our top picks from Usborne that are just right for six-year-olds, and find the perfect addition to your child's bookshelf!
Table of Contents
Fun Usborne Books for 6-Year-Olds
- The Usborne Illustrated Alphabet by Felicity Brooks, illustrated by Sophia Touliatou
- Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
- Synopsis: This vibrant book presents each letter of the alphabet with corresponding whimsical illustrations, making learning both fun and visually engaging.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic tool for letter recognition and vocabulary building, presented in a way that's engaging for young readers.
- Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to learn their letters and enjoy colorful illustrations.
- Stories for Little Children by Various Authors
- Genre(s): Fairy Tales, Classic Stories
- Synopsis: A collection of timeless stories and fairy tales, beautifully illustrated to capture the imagination of young readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces classic narratives that foster imagination and a love for storytelling.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical stories and those beginning to listen to longer narratives.
- Look Inside: Your Body by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Kate Leake
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science
- Synopsis: An interactive flap book that explores the human body with fun facts and engaging illustrations.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity about science and the human body through interactive elements that make learning dynamic and memorable.
- Perfect for: Curious kids who love to explore how things work, especially their own bodies.
- The Usborne Big Book of Big Dinosaurs by Alex Frith, illustrated by Fabiano Fiorin
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Dinosaurs
- Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the giants of the dinosaur world with large illustrations and interesting facts about each species.
- Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for engaging kids with fascinating dinosaur facts and big, bold illustrations that bring these creatures to life.
- Perfect for: Dinosaur enthusiasts and children who love learning about prehistoric times.
- The Usborne Book of Fairy Tales by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
- Genre(s): Fairy Tales, Classic Stories
- Synopsis: Dual-language stories that include classics like Cinderella and Goldilocks, presented side-by-side in English and another language.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the magic of fairy tales while also exposing them to a new language in a fun, engaging way.
- Perfect for: Bilingual families or young readers interested in learning a new language through stories.
- First Thousand Words in English by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
- Genre(s): Language, Educational
- Synopsis: A picture word book that provides a wealth of vocabulary-building opportunities through detailed, lively scenes, each labeled with words.
- Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent resource for vocabulary development, offering a fun way to learn new words through engaging scenes and pictures.
- Perfect for: Children who are expanding their vocabulary and learning to read.
Educational Usborne Books for 6-Year-Olds
- Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Nature by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Nature
- Synopsis: This interactive book explores intriguing questions about nature with flaps that little hands can lift to discover the answers.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of natural science, curiosity
- Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about nature interactive and fun, encouraging questions and discovery.
- Perfect for: Young explorers who are always asking "Why?" and "How?"
- Peep Inside the Garden by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Simona Dimitri
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Nature
- Synopsis: A beautifully illustrated peek into the wonders of the garden, from tiny insects to blooming flowers.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, knowledge about ecosystems, plant and animal recognition
- Why we recommend this book: Its engaging lift-the-flap format and charming illustrations make it a delightful way to explore the natural world.
- Perfect for: Little gardeners and nature lovers who enjoy discovering the secrets of their backyard.
- Beginners: How Flowers Grow by Emma Helbrough, illustrated by Simone Abel
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Botany
- Synopsis: This book provides a simple and engaging introduction to how flowers grow, suited perfectly for young readers.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic botany, life cycles, environmental awareness
- Why we recommend this book: It explains complex processes in a way that's easy for kids to understand and appreciate.
- Perfect for: Budding botanists and any kid who's curious about how the natural world operates.
- My First Reading Library by Various Authors
- Genre(s): Educational, Reading
- Synopsis: A comprehensive set of books designed to guide children through the first stages of reading, from simple phonics to richer stories.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary building
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a structured progression in reading that builds confidence and skills step by step.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting out and need a solid foundation in their reading journey.
- The Usborne Science Encyclopedia by Kirsteen Robson
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Encyclopedia
- Synopsis: A thorough and engaging encyclopedia covering a wide range of scientific topics for curious minds.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge, scientific concepts, research skills
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a wealth of information with interactive QR links to further explore and understand complex scientific ideas.
- Perfect for: Young scientists who thirst for knowledge and enjoy exploring the world through facts and experiments.
Challenging Usborne Books for 6-Year-Olds
- The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Antonia Miller
- Genre(s): Art, Educational
- Synopsis: This comprehensive guide offers a wide range of art projects from drawing and painting to collage and printing.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces a variety of art techniques and materials that require fine motor skills and creative thinking, which are advanced for this age.
- Why we recommend this book: It nurtures creativity and provides a hands-on approach to learning different art forms, encouraging self-expression and artistic exploration.
- Perfect for: Young artists who are eager to explore and expand their creative skills.
- The Usborne Book of Greek Myths by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Elena Temporin
- Genre(s): Mythology, History
- Synopsis: A richly illustrated collection of Greek myths, featuring stories of gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters.
- Why this book is challenging: The narratives include complex themes and a rich vocabulary that go beyond simple storytelling, making it suitable for advanced readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent introduction to classic myths, enhancing cultural literacy and understanding of historical narratives.
- Perfect for: Kids who love stories filled with adventure and are curious about ancient cultures.
- The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History by Jane Bingham, Fiona Chandler, and Sam Taplin
- Genre(s): History, Educational
- Synopsis: This comprehensive encyclopedia covers world history from the prehistoric times to the modern day, with illustrations, maps, and photographs.
- Why this book is challenging: It presents a detailed overview of global history, requiring readers to engage with complex information and concepts.
- Why we recommend this book: It helps develop a broad understanding of how historical events are interconnected across different cultures and epochs.
- Perfect for: Young historians who are ready to dive deeper into the past and understand the complexities of world history.
- The Usborne Introduction to Genes & DNA by Anna Claybourne, illustrated by Adam Larkum
- Genre(s): Science, Biology
- Synopsis: A detailed guide to the world of genetics, explaining the basics of genes and DNA through accessible text and engaging illustrations.
- Why this book is challenging: It tackles advanced scientific concepts that are typically introduced at older educational levels.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a clear and fascinating introduction to genetics, encouraging scientific curiosity and understanding of biology.
- Perfect for: Aspiring scientists and curious minds interested in biology and the building blocks of life.
- The Usborne Book of World Religions by Susan Meredith
- Genre(s): Religion, Educational
- Synopsis: This book explores the major world religions, their histories, key beliefs, and practices, along with important religious festivals and symbols.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex and abstract concepts such as faith, belief systems, and cultural diversity, which require thoughtful engagement.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes cultural sensitivity and awareness by providing a respectful overview of different beliefs around the world.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in understanding diverse cultures and religions, fostering a global perspective.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop great reading habits with Usborne books, you're in the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises designed to make reading a delightful habit for the little ones. Let's dive in!
- Picture Walk
- What it is: A pre-reading exercise where the child looks through the pictures of a book before reading.
- How it helps: It sets the stage for understanding and engagement by sparking curiosity 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 and your child take turns reading aloud from a book.
- How it helps: This exercise improves pronunciation and helps children learn new words in context.
- Tips: Encourage your child to express different characters' voices to make it more fun.
- Story Prediction
- What it is: Before turning the page, ask your child to predict what will happen next in the story.
- How it helps: Enhances imaginative thinking and comprehension skills.
- Tips: Praise any effort at prediction, whether it turns out to be right or wrong.
- Match the Sound
- What it is: Identify words in the story that start with the same sound or letter.
- How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness, which is crucial for reading development.
- Tips: Start with the first letter of your child’s name, which will grab their interest.
- Role Play
- What it is: After reading a story, act out a scene from it with your child.
- How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the narrative.
- Tips: Use simple props around the house to make the role play more engaging.
- Question and Answer
- What it is: After reading, ask your child questions about the story and discuss their answers.
- How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and detail recall.
- Tips: Keep questions simple and direct to encourage your child to express their thoughts freely.
- Reading Reward Chart
- What it is: Create a chart that tracks the number of books your child reads.
- How it helps: Motivates children to read more through a visual representation of their achievements.
- Tips: Offer small rewards like an extra bedtime story for reaching reading milestones.
These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in fostering a love for reading in young children. By integrating these activities into your reading routine, you'll help your child develop strong reading habits that will benefit them immensely as they grow. Happy reading!