With 6 year olds being the age that many kids truly begin to read and understand, then it’s important to nurture your child’s reading skills as much as possible, and the more reading they do, the better they’ll get.
Reading is important and helps your child to get a better understanding of the world around them, while also increasing their imagination and improving their sleeping patterns too, so it’s good for them to read as much as possible.
So, if you’re trying to find some good books for your child to read, whether they avoid reading at all costs, or can’t get enough of their books, then we’ll have all sorts of different books available on this list for them to discover.
There’ll be a whole load of categories in this list, so have a look through this list to discover some great kid’s books!
For those early readers, this book series is definitely worth trying out, as it’s aimed at being easily readable and understandable for those who are new to reading independently, along with having amazing illustrations too.
This series is full of fantastical plots and stories that will help fill your young reader’s imagination, so they’re great for helping to inspire young people!
Pros
Great storylines that are fun and inspirational
Story situations reflect real life
Easy to understand and read along for newly independent readers
Cons
Some consider the reveal to be slightly anti-climatic
Filled with great illustrations, this series of books are wonderfully imaginative and are full of fun stories that can easily be enjoyed by those who are beginning to read independently, which makes it great for your 6 year old.
There are 21 books in this series to date, which means that there should be plenty of material to keep your 6 year old entertained before they can begin to read slightly more advanced fiction books.
Pros
Remains slightly challenging while still readable
The story is fun and imaginative while remaining relatable
For those kids who already have a particularly active imagination, then the My Father’s Dragon series is perfect, as it’s brimming in both plot and creativity, and will definitely serve well as a child’s first-ever fantasy series.
This book is part of a trilogy, so there is more to read even after your young one finishes this book, and it’s very much considered a classic too, as it was written back in the 1940s!
Pros
Fun story with great illustrations
Sure to fascinate and thrill young readers
Will definitely help to push your child’s imagination
Cons
Some of the language might be considered slightly dated
If your kids are fans of mystery books, then this series is definitely for them and is filled with imaginative and clever storytelling that will keep your child enthralled for story after story, so don’t be surprised if they keep asking for more books after this one!
There are also some particularly great drawings that are filled with amazing colors dotted throughout the book too, which will not only help your child to understand what the book is about but will also help your child to stay interested.
Pros
Simple yet fun mysteries that are great for newly independent readers or for reading aloud
Colorful and interesting illustrations
Some new words that will help to increase vocabulary
Another great series filled with mystery and wonder is the Nate the Great series, which focuses on a very special kid detective named Nate, who aims to solve all sorts of mysteries for his friends and his family.
The entire cast of characters found in the series are all loveable, even down to the pets that are found throughout, and there are even some activities included in the back of each book for your children to complete too, which will help them to stay engaged too!
Pros
Great mystery-lead storyline
Easy to follow along for children
Good illustrations
Likable characters
Activity included at the back
Cons
Can be finished in 10 minutes depending on the skill level of 6 year old
If your child believes they want to read books that are written for kids older than them, then this is a great way to trick them, as it most certainly looks like it’s written for children older than 6 years old.
However, the language remains repetitive and decently simple, making it perfect for those confident young readers out there.
This book also features plenty of illustrations from Selnick, which are considered by many to be iconic!
So if you’re looking for a great independent read for your young reader, then Baby Monkey Private Eye is definitely a book worth trying out.
Pros
A good story with iconic illustrations
Easy to understand for young readers
Imitates the big books that older children get to read
One of the most important things about finding great books for your 6 year old is to try and make sure that the characters are relatable in some way, and although Romona Quimby might be just that little bit older, she sure is relatable!
Although Romona is loveable and sweet, the reality is that she’s perfectly imperfect, and gets into plenty of trouble in her day-to-day life, which will make for some excellent stories.
Pros
Filled with humor that will appeal to both adults and children
The issues within Romona’s life make the story relatable
Shows kids that messing up is natural
Entertaining throughout
Some challenging words to help expand vocabulary
Cons
Romona’s characters might seem slightly angry at times, which might be slightly negative for young readers
Every kid will know just how scary it can be to step into school for the first time, and this funny series looks at all of the trouble she gets into during her time in Kindergarten.
The simplicity of the language used throughout this story will make it great for either independent readers or for reading along with your child at home, so if you’re looking to share some laughs with your child, this is a great book to try.
Pros
Filled with humor without
Relatable for young audiences
Captures a child’s imagination perfectly
Cons
Some parents might not like the use of “hate” and “stupid”, worrying that their child will follow suit
If your child was a fan of the stories of Amelia Bedilia or Mary Poppins, then they’ll definitely enjoy the story of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and is filled with short stories in each chapter, meaning that there is plenty of reading for your young reader to do.
Dealing with naughty children in ways that only she is able to, the story of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a great way of providing examples of good behavior to your children, which Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle does without any scolding!
Pros
A great example of good behavior for children
Filled with amusing and humorous moments
Plenty of smaller stories throughout make it great for new readers
When it comes to classic stories for children, Roald Dahl is so often the mastermind behind them, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a story that has been a part of the childhood of generation upon generation, which is exactly why it’s so apt that you let your young reader try it out for themselves.
With a candy factory that every child could only dream of, Dahl is a king of making imaginations run wild, which is why he’s so popular among young people, especially new readers.
This might be one you have to read aloud for your 6 year old, but it depends on their reading ability!
Pros
Filled with imagination and wonder that will engage young readers
A classic storyline that holds up years later
Full of words to help expand young readers’ vocabulary
Cons
Action is rather packed into the story and might overwhelm less capable readers
Another childhood classic story is The Tale Of Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter has penned many iconic stories that have long been the center of children’s early forays into reading, so it should come as no surprise to see a classic such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit on this list.
Potter’s storytelling as well as her intricately drawn illustrations help to bring Peter Rabbit’s story to life, and it’s safe to say that it has a tale that has aged well.
This is probably one of the most popular stories ever told by Beatrix Potter, so if your child has taken an interest in her work, then this story is certainly the perfect starting point for them.
DiCamillo is one of the most charming writers in modern storytelling, which is why her books attract so many young readers, as they’re filled with intelligent and imaginative characters that inspire young minds.
This story, which follows the tales of a rat, a mouse, a serving girl, and a princess is an iconic one and is one of the many beloved tales that DiCamillo has written over the years, and although we could have picked out any one of her stories, this is the one we have gone with.
Pros
Classic, timeless story loved by adults and children
Perfect pacing for young readers
Complex themes but remain understandable for children
Things aren’t dumbed down for the children
Cons
Might be slightly dark for a children’s book at times, so check ahead of reading
It’s always great to find a series that has plenty of material for your child to enjoy, and thankfully, the My Weird School series written by Dan Gutman has over 20 different installments, meaning that there is plenty of reading to keep your young, budding reader entertained.
Following some of the weird and wacky ongoing events that happen at the equally weird school, this series of books is filled with light and humorous tales that will definitely be enjoyed by your 6 year old, and also has some funny illustrations too!
Pros
Great for both eager and reluctant young readers
Laugh-out-loud humor for both kids and adults
Separated into chapters which is good for children’s confidence
Cons
The idea of hating school might not go down well with some parents
Aimed at those newly independent readers, this book contains language that is intended to challenge young readers without being overly complex or hard to understand, and readers are also aided with the use of detailed illustrations, which helps them to understand the writing even more.
Taking a look at some of the endangered fish that call Hawaii home, this book remains fun and engaging while also being educational too, so it’s a great read for young children who live in the sea.
Pros
Aimed at newly independent readers
Full of educational content that manages to remain fun
Every young child has probably fantasized exactly what it would be like to build their own school, and in this outrageous story, Jack fantasizes about what it would be like if he got to design and build his own school, entirely in his vision.
Chris Van Dusen is known for his unique rhyming style, which makes reading this even more fun, and it will definitely bring up the discussion of what school would be like if your 6 year old was able to build it!
Pros
Fun rhyming style
Full of imagination
Brightly colored illustrations
Cons
Rhyming might get tiring or repetitive toward the end.
For the 6 year olds who are confident in their reading ability, then this book is definitely a good one to consider, as it’s the perfect combination between a graphic novel and your typical chapter book.
Aside from the excellent layout of the book, the story is also fun and engaging for young readers too, as it focuses on Mac B, who is a spy employed by the Queen of England.
This story is fast-paced and full of witty humor that your child will appreciate.
Another silly and exciting spy thriller for young readers is this tale from Jessica Young, which focuses on Spy Guy, who despite his spy title, turns out to be a pretty rubbish spy!
This story is all about Spy Guy learning how to be the best spy possible, and how to fix the mistakes he used to make so often.
This tale has plenty of good themes and is a great teacher of what the benefits of perseverance and patience can be to young children, so it’s even educational too.
This is a great story for girls that teaches them that they can be the ones to rescue the prince from the nasty creature, and also that the princess doesn’t always need the prince in order to live happily ever!
If your child loves royalty, then this story will be one that they love, and it’s also great to help install confidence and belief, especially in young girls.
So, with royalty and fantasy all mixed together, this is a tale that your children are sure to love.
Pros
A fun, imaginative tale that puts a girl-power spin on the typical rescue tale
Although there’s a chance that your children might be aware of Paddington for his on-screen adventures rather than this literary classic, if they were fans of the films then it’s definitely worth letting them read this classic children’s book.
This book marks the first in the series that follows Paddington’s adventures from deepest Peru all the way to London, so there are plenty of tales from Paddington for your young reader to enjoy!
Pros
Delightful storytelling with plenty of funny moments
Classic tales that are heartwarming and engaging
The character of Paddington is adorable
Cons
The story isn’t the same as the movie, so might not interest some young fans
Every adult will reminisce about the amazing stories they will have once heard about Winnie The Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, and of course, Christopher Robin, so why not pass down those amazing stories to the next generation?
Featuring all of the classic tales that you knew and loved from the gang, this book is the perfect addition to your child’s library, and will probably fill their mind with all of the amazing wonders that it did yours at their age!
Pros
A childhood classic, fun tales to help inspire imagination
Interesting and intriguing characters
Sweet and charming books with content suitable for all ages of readers
Cons
Some of the jokes are slightly too complicated for young readers
Final Thoughts
These books should all prove useful when it comes to finding good quality reading material to be read and enjoyed by your 6 year old reader.
Whether they’re beginning to grow in confidence when it comes to their reading, or have been shying away from independent reading, these books will help to improve their comprehension and vocabulary for sure!
How To Choose The Right Book For Your 6 Year Old
Check The Content
Whatever you decide upon for your 6 year old, it’s important to check that the content found throughout the book is suitable both in the words and language used, as well as the themes and content, as you don’t want to expose your child to any dangerous or scary content while they are only 6 years old!
Try Classics
If you’re ever unsure of what to provide your 6 year old to read, then why not try out some of the classics, especially the ones that you likely enjoyed when you were that age, as you’ll be able to share the exact same excitement that you had as a child with your children all over again!
School Recommendations
You can also try to ask the school for any book recommendations, as they might have a much better idea of what reading level your 6 year old is at, and they might have a list of books that they deem suitable for that age group to read too!
Ask Your Child
Your child might be full of ideas when it comes to the type of books they like, so why not try asking them what they would like to read, or what sort of stories they would like to read about during their independent reading time, as you might just find the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes A Good Book For 6 Year Olds?
A good book for 6 year olds will have fun and engaging content that is simple enough for them to read while providing some challenging moments to help them develop their comprehension skills and vocabulary.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
