As a parent, you may feel the pressure to find the best books to support your 5-year-old’s journey to becoming a skilled reader as they enter kindergarten. Reading provides many benefits for children, such as enhancing their cognitive abilities and vocabulary. Exposure to books at an early age can also help with critical thinking and academic success.
But where do you start? Some children may be reluctant readers, and you might not know which books to choose to get them interested in reading. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This article features a handpicked selection of the best books for 5-year-olds that will ignite their love for reading.
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HappyBabyHub’s Best Books For 5-Year-Olds Picks
1. Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
The Bob Books Set 1 is an incredible tool for teaching 5-year-olds letter sounds! Kids can even read a whole book using only four letters, just like in the first story. The books gradually introduce new sounds (except Q) as young readers progress through books featuring all the letters of the alphabet. With simple phrases that use short vowels and three-letter words, Bob Books Set 1 is a wonderful confidence booster for your child.
2. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
You might want to feed a mouse some cookies if he comes up hungry at your door. Additionally, he will want a drink of milk if you give him a cookie. Before asking for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim, he will want to check himself in the mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache.
The protagonist of the If You Give… series and a longtime kid favorite, Mouse, gets a terrific start in this book. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is an ideal book for storytime because of its simple, rhyming writing and circular plot. Laughter and pleas to “read it again” are certain to follow.
3. Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents
What do grizzly bear cubs eat? Where do young rabid animals sleep? And how does a young otter learn to swim?
These are valid and intriguing questions indeed, and you may be pleased to know that all infant animals, from the tiniest harvest mouse to the most fearsome lion cub, have certain needs in common. They require nourishment, shelter, affection, and a family to thrive in the wild.
That’s where “Born in the Wild” comes in. This awe-inspiring book takes a closer look at the characteristics shared by all infant mammals, revealing that despite being born in the wild, they are not that dissimilar from us humans after all.
4. Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory
On a trip to a candy shop, Curious George finds enough chocolate to satisfy his sweet craving. George is interested in learning how chocolates are manufactured when he and the man with the yellow hat visit a business that sells products from a chocolate factory. Although he first follows the industrial tour, he quickly leaves to do his own independent research. And there is always a pleasure to be had when George follows his interest!
5. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Imagine a world where a cool cat named Pete roams the streets in his spanking new white sneakers. As he strolls along, he encounters a trail of juicy, luscious strawberries, plump blueberries, and other messy substances, causing his pristine shoes to morph from white to red, to blue, to brown, and eventually to a soggy mess!
But does Pete let this dampen his spirits, dear reader? Not at all! He continues to move, groove, and sing his song, unfazed by the ever-changing colors of his shoes. For in his heart, he knows that everything is just fine.
And who wouldn’t want to be a part of such a funky, interactive tale, dear reader? “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” is a delightful story that engages young minds by posing questions about the colors of various foods and objects.
6. The Baby Tree
Award-winning Sophie Blackall has produced a stunning picture book with delightful elements to entertain and interest readers, deftly explaining the fundamentals of reproduction in an age-appropriate manner.
Every youngster will eventually inquire, “Where do babies come from?” Never before has answered this question been so enjoyable or simple! Join a young child who is full of questions. He asks everyone from his babysitter to the mailman, receiving amusing responses along the way. His parents then gently correct him.
7. Dragons Love Tacos
This hilarious read-aloud is a memorable story about new friends and the ideal snack that will have you laughing so hard that hot salsa will come out of your nose.
Dragons adore tacos. They enjoy eating beef tacos, large tacos, little tacos, and tacos of all sizes. As a result, tacos are a must if you want to entice dragons to your party. Tacos in buckets and buckets. Unfortunately, salsa is always present where tacos are. And if a dragon unintentionally consumes hot salsa, well. You’re in severe trouble.
8. Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home
After being spotted at sea by a fisherman in 2014, Inky had been living at the New Zealand aquarium ever since. Inky had been adjusting to his new surroundings, but the staff soon realized that he needed to be kept entertained to avoid becoming bored.
So Inky, who was roughly the size of a basketball, decided he’d had enough one night in 2016 and made his escape. He moved eight feet across the floor before descending a drainpipe that was more than 160 feet long to reach his seaside residence.
Sy Montgomery, a renowned novelist, reminds readers that Inky didn’t flee; rather, like the inquisitive animal he is, he desired to explore the rest of the huge ocean he called his home.
9. Kindergarten, Here I Come!
This picture book even comes with a sheet of stickers, making it a must-have for any budding scholar.
From the first-day-of-school jitters to the joyous 100th-day celebration, every aspect of the kindergarten experience is brought to life in this delightful volume. With charming illustrations and witty rhymes, every 5-year-old will find something to relate to on these pages.
10. The Day the Crayons Quit
Duncan only wants to color, poor guy. But when he opens his crayon box, all he sees are letters, all of which read, “His crayons have had enough!” They gave up! After painting so many bodies of water, blue crayon is in need of rest.
In addition to tracing, black crayon desires to be utilized for other purposes. Orange and Yellow have stopped talking since each considers himself to be the actual hue of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to placate every crayon and encourage them to resume their best behavior?
11. Bink and Gollie
Meet Bink and Gollie, two bright little ladies who are completely irrepressible and vary in size. With lots of peanut butter for Bink and pancakes for Gollie, they set off from their opulent tree house and embark on three hilarious adventures featuring excruciatingly colorful socks, an unplanned trip to the Andes, and a most unusual wonderful friend.
A funny homage to joy and companionship, creativity and adventure, this work by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and award-winning novelist Alison McGhee is brought to life via the brilliantly energetic visuals of Tony Fucile.
12. Bathtime for Biscuit (My First I Can Read)
Oh, Biscuit, Biscuit, Biscuit! He’s always up to some kind of mischief, isn’t he? And this time, he’s not at all prepared for his bath. No siree! Instead, he’d rather frolic with his pal Puddles and indulge in some good ol’ fashioned mud-rolling. But alas, cleanliness is next to dogliness, and Biscuit must eventually succumb to the dreaded bath.
So, dear reader, join Biscuit on his epic journey to cleanliness in this fun-filled adventure. With simple language, word repetition, sight words, and oh-so-adorable images, “Bathtime for Biscuit” is the perfect tool for shared reading with your 5-year-old who is just starting to learn how to read.
13. The Kissing Hand
The jungle can be a wild and unpredictable place! But luckily, Chester’s mama has a family secret that she shares with him, known as the Kissing Hand. It’s a little something to help calm his nerves and remind him that he’s loved, no matter where he goes or what he does.
And let me tell you, this heartwarming book has touched the lives of millions of kids and their parents since it first came out in 1993. It’s a go-to for any family going through times of separation, whether it’s starting school, going to daycare, or leaving for summer camp.
14. The Box Turtle
A turtle in pursuit of the ideal shell is the main character in this adorably adorable tale about finding the courage to be yourself.
Terrance, the turtle, needs a cardboard box because he was born without a shell. Terrance is a big fan of boxes. It protects him from prying outsiders, keeps him dry on rainy days, and is spacious enough for him to cuddle with a companion. Terrance starts to question whether there could be a better shell out there when different turtle remarks that his shell is, well, strange.
Terrance eventually discovers, through many trials and errors, that being unique is perfectly acceptable, especially when it comes to being oneself.
15. Tikki Tikki Tembo
Children still like reading about the boy with the lengthy name who went into the well, even after three decades and more than a million copies have been sold. Many kids, teachers, and parents have become enthralled by Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent’s timeless adaptation of an old Chinese folktale, coming back time and time again to learn about the perils of having a name like Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
16. Charlie Makes a Splash!
Dive into the aquatic world with Charlie, a young swimmer on the autism spectrum, who feels alive and in control in the water. From the ocean’s vastness to the tranquility of a pond, Charlie’s love for swimming knows no bounds. Through his discoveries and adventures, he reminds us that autism does not define him; it’s just a part of who he is.
In the heartwarming sequel to the award-winning MY BROTHER CHARLIE, the lovable sibling duo Callie and Charlie are back with more adventures that will make you giggle and smile. This time, they share their passion for swimming and show us how different perspectives can open up new possibilities for everyone. Join Charlie as he dives headfirst into the wonders of swimming to his own beat, and learn how we can all appreciate life’s simple joys.
17. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
You might want to feed a mouse some cookies if he comes up hungry at your door. Additionally, he will want a drink of milk if you give him a cookie. Before asking for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim, he will want to check himself in the mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache.
The protagonist of the If You Give series and a longtime kid favorite, Mouse, gets a terrific start in this book. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is an ideal book for storytime because of its simple, rhyming writing and circular plot. Laughter and pleas to “read it again” are certain to follow.
18. Attack of the Underwear Dragon
Cole has always dreamt of being a knight, and finally, his wish comes true when Sir Percival, his favorite knight, takes him as his Assistant Knight. From swordplay to horseback riding, Cole learns every aspect of being a Knight-in-Training. He even takes care of Sir Percival’s wounds after battles. But there’s one problem: Sir Percival is scared of the Underwear Dragon, and it’s up to Cole to save the kingdom from its wrath.
With all his newfound skills, Cole must face the fearsome creature and prevent it from causing chaos in the land. But things take a hilarious turn when a mishap involving Cole’s underpants changes everything, and Cole emerges as the hero of the day! This thrilling and funny tale is sure to captivate your 5-year-old and leave them bursting with laughter.
19. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why
This book introduces preschoolers to the browsable pleasure of the best-selling National Geographic Kids Almanac and links to a popular feature in the wildly successful National Geographic Little Kids magazine. The Big Book of Why provides engaging knowledge, hands-on activities, easy recipes, crafts, and more using an interactive question-and-answer style and subject matter rooted in a child’s immediate environment.
How does an automobile move? How can soft dough transform into a crunchy cookie? What is the physician observing in my throat? The Big Book of Why, a crucial parent resource, encourages kids to ask large questions, consider big ideas, and receive accurate, interesting, level-appropriate responses that are based on reliable educational research. It assists in interactively preparing children for school, which is the greatest approach to promoting learning at this age, according to the study. This large book is an exploratory journey that features a lot of photographs and entertaining writing.
20. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Counting, rhyming, and goofiness galore! Dive into Dr. Seuss’s wacky world with this cherished picture book. From the singing Ying to the rough Wump, and even a winking Yink who drinks pink ink, young readers will be giggling non-stop at these colorful characters and their silly shenanigans. Plus, with playful poems and lessons on counting and opposites, this book has everything a beginner reader needs to get started on their reading journey.
These Beginner Books, originally created by the legendary Dr. Seuss himself, are the perfect way to encourage independent reading in children. With their hardcover design and simple language, they make reading enjoyable, funny, and easy for little ones.
How To Choose Books For 5-Year-olds?
- Age-Appropriate: You don’t want to pick a book that is too difficult for your child to understand. At the same time, you don’t want to choose a book that is too simple. Look for books that have content that is appropriate for 5-year-olds.
- Vocabulary: Even though we want our kids to have a broad vocabulary, we shouldn’t overburden their stories with unfamiliar or difficult terms. It’s a good idea to use simpler language when assessing if your youngster will find new terms exciting or frustrating. Larger, less well-known terms are nevertheless acceptable in moderation (1).
- Theme: The books should have uplifting themes. Or they present you with a chance to discuss the morals of your family. A lot of 5-year-olds are entering unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar individuals. It’s crucial that kids understand they are capable of enduring and that they are cherished.
- Milestones: Each child develops differently but by age 5, they should be able to understand concrete definitions of some words and understand details in a story(who, what, when, where, why, and how), and arrange story events in sequence (2). So take these milestones to account before you select books for them.
- Phonics: For 5-year-olds, books with letter repetition and simple phrases are highly recommended. These are your standard, everyday phonics readers that can help your child learn the fundamentals of reading. Phonics readers teach kids that words are made up of letters and that those letters combine to create sounds (3).
What Level Books Should a 5-Year-Old Be Reading?
At age five, most children are just beginning to learn to read. They are usually able to recognize some basic words and phrases but are not yet reading on their own (4). There is a wide range of books available for beginning readers, so it is important to choose ones that are appropriate for your child’s skill level. Some good options for five-year-olds include picture books, easy readers, and short-chapter books.
Should A Child Be Reading By Age 5?
It is generally recommended that children learn to read by age 5. This is because reading is a critical skill that helps children develop literacy skills and knowledge. Furthermore, early reading acquisition has been linked to various benefits, such as improved school performance, increased vocabulary, and enhanced ability to think abstractly.
How Long Should A 5-Year-Old Read Daily?
Include reading aloud to your youngster in your everyday routine. Allot at least 20 minutes per day to read aloud to them in kindergarten and 30 minutes per day in first grade. Use part of that time to listen to them read as they start to learn to read on their own. Reading aloud to your child may promote a love of reading while also assisting them in acquiring critical literacy and language skills. So make reading aloud to one another a daily habit!
Is It Normal For A 5-Year-Old To Read Chapter Books?
Chapter books are generally intended for children aged 7 and up. However, there are some chapter books that are written for children aged 5 and 6. If your child is interested in reading chapter books, it’s perfectly normal. You can ask your child’s teacher or librarian for recommendations.
