Chapter books for kindergarten are an excellent choice for children who are ready to move beyond easy readers and tackle longer, more complex stories. These books typically have longer chapters than easy readers and often include illustrations, making them a perfect transitional text between picture books and more advanced chapter books.
Our selection of the best chapter books for kindergarten includes titles with simple plots and vocabulary, as well as engaging illustrations that will help keep your child interested and excited to read. These books are perfect for beginning readers who are eager to explore the world of chapter books.
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HappyBabyHub’s Best Chapter Books For Kindergarten Picks
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
The three cruelest farmers in the area have been victims of theft, and they know who the perpetrator is—Fantastic Mr. Fox! Working alone, they were unable to capture him; now, after teaming up, obese Boggis, squat Bunce, and lean Bean have Mr. Fox and his family in their sights. They are dealing with a special kind of fox; Mr. Fox would sooner die than give himself up, which is something they are unaware of. Now, only the most amazing scheme will save him.
2. Nate the Great
In this engaging chapter book series, young readers will follow Nate as he uses his detective skills to solve the mystery of the missing image. With logical thinking and a keen eye for detail, Nate sets out to gather clues, interview suspects, and ultimately crack the case.
Perfect for beginning readers and aligned with the Common Core standards, this book will inspire children to think critically and problem-solve just like Nate the Great!
3. Mercy Watson Boxed Set
Is there anything the porcine marvel won’t accomplish in her unwavering quest for sweets, buttered toast, or just a rollicking good time? Driving a vehicle, fitting into a tutu, and foiling a robber are just a few examples. Who knows what other wicked escapades sparkle in her eyes? Here is a large, thick paperback collection of pig tales that will make readers squeal with glee for Mercy Watson’s devoted followers and new acquaintances.
4. Magic Tree House Boxed Set
Jack and Annie, his younger sister, are your typical young children. But when they come to a tree home in the forest, something extraordinary occurs. Jack and Annie are transported to the Age of Dinosaurs, where they encounter pirates looking for hidden wealth, a medieval fortress, and ancient pyramids.
5. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Have you met Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle? She’s the whimsical lady who lives in an upside-down house and bakes delicious cookies in her kitchen. But what makes her truly special is her expertise in dealing with children’s misbehavior.
In this classic book, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has a remedy for every problem, from a child who talks back to one who eats too slowly. Her solutions are not only practical but also humorous, and they teach important life lessons.
If your child loves Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee, they will adore Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s educational and problem-solving approach to parenting. This book is a must-read for kindergarteners.
6. Amy and the Missing Puppy
Everyone in Santa Vista has exciting plans for Spring Break, except for Amy. Amy decides to assist at her mother’s veterinary practice when her closest pals leave town on thrilling excursions. She will at least be near adorable creatures! Amy comes upon an interesting mystery when Marge Sullivan, a cold and reclusive lady from Santa Vista, brings her pet Rufus in for a checkup. After her pals go back to their homes, the girls figure out what happened to Rufus and learn how to help other lost and lonely animals in their community.
7. Junie B. Jones’s First Boxed Set Ever!
Join Junie B. Jones as she begins kindergarten and laughs along with her! Read Junie B. Jones’ entertaining classroom antics in the first four installments, which are now collected in a box set that makes the ideal gift. Ideal as a present at any time of the year, the first day of school, or the graduation from preschool or kindergarten!
8. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Ralph, who is constantly interested, makes a promise to ride Keith’s red toy motorcycle. Ralph, therefore, acts when Keith one day leaves the bike in his room unsupervised. However, a lot of challenges come along with all this flexibility (and speed!). Ralph has a lot going on, including evading a rambunctious terrier and shooing away his curious relatives from his new wheels. Nothing this tiny mouse cannot handle, especially with a friend like Keith always watching out for him.
9. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure
These barnyard chicks are not your average cluckers, as they prefer to spend their time fighting crime and cracking tricky puzzles.
When Squirrel runs into the chicken coop, the Squad knows that a new case is in the works. But, alas, Squirrel is of no help as he struggles with basic shapes and is petrified of everything. Thankfully, the Squad is up to the task.
However, their expertise is put to the test when they spot a mysterious, gleaming green orb in the yard. Could it be a UFO carrying space creatures that are after chickens? Or something even worse? The Chicken Squad is ready to investigate and solve this out-of-this-world mystery.
10. Silly Milly
This fascinating, simple reader is really one huge puzzle. Miss Milly prefers the color green over the color red, butter over bread, seeds over flowers, and umbrellas over downpours. Readers are encouraged to speculate about Miss Milly’s motivations. The response? Double letters are her thing! This will become a favorite easy-read, thanks to the hilarious artwork by Nadine Bernard Westcott!
11. The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
The warning is clear: bears may be spotted on Hemlock Mountain! Jonathan, however, thinks he knows better. After all, he’s always been told there are no bears on the mountain, so what could possibly go wrong? Well, let’s just say that Jonathan quickly learns that you can’t always believe everything you hear. Join Jonathan on his solo adventure as he discovers that Hemlock Mountain is, in fact, home to bears!
12. What Should Danny Do?
The fun never ends with 9 Stories in 1! What Should Danny Do? is a cutting-edge, interactive book that gives youngsters the knowledge that their decisions will influence the course of their days and, eventually, their lives.
The book, which was written in the “Choose Your Own Story” format, follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he comes across decisions that young children have to make on a regular basis. Your kids will learn that their decisions for Danny affected how his day turned out as they progress through the many storylines. And as a result, the decisions individuals make for themselves will determine how their days and ultimately their lives turn out.
13. Five Enchanting Tales (Disney Princess) (Step into Reading)
Get ready for a magical adventure with this collection of Step into Reading books, featuring retellings of classic fairy tales like The Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and Disney/Pixar’s Brave! These Step 2 simple stories are perfect for young readers aged 4 to 6 who are just starting to sound out new words and recognize familiar terms. With simple vocabulary and brief sentences, these books are designed to help kids build their reading skills with some assistance.
14. Pass the Ball, Mo!
Mo won’t let the fact that he isn’t the largest, strongest, or quickest basketball player stop him from competing. Basketball has been Mo’s newest interest. Although he is the shortest player on the squad, he is anxious to learn how to pass but struggles to get the ball high enough. Can Mo develop his passing skills in time for his squad to win the big game?
Step 2 readers who are comfortable with the terms and can sound out new words with assistance, readers can utilize simple language and short phrases to deliver straightforward stories. Children can better understand stories when they use rhyme and rhythmic prose together with visual cues.
15. Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream
Hold on to your hats, parents! Splat is back and he’s on a wild ride! But, oh no! Our little kitty can’t sit still on the bus, not when he’s dreaming of creamy, delicious ice cream. And things get even crazier when Splat finally arrives at his destination! Lucky for him, he’s got his pals to help him out of this sticky situation. Join Splat and the gang in this exciting edition of the Splat series, perfect for beginner readers learning the “eam” sound.
16. Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn
A lovely tale of sibling conflict, anger control, kindness, and victory is wrapped up in interactive dance. Adults sit as children move and practice the basics of dancing.
Naomi dashes out of the palace because her sister is a pain in the neck and finds a unicorn in trouble. She quickly puts her anger behind her because she has a sense of purpose.
Each page includes a picture of ballerina Konora as an optional movement prompt for children who wish to get up and move.
17. Spidey and His Amazing Friends Team Spidey Does It All! My First Comic Reader
This graphic novel is the perfect introduction to the exciting world of Spidey and his pals. With easy-to-follow narratives, simple language, and easy-to-read layouts, My First Comics is perfect for young readers. Your kids will discover the power of teamwork, go on thrilling adventures, and learn about the importance of friendship. Plus, they’ll master the basics of “comics grammar” as they explore the pages of this exciting book.
18. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
Chris Van Dusen’s books never fail to thrill readers with their humorous rhyming writing and vibrant, amusing illustrations that are alive with color and texture.
When a lumbering, marshmallow-loving bear shows up in their new adventure, Mr. Magee and his dog Dee are peacefully camping when the excitement starts. The two campers are suddenly sliding off a cliff, racing down a river, and balancing on the verge of a waterfall! How will Mr. Magee and Dee escape this precarious situation?
19. Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss)
Both Cindy-Lou and The Grinch enjoy baking, but who will consume the delight they produce? Could Max the dog be the culprit? The very youngest readers will enjoy this straightforward festive story with rhymes. Fans of Dr. Seuss will be enthralled and inspired by this beautiful doggy tale featuring one of his most famous characters, along with a straightforward 2-ingredient dog treat recipe written inside the back cover!
20. I Am a Super Girl!: An Acorn Book
Meet Princess Truly! She transforms into a super girl with the aid of her rocket boots and magical, sparkling locks, using her power and intellect to rescue the day. However, Lizzie doesn’t feel quite as heroic as she embarks on her own rescue attempt with a buddy. Can Truly encourage her buddy to develop her confidence and self-belief? These inspirational, humorous, and rhyming stories have full-color illustrations and simple prose throughout, making them ideal for kindergarteners.
How To Choose A Chapter Book For A Kindergarten?
As kindergarten-aged pupils’ developmental needs change, it can be enjoyable to add starting chapter books to read-aloud time (1). This allows them to engage with longer stories as their learning and understanding progress.
- Picture To Text Ratio: One of the most important things to consider when choosing chapter books for young students is the picture-to-text ratio. Even though these books generally have fewer images than shorter books, it is still crucial that they have a decent amount of pictures. This helps to keep students’ attention while they are listening to or reading the story, and also enables them to make connections with the plot.
- Story: Beginning chapter books should have narratives that are easy to follow, even though they are longer than early readers. Students should be able to understand where they are in the novel because the chapters should flow naturally from one to the next.
- Theme: The best chapter books to read aloud to kindergarteners are those that are engaging and capture their attention right away. These books should be enjoyable to read and leave the kids wanting more.
Can 5-Year-Olds Read Chapter Books?
It is generally accepted that 5-year-olds are capable of reading chapter books though it is normal to begin at 6 or 7 years old. This is because they have the necessary skills, such as being able to read for extended periods of time and being able to identify details (who, what, when, where, why, how), and arrange story events in sequence (2). Additionally, 5-year-olds are typically very enthusiastic about reading, which makes them more likely to succeed.
