Best books for 6 year olds
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6 year olds are at an age where they’re ready to read more complex storylines, and are after something more substantial than picture books.
For me as a parent, I’m also ready to read, and have my 6 year old read to me, stories that have a bit more depth, or that are a bit longer so we can continue our reading adventures each day.
If you’d like to introduce longer style books to your 6 year old, then here are some books for 6 year olds that I’ve either started reading to my 6 year old, or that have come highly recommended by other mums with children at a similar age.
If you’re looking for book ideas for younger children, I’ve also written best books for 2 year olds that have some colourful, interactive book ideas for younger children.
Dog Man, by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man is by far my 6 year olds favourite book, we read at least one of the books in the series every night.
Dog Man is part dog, part man, and gets into all sorts of trouble while trying to solve crimes and save the world.
It’s a comic style book, but there are some tricky words in it that help reader’s develop their reading skills in a fun and interactive way.
Books in this series include:
- Dog Man
- Dog Man Unleashed
- Dog Man A Tale Of Two Kitties
- Dog Man And Cat Kid
- Dog Man Lord Of The Fleas
- Dog Man Brawl Of The Wild
- Dog Man For Whom The Ball Rolls
- Dog Man Fetch-22
- Dog Man Grime And Punishment
- Dog Man Mothering Heights
- Dog Man Twenty Thousand Fleas Under The Sea
The World’s Worst Teachers, by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
The World’s Worst Teachers contains 10 stories about teachers that will make your worst teacher look like an angel.
From Dr Dread the half monster science teacher, Mrs Splatt who serves revolting school dinners, Mr Phobe who’s terrified of children, or Mr and Mrs Lovey Dovey who drown the school in tears, there’s a teacher who will shock and delight young readers with their silliness and naughty behaviour.
Books in this series include:
- The World’s Worst Teachers
- The World’s Worst Pets
- The World’s Worst Parents
- The World’s Worst Children
- The World’s Worst Children 2
- The World’s Worst Children 3
The Enchanted Wood, by Enid Blyton, illustrated by Dorothy Wheeler
The Enchanted Wood is a classic, I remember reading it when I was my son’s age, and have recently bought it for him so we can read it together.
This story is about Joe, Beth, and Fanny, who discover an Enchanted Wood near their home. Inside the wood is a tree that they climb each day, the tree leads them to different lands.
There’s the land of birthdays, toys, sweets, roundabouts, ice and snow, and much more.
Books in this series include:
Charlotte’s Web, by E.B White, illustrated by Garth Williams and Rosemary Wells
Charlotte’s Web is another children’s classic, which tells the story of Wilbur the pig, who after having his life saved by Fern, finds himself in even greater danger when sold to Fern’s Uncle.
To help him get out of danger, Charlotte, a beautiful large grey spider, comes up with an ingenious plan and in doing so teaches the reader about friendship, love, life, and death.
Dave Pigeon, by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Dave Pigeon is a funny story about how Dave Pigeon defeats Mean Cat to help his fellow pigeon friends.
Books in this series include:
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! by Ben Clanton
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! is about Narwhal and Jelly, who are great friends, even though Narwhal is happy go lucky, and Jelly is no nonsense.
Together they discover the ocean and take the reader on their adventures, which are told through short stories, fun facts, and jokes.
Books in this series include:
- Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!
- Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Narwhal’s Otter Friend
- Happy Narwhalidays
- Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness
- Narwhalicorn and Jelly
Leonora Bolt Secret Inventor, by Lucy Brandt, illustrated by Gladys Jose
Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor lives on a remote island making crazy inventions.
One day a boy called Jack washes up on her island on an inflatable lobster, to tell her that her evil Uncle Luther has been stealing and selling her inventions, which leads to a super funny adventure, and a secret society.
Books in this series include:
- Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor
- Leonora Bolt: Deep Sea Calamity
- Leonora Bolt: Eco Engineer
- Leonora Bolt: The Great Gadget Games
George’s Marvellous Medicine, by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
George’s Marvellous Medicine is a book that I bought after visiting The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, and is the first chapter book that my 6 year old and I read together.
One day George is left in charge of giving his grandmother her medicine.
To stop her from being so horrible, George makes her his own medicine, filled with anything he can find, and the results are not what he expects.
The Princess in Black, by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The Princess in Black, Princess Magnolia, has a secret, when trouble strikes she becomes the Princess in Black, a Princess who stops monsters, and no monster is too big.
This book is perfect for young readers who love funny, action packed books.
Books in this series include:
- The Princess in Black
- The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
- The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde
- The Princess in Black takes a Holiday
- The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare
- The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate
- The Princess in Black and the Bathtime Battle
- The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem
Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door, by Lola Morayo, illustrated by Cory Reid
Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door tells the story of Aziza, who on her birthday receives a secret fairy door that takes her to Shimmerton, a magical world with princesses, fairies, shapeshifters, and unicorns.
One day the fairy door’s jewelled doorknob is taken, leaving Aziza trapped, will she escape and see her loved ones again?
Books in this series include:
- Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door
- Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door and the Magic Puppy
- Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door and the Mermaid’s Treasure
- Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door and the Birthday Present Disaster
- Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door and the Ice Cat Mystery
Max and the Midknights, by Lincoln Peirce
Max and the Midknights is about Max who wants to be a Knight, which could become a reality when his Uncle Budrick is kidnapped by King Gastley.
To save his uncle, Max is joined by a band of brave adventurers, the Midknights, who help Max set out on a thrilling quest.
Books in this series include:
- Max and the Midknights
- Max and the Midknights: Battle of the Bodkins
- Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time
What books do you recommend for 6 year olds?
