Six year old reading books


17 Best Books for 6-Year-Olds (2022 Picks)

Do you have a beginner reader on your hands? By the time children enter first grade, they’re going to be well on their way to sounding out simple (and maybe even a few complex) words.

This is where reading together can become fun, because you get to watch your child gain confidence in their reading as they start reading stories aloud to you.

So, what are the best books for 6-year-olds and how do you know which one are appropriate? Let’s take a quick crash course to find them and then we’ll show you our top picks for books for 6-year-olds.

Table of Contents

  • The Best Books for 6-Year-Olds of 2022
  • First Grade Reading Level
  • How to Choose Books for 6-Year-Olds
  • Time to Read

The Best Books for 6-Year-Olds of 2022

Here are 17 excellent books for 6-year-olds.

1. Bob Books: Set 2

For Emerging Readers

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These are wonderful tools for encouraging new reading skills. There are several sets to choose from, but we’ve chosen the “Advancing Beginners” set. This one is a good place to start with your 6-year-old; 12 books are included.

“Set 2” repeats some of the things introduced in “Set 1” but with slightly longer stories, and introduces “word families.” If you’ve already started using the “Bob” books, it may be likely that your child is ready for another set.


2. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Go Fishing for Phonics

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Dr. Seuss is a national treasure and you’ll see his titles more than once on this list. Seuss books are great because they use witty storylines and fun illustrations to keep the reader interested.

This title is excellent for emerging readers for its use of rhyme. It’s also a stress-free read because there aren’t too many words per page. Colorful characters will have your child giggling and enjoying the process.


3. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea

For the Ocean Adventurer

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Narwhal and Jelly are total opposites and yet, they’re best buds. The two friends go on an adventure through the ocean, taking the reader along with them. It’s written and illustrated in a graphic novel format, with comic strips, catering for young children.

Introducing your child to different book formats early will help them develop a taste for all types of writing and literature later on. We like this title for its unique spin and simple, yet intriguing, illustrations.


4. Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Best For Reading Together

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This is a great book to introduce to your child transitioning from kindergarten to first grade. We appreciate the message it conveys: that you can dream and do whatever you set your mind to. It teaches children that, while there may be hurdles to overcome, the end will be worth it.

Keep in mind though, this title may be better for reading together. While each page only hosts one or two sentences, there are several challenging words in it.


5. How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans

Silliest Storyline

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Six-year-olds are all about silly things and this book is just that. It’s the perfect companion for parents who struggle with picky eaters. When Martha’s parents are kidnapped by green beans, she thinks of no other option to save her parents than to eat all the green beans.

We enjoy this book for its humorous plot and for its underlying encouragement to eat your greens — not an easy feat for many kids.


6. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

For Teaching Boundaries

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Penelope Rex is excited to start school, but she has a hard time making friends when she gets there, because she’s a meat-eating dinosaur. However, she soon realizes that to make friends, boundaries must be set and respected and that means not trying to eat them.

This is an exceptional book for introducing the concept of personal boundaries and is nice for reading out loud together. With sweet, simple illustrations, we appreciate the light manner in which the complex concept is introduced.


7.

Elephant & Piggie: Complete Collection
Crowd Favorite

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Elephant and Piggie are pretty popular book characters, so chances are high that your child already knows who they are. The great thing about these books is that there are only a few words per page as it follows a dialogue between the two.

This collection comes with all 25 Elephant & Piggie books and is optimal for emerging readers. With funny stories and friendly interactions between the characters, this set might easily become your child’s favorite collection.


8. Uni the Unicorn

Most Fantastical

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Unicorns are all the rage with kids lately, and this story puts a pleasant twist on the mythical creature. In this case, unicorns are considered real and little girls are considered mythical.

This is a superb book for reminding children to stick to what they believe in and the power of friendship. The storyline will surely keep your kid intrigued. It’s high up on our list because it includes challenge words without overwhelming the reader.


9. Ada Twist, Scientist

STEM Girl Power

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Ada Marie is quite the scientist and it’s difficult for her family to keep up with her curious mind. This story follows Ada as she explores her mind to try to pinpoint where a pungent stench is coming from.

The author uses rhythm and rhyme to keep the reader interested and we like this book for its encouragement of scientific thinking. It drives home the importance of remembering to ask why, never leaving curiosity behind.


10. Where the Wild Things Are

Most Likely to Cause a Rumpus

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This tale follows a mischievous boy named Max. After he’s sent to his room, he sails away to the land where the wild things live. He becomes king of all wild things but eventually misses home.

This story is splendid for high-energy kids who don’t typically sit for stories. Rambunctious kids can relate to Max and his active imagination, and Max’s relatability is what really keeps kids engrossed.

We love Sendak’s use of interpretive art in his illustrations, leaving space for the imagination to take hold. This one will be a firm favorite for generations.


11. Iggy Peck, Architect

For the Builders

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From the same creators of “Ada Twist, Scientist”, Iggy Peck motivates readers to dream big. This story follows Iggy, who has liked building things since he was a 2-year-old, and celebrates self-expression.

The story’s use of rhyme and unique illustrations are sure to keep your reader’s attention. The text is also laid out differently than most books, making it an interesting read. This book has a fair amount of challenging words, so maybe it’s one to read together.


12. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why

Encourage Curiosity

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Young children are naturally curious beings. Because of this, it’s beneficial to have kid-friendly reference books on their bookshelf.

While a 6-year-old may not read word for word what everything says, they’ll enjoy looking at the pictures. They can learn fun facts about human anatomy, how planes work, and much more.

This book by NatGeo is cool because it introduces concepts in a style that’s easy to understand for young kids. It’s a helpful way to encourage open-ended conversations about different topics together.


13. Zoo in the Sky

Star Gazer

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This unique book, also by NatGeo, features all of the known constellations named after animals, plus a poetic backstory on each one. This is an advantageous non-fiction read for your curious child.

It introduces children to astronomy in an age-appropriate manner and features beautiful illustrations to catch the reader’s eye.


14. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

For the Perfectionist

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Any perfectionist will be able to relate to Beatrice Bottomwell. She never makes any mistakes, except for one big one… in front of everyone. She learns that making mistakes can be a beautiful thing and not to be so serious all the time.

This story is an admirable read for its positive message of embracing mistakes and not worrying if every single thing isn’t right. The simple, easy-to-read sentences are just right for a 6-year-old.


15. Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

Budding Comedians Unite

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Reading doesn’t need to be serious business all the time. If you have a child who loves telling jokes and making people laugh, this book is a good investment. Even something as silly as this book can offer something to your child’s reading progress.

Aimed at 6-year-olds, this joke book is exceptional because it introduces a writing style different from a typical storybook or easy reader. Your kid will be getting laughs from the whole family.


16. Junie B. Jones’s First Boxed Set Ever!

Best Early Chapter Book

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Reading Junie B. Jones is a rite of passage. This set comes with the first four books in the series, so they’re perfect for kids who aren’t confident in their reading but still want to challenge themselves a little.

Junie B. Jones is a girl who gets into crazy antics and hilariously narrates her life. This series is optimal for 6-year-olds because of its humorous content and character relatability.


17. Scholastic Reader Level 1: Silly Milly

Whacky Illustrations

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This phonics reader introduces your child to the idea of double letters while still maintaining an easy reading experience. It’s an intriguing story that will keep your reader on their toes, encouraging critical thinking.

The entire book is a big riddle and the silly illustrations will help keep your child interested as they go along.

First Grade Reading Level

Most 6-year-olds will start using strategy for reading comprehension and already know how to read a story (top-to-bottom and left-to-right). They’ll also be able to identify most, if not all, common sight words, which will aid in learning to read (1).

Word games and other activities are a great way to carry on their lessons at home. You should also encourage your child to read with you whenever they’re interested, but be wary not to push it or they may lose interest.

How to Choose Books for 6-Year-Olds

Before you make your decision, consider these things when choosing books for your child.

Phonics Work

Phonics books are the quintessential books for 6-year-olds. You need to be careful with these, though. If you aren’t familiar, they typically come in different levels depending on your child’s age/reading level.

You’ll want to be sure to note what your child’s reading level is and whether they’d be better suited for a “level one” or “level two” reader. In most cases, 6-year-olds are at the level one stage but if they’re more confident, then you can certainly move them up.

Interesting Storylines

You’re going to want to choose something that can keep their interest. Another easy way to ensure they’ll enjoy the book is to let them help you choose. Pay attention to the types of books they choose and you’ll have a better idea of what they enjoy.

Age-Appropriate Content

At this age, children are being introduced to challenge words. These are vocabulary words that are more difficult to read and spell than sight words.

It’s important to choose a book that’s easy to follow but still offers new and exciting words to constantly build your child’s internal dictionary (2).



Time to Read

Watching your child blossom into a budding reader is one of the best moments of parenthood. By choosing appropriate books for them, you’re setting them up for success.

Consider their reading level and their interests when shopping, to ensure you’re choosing the right books. It also helps to have them make decisions with you. This way, they’re more likely to read them.

Our favorite option on this list is the Bob Books, Set 2. We love all Bob sets, but this one is especially great for 6-year-olds because it challenges them to enhance their skills while keeping it at their level.

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24 must-read books for 6-8-year-olds

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The Wind In The Willows retold by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Jojo Clinch (2022)

One of the most famous children’s stories of all time has been beautifully reimagined in this new picture book which aims to reach a new, younger audience. Follow the mischievous Toad of Toad Hall as he’s joined by his riverside friends Moly and Ratty for some adventures in the Wild Wood. Things get serious when Mr Toad is sent to prison, and his home is taken over by stoats and weasels. Will his furry friends be able to save the day?

Leonora Bolt: Deep Sea Calamity by Lucy Brandt & Gladys Jose (2022)

Leonora Bolt is a young inventor brimming with wacky but brilliant ideas. Problem is, she’s not meant to be drawing any attention to herself. Deep in hiding in Snorebury, Leonora is trying to solve the clues to her missing parents’ location while avoiding being discovered by her evil uncle. But when she takes her homemade submarine into the middle of the ocean, with help from her friends and an otter, Leonora starts to realise this could be her best plan yet!

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger by Olaf Falafel (2022)

The bullies at Trixie Pickle’s school had better watch out because the Art Avenger is watching. Trixie loves art but hates bullies and thinks she’s found a genius way of taking them down. Learn about Picasso, Pollock, and Ofili whilst Trixie sets about righting wrongs at her school, using the art she’s so passionate about. This is a brilliant book full of facts and details about real artists, alongside fun illustrations. If you’re a fan of Wimpy Kid, Konnie Huq, Sam Copeland, and Liz Pichon, you will love it.

One Hundred Reasons To Hope by Danielle Brown & Adam Larkum (2021)

Captain Sir Tom Moore raised millions of pounds for the NHS when he walked 100 laps of his garden in 2020. This book celebrates his inspirational story, as well as those of 100 other heroes from across the UK.  With beautiful illustrations and an introduction by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter, this book features well-known stories from the pandemic such as Joe Wicks’ workouts and others you might never have heard. From dancing binmen to scientists racing to find a vaccine and clapping to celebrate key workers, the pandemic was tough for so many, but hope can be found in unexpected places.

The Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith (1987)

Dick King-Smith takes the crown when it comes to heart-warming animal stories and The Hodgeheg is one of his classics. It tells the tale of Max, a hedgehog who has a lovely home but it’s on the wrong side of the road from a park full of juicy slugs, worms, and snails. One day Max decides he is going to cross that road, but it doesn’t exactly go to plan. When he ends up with a bump on his head, he realises his words are all mixed up. Where he was once a hedgehog, now he is a hodgeheg! But he’s a hodgeheg who is determined to complete his mission… will he make it?

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake (1961)

Is there a more famous fruit-based adventure than Roald Dahl’s wonderful story about James Henry Trotter who lives with his two mean aunts? Life for James isn’t much fun until a peach starts to grow… and grow… and grow at the bottom of his garden. When James inspects the fruit closely, he finds a tunnel inside it and decides to start exploring. What comes next is a fantastic adventure involving his new acquaintances' Centipede, Miss Spider, Old Green Grasshopper, Earthworm, Ladybug, Glowworm, and Silkworm.

The Green Planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe & Kim Smith (2022)

We’re surrounded by them but how much attention have you really paid to plants? This book takes you deep into the secret world of plants and will blow your mind. You’ll learn how our green friends use tricks to defeat their enemies and get animals to work for them. You’ll also discover more about the challenges they face and why it’s now more important than ever to protect the plant world. Published in collaboration with BBC Earth for the release of The Green Planet TV series with David Attenborough, this book will delight and inspire all generations.

The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery & Laura Catalán (2022)

Charlie Challinor is finding life a bit tricky. With bullies at school and changes at home, he’s got a lot on his plate. But things get even more challenging when he’s made guardian of a fox cub called Cadno. And Cadno isn’t just any old fox, he’s a firefox – in fact, the only firefox left on Earth. Charlie soon finds himself swept up in an adventure to protect his fiery friend from a sinister hunter from another world. Does he have what it takes to save the last firefox?

The Underpants of Chaos by Sam Copeland & Jenny Pearson (2022)

Odd events are happening at Little Strangehaven Primary, peculiar SHIVERS keep striking the school, bringing Strangeness in their wake. And for some reason spy-detective Agatha Topps is the only person who remembers it when it happens. But then new boy Lenny Tuchus arrives… As the pair embark on a mission to solve the mystery, they’re led to the Room of Forbidden and Dangerous Books where they find the Book of Chaos. Can they use the book to stop attacks from evil underpants and gargoyles before their town is destroyed?

The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey (2022)

Stop by the Shoebox Theatre where the insect troupe will take you on a whirlwind tour of the history of Earth. You'll witness the very beginning (when Earth was covered in volcanoes) and the birth of bacteria, before journeying through the era of dinosaurs and the ice age, and finally, discover when humans first made an appearance. This beautifully illustrated picture book from Mini Grey is a great non-fiction pick for younger readers.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy (1974)

Popular with trainee witches and wizards all over the world, hold on to your broomsticks because this magical book is bound to cast a spell over you. Mildred Hubble, she’s the worst witch in question; she’s a trainee at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches and she’s, well… the worst. She gets spells wrong and she’s constantly crashing broomsticks. But things go from bad to WORSE when Mildred turns Ethel – the teacher’s pet – into her worst enemy.

The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend by Jion Sheibani (2021)

Sohal is a natural-born worrier. He just can’t help it. Most things make him worry: there’s the dark, his lack of friends, mutant alien sheep! His parents try to help but it just gets all too much sometimes. So, one night, Sohal decides to draw his worries to make himself feel a bit calmer. But when he makes up the next day, his worries at sitting at the end of his bed as five furry creatures! In a world where there is a lot of uncertainty at the moment, this is a fun tale about not letting your worries get the better of you.

Matilda by Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake (1988)

Our favourite bookworm is back in this special edition of Roald Dahl's classic tale. Matilda Wormwood is an exceptionally gifted young girl who, despite learning to read classic books at the age of four, is completely ignored by her own family. She also has a horrible headteacher, Miss Trunchbull to deal with at school. But fortunately for Matilda, all that intellect comes with magical abilities. And she's going to teach the bullies in her life a lesson they'll never forget...

Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono & Joe Todd-Stanton (1985)

At age 13, witch-in-training Kiki is determined her magical powers will bring happiness to the seaside village of Koriko. But she soon learns it's much harder than she expected... and maybe people with powers aren't the only ones with magic! This classic tale from Eiko Kadono is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and anime.

Evolution Colouring and Activity Book by Sabina Radeva (2020)

Following on from Sabina Radeva’s adaptation On the Origin of Species, this fun activity and colouring book will let budding scientists put their newfound knowledge into practice. Filled with Radeva’s beautiful illustrations, there are detailed pages to colour, scientific questions to answer on the theory of evolution as well as a ton of facts about variation, competition and how animals have evolved to where they are today.

Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Missing Puppies by Megan Rix (2021)

Lizzie really, really wants a dog. She’s making a list of 101 reasons why she needs one so she can convince her parents. Dogs are smart; they make you happy; they’re cuddly; they can be trained to be hearing dogs (which would be especially useful for Lizzie as she’s deaf) – but she’s still got a long way to go before she reaches 101 reasons. In the meantime, Lizzie also has to track down a mysterious-looking man she saw making off with a dalmatian puppy. Will Lizzie be able to solve the case, finish her list and potentially find herself a puppy friend?

The Extraordinary Life of Amelia Earhart (2020)

Get to know some of the world’s most influential heroes like never before through a nifty combination of biography and storytelling style, facts and timelines – throw in a dash of eye-popping illustrations and you’ve got something nothing short of extraordinary! Amelia Earhart (who broke flying records and fought for the rights of female pilots), Alan Turing (a mathematician and scientist who decoded secret messages sent by the Nazis during the Second World War), and Katherine Johnson (one of the most influential people in the history of space travel) are just three of the extraordinary people throughout history that you’ll get to know in this series.  

Wild Cities by Ben Lerwill & Harriet Hobday (2020)

When we think of cities, we think of traffic, towering skyscrapers, and lots of people. But humans are not the only ones who make urban areas their homes. As cities grow larger, so do their number of animal residents. This gorgeous picture book explores the wildest metropolises on our planet and reveals their animal city dwellers. From the harbour seals of London to the flying foxes of Sydney, next time you find yourself in an asphalt jungle, watch out for the wildlife.

Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (1946)

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Daisy and the Trouble with Coconuts by Kes Gray (2020)

Uh oh! Here comes trouble. Daisy cannot wait to go to the funfair! But the trouble with funfairs is all of the coconuts - which Daisy firmly believes are the WORST TYPE OF NUTS. They’re too big and too hairy, and if you win one they just get you in trouble. Which DEFINITELY isn’t Daisy’s fault!

The Bear in the Stars by Alexis Snell (2020)

A great white bear, known as the Queen of Beasts, rules over an icy kingdom. It’s cold but breathtakingly beautiful. Gradually, the ice begins to melt and the kingdom’s inhabitants leave for new homes. It’s soon time for the Queen of Beasts to leave her snowy realm but on her journey, she finds that despite the growing temperatures, others' hearts are growing colder. Created with lino-printed artwork, The Bear in the Stars is a striking modern fable that addresses the issue of climate change.

Stuart Little by E. B. White (1945)

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Unlike other mice, Stuart was born to a family of humans and despite his parents being concerned over how Stuart would survive in a human-sized world, he’s adapted perfectly. It’s only the family cat Snowbell he has to watch out for! One winter’s day, Stuart and his family find a half-frozen songbird called Margalo on their doorstep. They nurse her back to health and she and Stuart become firm friends. But a plot by Snowbell and another cat to eat Margalo results in the songbird fleeing in the middle of the night. Stuart is heartbroken so he ventures out into the big wide world to find her.

The Creakers by Tom Fletcher & Shane Devries (2017)

In this novel from author extraordinaire Tom Fletcher, readers meet Lucy. Lucy’s always wondered about the strange creaking noises that we all hear at night when we’re trying to doze off, or at least she did until all of the adults in town mysteriously disappeared – leaving the kids in charge! Lucy’s determined to get to the bottom of the disappearance and nothing is going to stop her… except for maybe a few Creakers. Fans of The Christmasaurus will love this darkly magical adventure story.

how and what to read so that a child loves reading

How can you accustom a child to reading? We have compiled lists of fiction books for children of all ages that will help them fall in love with reading.

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From books for babies to books for first graders to read themselves - a detailed list.

Contents of the article

Books for babies (from 0 to 2 years old)

At such a young age, a child can only judge how tasty and convenient a book is to use - in other words, whether it fits in the mouth. However, reading aloud to unintelligent babies is not at all as pointless as it seems at first glance. Firstly, this is a kind of communication with the child, and secondly, listening to you, the baby learns to speak. Starting from birth, children easily perceive folklore works, learn to listen carefully and memorize. Poems and songs are especially useful: even very tiny babies perceive the rhythm well and are able to distinguish between parental intonations.

How to read?

  • In a quiet environment. Remove toys that can distract the child and turn off the computer with the TV.
  • Declaim expressively and emotionally, pronouncing all sounds carefully. Speak lower, higher, faster and slower - in general, conscientiously entertain the baby.
  • Show your baby pictures: it's good if you have different versions of images of the same creatures.
  • Demonstrate to your child the actions that are spoken about in verses and nursery rhymes. Butt heads for a horned goat, stomp for a clubfoot bear and growl for a tiger.
  • As soon as the baby gets bored with the book, stop reading and set it aside for a day.

What to read?

  • Short correctly rhymed poems about animals, toys and the world around.
  • Poems with onomatopoeia.

What to buy?

  • Sturdy, indestructible and safe toy books that can be chewed on, crushed and even bathed in the bath with pleasure.
  • Books with vivid illustrations: furry animals, croaking frogs, etc.
  • Books from 0 years old with simple, bright and realistic pictures.

References

1. Aleksandrova Z. "Dandelion", "New Snow"
2. Aronzon L. "Who is dreaming"
3. Barto A. "Toys"
4. Bergelson A. "Hurray for the mosquito"
5. Berestov V. "About the car", "Merry summer"
6. Blaginina E. "Poems for children"
7. Zakhoder B. "Songs of Winnie the Pooh"
8. Kozlov S. "I'm lying in the sun", "Panda"
9. Lagzdyn G. "Cockerel", "Bunny, bunny, dance!"
10. Mayer N. "Forest laughter"
11. Marshak S. "Children in a Cage"
12. Moshkovskaya E.E. "Zoo" 13. Pikuleva N. "Poems for the smallest"
14. Russian folk rhymes. “Magpie-white-sided”, “Bells, bells”, “Ladushki”, “I'm going to my grandmother, to my grandfather”, “Bayu-bayushki-bayu”, “Ladybug”
15. "Rhymes of Mother Goose", children's English poetry translated by S. Marshak and K. Chukovsky
16. Stepanov V.A. “How do you live? What are you chewing?
17. Serova E. "Glorious family", "Who lives in the forest"
18. Tokmakova I. "Summer rain", "Seasons"
19. Chebyshev A. "Hedgehog visiting a giraffe"
20. Chukovsky K. “Hedgehogs are laughing”, “A bunny came out for a walk”

Books for children from 2 to 4 years old

Now the child already understands the words that adults say, shows interest in everything around and tries his best to imitate mom and dad. One fine day, you may find that the baby is very intently "reading" aloud to his plush zoo (a book from 0 to 7 years old, of course). In general, it's time to start more serious and meaningful reading, and the list of books for children from 2 to 4 years old will help you conquer new heights of knowledge!

How to read?

  • Turn reading into an enjoyable ritual for your baby. For example, do this before going to bed - always at the same time.
  • If you started reading a fairy tale to your baby, and he fell asleep or got distracted, then next time you will have to start from the first page. It is still difficult for such young children to remember and combine different episodes of the same story in their heads.
  • Do not be lazy to read the same thing over and over if your little conservative asks for it. Use children's love of repetition to memorize poems and stories.
  • Do not be afraid to take on texts with words unfamiliar to the child. First, most likely he understands much more than you think. And secondly, the expansion of vocabulary will greatly spur the development of speech.

What to read?

  • Short stories. Let them cover one event or several, but occurring linearly, that is, one after the other.
  • Short poems (4-12 lines).
  • Poetic riddles.
  • Animals and toys from 0 years old are still at the peak of popularity. But now the kid is no longer enough of a cheerful story that “ko” are grazing in the meadow - now he needs some kind of relationship, interaction between the characters.

What to buy?

  • Books with large and very simple illustrations that match the text.
  • Look for books that allow your child to do things on their own, like sticking stickers, coloring pictures.
  • Prefer durable and inexpensive editions, the time for reading rare books will come later.

References

1. Rotraut Suzanne Berner Summer Book, Winter Book, Autumn Book, Spring Book, Night Book
2. Goebel, Knorr "Once in the city", "Out of town", "In the circus"
3. D. Donaldson "The Gruffalo", "The Gruffalo's Daughter", "If It's Crowded in the House", "The Snail and the Whale"
4. Brothers Grimm "The Bremen Town Musicians", "Little Men"
5. Hans Christian Andersen "The Princess and the Pea", "Thumbelina", "Flint and Steel", "The Tale of the Steadfast Tin Soldier"
6. A. Preisen "About a kid who could count to ten"
7. L. Muur "Little Raccoon and the one who sits in the pond"
8. L. Clinting "Castor"
9. Z. Miller, E. Petishka, G. Doskochilova “Krotik. The Big Book" and "The Mole. Stories in pictures»
10. D. Kulot "Little crocodile and big love"
11. Chisato Tashiro "Mouse House"
12. R. Guishu "The Best Dad"
13. A series of books "Relive the fairy tale" (publishing house "Ranok")
14. R. Mukha, V. Levin, V. Lunin "Polite Elephant"
15. Z. Alexandrova "Poems"
16. "The White House and the Black Cat" in B. Zakhoder's retelling
17. I. Tokmakova "Where the fish sleeps", "The sun walks in a circle"
18. G. Sapgir "Wonder Forests"
19. I. Surikov "Childhood"
20. S. Mikhalkov "The most beloved fairy tales and poems for kids"
21. Ch. Perro Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty
22. Richard Scarry "From morning to evening in the city of good deeds"
23. D. Koldina “Education by examples. Life situations»
24. K. Hovsepyan "I'm going to kindergarten"
25. O. Gromova “The bunny goes to the kindergarten.

Books for children from 4 to 6 years old

If a child has not yet learned and loved to read, this is such a tragedy that even the death of Pompeii fades next to it. At least, this is what everyone around you will begin to convince you of! In no case do not succumb to these provocations and do not panic: everything will be fine - and he will read, and love, and even ask you to write him down in the library. In the list of children's books from 4 to 6 years old, there may already be more complex fairy tales, novels, adventure stories, in the plot of which the stake is placed on exciting and vivid events, instructive stories and fables, teaching aids for preparing for school.

How to read?

  • The child perceives quite well the text read in a normal parental voice. But, of course, a slight intonation will not hurt.
  • Children are no longer obsessed with one fairy tale as much as they used to be, but for better perception it still makes sense to read books several times - it's easier to remember the details.
  • Read chapter by chapter if they are small, otherwise divide the text into separate semantic pieces by yourself. Such a "fractional approach" will help arouse in the child the desire to learn to read independently. Stop literally “at the most interesting place”, and then feel free to start doing your own business: if you want to know what will happen next, let him take the book himself.
  • If your child's questions confuse you, then together with him look for answers to them in paper encyclopedias and reference books. The Internet in teaching reading is a bad helper, there are too many temptations.

What to read?

  • Take your child to the children's library. Show and let them look through a variety of publications: miniature books and huge atlases or photo albums.
  • Adventure stories, novels and short stories full of exciting events.
  • Stories in the spirit of “a lesson for good fellows” are moderately moralizing and by no means boring.
  • Encyclopedias for preschoolers and primary school children.
  • Educational aids to prepare for school.
  • Books related to the events taking place around the child. For example, before the New Year, you can read stories about Grandfather Frost, and before May 9 - military stories.
  • Books with complex illustrations designed for long study.
  • Children's magazines and comics.

References

1. Bazhov V. "Silver Hoof"
2. Burnett F. "Little Princess"
3. Bianchi V. "Stories about animals"
4. Volkov A. "The Wizard of the Emerald City"
5. Voronkova L.F. City Girl
6. Gaidar A. "Chuk and Gek", "Blue Cup"
7. Gauf V. "Dwarf Nose", "The Tale of the Caliph Stork", "The Tale of Little Flour"
8. Gallico P. "Thomasina"
9. Dr. Seuss "Tales"
10. Zoshchenko M. "Stories about Lele and Minka"
11. Kozlov S. "Hedgehog in the fog", "In the native forest"
12. Krylov I.A. "Elephant and Pug", "Crow and Fox"
13. Lagerlöf S. "Niels' wonderful journey with wild geese"
14. Lindgren A. "Emil from Lönneberga", "Kid and Carlson"
15. Miln A.A. "Winnie the Pooh and all-all-all"
16. Tales of the peoples of the world
17. Nosov N.N. "Dunno and His Friends", "The Adventures of Kolya and Misha", "Entertainers", "Dreamers"
18. Oseeva V. "Blue leaves", "Magic word", "What is easier"
19. Oster G. B. "A Kitten Named Woof and Other Stories"
20. Prishvin M. "Forest Master"
21. Pushkin A.S. "Tales"
22. Raspe R.E. "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen"
23. Rodari J. Blue Arrow Journey
24. Romanova N. "Ant Red Dot"
25. Russian folk epics
26. Tolstoy A.N. "The Adventures of Pinocchio"
27. Wild O. "Star Boy"
28. Uspensky E. "Crocodile Gena and his friends", "Vacation in Prostokvashino"
29. Chandler H.J. Uncle Remus Tales
30. Chaplina V. “Kinuli”

Books for children 7 years old

Now not only you, but also his class teacher will determine the reading circle of your child. Conclude an agreement with a young student: every month you go to a bookstore and buy two books there - you choose one, he chooses the second. And before the trip, make a list of those books that take into account the interests of your child, and take with you the list of books prepared by us for children of 7 years old.

How to read

  • It's time to finish reading aloud, maybe for five to ten minutes at night to sleep better. It's time for your child to start reading on their own.
  • Read fairy tales and fables by roles.
  • Teach your little one how to write poetry or how to write stories that follow up on their favorite books.
  • Watch a young bibliophile read aloud. Does he get confused in words, swallows syllables, puts stress correctly, etc. Carefully correct all mistakes, and if the baby suddenly has problems with pronunciation and reading comprehension, be sure to contact the doctors.
  • A first-grader almost every day receives homework “to read a text from such and such to such and such a page” — as a result, a previously pleasant activity turns into a painful obligation for him. Do not forget to praise the student so that he does not lose motivation at all.

What to read

  • Unadapted children's works with a full plot and complex sentences.
  • That "everyone reads". At this age, it is very important for children to feel "their own" in a group of peers, so you have to be a little patient.
  • Electronic books. There is no escape from technology, so it is better to use it for good.
  • Books from the school curriculum.
  • Books about the child's hobbies. If the kid loves cats, choose a zoological encyclopedia (or a cat detective), if he is fond of hockey - sports, etc. Even for cartoons and computer games that often distract children from reading, you can pick up the appropriate novelizations or art books.

References

1. Adams, R. Hill Dwellers
2. Barry J. Peter Pan
3. Hoffman E.T.A. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
4. Graham K. The Wind in the Willows
5. Dahl R. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
6. Darrell J. "My family and other animals"
7. Dickens D. "Stories for Children"
8. Dragunsky V. "Deniska's stories"
9. Konopnitskaya M. "About the gnomes and the orphan Mary"
10. Crews J. “My great-grandfather, heroes and me”, “Tim Thaler or Sold Laughter”
11. Carroll L. Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass
12. Legends and myths of Ancient Greece
13. London J. "White Fang"
14. Lewis K. The Chronicles of Narnia
15. Nekrasov A. "The Adventures of Captain Vrungel"
16. Odoevsky V. "Town in a snuffbox"
17. Olesha Y. "Three fat men"
18. Preysler O. "Krabat", "Little Baba Yaga", "Little Water"
19. Raud E. "Clutch, Half Shoes and Moss Beard"
20. Seton-Thompson E. "Stories about animals"
21. Task S.E. Mystery of the ginger cat
22. Twain, M. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper
23. Frisch K. "Ten Little Uninvited Guests"
24. Ekholm J. “Tutta Carlson. The first and only "
25. Jansson T. "Memoirs of Moomintroll's father", "Magician's Hat"

Have you read books from this list to children?

How to teach a child to read?

  • Tags:
  • Expert advice
  • 3-7 years
  • 7-12 years

Why have children all over the world stopped reading?
1. There is consistent evidence that children are becoming less and less willing to read. Heavy folios and thick books, ink and pens, symbolized high culture for so long that with their disappearance from everyday life, we plunged into an anxious expectation of the end of civilization. With the cessation of reading, the most important channel for the transfer of experience between generations will be destroyed.
2. The phenomenon of rote, “meaningless” reading was first dealt with by Americans, in particular, psychologist and education specialist Michael Cole. For a significant proportion of American children, children of migrants, English was not their first language, and it was assumed that difficulties in understanding texts reduce children's motivation to read. Children could read technically, but after reading the text at a good pace, they could not only retell, but sometimes even say what the text was about. Children read as if their right hemisphere, which is responsible for imagination and emotional response, was affected. At the same time, they passed tests for intelligence successfully, and sometimes their non-verbal intelligence was especially pronounced, for which it is the right hemisphere that is responsible. Physiology and genetics had nothing to do with it. Low motivation for reading and learning in general has led to the fact that high migration to the United States was accompanied by a decrease in the level of education in the most technologically advanced country.
3. At the same time, there was no talk of a return to absolute illiteracy. Everyone learns to read and write today. It is possible that the total volume of texts read is no less than in the old days, but it is obvious that today they mostly read not books with crispy bindings and rustling newspapers, but electronic texts of various formats. This indifference to reading books, which were once our style models, has a downside. Growing up, children, for their part, discover that their parents do not know how to use a computer, and do not show any interest in virtual worlds.
4. Computer communication involves not only passive reading of texts, but also their constant production. Spelling skills, accuracy and calligraphy are opposed to typing speed, targeting, genre correspondence of written texts. Spoken language is largely replaced by written language.
5. The decrease in the value of reading for the modern child is only a fact of his adaptation to the changed conditions of development. Children have not become less curious, but they have certainly become less controlled. If we want to speak, correspond with children in their language, we will have to master the computer, or not pretend that we do not really need it.
6. The consequences of the humanitarian revolution associated with the rapid transition from speech to writing, from reading to writing, have yet to be assessed. So far, there is a fear that a child on the Internet often operates with illiterately written texts. Along with the decline in interest in reading, the general level of intellectual culture falls. There is a shift in emphasis from the production of high cultural values ​​to the consumption of everything new, funny, cool, useful, interesting. This is not the way to develop thinking, not to solve global problems ... While scientists are looking for answers, responsible parents are making efforts to pass on their reading experience to children.

Situation 1. “Coercive motivation”
The father of six-year-old Serezha decided that, unlike other children, his son would be an educated, well-read person. He grew up in an incomplete family, and was proud that he himself received an education, which helped him and his wife to resist in difficult times. In order not to miss the moment, the family made a rule to read with the child every evening. At 1 year and 7 months. Serezha already knew all the letters. At 2 years and 4 months old, he added and read simple words "Ma-ma", "pa-pa", "ba-ba". At the age of four and a half, Serezha could read new words, but under various pretexts, he began to evade the long-established reading procedure. Among the books next in line were Myths of Ancient Greece, a thick volume of Hoffmann's tales. And just at that moment, the child, who amazed everyone with his awareness, began to get sick, became isolated and very soon stopped talking to his family, thinking about something of his own. The psychologist in the kindergarten came to the conclusion that the boy had depression or emotional exhaustion associated with an unusual kind of "psychological abuse" against the child - forced, increasingly complicated and less and less understandable reading to the child.
Commentary:
Education and reading require effort, and until children develop voluntary attention and memory, it is difficult for them to read on their own. One of the motives for reading may be the fear of being punished for refusing or failing to do what parents expect. This is a non-specific motive for reading, which will lead to the opposite effect - the rejection of an overwhelming or hateful activity at the first opportunity. The child will hate reading and books. The situation will only get worse if the family has demanding, pragmatic, cold relations, and family members are evaluated according to their “working” characteristics.
Children also do not know age standards, and if an adult insists that at “your age everyone has been reading for a long time”, then the child has no choice but to take this maxim on faith and at the same time admit that he may “grow up a real idiot."
If parents rely on the early independence of a preschool child or on a special path and pace of his development, they clearly overestimate the situation. It is impossible to bypass the stages of joint evening reading, fantasizing based on fairy tales, playing them out with peers and proceeding immediately to independent “adult” reading. It is impossible to raise a child in forced isolation, and the forced development of one or another ability narrows the child's social circle. Any activity of a child, like an adult, is polymotivated. We draw part of the incentives for development from communication with peers, not wanting to fall behind them or trying to try what seems interesting to us in their performance.
Situation 2. "Reading and the computer"
Five-year-old Katya did not want to learn letters until she was allowed to use the computer. It turned out that she already knew half of the letters, classes with her grandmother were not in vain. But - a miracle! - in a couple of evenings she learned a dozen computer commands to play a computer game. After that, it was difficult to accuse the girl of weak abilities and laziness. But she still refused to read. And then it was decided to forbid playing until Katya read the fairy tale, first about "Mashenka and the Bear", then "About the Three Little Pigs". Katya was crying, but she was reading... Until Katya's grandmother lost her nerve, and she complained to the psychologist in the kindergarten about Katya, her parents, and the kindergarten, where they don't teach children about culture. ..
Comment.
Let's honestly compare the benefits of working at a computer and reading. Parents know little about the first and therefore think little, because this experience is not familiar to them from their own childhood. The computer gives the child the illusion of control, inclusion in the interaction with the world. Reading is a passive process of perceiving events in which the child will not be able to intervene. Unless you are acting out plays based on a fairy tale, improvising while reading, reading by roles, etc. Working at a computer gives a feeling of ease in the execution of a plan, from idea to execution - literally at hand, one movement. By typing letters on a computer keyboard, a child actually performs a more complex activity than putting letters into words. And the more difficult the activity, the more interesting it is. Paradox, but true. Weak motivation to learn actions that are too simple for a given age can also hamper the development of skills. And, finally, a computer gives a more serious bonus compared to a book - the child gets the opportunity to play. While reading, he often receives only the moral encouragement of adults. Intuitively understanding this, adults begin to manipulate the situation, build dependencies “reading? game on a computer, etc. Learning in the game is more in line with the needs of preschool age than "school" learning. The fatal difference in favor of reading is that while reading, the child emotionally gets used to the role. While playing on the computer, he technically performs a sequence of operations that are only interesting to him. A computer game reinforces children's egocentrism and inhibits the development of arbitrary ("volitional") skills.

Situation 3. Mechanical reading
Petya learned to read at the age of four. At the same time, he began to "work" on the computer, and at the age of five he already read and wrote, striking his family with his abilities. A real Indigo child, a genius child. The problem was revealed when a grandmother from the province came to visit Petya's parents. Out of intellectual habit, she wanted to talk to her grandson about his favorite books, and it turned out that Petya was unable to keep up the conversation. He didn't seem to know or remember any of the books! “As the grandmother exclaimed, haven’t you read about Pinocchio?” Petya answered in the affirmative only when they took the book off the shelf and showed it to him. "I read this one." He recognized her from the cover. In exactly the same way, Petya “read” all the books on the shelf. At the request of his grandmother, Petya read without hesitation from any place, but what this episode was about, he did not remember, did not know, was not interested. He couldn’t even retell it… “He can’t read! Read and not understand what? This is not reading! Grandma turned out to be right...
Comment.
The phenomenon of "mechanical reading" began to spread at the speed of a computer virus. It consists, in my opinion, in the fact that in the development of cognitive skills, more and more emphasis is placed on operational characteristics, short-term memory and involuntary attention. It is these skills that are best trained when working at a computer. All information "outdated" if you move from one game to another. Similarly, books are "forgotten" after the text is read and not used. If we do not include reading in the child's actual relationships, do not teach him to shape his future and include the information he read in this image of the future, books will lose their cultural purpose - to store and transmit meaningful experience.

Reasons why children don't like to read… what we read!
1. Children simply do not have the experience of reading together with their parents, during which parents could infect them with love, interest and delight in relation to the heroes of fairy tales. Nannies are usually concerned with the outside of caring for babies.
2. Children learn to read too early - before discussing new stories and problems with their parents.
3. Today, belonging to the elite, unfortunately, is not determined by intellectual abilities. The main motive of education has been lost - to change life for the better in the future by applying one's intellectual skills. Society as a whole is not set up for knowledge and discovery.
4. Children read a lot more than we think because we take reading more “seriously”. As ideal texts, parents consider the works of art of the classics, and not half-screen LiveJournal diaries.
5. Reading has ceased to satisfy the child's need for fantasy. Virtual worlds, which writers used to invent, are supplied in large numbers by television and the Internet. There are too many rides in life. And the ability to refuse to participate in virtual adventures becomes more important than one's own ability to imagine.
6. Ideals, idols of parents and children do not match. Perhaps never before has the gap between generations been so wide. There are theories according to which the first generation was born, which will rely on its own experience, and not on the experience of its predecessors.
7. Simultaneously with reading, children learn to write, or rather, type on the keyboard. Calligraphic requirements no longer hold back the desires of the child, his need for the exchange of information. The first written messages for most children are the computer commands they type to enter the virtual worlds of on-screen games.
8. The language of communication between people has changed. It has more verbs, actions (action), fewer nouns and almost no adjectives left that would reflect a warm, emotionally rich atmosphere, would make us attractive to each other and to our children. Having lost interest in us, children do not expect anything interesting from those texts that we persistently offer them.
9. By the way, the directiveness with which we "invite" children to read also creates a negative motivation for reading.
Methods of motivating reading in children.
1. The first trick to teach a child something is infection. Children copy the behavior of their parents. If they don't see book-reading adults in the house rushing to share the news, they won't be interested in this way of learning. It is naive to believe that if you spend all the time behind the screen, your child will reach for a book.
2. In order for children to read books, they must grow up surrounded by books. If there are no traces of intellectual culture in homes, but only signs of financial wealth, how do children learn that reading and books are special values? In a house with a bookcase in which you can rummage at least secretly, a reading child will grow up.
3. Read together with the children what is interesting for both you and him. Children's literature is constantly being updated, and it's still hard to keep up with what's new.
4. Teach your child to compose, make up stories with him. Interest in fictional worlds underlies the need to read thick books in the future. Retelling old fairy tales in a new way, attributing incredible deeds to the heroes, you will form a child's creative imagination. Children with developed creative imagination will look for more complex and entertaining stories than they can come up with on their own or with their parents. They will reach for books.
5. Learn poetry with your child. A children's poem, the size of the learned text, is, in modern terms, a text format that a child can understand, connect, remember and retell at a time. This is a "sustainable portion", "quantum", "unit" of reading. Children who immediately sat down at computers, as a rule, did not develop oral speech and the ability to coherently express their thoughts to another. The skills of operating with texts are acquired not only during mechanical reading, but also in oral speech, in the process of role-playing, in a variety of social situations.
6. Act out performances based on famous book stories. Children are interested in relationships between people, unusual characters, and as soon as the time comes for role-playing games, they are happy to immerse themselves in their worlds. From 4-5 years old, the “reading unit” becomes an event, an action that happened to two or more characters. We can say that they begin to learn the art of dialogue and take another important step towards the formation of plot thinking.


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