21 Top Books for 6 Year Olds in 2024

Age Range

Great for little ones. Don’t let the title of this story fool you, it won’t teach your kids how to be great artists. What it will do, however, it teaches them how to be themselves and embrace everything they are!

Educational Value

As they follow the story of the main character, Vashti, they’ll learn how important it is to express yourself in the most creative ways possible and to never be afraid of who you truly are, regardless of your talents and passions. The Dot is a delicate fable on how each one is gifted with a particular talent and that all we need is a single first step to make a mark in our lives. Kids learn that their creativity may not be as gifted as others but it sure is their own. This can lead to the development of a healthier self-concept.

Entertainment Value

Out of desperation or perhaps even exasperation, Vashit jabs at her blank sheet of drawing paper, creating an unremarkable yet equally compelling mark. The Dot explores how each of us can discover our hidden talents. Unremarkable as the dot may seem, it nevertheless, initiated self-discovery and self-expression. We don’t really need to be as brilliant as artists, but we can always discover our creative spirit.

Age Range

Fancy Nancy and her best friend Bree are super excited for their upcoming dance show. Nancy wants nothing more than to be cast for the lead role as a mermaid. Unfortunately, Nancy is cast as a tree after another ballerina wins the spot for the lead role.

Educational Value

As your child reads the story they will learn new words and learn how to respond to disappointing situations.Written by Jane O’Connor and Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, the story will teach children your child how to respond to disappointment especially when their friends get something they wanted. The story also teaches your child vocabulary words in a fun way. For instance, there are many lines like the following in the book, “Then I get an idea that is stupendous. That’s a fancy word for great”.

Entertainment Value

The entertaining storyline and beautiful illustrations will appeal to both children and adults. So much so that your child will be requesting to own the other books in the series. Little fashionistas will love seeing Nancy’s fancy outfits.

Age Range

However, if you can forgive this mellowed approach to storytelling, you’ll definitely find the Magic Faraway Tree’s The Enchanted Wood to be quite helpful in enhancing the imaginative play of young kids. The story follows Joe, Frannie, and Beth as they find their new home, coming across the Faraway Tree in the Enchanted Wood. This essentially begins their magical journeys as each turn guarantees an adventure of a lifetime.

Educational Value

Not only does this 248 page book provoke creative thinking, it also introduces kids to classic literature as they venture into exciting mind bending fantasies. The stories in this book are relatively easy for kids to follow along with, making for an overall enjoyable, memorable experience while reading The Enchanted Wood.

Entertainment Value

The Enchanted Wood is an amazing book to read from before bedtime due to it’s layout and interesting stories. Although this book does not have many illustrations, the detailed content will greatly expand your kid’s imagination as they think creatively about the settings and what each character looks like.

Age Range

Even younger kids will enjoy this book. From there on, kids will have to follow Paddington’s adventures and misadventures as he acclimatizes to life in the city and becoming a well-loved member of the Brown family.

Educational Value

It’s what many kids can relate to especially when it comes to doing things that may not turn out the way you want it, yet the family is still there to support you. Kids are sure to learn a great deal of new vocabulary words as this book is read to them.

Entertainment Value

This childhood classic has been adored by kids for generations. Six year olds can closely relate to a Bear Called Paddington, also known as Paddington Bear as they journey alongside his whimsical adventures facing messy, funny obstacles. There is an ample amount of British English in this book, so it very ideal to be read aloud during daily storytime or bedtime.

Age Range

By reading this book, children will learn the power of friendship and how to accept those who may be different than them. This book serves as a great introduction to chapter books as the story is broken into small chapters. It is available on the Kindle, as a hardcover, or as a paperback.

Educational Value

Your child’s confidence in their reading skills will grow as they independently read this book. The will also learn the importance of friendship and accepting others who are different. This particular book is also a part of the I Can Read series of books which encourages and helps your child to read. The book is full of simple and familiar words that will help boost your child’s confidence in reading.

Entertainment Value

The illustrations are composed of shades of green and brown, so the reader can focus more on the context of the book. Plus, adults will enjoy this blast from the past.

Age Range

The author’s company is focused on producing content that gives children important social tools they can employ in their own lives. This book is one such example and comes equipped with discussion questions on the copyright page for you to be able to guide a conversation with your child about the themes in the book, and how they relate to them.

Educational Value

The book teaches children to look past the superficial behavior of people around them and to remember that even when someone is mean, often beneath that, they are really very scared. Lucy is lovable, bright, and compassionate; children will be happy for such a brave new friend.

Entertainment Value

Her Papa’s advice is truly tested for Lucy when one of the boys at school starts making fun of her hair and her favorite lunch. When Ralph is in trouble, however, Lucy is faced with the choice of doing what might feel good at the moment or making a choice that she knows is ultimately brave and right, even if it’s hard.

This beautifully illustrated book focuses on how important it is to practice compassion, even when the people we are showing it to are less than reciprocal.

Age Range

Children between the ages of four and eight can enjoy reading this book independently or with a partner. Each page has no more than ten words, thus making it easy for your child to stay focused while reading.

Educational Value

This is a great book for children who are dabbling in reading for pleasure. The fun storyline will encourage your child to read it more than once. Near the end of the book, Piggie asks the reader to read it again as they are not happy with the book ending. It will also teach your child how to predict outcomes.

Entertainment Value

While the book is sixty-four pages long, children will stay entertained the whole way through. Not only is the animal duo hilarious but watching them figure out they are in a book is highly entertaining.

At one point the Elephant and Piggie make the reader say funny words simply because they can. This light read is sure to be a popular choice in your household.

Age Range

The entire story is interactive, thus making it possible for children of all ages to enjoy. While it is great for six-year-olds, younger and older children will not have any trouble following along. The lack of busy illustrations makes it easier for children to follow along.

Educational Value

The author puts your child in charge. Watch as their confidence and independence grows with each page turned and decision made. By staying loyal to the driver’s request and not giving into the pigeon, your child will further demonstrate their knowledge of doing what is right and what is asked of them. Your child will learn not only how to properly say no but also how to act when not getting their way.

Entertainment Value

Children will be entertained by the author’s ability to break the fourth wall. The story begins with the author telling the reader to not allow the pigeon to drive the bus. Over the next several pages the pigeon tries to persuade the reader to let him drive. The bird will ask nicely and at one point even offer the reader five dollars. Your child will have fun being in charge and will be entertained by all of the pigeon’s silly antics.

Age Range

It speaks of the child in each one of us who is asking to be recognized for who he is and not what he looks like. Especially for 6 year olds, this is important.

Educational Value

This is a great feature of this book inasmuch that studies show there are fewer reading mistakes and lower levels of anxiety in beginner and struggling readers if the font is large in contrast to small. The stories in this book are very relative to kids and written in an understandable manner, in addition to that, this book will also challenge your 6 year old’s vocabulary.

Entertainment Value

A bit similar to Frog and Toad Are Friends, Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid is a wonderful book of choice to introduce your 6 year old kid to chapter books. The font type in the book is quite large to help kids to increase their reading comprehension.

Age Range

Children between the ages of five and seven can enjoy reading this book. With thirty-two pages, this book is the perfect length to keep young readers engaged.

Educational Value

The entire story was inspired by Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie. Beaty and Roberts also created the best sellers Iggy Peck, Architect, and Rosie Revere, Engineer. Just like her classmates, Ada teaches your child the fun of learning.

Entertainment Value

Readers will enjoy Ada’s curiosity and need to find answers. Through her crazy experiments and determination, your child will be inspired to follow their own passions. The rhythmic storyline and creative illustrations will keep readers entertained and immersed in the story.

Age Range

This book is a fantastic read for children aged between 3 years and 5 years old, particularly children who are about to start school for the first time.
 
Education Value

If your child is going through a phase of bad behavior like biting, pulling or hitting, the book provides an extremely valuable lesson on how you must treat others, how you would want to be treated yourself. 

Children reading this book will be able to identify themselves with the main character Penelope when it comes to making friends or curbing their desires. This is also a great book for children that are about to have their first day at school. The book highlights diversity in the classroom and is a great way for your child to learn about empathy. 
 
Entertainment Value

This lovely picture book features quirky illustrations that your little one will want to read repeatedly. The book also uses humor to approach tough topics and makes them accessible. 

Age Range

This children’s book is suitable for children aged 4 years to 8 years old. 

Education Value

This book carries a strong message of belonging and family. It also shares messages about friendship and differences which children can learn about. Children may find themselves relating to the main character Gaston, who feels like the odd one out in his family. The story also refers to home and that where you feel you belong may not necessarily be where you come from. 

Entertainment Value

The author expresses the dog’s personality through acrylic paintings that are bright, bold, and simple. The inclusion of pictures also makes the book extremely engaging for young children. 

Age Range

Suitable for children aged 4 - 8 years old, this book is a great option for your child who as Level 2 in reading, where they can read on their own but still require a little help. 
 
Education Value

This Frog and Toads are Friends book is a lovely book that exposes children to issues of friendship. The book revolves around the connection between two friends and leans towards relationship issues. 
 
Entertainment Value

This children’s book includes simple but attractive illustrations that will help your child to follow the story easily. Different from some of the other books we have reviewed, this book includes more printed words than illustrations. This makes it much more interesting and stretching for young budding readers. This book story also offers a good balance between entertainment, fantasy, values, and reality.

Age Range

Suitable for children aged 3 to 7 years, this picture book is a great book for children who are new to reading. This beginner book is easy to read and incredibly funny. Featuring simple words and a lot of illustrations, your child will be encouraged to read this book on their own. 
 
Education Value

This book has lessons on counting and colors but more importantly, this book will teach your child about how a word or letter sounds. They will have lots of fun rhyming words while learning how to read and discover how a word sounds and looks. 
 
Entertainment Value

This is a great book for children who use rhyme to make reading fun. The book includes fabulous illustrations and the rhythms that tend to be on the silly side. The children’s book uses bright colored pages and big clear print to catch children’s attention and make the content easy to read.

Age Range

This children’s storybook is suitable for 4 - 7-year-olds. The book is a great option for young readers who are moving on from pictures of books. 
 
Education Value

This book explores the joys of friendship, working together and the power of imagination. This book is broken down into three shorter stories making it easier to read for younger children. The book also comes with an engaging ocean fact page, providing additional learning for children. The book also comes with a joke page which makes learning fun and humorous for children.  
 
Entertainment Value

This is a highly entertaining story that will keep your child hooked throughout. Broken down into three smaller stories and featuring a fact and joke page, this book has plenty of entertainment value so your little one will not want to put it down. 

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged 5 – 8 years old. This is also focused on children who are going through the common phrase of being a fussy eater.  
 
Education Value

This children’s book raises the common issue of children being fussy eaters and not wanting to eat their veggies. A lot of children will, therefore, sympathize with the main character Martha and be able to relate to her. The way that Martha can fight off the veggie villains and save her parents, is by eating the greens.

This is a funny way of encouraging your fussy eater to eat their greens at home. The illustrations also enhance the story well and add a lot of humor.
 
Entertainment Value

The illustrator of this book complements the story perfectly. The green bandits are represented as being a tough, stringy bean. Featuring a curly mustache, cowboy hat, and boots, the illustrator does well in capturing a villain. This funny book approaches the topic of kids being fussy eaters and not eating their vegetables in a cheery silly way. 

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged between 4 – 8 years old and for children that love unicorns.

Education Value

This children’s book shares a lot of important messages throughout the book like the power of believing and the importance of friendship. The story also encourages children to expand their imagination and that if you believe in something so strong it might just come true. 

Entertainment Value

The illustrations offer a full-page spread of dreamlike images that will make every child want to believe in unicorns. The joyful illustrations also work well by capturing the child and the unicorns’ dreams in a magical dreamlike way. Plus, if your little one likes unicorns, they will love this book.   

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged between 3 – 7 years old and works as a great educational book for children who are about to start preschool.
 
Education Value

The benefit of this Little Kids First Big Book of Why is that the author has made learning fun. Set out in a mixture of simple recipes, games, crafts, and lively questions, the book will encourage and invite your child to ask questions. This book will also prepare your child for preschool. It teaches in an interactive way, which is the best way to learn at this specific age. 

Entertainment Value

This is a highly interactive and entertaining children’s book, your little one will not even realize they are learning. Featuring lots of photography, this book is extremely visually entertaining. The book is broken down into a mixture of games, simple receipts, exciting questions, and crafts which makes learning fun and exciting. You will find your child asking endless questions with this book. 

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged 4 – 8 years. It is also a great read for any young perfectionist.
 
Education Value

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes is a lovely book that children can learn a lot from. Through the character Beatrice, the book encourages children to learn from their mistakes. It also conveys a powerful message, that by putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, it can suck the joy out of everything.

The book shows that you can laugh off a very public mistake and the book highlights the importance of resiliency. It will also make your child realize that you should enjoy the things you do, rather than worrying about doing things perfectly. 
 
Entertainment Value

This book is a must-read for any young perfectionist. Featuring lovely illustrations, the book shows little perfectionists that making a mistake is ok and can be a lot of fun as well. 

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged 5 – 8 years old. 
 
Education Value

This jokes book for 6-year-old kids is a brilliant way of encouraging children who normally don’t read, interested in reading. It will teach them the importance of having a good sense of humor and how to make people laugh. Telling the jokes may encourage your little one to want to memorize the jokes.

They will also be developing a mixture of skills when it comes to performing and reading the jokes out loud. The joke book will build their confidence, particularly when it comes to public speaking.
 
Entertainment Value

This book will give your child a lot of entertainment value as well as the whole family. Your child will spend hours reading the jokes, memorizing, and performing them to others and providing a lot of enjoyment for everyone. 

Age Range

This book is suitable for children aged 4 – 8 years old.
 
Education Value

This picture book is a great way of teaching readers that anyone can be a mermaid. All it takes is acceptance, love, and a little imagination. The story also shows the importance of being seen and affirmed. This is also a great book that challenges traditional gender stereotypes, highlighting that Julian can be free to be himself, whatever it may be. 
 
Entertainment Value

This picture book includes imaginative and breath-taking muted illustrations that capture the mood and narrative perfectly. With more images than text, this is a great option for a younger audience.