Updated 30th December 2021.
At the age of 6 your child will now be regularly bringing books home from school, which you are encouraged to read with them. Listen to your child patiently and don’t forget to be impressed with their efforts!
Unlike books at an earlier age, they will be using phonics to decode complex work, blending letters to work out unfamiliar words, and expanding their vocabulary on what can seem an almost daily basis. Progress often comes thick and fast at this magic age. It’s not unusual for a six-year-old to learn five new words every day.
So what do you look for in getting the best books for 6 year olds? In this guide, we'll go over the key considerations as well as our reviews of 15 of the best books for you to buy. Happy reading.
What to consider when buying books for 6 year olds
Whether for boy or girl, once your 6 year old is familiar with a certain piece of text, and can read it smoothly, encourage your child to read the passage with expression. Adding emotion to reading helps children appreciate stories and fall in love with them. Beyond that there are some key considerations for what makes a great 6 year old book:
The 15 best books for 6 year olds
Editors Review
“There’s a Martian in a supermarket, and a monkey in a heap of trouble, among many other entertaining tales.”
A selection of great stories from celebrated children’s authors, specially selected for six-year-olds.
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Editors Review
“More advanced readers may enjoy reading the story themselves, but all children will be immersed in the tale of a dinosaur in the modern world."
A lovely story from Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson about a time travelling dinosaur.
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Editors Review
“The sort of stories you’ll read to your child, who will then dip back in whenever they feel like a funny story.”
Humour is a great way to get kids reading, and this collection is packed with it.
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Editors Review
“This prizewinner is a warm, funny and character-full instant classic”
Dragons grow on trees, and when they hatch, well, they’re a handful.
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Editors Review
“Great poems specifically chosen to support the requirements of the National Curriculum.”
Introduce your children to the joys of poetry with this fun and accessible collection.
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Editors Review
“Funny, entertaining and easy to read.”
Timmy saves a fairy and, as his reward, is granted one wish. Which is where it all goes a bit wrong…
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Editors Review
"A charming story of friendship, family and belonging."
Secrets, magic and plots in a forbidden forest.
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8. Dear Hound
Editors Review
"A great story of love and loyalty, and rip roaring adventure to boot."
Alife the deerhound is lost, but Charlie will never give up looking for his beloved pet.
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Editors Review
"A funny, colourful tale of the unexpected."
When mum’s a fairy life is great...except when it isn’t.
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Editors Review
"Every child should have a joke book."
Yep, it’s a joke book, and a good one. It will have your six-year-old in stitches.
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Editors Review
“Dirty Bertie is something of a cult favourite, with nearly 30 more books in the series if your child likes this one.”
Three great stories featuring Dirty Bertie, the anti-hero with horrible habits.
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Editors Review
“It’s written by Holly Webb, the queen of animal stories for children."
Sophia loves cats but her parents won’t let her have one. Then one day a kitten wanders through a gap in the garden fence…
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Editors Review
“A delightful story of the bond between grandchildren and grandparents.”
Henry puts his secret under grandpa’s old hat - and finds a lot more.
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Editors Review
“A girl and a fox, a journey from darkness to light, and a beautiful story.”
Many kids - like adults - may have had a hard time recently. This is a book about hope and optimism, even in the gloomiest times.
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15. Midge and Mo
Editors Review
“We all have to face a new beginning sometimes, and this heartwarming story is about overcoming fears.”
Midge has to go to a new school, and Mo wants to be his friend. But Midge is a hard nut to crack.
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How to read to a 6 year old
Don’t be afraid to share more complicated plots and longer stories with your six-year-old. If you’re doing the reading, immerse yourselves in meatier books that take a few days to get through. There's a few key things to do when reading to a 6 year old:
