Good books for 6-year-olds fall into two major categories: books you read aloud to them and books most 6 year olds can read on their own. This list is the latter.
When you read to kids or play audiobooks, they can often read and enjoy more advanced texts like those on this list for 7 year olds and this list for 8 year olds. Independent readaloud books are a little more limited and some of them can be super boring. For this list, I’ve included actually fun(ny) stories that your 6 year old can read on their own. You’ll find a few picture books, heavily illustrated chapter books, and several graphic novels.
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25 Awesome Books for 6 Year Olds to Read By Themselves
Here are 25 great books for 6 year olds:
Go Camping (WOMBATS!)
Published: April 4, 2023
When unlikely besties Albert and Pickles head out on a camping trip together, Albert is prepared for the great outdoors while Pickles is expecting a glamping situation. Of course, this leads to some serious hysterics when the latter discovers that they are, in fact, camping. Add to the mix an unexpected encounter with an old friend and a koala rescue, and the duo is set for an exciting camping (mis)adventure. This one is a funny start to a new series.
Bowling Alley Bandit: The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut, 1)
Published: June 4, 2013
As Mr. Bing’s new pet “doughnut dog,” Arnie couldn’t be happier. When Mr. Bing joins a bowling league, Arnie gets to go along to practices and competitions. But then Mr. Bing starts rolling gutter balls. Someone or something is behind the madness. Arnie, together with his team of goofball friends, must sort through the shenanigans and solve the mystery. Get ready for some sleuthing and even some magic. I haven’t read this one but I’ve heard great things.
Dory Fantasmagory
Published: October 9, 2014
This one is a huge favorite of many young readers! Dory is a lastborn with an overactive imagination who exhausts her parents and siblings with her high energy and propensity for chaos. Join her in the first book of the series as she finds monsters around the house and puts them in their place. I thought this one was funny and cute — although not my preferred brand of story.
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
Published: September 8, 2020
See Max. Max is not a cat—Max is a dog. But much to Max’s dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to “see the cat.” How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces the excitable Max, who lets the book know in irresistibly emphatic dialogue that the text is not to his liking. This one is sure to elicit many laughs.
Princess Pig (Bright Owl Books)
Published: August 1, 2018
Pig and Twig are playing Princess. Pig gets three wishes. But she wants more! This is one of those educational stories — it focuses on the short “i” — that’s actually enjoyable to read and will help not-so-strong readers get more confident.
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
Published: May 2, 2017
Here’s another one I haven’t read, but have heard great things about: Harriet Hamsterbone is not your typical princess. She may be quite stunning in the rodent realm (you’ll have to trust her on this one), but she is not so great at trailing around the palace looking ethereal or sighing a lot. She finds the royal life rather . . . dull.
One day, though, Harriet’s parents tell her of the curse that a rat placed on her at birth, dooming her to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she’s twelve and fall into a deep sleep. For Harriet, this is most wonderful news: It means she’s invincible until she’s twelve! After all, no good curse goes to waste. And so begins a grand life of adventure with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey…until her twelfth birthday arrives and the curse manifests in a most unexpected way.
Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World
Published: February 2, 2021
Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized . .
When You Can Swim
Published: May 2, 2023
When her mom takes her daughter to the pool for the first time, she shares all the wonderful experiences she can gain when she learns to swim. Breathtaking illustrations portray people of different ages, races, genders, and even a girl with a prosthetic limb (I gasped!) swimming. The text is rhythmic and sparse—perfect for readers of all ages. This brilliant new picture book is the perfect summer read-aloud!
Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books)
Published: March 12, 1961
Written for beginning readers using only 75 different words, this beloved Beginner Book by P.D. Eastman—edited by Dr. Seuss—features all kinds of wonderful dogs riding bicycles, scooters, skiis, roller skates, and driving all sorts of vehicles on their way to a party held on top of a tree! This is a perfect gift for P.D. Eastman fans and dog lovers of all ages!
Big
Published: May 2, 2023
This book blew me away. A baby girl is cheered on for growing bigger—until she isn’t. Until her bigger body becomes something to hide. Thankfully, she reclaims herself before it’s too late. Hand to kids and adults everywhere—especially those who can’t catch a break because of the way their bodies look. I loved, loved, loved this book!
Puppy Pirates #1: Stowaway!
Published: July 7, 2015
Wally is a pup with a nose for adventure. So when he stumbles onto a ragtag group of puppies who sail the seven seas, he knows he has to join the fun! But if pirates are supposed to be gruff and tough, this furry little guy isn’t exactly first-mate material. Does he have what it takes to become a full-fledged puppy pirate?
Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends
Published: September 1, 2020
Bunbun has it all: a delightful Bunbun nose, a winning Bunbun smile, a ridiculously cute Bunbun tail, and not one, but two adorable Bunbun ears. But Bunbun doesn’t have a friend — until Bunbun meets Bonbon. Learning how to be fancy and eating donuts for lunch are two of the duo’s many adventures in this irresistible graphic novel debut by acclaimed author-illustrator Jess Keating. Hop hop hooray!
The Not Bad Animals by Sophie Corrigan
Published: April 7, 2020
You know those animals we can’t stand? Like the mice that jump all over the place and the spiders that give you the ick? This non-fiction/humor chapter book opens our eyes to how they really are and why they aren’t as gross as people think.
The Cookie Fiasco-Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!
Published: September 20, 2016
Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . and four of them! They need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!
Beak & Ally #1: Unlikely Friends
Published: January 5, 2021
Ally the alligator is perfectly happy being alone . . . until one day a noisy bird named Beak lands on her snout.
Beak thinks Ally is lonely and needs a friend. He has all sorts of friendship goals in mind, like riding bikes together, going to the movies together, and even solving mysteries together! But when a Long-Billed Party Pooper crashes Beak’s nest-warming party, Ally decides to show Beak something important to her: sticking up for what’s right.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus (The Lulu Series)
Published: April 3, 2012
Lulu is an ill-mannered girl who throws tantrums to get what she wants, but when her parents refuse to get her a brontosaurus for her birthday, she angrily takes off into the forest to find one herself, with surprising results.
I liked this story, but I know some parents might worry about Lulu being so petulant. If it helps, she does get a good lesson in saying please and thank you and avoiding tantrums. The end is redeeming, and I liked the storytelling — the author breaks the fourth wall several times, which is fun for readers.
Bella’s Recipe for Success
Published: July 13, 2021
Bella can’t seem to figure out what she’s good at. Her brother plays piano excellently and her sister is a brilliant gymnast, but she can’t do either of those things well. She decides, though, that she’s going to bake, but it turns out baking isn’t that easy and her first recipe is a bust. But just before she gives up, her abuela steps in to teach her and Bella learns that learning new things — and becoming good at them — takes time and effort. This is a solid growth mindset picture book with Spanish words interspersed.
Monster and Boy (Monster and Boy, 1)
Published: July 28, 2020
Fall in love with the friendship between Monster and Boy in this exciting new chapter book series from writer Hannah Barnaby and illustrator Anoosha Syed. When Monster (who lives under the bed) meets Boy (who sleeps in the bed), Boy starts to scream―and Monster promptly swallows him. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship! I found this one to be quite delightful.
Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
Published: May 9, 2023
I love the Bear and Bird series, and this one is just as funny and charming as The Stars and Other Stories, the sequel I read an early copy of last week. It’s a set of short stories about two friends and their adventures.
Everything Awesome About Sharks
Published: October 6, 2020
Did you know that sharks can be as small as a banana, or bigger than a bus? Or that whale sharks have more than 3,000 teeth? Did you know that giant squids have eyes the size of dinner plates? Or that clownfish are protected by snot armor?? Find out all this and more, in this comprehensive, hilarious underwater deep dive from Mike Lowery!
Butt or Face
Published: July 11, 2023
Butt or Face offers kids a delightfully cheeky challenge: examine a close-up photo of an animal, and then guess whether you’re looking at the top or the…um…bottom. The answer is revealed on the next page with a compete photo of the animal! Also included are factual animal details along with how these animals use camouflage or other trickery to engage with their home. Readers will discover animals like the Cuyaba dwarf frog whose backside looks like a pair of eyes, the Mary River turtle that breathes through its butt, and many more!
Wind Riders: Rescue on Turtle Beach
Published: October 19, 2021
This chapter book is environmental fiction with a fantasy twist as two kids discover a ship that teleports them to a new place somewhere else in the world where they can help with an environmental challenge. It’s short and sweet with likeable characters.
The Hunger Heroes
Published: November 9, 2021
It’s a typical Monday when the Hunger Heroes get the call: a kid in Ms. Sternbladder’s class missed breakfast and isn’t allowed to have snacks! How will he pass his math test, study for spelling, or play soccer at recess if his stomach is growling out of control? Hunger Heroes to the rescue!
Grumpy Monkey: Freshly Squeezed
Published: June 29, 2021
It’s Wednesday! Which means it’s time for Jim Panzee’s weekly Wednesday walk. He wakes up, stretches a little, grabs his stress orange, and sets off. Jim’s favorite part of the walk is the blissful silence. When he’s alone, he can hear all the jungle sounds. Until . . . his best buddy, Norman, decides to join him. And before he knows it, Jim is followed by every animal in the jungle. It’s all just too much. Now Jim and his not-so-helpful friends are on a quest across the jungle to find another stress orange before it is too late!
Owl and Penguin
This one is super short but very sweet — reminiscent of Bear and Bird’s adventures but in graphic novel format as Owl and Penguin help each other through ice-cream spills, a flying disaster, and learning to play in the rain.
There they are: 25 of the best books for 6 year olds! Which of these have you read? Which ones did I miss?
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