Discover our guide with the best books for six year olds to find an entertaining and delightful read you can share with your little one.

Kids are ready to start their exciting literary adventures at six years old. This is usually around first grade when teachers start reading more complex and entertaining stories and teaching basic phonetics and spelling. It’s also a perfect time to teach a love of reading and eventually give children their books to tackle with their growing skills. Reading books together or teaching the best metaphor examples for kids is a great way to engage them in learning.

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The ultimate classic Where the Wild Things Are remains a favorite for starting readers everywhere, and it’s likely to hold a special place on your bookshelf for years to come. The story itself is renowned for tackling childhood tantrums, love, jealousy, pain, escapism, and more – all in a fantastical, dream-like way supported by equally excellent artwork. Additionally, the wording is basic enough for young readers to piece together over time, making it a great way to teach reading and important concepts like dialogue. 

“Oh, please don’t go—we’ll eat you up—we love you so!”

Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

2. 365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes by Cottage Door Press

Why not go big? If your six-year-old is always looking for new things to explore and likes to hear many different stories, the compendium 364 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes is a great way to find new favorites together. The content varies between classic fairy tales and traditional nursery rhymes, with artwork from various artists complementing it. It’s a great pick for children that sometimes want to read along and sometimes want to hear a bedtime story: No matter what, you’ll be ready.

“Once upon a time there was a little girl named Goldilocks who had beautiful golden hair. She lived in a little cottage at the edge of the forest.”

Cottage Door Press, 365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes

3. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

This outstanding little book is part of the Penelope Rex series, which helps growing young kids learn about themselves and the world through the eyes of a gregarious little T-Rex. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is especially applicable because it’s Penelope’s first day of school, a situation with which six-year-olds can quickly identify. Of course, a T-Rex has a big appetite, and all her classmates seem so…delicious. But Penelope learns that school’s a bit more complicated than a buffet and that following the rules is important for everyone, even a king of the dinosaurs. For younger tots, check out our list of the best books for two year olds.

“You see, Penelope, children are the same as us on the inside, just tastier.”

Ryan T. Higgins, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

4. Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krowse Rosenthal

The exceptionally cute Uni the Unicorn reverses the old story: The unicorns say that little girls are just a legend and that none exist. But Uni wants to believe that isn’t true, so she finds a little girl to be her best friend, no matter what. Of course, she succeeds because on the other side of the story is a little girl who wants nothing more than a unicorn. It’s an obvious pick for little ones going through a unicorn phase (plus there’s a sequel), but this little fantasy tale can entertain all kinds of young readers. 

“Like the other unicorns, had a special swirly horn with the power to heal and mend.”

Amy Krowse Rosenthal, Uni the Unicorn

5. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

At six, kids are starting school and ready to think about what it means to learn – and along with that comes the idea of jobs, work, and what people do for a living. Ada Twist, Scientist, is part of a series called The Questioneers, each of which explores a potential job cleverly. These books have many purposes: They encourage kids to see learning as fun, help them explore different jobs, show that little girls can excel in the sciences, and encourage readers to exercise their creativity. If it’s too advanced for your little reader, wait until second or third grade for a closer look: The series is well worth it.

“She asks lots of questions. How could she resist? It’s all in the heart of a great scientist.”

Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, Ada Twist, Scientist

6. Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton and Cristina Balit

Do you remember the first time you learned about constellations? Maybe not, but it was somewhere around this age, and Zoo in the Sky is ready to help your child learn about them, too, now with beautiful, striking illustrations. The book goes through popular constellations like the Little and Great Bear (saving Latin names for much later), the Great Dog, and many other star-based animals. Along the way, it teaches a little about the legends surrounding some constellations and basic astronomy facts, rounding off a unique and wonderful reading experience.

7. Oh the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Pick nearly any Dr. Seuss book for your child; it will be a great reading choice. Six-year-olds are just reaching the age where they can start fully appreciating Dr. Seuss, and even if you started them earlier, there are still likely some gems in the full catalog left to be discovered. But for this list, we’re choosing Oh, the Places You’ll Go: It’s a timeless message on everything that life brings and the big adventures that are waiting ahead, helping encourage kids and prepare them for new things. 

“Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!”

Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You’ll Go!

8. When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore and Howard McWilliam

Building sandcastles is awesome fun, but be careful: If your sandcastle is too good or too big, a dragon might move in! When a Dragon Moves In explores what happens next, as a young child’s day at the beach is filled with dragonesque thrills and escapades. This book hits the sweet spot for this age group, packaging adventure and a creative premise into a digestible package that’s easy for a young child to appreciate without talking down to them. If you’re looking for something new (and filled with brilliant pictures), try this title.

“Of course, there are rules on the beach, so you’ll have to hide his smoke from the lifeguard…”

Jodi Moore and Howard McWilliam, When a Dragon Moves In

9. Dog Man Volume 1 by Dav Pilkey

You may recognize Pilkey from his Captain Underpants series, but Dog Man is another venture altogether. These books follow a half dog, half man in pursuit of justice – but also ready to learn valuable lessons. While catching robbers, evil masterminds, mischievous squirrels, and other troublemakers is on Dog Man’s list, he finds important truths about kindness, empathy, and being a good person.

“ENOUGH with the firecrackers! This is WAY COOLER!!! And once I turn it on… it will chase Dog Man… and it won’t stop until he gets sucked up!!!”

Dav Pilkey, Dog Man Volume 1

10. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barret and Ronald Barret

Your child may have already seen the animated movie this book was based on, but reading the original story is a different, charming experience. The book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs follows the town of Chewandswallow, where the weather is magical — when rain, snow, and wind occur, they are delicious foods for the locals. That was fun for a long time, but the weather has started to change, growing dark and fearsome. Torrents of food started to threaten the entire town, and the people needed a solution as fast as they could get it.Ronan the Librarian by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie

“By the time they woke up in the morning, breakfast was coming down. After a brief shower of orange juice, low clouds of sunny-side eggs moved in followed by pieces of toast. Butter and jelly sprinkled down for the toast. And most of the time it rained milk afterwards.”

Judi Barret and Ronald Barret, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

11. Ronan the Librarian by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie

What happens when a barbarian stumbles into the life of a librarian? Ronan the Librarian happens, and it’s wonderful. This book teaches that even tough, strong Vikings armed with axes can still love books and reading and bring the wonder of books to other people around them, too. The illustrations are stunning for this book, and the cadence is comforting for six-year-olds with a taste for adventure. 

“Ronan was a mighty barbarian. He invaded. He raided. And back home, he traded. He always found the greatest treasures. Until one day, Ronan found something no barbarian wants: A BOOK.”

Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie, Ronan the Librarian

12. How Martha Saved Her Parents From Green Beans by David LoRochelle and Mark Fearing

If you have a six-year-old, chances are good that they have formed some serious opinions about food – and what they don’t like. How Martha Saved Her Parents From Green Beans is an immensely entertaining way to view this through the lens of a fantasy adventure. Here, Martha’s town is invaded by an evil horde of green beans with eyes on getting vengeance on anyone who has enjoyed their green vegetables a little too much. Martha can stop them – but she may have to sacrifice some taste buds along the way. 

“Anyone who had ever said, ‘Eat your green beans,’ was in big, BIG trouble.”

David LoRochelle and Mark Fearing, How Martha Saved Her Parents From Green Beans

13. Peter and Ernesto: Sloths in the Night by Graham Annable

Normally, this list wouldn’t start with the third book in the series, but Peter and Ernesto volume 3 deserve an exception. It takes the concept of the earlier books (two sloths are friends) and expands it to a real adventure as they explore the jungle around them to see if the many myths about it are true. One of their friends goes missing, and they must organize a search party and see what secrets the jungle is hiding. It’s a more upbeat part of the series with plenty to hold interest: If kids like it, it’s easy to go back and explore the first books as well!

14. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr

Likely the most beautiful reading experience on the list, the gorgeous Owl Moon backs up its detailed, almost-haunting illustrations with a captivating tale of a young child whose father promised her they would finally go out owling at night. The minimalistic story follows as they seek the owl, drawing in readers with watercolored wonder. It’s a wonderful choice for a bedtime story and a tale that young readers can start to piece together on their own after being captivated by the imagery. 

“We reached the line of pine trees, black and pointy against the sky, and Pa held up his hand. I I stopped right where I was and waited. He looked up, as if searching the stars…”

Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr, Owl Moon

15. Paolo, Emperor of Rome by Mac Barnett and Claire Keane

Let’s be clear: