Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4 and 5 (and 6) Year Olds

YOU ARE READING: Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4 and 5 (and 6) Year Olds AT PhebinhvanhocEN

It goes without saying that you should continue to read picture books to your preschoolers and kindergarteners, but if your kids are ready, adding just the right chapter book can add a new dimension to their read-aloud time. high. The qualities of the best chapter books to read aloud to children ages 4-6 are simple. books must:

have relatively short chapters
incorporate engaging and memorable characters
tell quirky and unique adventures

Watch this video to see my top three picks for early chapter books, and then scroll down for another ten picks so you can choose the right chapter book to read aloud to your 4-6 year olds. . you can find even more options in my list of 50+ chapter books to read aloud to preschoolers.

You are reading: Chapter books for 5 year olds

Also, if you’re reading aloud to children of different ages, all of the following options are great for older children as well.

note: this post contains affiliate links that may generate commissions.

teddy and company.

by cynthia voight

buy: amazon | independent

An absolutely adorable story about a group of toys who love to explore the world. i loved how teddy was always lost in his philosophical thoughts, and umpah the elephant was a great baker. When several new toys join the group, Mr. b the rabbit with a frilly collar and a doll that wants to be queen, the others find that they take some getting used to. This is one of those books that I really think works better as a read aloud than a stand-alone read and I found it to be a kind of modern winnie the pooh.

the far, far north

by dan bar-el

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

This is my new favorite read aloud, and I don’t say that lightly! Duane the polar bear has a curiosity and sense of adventure that first leads him to a shipwreck where he meets C.C. the owl. then he meets more new friends like the handsome musk ox, the magical arctic fox and the elder puffin. together, they explore the wonders of the northern landscape. the cast of animals is as diverse in personalities as it is in species, and the common thread of the story centers on learning to appreciate friends. an absolutely essential book and an excellent choice for children of all ages.

a mouse called a wolf

by dick king-smith

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

I have frequently recommended the books of prolific author dick king-smith on this blog. His books are great choices for kids reading and listening to chapter books for the first time. His best-known book is Baby: The Brave Pig and the Water Horse, but A Mouse Called Wolf is another book with enduring appeal. A young mouse named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart uses his talent for singing to entertain and help others.

the wonderful wizard of oz

by him. Frank Baum

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

When I started reading this to the guys, I was a little nervous. I tried a few years ago but my eldest son got scared by the cyclone. this time, however, the boys bought it. they just refused to let me leave it. I even had to do summaries of the action while he was brushing my youngest son’s teeth! the film (while wonderful in its own right) is not an acceptable substitute. read this original “American fairy tale” with his children. Tip: Since this book is now in the public domain, there are many dubious versions. you should make sure you get a copy with the original color illustrations. (This anniversary edition does, but many of the other paperback and e-book versions available on amazon do not. Get it from a library or bookstore if you want to be absolutely sure.)

my father’s dragon

by ruth stiles gannett

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

yes, yes, this trilogy of books is mentioned in several of my book lists. I’m including it here again because, frankly, it always takes me by surprise that I still run into people who have never heard of my father’s dragon. that is also a good reminder for me. Not everyone has had the same exposure to children’s books. anyway… this is my number one recommendation for a read aloud first chapter. I’m not exaggerating when I say we’ve read all three books at least 5 times. The story follows Elmer, who runs off with a backpack full of assorted items like rubber bands and lollipops. he’s on a mission to rescue a baby dragon, but he can only do it if he’s smart enough to pass a group of pretty self-absorbed wild animals. when my son’s kindergarten teachers read this aloud and my son came home and insisted I read it again too. it’s that good.

bless this mouse

by lois lowry

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

this is a beautiful book of short chapters about a group of mice that live in saint bartholomew’s church. Mouse lover Hildegarde looks after her community of furry friends and makes sure they stay out of her sight. When one of the mice is spotted, the mice must come up with a clever plan to thwart the extermination attempt, all on the eve of the San Francisco holiday.

detective gordon: the first case

by ulf nilsson

buy: bookstore |amazon | independent

I read this charming Swedish import to my two children a few months ago. Detective Gordon, the local crime cop, is more into tea and cake than police work, and don’t even think about asking him to use his gun. he gets a small but enthusiastic assistant when he meets a young mouse, whom he mistakenly takes for the criminal in a case he has to solve. together they hatch a plan to discover the real thief, who has stolen all the squirrel nuts. the beautiful and colorful illustrations are a wonderful accompaniment.

jenny and the cat club

by esther averill

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

averill started writing about jenny and her gang of feline friends in the 1940s and they still stick around. these are short chapter books and go fast for kids with less than stellar attention spans.

the adventures of a pig from the south pole: a novel of snow and courage

by chris kurtz

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

I just read this aloud to the two kids when they were 8 and 4 and we all thought it was lovely. On her manure pile, Flora dreams of exciting adventures; she longs to go out into the world! she wants to go on an expedition and run with the sled dogs! there is only one problem. she’s a pig finding herself on a ship headed for antarctica, dig deep into her optimistic and brave little being to make her dreams come true

puggly prince of spud and the kingdom of spiff

by robert paul weston

buy: bookstore | amazon | independent

This delightful novel is written entirely in verse. the premise is wonderfully silly: in spiff’s kingdom everyone is obsessed with fashion, and ridiculously elaborate fashion. well, almost everyone – the princess prefers pajamas… and books. In Spud, however, things are a little different, and when Spud’s Puggly and Spiff’s Frannie meet, they set out to teach the others a thing or two about what’s really important. it’s really fun to read it out loud because of the fantastic vocabulary and the rhyming couplets. even the font is “fancy”. however, I recommend it for more experienced listeners. I certainly think a 5 year old can hear it, but it’s not the usual and I found the mini summaries of the action before starting each reading session to be very helpful. however, it was a success.

Do you want more books to read aloud to 4, 5 and 6 year olds? try these lists:

soft read aloud chapter books
30 days of diverse read alouds for kindergartners
summer reading for kindergartners

Other content

Read Aloud Chapter Books for 4 and 5 (and 6) Year Olds

teddy and company.

the far, far north

a mouse called a wolf

the wonderful wizard of oz

my father’s dragon

bless this mouse

detective gordon: the first case

jenny and the cat club

the adventures of a pig from the south pole: a novel of snow and courage

puggly prince of spud and the kingdom of spiff

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