The Best Books for 6 Year Olds

The Rough Patch

Oh this is one of my wife’s favorites. The Rough Patch, both written and illustrated by Brian Lies, is probably one of the best children books out there, especially when it comes to losing as well as disappointment. The Rough Patch was awarded a Caldecott Honor, it is an ALA Notable Book and features stunning paintings.
This book features Evan, a fox whose dog dies. The story is sad! It created a lot of questions to my son but it helps raise empathy. 

What We Like Less

I really love the book but if you feel that your child isn’t ready such heavy topics, then you may skip it.

Why You Are Going to Like it

We love this book because it can definitely raise your child’s empathy or if someone close to them has died. This wholesome book with stunning illustrations probably eases the story and makes it as good as it is.
I would buy it, again and again.

The Storm Whale

The Storm Whale has beautiful and rich illustrations, and a story that is creative and moving. The art style is distinctive and unique, and really stands out amongst other picture books.

What We Like Less

There could be a greater emphasis on the narrative in this story, as the visuals take up a lot of attention.

Why You Are Going to Like it

You are going to like it if you enjoy books with a unique story and a fantastic and original art style.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

This book, “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish,” written by the one and only Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel. He uses the pen name, Dr. Seuss. This book’s first copies were published on March 12, 1960, which means it is pretty old. But age doesn’t tell the quality of a book.

What We Like Less

There is no one coherent story for the book, so there is not much of a message to the narrative. Some editions seem to have issues too. We heard the audio book.

Why You Are Going to Like it

There are so many things to love bout this book, it’s silly rhymes, and it’s beautiful and colorful images, which makes this book much easier to fall in love with.
Gift Ideas:

• One Fish, Two Fish, Three, Four, Five Fish (Dr. Seuss Nursery Collection) Board book

The Little Prince

The Little Prince is also a classic that I’m sure you’ll love. Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s classic and published back in the year 1943, this story has captured every person’s heart who has read this book. The whimsical and wholesome story will surely captivate your child’s attention. This story is about a prince who tries to discover what is important to him by retracing who he was and where he had traveled to before.

What We Like Less

Please check the editions that are circulating in the various bookstores. Some are not worth their money.

Why You Are Going to Like it

The book is not just a children’s book. I love it till now.
Gift Idea: The little Prince Deluxe Pop-up Book

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

This story, written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins, follows the main character, Penelope Rex. Penelope can’t wait to meet her classmates finally, but she knows it would be hard to keep herself from eating all of her human friends. But while she meets her class, she soon realizes that she isn’t t the top of the food chain.

What We Like Less

This story helps if your child feels like they don’t fit in since this story does touch on that topic. But the whole concept of Penelope trying not to eat her classmates may be too dark for a 6-year-old.

Why You Are Going to Like it

If your kid loves dinosaurs AND you are ok with a T. Rex eating her classmates (with a twist) than you will like it.

Fortunately, the Milk

Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. Fortunately, the Milk, written and published in the year 2013, is a more sci-fi story than other books intended for a younger audience. It will definitively excite your child’s imagination! This story features a family whose mother left for a business trip, leaving dad in charge. Mom leaves a lot of things to do, including buying milk. And, it can be kind of mind-blowing thinking about how aliens and a time-traveling professor was able to fit into this story.

What We Like Less

Maybe the illustrations are a bit dark and do not expect a well structured plot that makes sense. It’s a sci-fi story and you can love it or hate it for that. 

Why You Are Going to Like it

This story talks about dads, sci-fi and kids. So what’s not to like 🙂
Gift Idea: Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell 3-Book Box Set

Hans Christian Andersen’s Complete Fairy Tales

The book, published in the year 1835, features many fairytales, which I’m sure that we’re all familiar with, like Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, and many more fairytales. This book has many classic stories written by Hans Christian Andersen that I’m sure not only your child, but you will enjoy it as well.

What We Like Less

The book has no illustrations, so don’t buy it for that. It is a beautiful book though with nice cover. It’s fonts are also a bit small.

Why You Are Going to Like it

If you like the classics and you can get away with the “bad” of the book then you can consider it. 

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus is one of the very first books from Mo Willems that was supposed to be for children. Since being published in 2003, this book has received a lot of praise for its minimalistic, beautiful art, as well as the hilarious story. This story follows a bus driver who wants to take a break from driving, so the pigeon keeps on asking if it can drive the bus. He then asks the reader not to let the pigeon drive the bus.

What We Like Less

The story may be too simplistic for children.

Why You Are Going to Like it

The book is entertaining with great artwork.
Gift Ideas: Pigeon Pack (4 Book Set)

Dog Man: From the Creator of Captain Underpants

Coming from the creator of captain underpants, Dav Pilkey, I’m sure that you’ll end up loving this book just as you loved Captain Underpants. The main character, dog man, continues to defeat all the bad guys, like robbers, crooks, or pretty much just criminals.

What We Like Less

Captain Underpants was a bit better. Also it involves a lot of pooping 🙂

Why You Are Going to Like it

Even though this is a story about defeating criminals, it is not as serious as it may seem. The funny and brilliant illustrations that can be found in this book are amazing.
Now that you are here, check out the Halloween themed Dav Pilkey book then check The Hallo-Wiener.
Gift Idea: Dog Man (9 book series)

Something Else

Published back in the year 1994 and written by Kathryn Cave, this is a story that would be a great choice if your child feels like they don’t fit in. But it can also just be a good and heartwarming story that you can share with them. It’s a simple story about s creature who just doesn’t fit in no matter what because he’s different. But one day, something turned up wanting to be friends with this creature.

What We Like Less

The story does not fit well with younger kids.

Why You Are Going to Like it

It is a straightforward story with a beautiful lesson. But this book can also end up teaching your child about labels. My kids love it!

Very Tricky, Alfie Atkins

This book has a really sweet and original story. There is some tension and ultimately a very happy ending. The story also has a great and positive message.

What We Like Less

The book could perhaps have some more emphasis on visuals, as it can be difficult for 5-year-olds to read for extended periods without some pictures to look at.

Why You Are Going to Like it

You are going to like Alfie if you enjoy stories that are clever, uplifting, and positive.

How to Hide a Lion​

Published and illustrated by Helen Stephens back on February 1 of 2010, this book is the best when it comes to teaching your child about friendship. This heartwarming, as well as funny storybook, follows a girl who is friends with a lion. She then tries to continue hiding her friend lion in her house without her parents ever finding out. Can she really keep hiding her friend lion forever?

What We Like Less

Maybe too simplistic story at times.

Why You Are Going to Like it

We were reading this books when my children were younger. It is a sweet book about friendship that your child will love.
Gift Ideas: How to Hide a Lion from Grandma

The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

Originally published back in 1997, this story about Pippi Longstocking, who never listens to her parents. This is truly a classic that many children have fallen in love with.

What We Like Less

The thing about Pippi not listening to her parent may end up being a wrong message, so you should be careful about it. But hey, its an older book and nothing happened to us 🙂

Why You Are Going to Like it

My kids loved the story. We also sat and watch the old TV series show.