A reading list for 5-6 years – 2021 Reading Challenge
Travel this year with these brilliant suggestions, a reading list for 5-6 years old- Browzly Reading Challenge
Browzly has put together this reading list for 5-6 years old, and we’ve included some beautifully illustrated picture books for our youngest readers. We’ve added some older classics and some new modern pieces for you to pick from and can guarantee they’ll take you to new and exciting places worldwide.
We hope you’ll add a few of these books to your printable world map (download your map now so kids can track their travels by joining the 2021 Reading Challenge – find more information here).
Here are our 10 handpicked books, a reading list for 5-6 years old to continue their bookish travels around the world…
1. The Jasmine Sneeze
Written by: Nadine Kaadan
Illustrated by: Nadine Kaadan
What’s it about: Haroun the cat enjoys his life sleeping peacefully in the moonlit courtyard and singing loudly with the other cats. His major problem however is that he lives in Damascus the “City of Jasmine” and Haroun is allergic! This book is beautifully illustrated to detail Haroun’s troubles and we see how his sneezes summon the ‘Jasmine Spirit’ who comes along to help him. This is a truly delightful story from Syria and we guarantee it will enchant all readers.
Where do we go: Damascus, Syria, Middle East
2. Cinnamon
Written by: Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by: Divya Srinivasan
What’s it about: Cinnamon is a princess who refuses to talk. Her parents challenge everyone in the land to try and teach their daughter to talk but nothing seems to work. That is, until one day a majestic and fierce tiger approaches and claims he has what it takes to finally teach the girl-cub to speak. This is a fabulous fable by Neil Gaiman full to the brim with bold and exciting illustrations by Divya Srinivasan.
Where do we go: India
3. All Aboard for the Bobo Road
Written by: Stephen Davies
Illustrated by: Christopher Corr
What’s it about: This is a wonderful picture book for young readers. Once aboard the bus readers get to see the authentic setting of Burkina Faso from the perspective of Stephen Davies. This book provides insight to the fantastic culture and practices of the Gurunsi people and paints a wonderfully vibrant picture in our imaginations.
Where do we go: Burkina Faso, West Africa
4. The Secret Sky Garden
Written by: Linda Sarah
Illustrated by: Fiona Lumbers
What’s it about: Funni is a little girl who lives in a big city and spends her time playing in an old, disused car park. Tired of the grey concrete floors and walls Funni decides she will turn the roof of this carpark into her very own Secret Sky Garden. This is a story about creating a wonderful escape in your current environment and is a beautiful, thoughtful read that takes us to a heart-warming ending.
Where do we go: England, Europe
5. The Storm Whale
Written by: Benji Davies
What’s it about: Have you ever found a whale? Well, that’s what happened to Noi, a little boy who lives in a house by the sea. Noi wants to care for the baby whale and so secretly takes him home and lets him live in the family bathtub. This story touches on friendship, loneliness and family while showing the importance of returning animals to their natural habitat. The text is expressive and clear and features beautifully painted illustrations to support children’s understanding.
Where do we go: Beachside
6. The big book of the Blue
Written & illustrated by: Yuval Zommer
What’s it about: This beautiful picture book with breathtaking illustrations takes us to the depths of the ocean to discover fantastic & astonishing facts about the creatures of the sea. Is Jelly fish made of jelly? What happens if you cut a Jelly fish into two? How do crabs communicate? This book is full of interesting facts for all different creatures – sea turtles, flying seahorses, dragonets, sea snakes, sharks, octopuses and dolphins and many more wonderful creatures of the deep blue will have the young marine biologists fishing for more
Where do we go: Diving into the ocean
7. The Bear and the Piano
Written by: David Litchfield
What’s it about: This is a story to show that not all bears are big and scary, some can be gentle and ambitious too. After a young bear stumbles upon a piano in the forest he unlocks his talent and dreams of performing for large audiences around the world. A father and son hear the bear’s melodies and support him on an incredible journey to New York where the bear finds fame and fortune from his talents but quickly realises he misses the friends and family he has left behind.
Where do we go: New York, U.S.A
8. The Ugly Five
Written by: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler
What’s it about: This book celebrates “The Ugly Five”, the ugliest animals to be found in Africa. The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork get their moment to shine in this book as we learn the impact of perspective and the important lesson of looking deeper than the surface.
Where do we go: Savannah, Africa
9. Gaspard the Fox
Written by: Zeb Soanes
Illustrated by: James Mayhew
What’s it about: Inspired by a real-life London urban fox, Zeb Soanes has written a brilliant story for young children. Gaspard the Fox is full of adventure and follows him as he seeks mischief and a little something to eat for dinner. This book takes a look at the interactions between wildlife and humans in inner cities and is full of brilliant illustrations by James Mayhew.
Where do we go: Islington, London, England
10. Greta and the Giants
Written by: Zoë Tucker
Illustrated by: Zoe Persico
What’s it about: This is a wonderful book that will introduce children to real-world current events as this story focuses on Greta Thunberg, a young activist with one goal in mind, Saving the Planet! This is a gentle story about giants destroying the forest and making the animals unhappy, the animals turn to Greta and ask her to help them and so she comes up with a plan to try and make the giants change their ways. A true testament of “No one is too small to help” and will inspire both children and adult readers.
Where do we go: Forests, Sweden, Europe
Where can I find more fantastic book suggestions for the Reading Challenge?
To get started on your summer holiday adventures join the Browzly app on iOS or Android, where you can find hundreds of book suggestions personalised by age and ability to handle text complexity. Did you know, you get automatically enrolled in the Browzly reading challenge when you sign in on the Browzly app and post your reading. Read more about the challenge here.
If you enjoyed this post of reading list for 5-6 years olds then look for our previous blog posts featuring book suggestions for all ages. We have more Reading Challenge content coming up including a master list of all 100+ Browzly recommended books so be sure to come back to the blog so you don’t miss out. We’ll also have exciting author interviews and more craft activities to fill your summer holidays!
Where to next?
Find more Browzly blogs online here. Some of our favourites are:
- “Worldly book suggestions for all ages: Reading Challenge”
- “10 incredible books for 8-9 year olds: Reading Challenge”
- “2021 Browzly Reading Challenge: Make Your Own Transport Craft Activity”
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