Best Books for 5-Year-Old Children
Take time to introduce your children to worlds beyond their own with the top 10 books for 5 year olds. Books provide a place for children to escape into fantastical places, learn about basics such as shapes, colors, and animals, and otherwise obtain the knowledge they need to not only ace kindergarten, but to enjoy it.
Many children enter kindergarten without the literacy skills they need to revel in academic life and extract everything out of it they can. Providing your little ‘uns with books from a young age gives them the foundation they need to pick up concepts taught in school without issue. Whether learning why giraffes cannot dance, what Brown Bear sees, the true story of Winnie the Pooh, or why the crayons finally came home, the top 10 books for 5 year olds provides younglings with a wealth of information and fun. Read these books with your little ones and see if you do not enjoy them as much as they do!
About this page: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best books for children 5 years of age for the spring and summer months of 2017 was created by real moms and educators who enjoyed these books themselves or taught them in class. Numerous types and themes of books are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.
For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality book options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Also note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.
Post Updated: April 9th, 2017
What’s Here:
1. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
2. Waiting by Kevin Henkes
3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
4. The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt
5. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
6. What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
7. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
8. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
9. Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
10. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick
Top 10 Books for 5 Year Olds:
1. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
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Hitting the first spot of the best books for 5 year olds 2017- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.
Gerald is a dancing giraffe. His style is a mash-up of lots-a dance styles, like plenty of ballet twirls, and even a few river dance formations. Unfortunately, some of his “friends” tell him that he can’t dance because giraffes, in general, can’t dance. Of course, he proves them all wrong!
This adorable book proves that just because people say you can’t doesn’t mean you can’t! In a world rife with judgement, teaching your child the importance of staying true to oneself and going for it no matter what is a beautiful thing. The illustrations in this book are great too!
2. Waiting by Kevin Henkes
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Waiting by Kevin Henkes lands in the second spot of the top 10 books for kids age 5 this year.
Four little stuffed animals are perched on a windowsill…waiting. On what? For the weather to change, for the world to change, for something to happen. This must-read is a tale of patience, friendship, and learning to live in the moment.
Time waits for no one, so instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen, it’s up to us to go out and make things happen! Waiting emphasizes this important life lesson with clever wording and lovely illustrations. Use the book to help you instill a can-do attitude in your children…and the importance of getting up, getting out the door, and making dreams come true.
3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle comes in next on the list.
This classic Eric Carle read introduces Brown Bear—an observer of the animals and scenes around him. The narrator asks repeatedly, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear. What do you see?” To which the Brown Bear gives straightforward replies, accompanied with beautiful, colorful illustrations of different animals from Brown Bear’s clear perspective.
A great book for teaching your children about different animals, this story’s singsong-like text is simply fun to read aloud. The Bear books are regarded as cultural milestones in children’s reading journeys and make welcome additions to any kiddie library. They work just as well in the classroom as they do at home.
4. The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt
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Hitting 4th on the “best of 2017” list of books for 5 year olds is The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt.
Remember Duncan from the Day the Crayons Quit? He is back! And his crayons have come home. Yes! …errr, all of them. The broken ones, thrown away ones, the lost ones…all of the crayons are coming home. Oops! Will Duncan have enough room for all of these misfit art supplies? Read this fun and funny book with your kiddos and find out!
Each crayon has its own unique personality and story, such as Maroon, the crayon broken among the couch cushions, or Turquoise, a crayon that got left in the dryer and is now attached to a sock. You will have a wonderful time reading this book with your younglings, and there’s even a special glow-in-the-dark page! This book has won multiple awards, and once you read it with your kids, you will know why.
5. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
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Also managing a spot among the best five year olds’ books for 2017 – Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle.
Meet Blue. A sweet-hearted, friendly little truck with a knack for forming bonds and making friends wherever he goes. In this story, Blue gets stuck in the mud of a mucky, icky road. Instead of panicking, he calls on his new farm animal friends for help. Lovin’ the colorful illustrations!
A wonderful book that emphasizes the importance of helping others, it will be hard not to fall in love with this sweet story. Read it to your children if they have had problems sharing their toys or getting along lately and see if the tale does not resonate!
6. What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
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Hitting 6th on the list – What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss.
In true Dr. Seuss fashion, this book is all about two siblings—ones who have a pretty-good relationship, but still argue sometimes. In this story, the pair have to overcome their argumentative natures to decide on ONE perfect family pet. It shows how challenging it can be to make up your mind, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid it.
Once again, Dr. Seuss provides important life lessons via rhyming text and fun illustrations. If you grew up reading the good doctor, now is the perfect time to introduce his brilliant work to your kids. They will undoubtedly love it as much as you!
7. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
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The Book with No Pictures by actor and author B.J. Novak holds its place at #7 of the top 10 books for 5 year old children this year.
Did you know you could make a 5-year old giggle uncontrollably with a book…one without pictures? Surprisingly enough, you can! This book, sans pictures, features only words of the silliest, quirkiest, loudest, quietest, coolest, awesom-est sort. Interactive and lots-a fun! Your kiddos may balk at first a a picture-free book, but assure them it is worth the read. You will all be laughing by the end!
8. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
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Making it to 8th place – Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry also holds its own among the best books for 5 year olds in 2017.
Stick and Stone are the best of friends after the pair escape certain doom with the help of one another. This story is all about forming friendships, especially between two unlikely pals. The illustrations were wow-worthy colorful, bold, and detailed. You will love it and so will your young ones.
9. Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
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Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss comes in next on the list.
The “Happy Birthday” song is a classic, for sure. One that everyone, everywhere knows. Dr. Seuss takes this universal sing-along around the world in colorful pictures and quirky, trademark Seussian characters. The pictures are full of unique, interesting, sometimes-weird drawings. The book is a perfect second intro to Dr. Seuss if you have already introduced your little ‘uns via What Pet Should I Get?
10. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick
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The final pick among the top 10 books for five year olds this year – Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick.
When we think of a bear name Winnie, it is often a honey-loving Pooh that comes to mind. However, before that Winnie, there was another—a little brown bear who fell in love with a little boy named Robin. This is the real story and origin of Winnie the Pooh.
If Winnie the Pooh is a favorite bear in your house, you and yours will absolutely love this book.