40 Best First Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten: 5 to 6 Years Old
Best Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten. To many, this list is a book stack of children’s chapter books, but to me, this list represents a reading journey with my eldest. Reading the titles of these beloved books bring back memories of yummy chocolate chip cookies, wrinkled picnic blankets covered with books and wildflowers, cuddles and giggles, even a few torn and taped pages, long road trips, and most of all the creation of a mother, a present mother. Now, you didn’t visit this list for all the sentiments, so I’ll make sure to spare you.
Before you dive into this booklist
The title in no way should exclude younger or older children from enjoying books on this list. In some way, the title can be deceiving, for I must title the post a searchable title to help mamas and teachers like you find it.
On this Best Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten Book list, you will find an array of reading levels from early readers, illustrated chapter books, longer picture books, and classic children’s novels!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you on qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.
Requirements for Books on this Read-Aloud List
- Chapter books with rich vocabulary
- Beloved stories that point to Truth
- Books worthy of being read over and over again
- Books that I have personally read with my children (and recommend)
- With few exceptions, which I’ll indicate in the book description. All books have been pre-read by me. Many are in the line-up for our formal homeschool year to start in August 2025.
This is our Read Aloud Journey.
This is our read-aloud journey with my eldest from 4 to 5 years old (line-ups). This booklist is filled with great read-aloud options for kids 4 years and up. We have read many of these books multiple times over the past year and plan to revisit quite a few of them for our formal Kindergarten year. I don’t want my middle to miss out on these titles, and my eldest is always ready for a read aloud whether it’s a new adventure or a familiar story.
A little note about our homeschool journey. We are starting our formal Kindergarten year this fall. Our educational methods are inspired by Charlotte Mason, and we are modeling our first year as a modified 0.5 Ambleside year. I’ll share a post soon about our plan. (Include the quote from Charlotte Mason about sharing our methods)
My Top 3 Tips for Beginning Chapter Books with Young Kids
- Start with beautifully illustrated treasuries {LIST}
- Incorporate Longer Picture Books {List COMING SOON}
- Introduce Short Chapter Book Series such as
My Top 5 Read Alouds to Recommend to Beginning Chapter Book Read Alouds
- James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
- Lighthouse Family by Cynthia Rylant
- Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey by Tyler Van Halteren {Full Series Review}
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
- Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Daligesh
Wow. That was hard to pick only 5 chapter books.
Please note: I have included an asterisk (*) after the book title, which requires a content warning. The printable booklist includes all of our read-aloud journey. If you are concerned about content, please read my book review with content warnings.
44+ Rich First Read Aloud Chapter Books: Favorite Books for Kindergarten (5-6)
Children’s Treasuries for Great Read-Aloud Experiences
1. James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
The author, James Herriot, shares his experiences with animals and farmers as a veterinarian in the British countryside. The pages are filled with adorable animals with spunky and courageous personalities. James’ warm love and care shine bright in every story. This truly is a treasure of a book. And one of the classic books to add to your children’s bookshelf, and add to your bedtime stories.
2. The Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem
This beloved Children’s Treasury tells of the mice of Brambly Hedge. This treasury contains Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story, Poppy’s Babies, Sea Story, The High Hills, and The Secret Staircase.
3. A Beatrix Potter Treasury
Beatrix Potter illustrated letters to children that turned into classic children’s books. In 1893, she illustrated a letter about Peter Rabbit to a friend’s five-year-old child. This became her first book.
4. A Little House Picture Book Treasury
Browse Amazon Alternative Book Shop {Code Mudpies10 for 10% off}
This treasury includes six stories filled with adventures of the pioneer family. The family lives off the land on a frontier unfamiliar to today’s little readers. If this book is not available at the public library, check out Winter Days in the Big Woods for a bonus book for January picture books for kids.
More of our Favorite Treasuries {HERE}
Longer Picture Books (Complete List Coming Soon)
5. Lindbergh: The Tale of the Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlmann
6. Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann
7. The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
8. Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack
9. Evergreen by Matthew Cordell
10. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Emerging Chapter Books with Illustrations
11. Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
One can never go wrong with Frog and Toad; their adventures and friendship are truly timeless. This was the first book my eldest read as a buddy read.
12. Adventures of Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
This children’s treasury is a charming combination of short stories about Little Bear, a young and curious bear cub. These stories are perfect for little ones at bedtime.
13. Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World by Jacqueline Davies (Books 1-3)
This charming duo enjoys a happy life in their snug burrow until Taylor comes up with an adventurous idea to explore the world. Their escapades are truly delightful. The text is ideal for emerging readers and for young listeners who are nearly ready for full chapter books. Plus, the illustrations are vibrant and enchanting, adding to the overall appeal.
Favorite First Chapter Book Series
14. The Lighthouse Family Series by Cynthia Rylant (Books 1-8)
This charming series is a gentle and wholesome story about a unique family made up of a motherly cat named Pandora, a washed-up sailor sheepdog named Seabold, and three orphaned mouse children. In each book, the Lighthouse family cares for a different creature. The suspense level is low and appropriate for young children. The story contains gorgeous black-and-white illustrations. The lovely prose and slow pace make this series a perfect read-aloud for bedtime when it’s time to settle in and calm down.
15. Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George* (Books 1-3)
The Heartwood Hotel series has swiftly become a cherished read-aloud in our household. During a fierce storm, Mona the Mouse discovers a magnificent hotel that serves as a symbol of home, offering comfort and companionship. Here, she faces and triumphs over various dangers and challenges alongside her newly formed family and friends. Please be aware that there are some intense scenes. I look forward to providing a complete content guide soon. We have only read the first three books.
Book 5: Family Forever is set to release on Sept 2, 2025
16. The Adventures of Sophie Mouse by Poppy Green (books 1-8)
The Adventures of Sophie Mouse is a gentle and charming first chapter book series with delightful illustrations throughout. The short chapters are filled with adventures of the fun little trio, Sophie Mouse, Hattie Frog, and Owen Snake. My girls love all the baking goodies, exploring nature, painting flowers, and adventuring with friends. We have only read the first 8 books. My only note is that in Emerald Berries (Book 2), Sophie sneaks out in the morning before her parents, knowing that they would disapprove.
17. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (in the line-up)
This may be the only series I remember reading as a child, and I’m pretty sure it earned me a free pizza with all the AR points. The Boxcar Children is in the line-up for the upcoming read-alouds. I plan to read Book One as a read-aloud and then let my eldest dive into the series independently when she is ready.
18. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder***
This is a beloved series in our home, but I recommend being prepared to handle some difficult conversations, especially if you read Book 3: Little House on the Prairie. We have read Little House in the Big Woods multiple times, however, it was the audiobook narrated by Cherry Jones that hooked my girls.
19. Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke
I haven’t read the entire series yet, but we absolutely LOVED the first book. I intend to preread the next ones and may recommend them for my young readers to explore independently. We started Book 2, but I should mention that there was a hair-cutting incident at home, which left both parties quite upset. This particular book begins with Anna cutting her hair and hiding.
Favorite First Beloved Classics
20. Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
21. The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne
22. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
23. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
All of our favorite read-alouds feature bears! This marmalade-loving bear called Paddington captured our imaginations and quickly found a cozy spot to nestle in our hearts. This might be an unpopular opinion: the movie and book are not alike. We enjoyed the book, but the movie was a no-go for my kids. However, I did enjoy Paddington wrestling the shower head while flooding the bathroom.
24. The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley
This enchanting storybook features a collection of short tales about a delightful little girl named Milly-Molly-Mandy and her family, who reside in a charming white cottage with a thatched roof. With 21 classic stories, it beautifully captures the essence of childhood, emphasizing themes of beauty and community. It has proven to be a wonderful bedtime read for my daughters.
25. Heidi by Johanna Spyri (in the line-up)
I’m absolutely thrilled to share this story with my oldest! This is in the line-up for our first formal year of Kindergarten. We will pair this classic novel with Jessica’s (@lifegivingpages) book companion.
26. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis* (in the line-up)
In this beloved Christian tale, Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund find Narnia at the back of a wardrobe. Narnia is a beautiful but under siege by the White Witch, who crowned herself queen. This magical world is frozen in eternal winter, withholding Christmas (the Celebration of Aslan).
27. The Railway Children by E. Nesbit***
These three lucky children always had everything they needed: pretty clothes, good fires, a lovely nursery with heaps of toys, and a Mother Goose wall-paper.”
That is, until the day they had to live a very different life. With Papa’s mysterious absence, the mother and children move away to a simple countryside cottage near the railway. The railway brings adventures, acts of heroism, and many friends!
Brief Content Warning: use of dated language, mention of alcoholic beverages, child getting his ears boxed, child steals coals for warmth, mention of death (including infant death), magical references, kissing as friends, mild sibling bickering and minimal use of words such as stupid, idiots, bloomin’, prig, and one racist slur.
I’m a sucker for classics so I had to introduce this one! Another fun way to introduce classics is through BBC Children’s Radio productions (about 2 hours long), making them great for road trips. But, please sample the audio to ensure it is of good quality.
28. The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
This is a short chapter book with a beautiful message of embracing change with courage. It makes a wonderful addition to early chapter books and is perfect for short family read-aloud sessions, particularly for young girls. It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I picked this one up at the thrift store. My girls love the Little House books, so this seemed like a good fit, and it was!
{The Cabin Faced West – Free Content Guide}
29. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
This Newbery Honor Book was originally published in 1944. It is set in a small school in Connecticut. This is a classic tale of bullying with a gentle lesson to the reader: be courageous, take a stand, and speak up.
Every girl needs to read this book!
{The Hundred Dresses – Free Content Guide}
30. The Princess and The Goblin by George MacDonald*** (in the line-up)
This may be the most controversial book on my list!
I recommend you preread the book to assess its suitability for your family. As a read-aloud, I believe it’s wonderful for ages 6 and up, but I suggest 8+ for independent reading.
Princess Irene is hidden away for her safety in a mountainous area, while the mysterious Grandmother is discovered in a labyrinth of stairways. Meanwhile, goblins lurk beneath the mountain, plotting to capture the princess, but a little minor songbird named Curdie comes to her rescue.
Some of my favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald, so I was delighted to introduce my daughters to MacDonald’s work, starting with this book. The sequel, Princess and Curdie, is my personal favorite, but it has a darker tone, so I’ll wait until they’re around 8 to share that one.
Christian Chapter Books
31. The Shadow and the Promise by Marty Machowski (Redemption Tales Books 1-3)
Book 1: From the Garden of Eden to the Parting of the Red Sea, explore seven Bible stories through the eyes of animals. While the story has a creative perspective, the story of redemption is TRUE. Machowski does an excellent job of staying true to Scripture and accurately pointing to Christ in each story. He also does a fantastic job narrating his book.
Book 4 is coming out toward the end of 2025.
32. Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey by Tyler Van Halteren (Books 1-3)
This a beautifully illustrated and adapted book of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. While the edition is adapted for the tiniest readers, the Christian allegory remains True and theologically sound. This series is sure to ignite the moral imagination of the next generation.
Complete Book Review {HERE}
33. Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor*
In this adaptation of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, the allegory of the Christian journey along the narrow path and coming to know Christ is perfect for children 8-12 or as a read-aloud at age 6. The storyline stays true, the text tackles deep theological concepts, and the stunning pencil illustrations are truly captivating.
Brief Content Warning. Please consider the sensitivity level of your child. The author addresses heavy topics in this book, including death, persecution, disbelief, deception, imprisonment, and fearsome enemies.
There is a coloring/activity fun for busy hands.
Note quite ready for this one? Then Try:
The King’s Cadets and Little Joe: A Little Pilgrim’s Progress Adventure by Kevan Chandler and Joe Sutphin
34. The Mansoul Chronicles by Tyler Van Halteren* (in the line-up)
This is a beautifully illustrated and adapted children’s book of John Bunyan’s The Holy War. While the edition is adapted for young readers (6-12 years old), the Christian allegory remains True and theologically sound. This is the first book in the series (book 2 coming in 2026). In a world where “Do as your hearts please” is the constant whisper of culture, let’s share stories with our kids to hide Truth in their hearts, to alight their souls for Christ, and to fill their minds with stories that fuel their moral imagination. This is that story! (Delay this one for sensitive young readers)
Complete Book Review {HERE}
Honorable Mentions
35. Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
36. Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater (in the line-up)
37. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming* (in the line-up)
Never say “no” to adventure. Always say “yes,” otherwise you’ll lead a very dull life.
Commander Caractacus Pott experiences limited success with his inventions, but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is an invention of success. This family adventure begins with fixing up a green scrappy motorcar and ends with the capture of a gang of robbers.
Brief Content Warning: magical references, minimal use of words such as gosh and idiot, ghostly skeleton hanging on a rope by its neck in the cave, bank robbers, kidnapping, weapons, explosives, gangsters pointing guns at family, kids are kidnapped by Joe the Monster and his gang (in their sleep from their hotel bed), and mention of demonic lanugage by Joe the Monster.
38. The Moffats by Eleanor Estes (in the line-up)
Please note this one does have a brief reference to Halloween.
Short Chapter Books
39. My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1948)*
This classic fantasy chapter book is an adventurous tale about the narrator’s father as a boy, Elmer Elevator. Elmer runs away after an old alley cat tells him about a baby dragon on a fairway island, The Wild Island. He loads his backpack with unusual gear and sneaks onto a cargo ship. The adventure begins with surviving by eating tangerines, tricking tigers with chewing gum, combing a lion’s mane, and treating crocodiles with lollipops. And with a battle of the wits to rescue the baby dragon.
Brief Content Warning: friction between mother and son, lying, multiple threats of violence from the animals, and dated language.
40. Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh
There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain. No bears at all.”
Jonathan is an 8-year-old boy sent on a mission over the mountain to borrow Aunt Emma’s big iron pot for the huge family dinner to celebrate his new baby cousin being christened. He is told, “There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain.” Besides, it’s winter. As he treks over the mountain, the snow starts to melt…
41. The Blue Hill Meadows by Cynthia Rylant
This read-aloud is perfect for a peaceful mood. The Meadows live in Blue Hill, Virginia. The illustrations are sweet, and the short stories are charming, from beloved puppies to a father-son fishing trip.
Favorites for Girls (remember I’m a girl mom)
42. Anne Arrives: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George
43. Honor Looks Within: A Virtue Chicks Story by Allison Dennis (Books 1 &2)
In this precious illustrated chapter book, Honor exhibits retention of her parents’ teachings, boldness in sharing biblical truth, obedience to her mother, and loving those who look different. And, Book 2: Hope Has Peace is just as heartwarming!
44. Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz*
In this delightful illustrated chapter book, Princess Cora spends her days taking baths, reading boring books, and skipping rope. She wishes for a golden puppy and a day off. Her fairy godmother hears her wish and sends her a crocodile. Desperate to have an adventure, the crocodile slips on one of the princess’s dresses, and Cora sets out from the perfectly manicured castle gardens to find a rugged tree to climb.
Brief Content Warning: Words such as stupid and hate are used minimally. The Crocodile makes a statement towards the end, I wish I were dead. Magical references. Princess Cora deceives her parents and sneaks out of the castle.
Interested in More Booklists for Kids: Check These Out!
Ocean Picture Book Collection
View the complete Ocean Booklist {HERE}.
Best Hibernation Books for Kids
Get the Hibernation book list {HERE}.
Garden Picture Book Collection
Get the complete list of Garden Picture Books {HERE}.
Thanks for Stopping By!
Lastly, thank you for stopping by! I hope you find a favorite read aloud to add to your journey. If I missed your favorite first chapter book read aloud, please let me know! Please feel free to tag me on Instagram @mudpieswithsprinkles or reply to my newsletter. My comment section is temporarily closed.
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HAPPY READING!
– With Great Joy, Katie
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