10 Kids Books Every 6 to 8-Year-Old would love to read

Books are keys to wisdom’s treasure,

Books are gates to lands of pleasure,

Books are paths that upward lead,

Books are friends; come let us read.

                          - Emilie Poulsson

Reading bedtime stories to your child is an irreplaceable part of building the parent-child bond. Your baby, like every other kid, has the power to dream and reading books gives wings to his imagination along with developing his cognitive and linguistic abilities. You should encourage the habit of reading in your child as it will spark his imagination and creativity.

Even in the present digital age, nothing beats the feeling of turning the pages of a captivating book until you reach the end. If your kid is between 6 to 8 years of age, then reading the following story books in English will introduce him to a whole new world and culture. It will also let him expand his knowledge base and satiate his curiosity about the world. Your baby may not read independently from 6 yrs of age and may need some assistance from your end. So get ready to explore the new world of imagination and exploration with your child.

We have curated a list of 10 kids story books that are carefully selected keeping in mind your child’s reading level and pertaining interests.

1. Amar Chitra Katha Series

When cartoonist Anant Pai discovered the gap in Indian children’s knowledge about their country’s rich history and culture, he set out to do something about it. And so was born the beloved comic series known to kids as the Amar Chitra Katha Series.  

An entire generation of kids has fond childhood memories reading the captivating stories like Mahabharata and Ramayana with its equally engrossing illustrations. The series covers topics from history to folklore to fables and many others which ingrain valuable life lessons in the reader through memorable characters. The series began publication in 1967 and over the years, has sold over 90 million copies in more than 20 languages.

If you are on the lookout for moral stories for kids barring the ‘preachy’ element, or historical books that remain ingrained in your child’s memory, then the Amar Chitra Katha Series is for you.

 2. Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh, written by English author A.A. Milne, has become a beloved character in children’s folklore. This classic kid’s book features a loveable bear named Winnie and his gang of friends like Tigger the tiger, Piglet the pig, Eeyore the donkey, and Roo the kangaroo, who go on exciting adventures that are sure to make your child’s imagination come alive.

The central character’s love for honey and his many misadventures in its pursuit will elicit genuine chuckles from your little reader. The book also asserts the importance of friendship and family through creative illustrations and likeable characters spread across a collection of 10 stories.  

3. Snoring Shanmugam: Radhika Chadha

You are assured to have a great time while reading Snoring Shanmugam to your child especially when you make different funny sounds to accompany the storytelling. In that aspect, this kid’s storybook will be a riot for both of you.  

The story revolves around a gentle lion who loves to snore. When a tawny new lion named Gabbar Singh comes to challenge his place as the king of the jungle, he must take charge. If only he could limit his sleeping (and snoring!). Snoring Shanmugam is a part of the Baby Bahadur series which includes four stories in total with various animals like the horse Hutoxi, and the baby elephant Bahadur taking centre stage.       

 4. The Gruffalo: Julia Donaldson

 Children’s author Julia Donaldson cleverly crafts a tale of a mouse using his smarts to avoid being eaten while taking a stroll in the deep dark woods. The author’s use of rhyming schemes will surely pique your child’s interest.

 The modern classic depicts the brave mouse fabricating being friends with an imaginary beast named Gruffalo to ward off predators. Things take an interesting turn when he comes face to face with the real Gruffalo. Well, what’s a mouse to do? The story of how the mouse plans his escape will captivate your child till the end. Alex Scheffler provides support with illustrations that present the kid’s book more engagingly.

 5. Clifford The Big Red Dog: The Big White Ghost: Norman Bridwell 

 Follow the adventures of the good-natured dog Clifford and his 8-year-old owner Emily Elizabeth in a series of books by Norman Bridwell. Clifford is red and very very big, and his human-like attributes make him very relatable as a pet as well as a companion. Although it is a small story in English, the book is a great way to get your kid started on reading independently.

 The language is relatively simple, and the drawings are an excellent pull for your little one’s creative mind. ‘’Everyone gets scared sometimes’’, says Emily in this book. Your child is sure to enjoy the dog’s escapades and at the same time learn valuable life lessons along with Clifford.

 6. Ten apples up on top, Is a Camel a Mammal, Miles and miles of reptiles, The Sneetches, A fly went by Dr Seuss books

No one does kid’s storybooks better than Dr Seuss! The author and illustrator of 44 books have enthralled his little readers with imaginative creatures, silly language, and kiddish doodles. With enticing book titles like The Cat in the Hat, Is a Camel a Mammal?, The Lorax, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, your kid is sure to learn phonetic sounds rather than letter names.

Dr Seuss takes children on a rollercoaster ride into his rich imaginary world where nothing is off-limits. The beloved cartoonist excels in creating a world unlike any other filled with surreal animals having even more absurd names. Additionally, the world is one your little munchkin will relish for years to come.

7. Rumpelstiltskin

 The story of Rumpelstiltskin originated in Germany and is said to date as far back as 4,000 years. The Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm) collected and published this folklore in their 1812 edition of Children’s and Household Tales.

 The king asks the miller’s daughter to produce gold from straw (as falsely promised by her father) or else face dire consequences. Desperate to overcome the situation, she takes the help of an imp. In return for his assistance, all he wants is her firstborn child. The now turned queen has to find a way to make the imp relent. If your child has enjoyed reading classics like Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, and Snow White, this kid’s book will enchant him and feed his imagination like the rest.

 8. The Wind in the Willows: Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows is an enchanting tale of enduring friendships in the countryside. Set in the 20th century England, four animal friends - the impulsive Mole, sensible Rat, wealthy and careless Toad and the reclusive Badger take on many adventures together. An unfortunate incident lands Toad in jail, and he must rely on his friends for his ultimate redemption.

 Will his friends stand by him during his crisis? More importantly, will Toad change his wayward ways to accept responsibility for good? The evocative description coupled with brilliant writing makes this coming-of-age story an excellent read for children. The strong themes of being reckless and eventually growing up in the kid’s storybook will resonate with children of every generation.

 9. Treasure Island: Robert Louis Stevenson

 If your child enjoys bedtime stories of faraway pirates and swashbuckling adventures, then this book is a good bet. Jim Hawkins is a young boy with a treasure map and on the quest for the hidden treasure. The only thing getting in his way are the many pirates who want their hands on the buried gold first. What follows is plenty of fighting, mutinies, and shifting loyalties that makes it a page-turner. Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson leaves no stone unturned (pun intended) in creating a fast-paced, gripping tale of an unlikely hero.

 10. Cinderella

 This fairy tale never fails to capture the imagination of young kids! A simple girl named Cinderella, who is distressed by her step-mother and step-sisters, wants to attend the prince’s ball. She transforms herself with the help of her fairy godmother who sets only one rule that she return home by midnight or else all hell will break loose. With a race against time, will she meet her prince and charm him enough to be his princess? The kid’s book is adorned with illustrations that bring to life the exciting events taking place. The story has created several generations of little girls who can’t resist putting themselves in Cinderella’s shoes and wait for their prince charming to arrive.

Conclusion

 What are your thoughts on this collection of ten kids story books? Don’t you think it has taken your child on an unbelievable journey unlike any other? Believe me, it must have helped your child in increasing his vocabulary and language skill set and also introduced him to another imaginary world.  

Do share your thoughts on this selection and your suggestions to make this list better. Let us know if there are any books you would like us to add to the list as your feedback will be duly appreciated.

Until then, Happy Parenting!