Best books for 5-year-olds

Five-year-olds might be starting to read on their own, but they’ll still love a story. This list is packed with offbeat humour and brilliant characters. Perfect for keeping your child hooked on books.

  • Oi Frog!

    by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field 

    2015 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Bright, bold, expressive illustrations add to the fun in this hilarious picture book with a knockout ending.

  • Supertato

    by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet 

    2014 2 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    It’s night-time in the supermarket and all is quiet and still. But wait. Something has escaped from the freezer, something with evil plans. This little escapee (or escapea?) wants to cause chaos. Can Supertato save the day? A hilarious and anarchic story with truly brilliant characters – one that you’ll be asked to read again and again.

  • The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water

    by Gemma Merino 

    2013 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Little crocodile doesn’t like water. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s embarrassing.

  • I Can Only Draw Worms

    by Will Mabbitt 

    2017 2 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    This genuinely hilarious book is brilliantly simple, based on the idea that the author-illustrator can only draw very childlike worms. Highly recommended.

  • How To Be A Lion

    by Ed Vere 

    2018 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Leonard is a gentle lion: just because you’re a lion doesn’t mean that you have to roar. A book about ignoring the aggressive voices in our society and lending an ear to our quieter thoughts, this is a warm and reassuring story. 

  • I Want My Hat Back

    by Jon Klassen 

    2011 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A bear sets out in search of his hat – he loves his hat and he wants it back

  • Ten Fat Sausages

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Tor Freeman 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well for preschoolers. It will also entertain adults and older children, who will really get the silly humour.

  • The Bumblebear

    by Nadia Shireen 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Norman the bear loves honey, so he thinks up an ingenious plan to get his paws on as much as he can eat – by enrolling at Bee School! An endearing tale about friendship and loyalty.

  • Life is Magic

    by Meg McLaren 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    When assistant Houdini accidentally transforms Monsieur Lapin into a rabbit, he is determined that the show must go on. This delightful tale about working together and helping your friends is full of warmth and humour.

  • Nibbles: The Book Monster

    by Emma Yarlett 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    This is a story about a little monster called… Nibbles. And with that, he nibbles his way right out of the book! This really exciting reading experience is sure to be a hit with the whole family. 

  • The Last Wolf

    by Sir Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman 

    2003 5 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Classics

    Powerful illustrations underline this captivating tale of loyalty and bravery.