Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 6 to 7 year olds

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Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year which we think any child aged 6 to 7 will love.

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Explore the guide in full

  • Carrie and the Roller Boots

    Author: Lisa Thompson Illustrator: Jess Rose
    Publisher: Little Gems
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Carrie devises an elaborate roller-skating routine to perform at her school assembly, but she’s never roller-skated before and it’s much trickier than she thought. This delightful, illustrated chapter book about friendship and perseverance is ideal for dyslexic or reluctant readers. 

  • The Ghost Cat Who Saved my Life

    Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Monika Filipina
    Publisher: Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 7+
    Reading age: 6-8

    When Sav and Liam hear a cat meowing in the upstairs flat, they decide it must be a ghost, so go to investigate. An engaging, heart-warming mystery, ideal for reluctant and dyslexic readers. 

  • Peggy Little-Legs

    Author: Pip Jones Illustrator: Paula Bowles
    Publisher: Little Gems/Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 6-9
    Reading age: 7+

    A sausage dog finds out what they are best at in a fun, life-affirming dog adventure for new readers. 

  • Big Bad Wolf Investigates: Fairy Tales

    Author: Catherine Cawthorne Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6+

    Could the Big Bad Wolf really blow down a straw house? A funny look at familiar fairy tales through the lens of STEM.

  • Pablo and Splash

    Author: Sheena Dempsey
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Pablo and Splash are two penguins who've accidentally time-travelled to the Cretaceous period! Can they get home to the icy Antarctic before they’re eaten by dinosaurs? A funny colour graphic novel for newly confident readers. 

  • We Are All Astronauts!

    Author: Kate Pankhurst
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 4+

    Luna and her granny learn how to be astronauts together. Packed with space facts, and brilliantly illustrated, this is inspiring STEM content for any child. 

  • Max & Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island

    Author: Jamie Smart
    Publisher: David Fickling Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 5+

    Max has just moved to Animal Island where there are lots of new friends – including a chaffy. But Chaffy is lost! Can you help Max find Chaffy? This very young, colourful graphic novel series is brilliantly interactive and full of fun.

  • Seek and Find: Ocean Animals

    Author: Susie Rae Illustrator: Diego Vaisberg
    Publisher: Gemini
    Interest age: 6-9
    Reading age: 7+

    This interactive non-fiction book uses a seek and find torch and flaps to explore the different animals present in ocean habitats.   

  • Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking

    Author: Adam Stower
    Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Best friends Murray the cat and Bun the rabbit are magically transported back to Viking times, where they become troll hunters. This hilarious comic caper, which is generously illustrated throughout, is the first instalment in an exciting new series for independent young readers.

  • The Girl Who Became a Fish

    Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Sojung Kim-McCarthy
    Publisher: Knights Of
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Despite being terrified of water, Ita feels strangely drawn to the nearby river and, when she ventures to put her hands beneath the surface, discovers something unexpected and magical that gradually changes how she sees the world. 

  • Our Earth is a Poem: poetry about nature

    Author: Various Illustrator: Annalise Barber; Mariana Roldán; Masha Manapov; Nabila Adani
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6+

    A stunning collection of poems, beautifully illustrated, that explores and celebrate nature in its various magnificent forms. Perfect for reading aloud, and for curling up with.

  • Habitats

    Author: Hannah Pang Illustrator: Isobel Lundie
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6-8

    Explore the different layers of a variety of habitats with this beautiful non-fiction book, featuring interactive layered pages.

  • Huxley and Flapjack Race to the Rescue

    Author: Alan Macdonald Illustrator: Francesca Gambatesa
    Publisher: Little Tiger
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6+

    Meet Huxley the irrepressible koala and Flapjack the cautious penguin. Together, they have lots of adventures, but can they catch a thief? A fun chapter book packed with energy and brilliant colour illustrations.

  • A World of Dogs

    Author: Carlie Sorosiak Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    A fascinating non-fiction book that details everything on dogs 

  • I’m Going to be a Princess

    Author: Stephanie Taylor Illustrator: Jade Orlando
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 8+

    On her way home from school, Maya announces that she wants to be a princess when she grows up. Mum encourages her to consider other professions, but Maya won’t change her mind. Though maybe it’s not a fairy tale princess she’s thinking about. A witty story about inspirational black women.

  • Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise

    Author: Adeola Sokunbi
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 6-7
    Reading age: 5+

    Destiny feels nervous about going to her first sleepover. When she meets a friendly monster, the two of them conquer their fears together and have loads of fun on the way! 

  • Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch

    Author: Matty Long
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 6+

    Croaky Hopper is a frog who’s keen for adventure. So he’s thrilled to go on a Woggle Scouts camping trip. But will they find the mysterious Sasquatch? Colourful, funny and full of action. 

  • Femi and the Mindfulness Machine

    Author: Flo Fielding Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud
    Publisher: Doring Kindersley in association with Woke Babies
    Interest age: 4-5

    Femi’s wind machine for Science Day doesn’t always work. Gran has some useful advice – but what will happen at school when it matters? With techniques to calm anxiety, and gorgeous illustrations, this picture book will stimulate conversations about feelings. 

  • Dino Dad

    Author: Andy Day Illustrator: Steven Lenton
    Publisher: Puffin Books
    Interest age: 6-8

    Ruby and her dad can change into dinosaurs! But can they find her little sister on the island of Dinotropolis? A sweet, yet madcap adventure full of brilliant illustrations. 

  • Donut Feed the Squirrels

    Author: Mika Song
    Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
    Interest age: 6-8

    Two squirrels want donuts for breakfast – how will they get one? A delightful graphic novel with gentle humour for younger readers.

  • Tiny the Secret Adventurer

    Author: Aisha Bushby Illustrator: Kübra Teber
    Publisher: Usborne
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Tiny is a miniature girl who lives among the petals of a sunflower. She embarks on a big adventure when she goes in search of friendship. This gentle, inclusive tale explores the effects of bullying and demonstrates the importance of tolerance and kindness.

  • Beti and the Little Round House

    Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Emily Hughes
    Publisher: Walker
    Interest age: 3-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Follow the adventures of Beti and her baby goat Naughty in this beautifully written and illustrated book as they explore the natural world which surrounds her little round house in the Welsh countryside. 

  • Dr Roopa’s Body Books: The Brilliant Brain

    Author: Dr Roopa Farooki Illustrator: Viola Wang
    Publisher: Walker
    Interest age: 6-8

    A simple introduction to the way the brain works, with gorgeous bright illustrations. Ideal for young, curious children.  

  • Green: The Story of Plant Life on Our Planet

    Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Emily Sutton
    Publisher: Walker
    Interest age: 4-11
    Reading age: 7+

    A beautifully illustrated book explaining how plants evolved and how they work now.

  • The Magic Callaloo

    Author: Trish Cooke Illustrator: Sophie Bass
    Publisher: Walker
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 6-8

    In a wonderful allegorical story highlighting a crucial part of Black history, superstar children’s author Trish Cooke tells a tale inspired by the real stories of enslaved Africans who made patterns in their cornrowed hair, using them as maps to escape their enslavers.