Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 6 to 7 year olds
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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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.
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The Ghost Cat Who Saved my Life
Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Monika Filipina
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 6-8When 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Habitats
Author: Hannah Pang Illustrator: Isobel Lundie
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6-8Explore the different layers of a variety of habitats with this beautiful non-fiction book, featuring interactive layered pages.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Magic Callaloo
Author: Trish Cooke Illustrator: Sophie Bass
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6-8In 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.