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Six is when reading starts to feel like a real skill. Children in Year 2 are moving on from early readers, gaining confidence quickly and ready for stories with a little more going on. Our editors chose these books to stretch them without ever feeling like hard work.
The short answer
- The one to start with
- After the Fall by Dan Santat — A tale to encourage even the most afraid to overcome their fears
- A favourite to share
- Claude Going for Gold! by Alex T. Smith — Claude and Sir Bobblysock are the perfect combination to give new readers…
- For keen readers
- It's a No-Money Day by Kate Milner — Heart-breaking child’s eye view of life below the poverty line
What to look for at age 6
Short chapters, lots of illustrations and characters their own age make the jump to longer books easy. Series are brilliant at six: one success leads straight to the next book. Keep reading aloud too, so they meet stories that are still a step beyond what they can read alone.
Our pick of the best books for 6 year olds
After the Fall by Dan Santat
A tale to encourage even the most afraid to overcome their fears.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamClaude Going for Gold! by Alex T. Smith
Claude and Sir Bobblysock are the perfect combination to give new readers confidence and at the same time the witty text and images are a gift to read aloudReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamIt's a No-Money Day by Kate Milner
Heart-breaking child’s eye view of life below the poverty lineReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant
‘Who cares about ordinary, thought Billy. It’s a pirate’s life for me.’Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamHey You! by Dapo Adeola
A beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experienceReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Invisible by Tom Percival
When poverty affects her family, Isabel starts to feel invisible – an uplifting story about seeing our neighbours and belongingReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamSmall in the City by Sydney Smith
A mysterious, tense and atmospheric authorial debut from Greenaway winner Sydney SmithReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamBlack Dog by Levi Pinfold
Winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 The judges described the book as a "visual treat, full of mood and atmosphere, the beautiful illustrations are full of…Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamMax & Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island! by Jamie Smart
The first of a new graphic series for younger readersReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamDimple and the Boo by Pip Jones
A little gnome finds a good way to cope with his worries and frustrationReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAdventuremice: Otter Chaos by Philip Reeve, Sarah McIntyre
The first of a perfect full colour adventure series for younger readersReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamSpeak Up! by Nathan Bryon
The inspirational Rocket is on a mission to save her local libraryReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
A stunningly illustrated Arctic adventureReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThis Book Can Read Your Mind! by Susannah Lloyd
Irresistible, laugh aloud story all about the power of books and the imaginationReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamToo Much Stuff by Emily Gravett
A gentle, funny and very beautifully illustrated poem about waste and recycling – a good way to introduce children to the idea of recycling useful thingsReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAfterward, Everything was Different by Jairo Buitrago
This awe-inspiring, almost-wordless picture book celebrates art and the origins of story-telling through a young girl from the Pleistocene epoch who feels the necessity…Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAmy Gets Eaten by Adam Kay
Amy the tiny sweetcorn’s hilariously fearless and informative exploration of Noah’s digestive systemReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAgent Harrier: This Book Will Self-Destruct by Ben Sanders
Fast, funny and stylishly produced, this graphic novel is perfect for newly confident readers.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Great Pollination Investigation by Deborah Hocking
A blooming marvellous, joyful and interactive picture book that invites young readers to discover how flowers become food by bringing the science of pollination to life.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamFox by Isabel Thomas
The best possible answer to the question, ‘what happens when something dies?’Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids team
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These 20 books come from our Year 2 reading list of 32 titles for the 2026/27 school year. Looking for a little younger or older? See books for 5 year olds and books for 7 year olds, or our guide to The Best Books for 5-7 Year Olds.
Chosen by experts, not an algorithm
Every title here comes from our Year 2 reading list, chosen by LoveReading4Kids’ children’s-book specialists — people who match books to real children every day. We’ve recommended on merit since 2005, and through our Schools Reading Programme we see which stories genuinely land with this age group. When you buy through us, up to 25% of the cover price can go to a school of your choice.
Each is named, with a photograph and full biography, on our editorial experts page.
Members of the panel include:
Julia Eccleshare MBEAward-winning children’s literature expert and former Guardian Children’s Editor
Amy McKayFormer UK School Librarian of the Year and Yoto Carnegies National Coordinator
Joy CourtLeading children’s literature expert and former Chair of the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals
Deborah MaclarenLoveReading CEO and literary prize judge, championing books and reading for pleasure
Your questions answered
What should a 6 year old read?
Our editors recommend starting with After the Fall by Dan Santat, Claude Going for Gold! by Alex T. Smith and It's a No-Money Day by Kate Milner, all from our Year 2 reading list. The full list of 20 books is on this page.
Which school year is a 6 year old in?
In England, most children turn 6 during Year 2, so these books come from our Year 2 list. Children read at very different levels, so look at the ages either side too.
How are these books chosen?
By LoveReading4Kids’ children’s-book specialists, including former Carnegie judges and school librarians, not by sales rank or an algorithm. We have recommended books on merit since 2005.
What if my child is a reluctant reader?
Try shorter, funnier or illustrated books first, and let them choose. Our guide to the best books for reluctant readers has picks chosen to win children round.