← The Children's Library  /  Age 5

Best Books for 5 year olds

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

A varied shortlist for 5 year olds, balanced across familiar favourites, different authors, and the formats most likely to suit this stage.

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36 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

At age 5, reading confidence and attention span can vary widely. Use the age ranges as guidance, then choose among picture book, poetry, classic and chapter book according to whether the book will be read alone, shared with an adult, or enjoyed as a family read-aloud.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

The Jolly Postman
Janet Ahlberg · Picture Book · ages 3–7 · imagination and heritage
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The Snowman
Raymond Briggs · Picture Book · ages 3–7 · wonder and friendship
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Spring Story
Jill Barklem · Picture Book · ages 3–7 · family and nature
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The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear · Poetry · ages 3–7 · humour and wonder
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The Gruffalo
Julia Donaldson · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · courage and humour
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The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Judith Kerr · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · wonder and imagination
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The Jolly Postman book cover
The Jolly Postman
Janet Ahlberg
Ages 3–7
The Jolly Postman
Janet Ahlberg · Allan Ahlberg
The Jolly Postman, a picture book by Janet Ahlberg, is selected for children aged 3 to 7. It is illustrated by Allan Ahlberg. Compare it with other books exploring imagination, heritage and humour.
Picture Book1986
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The Snowman book cover
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
Ages 3–7
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 7: The Snowman, a picture book by Raymond Briggs. It connects with wonder, friendship and imagination.
Picture Book1978
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Spring Story book cover
Spring Story
Jill Barklem
Ages 3–7
Spring Story
Jill Barklem
For readers interested in family, nature and heritage, compare Spring Story by Jill Barklem. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 7.
Picture Book1980
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The Owl and the Pussycat book cover
The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear
Ages 3–7
The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 7: The Owl and the Pussycat, a poetry collection by Edward Lear. It connects with humour, wonder and adventure.
Poetry1871
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The Gruffalo book cover
The Gruffalo
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
The Gruffalo
Julia Donaldson · Axel Scheffler
A quick-thinking mouse crosses a wood and invents a fearsome Gruffalo to discourage a fox, an owl, and a snake from eating him.
Picture Book1999
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The Tiger Who Came to Tea book cover
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Judith Kerr
Ages 3–6
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Judith Kerr
Sophie and her mother welcome an unexpected tiger into their kitchen.
Picture Book1968
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One Snowy Night book cover
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
Ages 3–6
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about kindness, family and nature.
Picture Book1989
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Dogger book cover
Dogger
Shirley Hughes
Ages 3–6
Dogger
Shirley Hughes
Dave loses Dogger, the worn toy dog he takes everywhere, and his family search without success.
Picture Book1977
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Elmer book cover
Elmer
David McKee
Ages 3–6
Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is a brightly patchworked elephant in a herd of ordinary grey elephants.
Picture Book1989
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Peace at Last book cover
Peace at Last
Jill Murphy
Ages 3–6
Peace at Last
Jill Murphy
Peace at Last by Jill Murphy is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about family and humour.
Picture Book1980
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Mister Magnolia book cover
Mister Magnolia
Quentin Blake
Ages 3–6
Mister Magnolia
Quentin Blake
For readers interested in humour, imagination and wonder, compare Mister Magnolia by Quentin Blake. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6.
Picture Book1980
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The Enormous Crocodile book cover
The Enormous Crocodile
Roald Dahl
Ages 4–7
The Enormous Crocodile
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
On the shelf for children aged 4 to 7: The Enormous Crocodile, a picture book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with courage, justice and humour.
Picture Book1978
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Winnie-the-Pooh book cover
Winnie-the-Pooh
A. A. Milne
Ages 3–8
Winnie-the-Pooh
A. A. Milne · E. H. Shepard
Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends move through linked adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, from honey-seeking plans to expeditions and rescues.
Classic1926
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I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato book cover
I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato
Lauren Child
Ages 3–6
I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato
Lauren Child
First published in 2000, I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato is a picture book by Lauren Child for children aged 3 to 6. Its themes include humour, family and imagination.
Picture Book2000
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Winnie the Witch book cover
Winnie the Witch
Valerie Thomas
Ages 3–6
Winnie the Witch
Valerie Thomas · Korky Paul
First published in 1987, Winnie the Witch is a picture book by Valerie Thomas for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Korky Paul. Its themes include humour and imagination.
Picture Book1987
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Granpa book cover
Granpa
John Burningham
Ages 3–6
Granpa
John Burningham
Granpa by John Burningham is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about family and wonder.
Picture Book1984
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Six Dinner Sid book cover
Six Dinner Sid
Inga Moore
Ages 3–6
Six Dinner Sid
Inga Moore
Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about humour and self-reliance.
Picture Book1990
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Farmer Duck book cover
Farmer Duck
Martin Waddell
Ages 3–6
Farmer Duck
Martin Waddell · Helen Oxenbury
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Farmer Duck, a picture book by Martin Waddell. It is illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. It connects with justice, friendship and kindness.
Picture Book1991
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The Blue Balloon book cover
The Blue Balloon
Mick Inkpen
Ages 3–6
The Blue Balloon
Mick Inkpen
For readers interested in imagination and wonder, compare The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6.
Picture Book1989
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Oi Frog! book cover
Oi Frog!
Kes Gray
Ages 3–6
Oi Frog!
Kes Gray · Jim Field
Oi Frog! by Kes Gray is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Jim Field. A useful choice for reading about humour.
Picture Book2014
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Supertato book cover
Supertato
Sue Hendra
Ages 3–6
Supertato
Sue Hendra · Paul Linnet
First published in 2014, Supertato is a picture book by Sue Hendra for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Paul Linnet. Its themes include humour and courage.
Picture Book2014
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Aliens Love Underpants book cover
Aliens Love Underpants
Claire Freedman
Ages 3–6
Aliens Love Underpants
Claire Freedman · Ben Cort
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Aliens Love Underpants, a picture book by Claire Freedman. It is illustrated by Ben Cort. It connects with humour.
Picture Book2007
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Giraffes Can't Dance book cover
Giraffes Can't Dance
Giles Andreae
Ages 3–6
Giraffes Can't Dance
Giles Andreae · Guy Parker-Rees
Choose Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. This picture book is shelved with books about perseverance, self-reliance and kindness.
Picture Book1999
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The Lion Inside book cover
The Lion Inside
Rachel Bright
Ages 3–6
The Lion Inside
Rachel Bright · Jim Field
The Lion Inside, a picture book by Rachel Bright, is selected for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Jim Field. Compare it with other books exploring courage and self-reliance.
Picture Book2015
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The Storm Whale book cover
The Storm Whale
Benji Davies
Ages 3–6
The Storm Whale
Benji Davies
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about kindness, family and nature.
Picture Book2013
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Lost and Found book cover
Lost and Found
Oliver Jeffers
Ages 3–6
Lost and Found
Oliver Jeffers
Choose Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers for children aged 3 to 6. This picture book is shelved with books about friendship and kindness.
Picture Book2005
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Odd Dog Out book cover
Odd Dog Out
Rob Biddulph
Ages 3–6
Odd Dog Out
Rob Biddulph
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Odd Dog Out, a picture book by Rob Biddulph. It connects with self-reliance and courage.
Picture Book2016
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The Pirates Next Door book cover
The Pirates Next Door
Jonny Duddle
Ages 4–7
The Pirates Next Door
Jonny Duddle
The Pirates Next Door, a picture book by Jonny Duddle, is selected for children aged 4 to 7. Compare it with other books exploring friendship, adventure and humour.
Picture Book2012
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Gorilla book cover
Gorilla
Anthony Browne
Ages 4–8
Gorilla
Anthony Browne
Gorilla, a picture book by Anthony Browne, is selected for children aged 4 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring family, imagination and wonder.
Picture Book1983
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit book cover
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Ages 2–6
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Peter ignores his mother’s warning and enters Mr McGregor’s garden to eat vegetables.
Picture Book1902
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You Choose book cover
You Choose
Pippa Goodhart
Ages 2–6
You Choose
Pippa Goodhart · Nick Sharratt
On the shelf for children aged 2 to 6: You Choose, a picture book by Pippa Goodhart. It is illustrated by Nick Sharratt. It connects with imagination and creativity.
Picture Book2003
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Thomas the Tank Engine book cover
Thomas the Tank Engine
Rev. W. Awdry
Ages 2–6
Thomas the Tank Engine
Rev. W. Awdry
Thomas the Tank Engine, a picture book by Rev. W. Awdry, is selected for children aged 2 to 6. Compare it with other books exploring friendship and perseverance.
Picture Book1946
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We're Going on a Bear Hunt book cover
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Michael Rosen
Ages 2–5
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Michael Rosen · Helen Oxenbury
A family travels through grass, water, mud, woodland, snow, and a cave in search of a bear.
Picture Book1989
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The Hodgeheg book cover
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
Ages 5–8
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
The Hodgeheg, a chapter book by Dick King-Smith, is selected for children aged 5 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring courage, family and perseverance.
Chapter Book1987
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A Bear Called Paddington book cover
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond
Ages 5–8
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond · Peggy Fortnum
The Brown family meet a polite bear from Peru at Paddington Station and invite him into their home.
Chapter Book1958
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The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark book cover
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Jill Tomlinson
Ages 5–8
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Jill Tomlinson
For readers interested in courage and family, compare The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson. It is a chapter book for children aged 5 to 8.
Chapter Book1968
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