Fun Reads For 7-Year Olds

The key to getting children to read more is making it a fun activity, rather than a strictly educational task. This requires exciting stories -- brimming with adventure and relatable characters! The best books for 7-year olds are a mixture of tried-and-true classics, as well as new and modern tales; kids don't mind the written era as long as the stories are fantastic. Plus, regular casual reading will instill an appreciation for books that will last a lifetime, passing on through generations.

A couple fun favorites are:

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Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Dr. Seuss)

You can't go wrong with Seuss! A tale that touches the heart of kids and adults alike, this serious subject of moving out into the world is met with Seuss humor and rhythm. Describing the pitfalls and highs of life, the master of rollicking rhymes assures children that their dreams can come true. Uplifting for all ages, Seuss captures the fear and excitement that all people feel when venturing outside their comfort zones.  

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)

Your kids might remember this classic from movies, but the story is 100 times better. Willy Wonka, chocolate-maker extraordinaire, is opening his factory to 5 children and 1 guest each of their choice. Thousands search frantically in candy bars for the golden tickets, their entrance guarantees. Among the winners are the most gluttonous, spoiled, television-obsessed, and dim-witted brats in the entire world; all except the protagonist and perfect hero of the tale, Charlie Bucket. Wonka's world is rife with eccentric anecdotes, delicious secrets, and humor galore.

"The one thing he longed for more than anything else was... CHOCOLATE."

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Find current favorites in 7 year old children's books:

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Rhyming Stories For 6-Year Olds

Clad in paperback or a hardcover, kids' poetry and rhyming stories are coveted as some of the best books for children 6 years old and up. The tales within each flowing flip of the pages are sentimental, humorous, and meaningful, while also being simple enough for a child's understanding.

These zesty collections are generational gems that children will remember through their entire lives, passing them on to their own kids to keep the harmonious words of poetic authors alive.

For example:

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Where the Sidewalk Ends: 30th Anniversary (Shel Silverstein)

A true master of children's poetry, Silverstein takes everyday thoughts and turns them into the silliest stories. Writing in no particular poetic manner, the author spins a web of clever prose to create the best-loved books that parents and grandparents will remember fondly. Works include tales like Boa Constrictor, Colors, The Acrobats, Alice, and so much more in 192-pages of simple pen-and-ink drawings paired with heartwarming, hilarious, interesting, and sometimes icky subjects.

"Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins. Where everyone cuddles, and everyone wins."

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The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)

A tried-and-true classic, Dr. Seuss approaches a serious subject with beautiful illustrations and whimsical, laugh-out-loud rhymes. Teaching kids about the mindless devastation to Earth's natural beauty, Seuss takes them on an adventure where all it takes is someone to care to really make a difference in the world. Children and adults alike can bond over the sweet faces of the Brown Bar-Ba-loots as they indulge in the finest Truffula Fruits. Or take a trip to the Once-ler's house to pay him a fee at the end of his rope of fifteen cents, a nail, and the shell of a great-great-great-grandfather snail. It's a unique, heartwarming, and humorous tale that is sure to be a tradition at bedtime!

"Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...it's not."

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Find more great books for kids 6 years of age:

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Baby Books: Developing a Love for Reading

Literacy and strong reading skills grow over time, beginning with the nurturing bedtime favorites from childhood. By starting out with the top selling books for babies, parents can assist in developing a child's love for reading. The best stories are easily understood, lighthearted, interactive, and thought-provoking, especially for the growing minds of flourishing tots.

Colorful and evoking of shrill, happy giggles, the following baby books are abundant in vibrant humor, cute characters, and amusing concepts:
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)

"In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf."

This is a story that generations will remember! Captivating and beautiful, the book follows the hunger pangs of a little caterpillar as he crawls and inches his way through the leaves of each page. Gnawing on everything in sight, the fuzzy worm fills his belly until he simpl can't eat anymore. Rolling into a cocoon, the book ends with a stunning transformation when the caterpillar emerges as a colorful butterfly. Little ones will appreciate the colors and splendor of the butterfly and the overall simplicity of the story, while parents will have fun answering the barrage of questions about transformation afterwards.

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The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)

"One there was a tree... and she loved a little boy."

A story of unconditional love and compassion, Silverstein tells the tale of a little boy who loved a tree, and a tree that returned the little boy's affections. Friends forever and growing old together, the boy and the tree go through the motions of aging. It's a journey through the lives of two living things -- one human and expectant, the other inanimate but compassionate. The overall story is tender, striking at the heart strings of the reader and listener as the boy returns as an old man to sit and rest with the tree one last time.

The Best Animal Stories For 5-Year Olds

It comes as no surprise that the best books for 5-year olds would have stories of adventure, subtle life lessons, and humor. It's also redundant to say that most of the aforementioned stories feature animals, as most children go gaga over cute furballs, scaly slithers, and bubble-blowing fish.

The following books are a few of the greatest, most engaging tales for modern kids. Why? Because each one features a relatable, sometimes fuzzy, sometimes scaled animal, and a whole bunch of laughs!

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Dragons Love Tacos (Adam Rubin)

Apparently, dragons love tacos! And not just one or two for dinner, but buckets filled to overflowing! These fire-breathing fliers are beautifully illustrated and bursting with taco-flavored love. It's a silly tale that features all kinds of dragons indulging in the one treat they can't get enough of... from chicken to beef, big or small, these winged creatures love them all. Unfortunately and surprisingly, salsa is not a dragon's friend, as these mythical animals can't stand the spiciness of certain foods. Hilarity ensues when one too many dragons eat way too many salsa-filled tacos.

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Llama Llama Red Pajama (Anna Dewdney)

A read-aloud for bedtime or anytime, this story centers on a baby llama that turns his sleepy time into nothing but drama for his Mama. As the tale progresses in whimsical rhymes and entertaining prose, baby llama does all he can to thwart his Mama's attempt at putting him peacefully to bed. Kids will relate to baby's need for comfort and reassurance, as Mama returns to offer back rubs, sweet nothings, and soft whispers to soothe llama into sleep.


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The Going-To-Bed Book (Sandra Boynton)

Featuring a variety of awesome animals, this book is about bedtime routines and all the silly things kids will do to avoid sleep. A board book for all ages, the simple text and cool illustrations follow each of the Ark animals as they prepare for sleep.

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Find the current top-selling and highly rated books for kids 5 years of age:

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-books-for-5-year-olds

Interactive Stories For 4-Years & Older

The best books for 4-year olds in 2013 are, unsurprisingly, the tried-and-true favorites and instant classics of most parents' childhoods. At this age, kids need something inspiring to education and teach them reading, counting, and everything in-between.

With the following interactive short-list of books, children will use their imaginations and creative skills to tell stories, memorizing essential skills along the way.


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Press Here (Herve Tullet)

This book is a step-by-step guide through a tilting, shaking, pressing, growing tale. Kids will embark on a hands-on journey with the simple press of the yellow button on the book's cover. The pages lead parents and children through a story of yellow buttons; ones that multiply, scatter, line-up, and group together for a giggling good time. It's a book without gadgets; it's a book that relies on colors, circles, and basic sentences to tell a simple tale, amusing the kid in all of us.

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Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers [Box Set] (Bobby Lynn Maslen)

Young readers are encouraged to learn their alphabet, ABC sounds, and simple grammatical meanings with basic tales about Bob and his friends. The original fundamental elements of reading and learning are presented in 5 sets, with 3 levels per set, and 4 letters in each story. Kids will learn at their own pace, gaining understanding through a handful of characters and their designated stories.


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Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Rod Campbell)

An old-fashioned board book and my personal favorite, this tale is celebrating 30-years of reader popularity. Generations have read and loved this book, from the very first elephant. Each of the 18-pages features an interactive component, revealing a new zoo animal with the flip of every flap. The humor is appealing to kids and adults alike, and includes a gentle nudge towards educational building of simple reading and instructional skills.

Interactive Books For Babies

Most people don't see 1-2 year olds being very interactive, when in fact, they're constantly learning through interaction with random objects and people. For example, the best baby books in 2013 have everything a toddler or pre-tot would need to learn easy tasks, such as lifting a flap or turning a page. 

My favorites are:


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Where is Baby's Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book (Karen Katz)

This durable board book features peek-a-boo between your baby and adorable characters. Each flap is hiding a baby's body part, such as a belly button or baby's eyes. Kids can reveal each part of these happy babies as they hide in bubbles, behind hats, or under juice cups. At an age of discovery and exploration, toddlers will feel compelled to inspect their own faces and belly buttons, revealing similar pieces of themselves and learning the names for their body parts. 
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Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Rod Campbell)

Another board book built for years of flipping pages, this one tells the story of the animals in the zoo. Hidden behind flaps and cute panels, kids can reveal their favorite animals after having a chance to guess what those animals are. For instance, "I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet. They sent me a..." with a reveal of an Elephant out of a crate marked "very heavy." Detailed and colorful, this book will keep children guessing all the way through. What could the narrators perfect pet be?


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Moo Baa La La La (Sandra Boynton)

In a silly story, this book is all about the enchanting, hilarious sounds of barnyard animals. From "Moo's" and "Baa's," this tale covers every sound that emanates from a farm animal. It's a cool twist on the traditional "Old MacDonald" song! This book is also filled with humor to entice kids to re-enact the actions of their favorite characters. Perhaps thair coveted character said "Moo," you can expect your little reader to say the same with a cute, happy little giggle to accentuate the end.

The Best Classic Disney & Pixar Stories

The best Disney books are comprised of a wholesome, family-friendly tale, paired with loveable characters who face every obstacle with unflinching courage. They're the brave, adventurous, beautiful, and extraordinary spirits in every Disney or Pixar tale -- the iconic favorites who are famous for their timeless stories, quirky personalities, and beloved comic counterparts.

The following short-list of Disney and Pixar books combine all of the greatness of the two studio giants, bringing their characters and concepts to a bedtime near you:

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Disney Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters

From Abu to Zazu, this 192-page book is rife with trivia, fun facts, and memorable quotes. In alphabetical order, each page features a new Disney character with the movies they've appeared in, traits they're famed for, and what makes them unique. The beginning features custom salutations from a bunch of animated main characters and their ever-valuable sidekicks. Your child will be delighted to know that Mickey Mouse is a jack-of-all-trades, specializing in positions like an astronaut, detective, and firefighter. Or little readers might be surprised to discover that Jasmine was only a few days from her 16th birthday when she married Aladdin. Stunning illustrations grace every page!

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Disney Princess: Ariel - The Birthday Surprise

An original story featuring Ariel (The Little Mermaid), this book is all about family celebration and enduring love. Trapped by a harmless wish, Ariel has to find a way to break a powerful spell in hopes of returning to her Prince Eric. It's a surprising tale that isn't as popular as the film counterpart; however, Ariel remains undaunted, lovely, and as classic as ever.




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Disney Nursery Rhymes & Fairy Tales

Well-known Disney characters take the place of popular Mother Goose tales in this 304-page, hardcover edition. A storybook that features make-believe favorites like "The Gingerbread Man," "The Ugly Duckling," and "Rapunzel" have Disney-inspired twists. For example, Minnie Mouse morphs into a frolicking beauty in a red cape, headed to grandmouse's house in "Little Red Riding Minnie." Whereas, Daisy Duck lets her curiosity explore through someone else's home in "Daisylocks." Classic and beautiful, each page is overflowing with detailed pictures and rhythmic, everlasting stories.

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Find the current top-selling Disney and Pixar books for children:

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