Three Creative Books for 6-Year Old Readers 2014

The key to teaching children how to read is creativity that makes reading fun. Kiddos that view reading as a go-to hobby are more likely to do well in school because they’re teaching themselves new words, grammatical accuracy, and sentence structure with every story.

As a promoter of young readers and literacy overall, I have compiled a short-list naming 3 of the most creative, 2014 books for 6-year olds.

Each of the following stories are thought-provoking and artistic, encouraging children to look beyond the written word and use their imaginations to “see” scene:

______________________________________

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

BRILLIANT! I love this book because I had always wondered what crayons talked about when their box was closed. In this story, Duncan goes to draw and finds all of his crayons have gone on strike. They’re not coloring until their demands are met!

The yellow and orange are arguing over which one is the true color of sunshine, blue is overworked and tired of drawing lakes and ponds, and black wants more outlining work. The concept is hilarious and Duncan goes through a range of laugh-out-loud emotions before settling on a heart-warming solution.

______________________________________

Journey by Aaron Becker

In my opinion, this book is an essential must-have for adults and kiddos alike. Instead of relying on one-liners and kid-friendly laughs, this story has substance as a true literary great. The illustrations are beautifully detailed in vibrant colors, and the words are poetic with imagery and perfect allusions. Truly gripping, riveting, and awe-inspiring!

What is this story about? Well, a little girl finds a red marker, and begins drawing because she’s a budding artist. She draw doorways, magic carpets, boats, and hundreds of other entryways into fantastical realms. She explores everything around her, leaving no nook and cranny undiscovered as she traipses through one amazing world after another.

______________________________________

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

After a newborn caterpillar begins eating his way across the pages, he cannot stop! He’s simply too hungry, and there are too many good foods to be had from one page to another. As he munches, his tummy becomes bigger and bigger, until the caterpillar has more than doubled in size. With a bellyache and high hopes, he cocoons, eventually emerging as a beautiful, vivid butterfly.

This story is awesome and timeless – it teaches youngsters about scientific metamorphosis in ways they can understand.
______________________________________

Check out more - Here is a fun slideshow resource for the 2014 top selling and most highly rated books for 6 year olds this year:

Life Lessons in Stories for Kids

Once upon a time, fables were the only books really associated with morals and life lessons. These tales were the roundabout way to teach people right from wrong. While these still exist as fascinating glimpses into the past, modern children are more interested in hilarious rhymes, relatable characters, detailed illustrations, and cool book designs. With that said, the best books for 6-year olds are subtle when delivering a life lesson, tugging at a child's heartstrings with happy endings and laugh-out-loud concepts.

For example:

_________________________________

The Dark (Lemony Snicket)

Taken from a universal fear, this tale is about a little boy named Laszlo who is terrified of the dark. Or really, "the dark" in his home's basement! He pictures all manner of creepy, horrifying monsters down there, waiting to gobble him up. So, he avoids this part of the house... until he wakes up to discover the dark has crept into his room while he was sleeping. This book is how Laszlo learned to face his fears and quit being afraid of the dark. Through emotional insight, poetic rhythm, and humorous anecdotes, Snicket lets kids know that they too, like Laszlo, can face their fears... against anything.

_________________________________

Advice to Little Girls (Mark Twain)

As anyone in the literary world would know, Mark Twain was a rascal when it came to his humor. This book is proof! A tale of snarky, cute "advice" and tips for little ladies, this short work features simple pen-and-ink drawings of hilarious situations. It's a chuckle with thought-provoking passages; something children can pass on and revel in as their childhood progresses. It's definitely a story that will morph as minds mature!

"You should ever bear in mind that it is to your kind parents that you are indebted for your food, and for the privilege of staying home from school when you let on that you are sick."

_________________________________

Find this year's current top selections in books for kids 6 years of age:

http://top-10-store.com/top-10-books-for-6-year-olds/

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

The top 10 books for 6 year olds in 2012 have taken a leader. From the brilliant mind of Peter H. Reynolds comes “The  Dot.” – An account from the perspective of Vashti; an art class student who “just can’t draw!” But Vashti’s teacher sees an inner artist in all of his students. This book opens up with relatable frustration – as every child (and adult, for that matter) has felt like they couldn’t do something. However, it proves that with gentle encouragement and a nudge in the right direction, we can be and do anything we set our minds to.

What happens when the teacher says “You can” to Vashti?

It all starts with one dot of color on a piece of paper and ends with millions of dots on hundreds of pieces of paper – all different colors and shapes befitting a child’s imagination. She gets compliments on her original artsy dot, and what she thought was unremarkable becomes extraordinary. Vashti’s self-confidence is soaring towards the end of this book! The dots in this tale can represent the many “dots” or obstacles that a child could be going through – such as dealing with the first day of school, overcoming a learning disability, or something as simple as taking interest in a new hobby.

Why is this book important to a child’s mental growth?

When faced with a difficult dilemma or an obstacle, parents and teachers want their children to meet with the problem head-on; they want them to believe they can overcome those obstacles. When Vashti says, “I can’t,” her teacher assures her, “You can!” It’s a moral message that will stick with children throughout their entire lives, well into adulthood – where they will eventually pass the same beliefs and life lessons down to their kids. This book is something that can be cherished through generations!