Your Kid’s Next Read Book Lists: Best Books for 3-8 Year Olds

One of my fav places to hang out on Facebook is the Your Kid’s Next Read (YKNR) group, started in 2016 by author Allison Tait and moderated by Al, along with author Allison Rushby and myself. It’s a really supportive group of parents, educators, librarians and authors with an interest in books for kids from 0-18 and you can join it here. With over 5000 members there is sure to be an answer (or 20) regarding what your kid should read next, regardless of if they are a reluctant or avid reader.

Recently Allison Tait asked for suggestions for best books for various age ranges and the answers from members and moderators are below for the 3-8 year old age range. You can find other lists on Allison Tait’s blog here.

Books for 3-5 Year Olds (as recommended by YKNR members)

For more books for this age range see my post ‘Best Books for Toddlers’

‘The Very Cranky Bear’ (series) by Nick Bland

‘Oh, Albert’ by Davina Bell. Illustrated by Sara Acton

‘Aunt Amelia’ by Rebecca Cobb

‘Go Go and the Silver Shoes’ by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

‘The Sheep Pig’ by Dick King-Smith

‘No Flying in the House’ by Betty Brock

‘A Bear Called Paddington’ by Michael Bond

Books for ages 6+ (as recommended by YKNR members)

‘Dog Man’ by Dav Pilkey

‘Weirdo’ by Anh Do. Illustrated by Jules Faber

‘Fortunately, the Milk’ by Neil Gaiman. Illustrated by Chris Riddell

‘Polly and Buster’ by Sally Rippin

‘The Adventures of Nanny Piggins’ (series) by R.A. Spratt. Illustrated by Dan Santat

‘The Owl who was Afraid Of The Dark’ by Jill Tomlinson

Books for ages 8+ (as recommended by YKNR members)

‘Zac Power’ (series) by H.I. Larry

‘Amulet’ (series) by Kazu Kibuishi

‘Lulu Bell’ (series) by Belinda Murrell

‘The Wizards of Once’ by Cressida Cowell

‘How To Train Your Dragon’ by Cressida Cowell

‘The Fox and the Ghost King’ by Michael Morpurgo

‘Tom Gates’ (series) by Liz Pichon

‘The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place’ (series) by Maryrose Wood

‘The Peski Kids’ (series ) by R. A. Spratt

‘The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery’ by Deborah Abela