Books for 6 to 7-Year-Olds You May Have Missed
A good book for 6 to 7-year-olds, or any kid, is all about if they re-read it over and over again. For Soleil, as she moves on from picture books to bridge books and chapter books, these are the series (other than Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid) that have their spines creased and are always on repeat these days.
Isadora Moon (Early Independent Reader Chapter Book)
Whether your kid likes vampire books or fairy books, this series will keep them delightfully stuck between both worlds because Isadora Moon has a fairy for a mom and a vampire for a dad! She is just trying to fit in and, with the right amount of mix between pink and goth, she always finds a way to just be herself. This book series is mostly text with pictures sprinkled throughout, so it’s a great bridge book from picture book to chapter book reading.
The stories play well for kids who might not look and act like everyone else in school or have their own unique ways of doing things. As a bonus, Harriet Muncaster is on Instagram and always answers back and will repost pictures that your kids drawings of Isadora. Cute and edgy at the same time. Try it out on Amazon!
Critter Club (Early Independent Reader Chapter Book)
This one is super cute and perfect for all those independent readers out there dreaming of being a veterinarian or just love everything about pets. This chapter book series features little girls who form a rescue shelter for animals of all kinds while dealing with the little dramas that go on between friends.
There aren't a ton of pictures in this one, nor is it in color, but the cute stories that inhabit the pages keep Soleil glued in. They come up with fun ideas to raise money, like starting a little magazine or selling singing telegrams, but everything they do is to take care of the pets they treat. It’s great for kids who like a little mystery in their book series but not too much danger. It’s a school drama book without too much drama. Try it out on Amazon!
Owl Diaries (Early Independent Reader Bridge Series)
This owl-themed book series by Rebecca Eliot helped make the transition from picture books to chapter books. There are new kids in town, contests, school pressures, friend dramas - pretty much all the things that are happening in 1st grade, just put into the world of a magical forest where owls are flying around and getting into all kinds of mischief.
This gives some great lessons to kids without being too preachy - which we’ve found that Soleil can see right through. Rebecca Elliot is the queen of bridge books, from picture books to chapter books for kids, so the next selection obviously is… Try it out on Amazon
Unicorn Diaries (Early Independent Bridge Series)
This chapter book series is also by Rebecca Elliot, but this time it’s set in Sparkle Grove Forest with unicorns, who each have some kind of magical power to go with their unique personalities. Of all the unicorn books that we’ve tried, this is the one that stuck.
Soleil loves all the unicorns dealing with the drama of being a unicorn in a school setting while trying to make it through the day without their parents being around all the time. Unicorns. Drama. Magic. Mystery. Cuteness. This is sure to create avid readers of all kids who follow the adventures of Bo (short for Rainbow Tinseltail) and the rest of the unicorns. Try it out on Amazon!
Cat Kid Comic Club (Early Independent Reader Graphic Novel)
We love the Dog Man series over here but don’t sleep on the Cat Kid Comic Club, a spin-off graphic novel series featuring Cat Kid and his love of comics, along with some amazing frogs and incredible creative story plots full of safe-silly humor. Mostly.
If your kid is into comics and gets inspired to do things from what they read, try this series. There are hints at how to make a comic of your own and a little bit of insight into the mind of Dav Pilkey, the creator. Each member of the club usually has their own kind of comic and story they want to tell, so if your kid gets distracted easily and needs things to be constantly changing up, this series is a winner. Try it out on Amazon!
Fashion Kitty (Early Independent Reader Graphic Novel)
Fashion Kitty is a superhero cat whose superpower is to match the perfect outfit for any occasion and solve fashion emergencies. This a great chapter bridge book for an early reader who loves animals, fashion, and playing dress-up with a little bit of daring adventure thrown in. Cute drawings, wonderful colors, and just the right amount of words in a chapter keep them entertained and engaged.
This is an older series (late 00’s), but it still holds up. There are mix-and-match outfits inside to play around with, but it’s not all surface-level dress-up parties. This kitty is also a superhero and uses her brain to solve mysteries and battle the halls of her school, where drama lurks around each locker. Try it out on Amazon!
Babymouse (Early Independent Reader Graphic Novel)
So, we’re noticing a pattern here in bridge books that Soleil likes. Lots of school drama, but there should always be some kind of animal or magical creature. This little mouse has an amazing imagination, and though she’s not the most popular girl in school, she’s not afraid to be herself and take chances to get what she wants.
All the things that your kid is going through at school or will go through in school, Babymouse tackles and does so with silliness and real talk that will draw your kids in. We found this fashion-themed book series on a library trip looking for some alternatives to Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid (which she has read through hundreds of times) and found this one from the early 00s. Try it out on Amazon!
If you try any of these books, let us know if your kid enjoys them, and please let us know what your kids’ favorites are.