Kids who are learning to read and ready for chapter books, usually ages 6 and 7 years old, need the easiest easy chapter books to begin. This list of chapter books has 1 – 5 sentences per page and lots of illustrations.
If you’re looking for beginning chapter books that are a bit more difficult, you’ll find those on beginning chapter books for 7-year-olds.
How do you know if a book is at the right reading level for your child?
1. Glance over the density and size of the text. Look at the illustrations. At this age and reading level, you’ll want to find beginning chapter books that have bigger text size and plenty of illustrations.
2. Kids can also do the five finger test to see if the book is just right, too easy, or too hard. Remember, if you get a book that is too hard, soon it will be just right.
3. If you know your child’s DRA or Guided Reading level, use these to help YOU, the adult, not your child, in making book selections. But please don’t limit children to specific levels. Remember that kids are more than a number or letter and these levels aren’t perfect. I’m only adding them to help you figure out books that your child can read.
(Note: Sometimes it is okay to read books that are too hard. But, I’ve found that with many beginning readers who are building confidence and efficacy, difficult books can lead to a lack of confidence and low motivation to read. Use your best judgment. If they want to read a difficult book, give them help.)
Scholastic Branches Easiest Beginning Chapter Books
Let’s start with the easy beginning chapter books from Scholastic’ Branches series because they are high-interest and easy-to-read with colorful illustrations. Plus, if your kids get hooked they all have more in the series.
All Paws on Deck: A Branches Book (Haggis and Tank Unleashed #1)
Moldylocks and the Three Beards: A Branches Book (Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe #1)Let’s Get Cracking!: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken #1)Eva’s Treetop Festival: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries #1)The Super-Smelly Moldy Blob: A Branches Book (Olive & Beatrix #2)Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy! A Branches Book (Press Start! #1)Picture Day: A Branches Book (Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe #1)Boris Gets a Lizard: A Branches Book (Boris #2)
Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe Picture Day by Susan Nees
DRA 20
Guided Reading L
This is a great easy chapter book for kindergarten or 1st-grade kids just beginning to read chapter books with bright and friendly illustrations to match the fun antics of Missy. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
All Paws on Deck (Haggis and Tank Unleashed #1) by Jessica Young (series)
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
In a word: HILARIOUS! These two dog friends with opposite personalities sail on a fun and silly pirate adventure. You will fall in love with Tank and Haggis. (2-4 sentences per page and lots of colorful illustrations.)
Kung Pow Chicken Let’s Get Cracking! by Cyndi Marko
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
Open this early chapter book and you’ll think you’re reading a comic or picture book, it’s that colorful and also full of speech bubbles. Gordon Blue, an ordinary second grade chicken accidentally developed superpowers in his uncle’s laboratory. (It happens.) When chickens start losing their feathers all in one POOF!, it’s up to Gordon, aka. Kung Pow Chicken, and his little brother, Egg Drop, to solve this catastrophe before everyone in town ends up feather-less. It’s funny, easy-to-read, and an entertaining story. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
Owl Diaries Eva’s Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
This series pops with cute diary entries with colorful illustrations; it’s just right for beginning readers, particularly girls. In this book, Eva writes in a diary all about getting the Bloomtastic Festival put together and how she eventually learns to ask friends for help. (A few sentences per page, lots of picture support.)
Olive & Beatrix The Super Smelly Moldy Blob by Amy Marie Stadelmann
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
It’s science fair time and these twins, one who is a witch and one who is a super smart science nerd, are in it to win it. Except disaster happens when the girls fight and their projects combine to form a huge green blog that absorbs everything. It will take both their skills to fix this slimy problem. An enjoyable book series for 5- and 6- year old readers. (A few sentences per page, lots of picture support.)
Boris Gets a Lizard by Andrew Joyner
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
You can’t help but love Boris, a wildly imaginative boy who really wants a pet Komodo dragon. In fact, it’s his wild imagination that prompts him to tell his entire class that he’ll be not only getting a Komodo dragon but that they can all see it. (Which isn’t exactly true. At all.) And, it’s that same imagination that saves the day when there is no Komodo Dragon but many excited visitors who Boris doesn’t want to disappoint. Appealing colorful illustrations accompany this fabulous simple early chapter book making it another book I highly recommend for 5- and 6- year old beginning readers. (1 – 4 sentences per page.)
Moldylocks and the Three Beards by Norah Z. Jones
DRA 34
Guided Reading O
Princess (her first name) Pink (her last name) accidentally enters a mixed up fairy tale land through her refrigerator. (Who knew!) While there, she meets a green-haired girl named Moldylocks who suggests they can get some food at the Three Beards house. When the Beards discover the girls, Princess escapes but Moldylocks is captured. Yikes! Will Moldylocks escape? Your 6-year-old kids will crack up at this hilarious, punny story. (3 sentences per page, some speech bubble dialogue.)
EASIEST Beginning Chapter Books for 6- and 7- Year Olds (First Grade)
But there are so many more beginning chapter books that I LOVE from other publishers. Here are incredible easy chapter books that kids can’t put down. Encourage your children to reread their favorites. Rereading builds fluency and confidence.
Again, I’m only listing the EASIEST of easy chapter books here. For the next level up, visit this page.
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
Narwhal is exuberant to meet Jellyfish, his new imaginary friend who is imagining Narwhal at the same time. Although Jellyfish is more serious, you’ll love their adventures — forming a pod, having parties, eating waffles, and imagining. This is a feel-good friendship adventure told in graphic (cartoon) format that I absolutely loved. 5- and 6-year-olds will, too! (Next in the series: Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt.)
Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
DRA 24
Guided Reading Level M
Princess Magnolia isn’t a regular royal — she’s also a monster-fighting “princess in black”. Not only are these books filled with girl-power, they’re funny and entertaining. (If you like The Princess in Black, you’ll also like these books.)
The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories (Fox + Chick) by Sergio Ruzzier ADVENTURE/FRIENDSHIP
There’s such a sweetness in the playful adventures of two friends who, like Frog and Toad, have distinct personalities yet always support each other. That combined with the delectable comic panel illustrations plus easy text in dialogue bubbles make this book a new favorite.
Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot The Voodoo Vultures from Venus by Dav Pilkey, illustrated by Dan Santat SCI-FI
DRA 20
Guided Reading L
Kudos to Dav Pilkey and Dan Santat for creating such an action-packed, engaging new series for young readers. And the illustrations are marvelous. It’s not often you see a book in full color – love that! I predict that once your kid reads this first book, he’ll want all the books in this beginning chapter book series.
Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont MYSTERY
DRA 18
Guided Reading K
Nate introduces readers to how to be a detective and find things– even if it’s for small cases such as a friend’s lost picture. Don’t miss the learning activities located at the end of the book. (Also on: Wholesome Easy Chapter Books for Boys)
Pinch and Dash and the Terrible Couch
by Michael J. Daley FRIENDSHIPPerfect for very beginning readers who don’t want to read nonsensical phonics books. Pinch and Dash has charming characters, a silly problem, and a perfect ending.
Meet Mo and Jo: The Boulder Brothers by Sarah Lynn, illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby HUMOR
DRA 16
Guided Reading I
If your first-grade child likes to laugh, they’ll love these silly stories about two adventurous cave-boys. The text actually works quite well for a beginning reader because who needs proper sentence structure when you’re less evolved cave kids? Readers will find a combination of comic bubble dialogue and narrative text. For example, “The skunk liked the stink. Can MO and Jo run faster than the skunk?” is the narrative text while the dialogue bubbles on the same page are “Uh-oh! He mad” and “Run, Mo!” Goofy but it works.
Bink & Gollie Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile ADVENTURE/FRIENDSHIP
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
The second book of funny Bink and Gollie (mis)adventures in friendship and life filled wonderful color illustrations. Get the first book here. This popular series is a favorite with many girls.
The Infamous Ratsos by Kara Lareau, illustrated by Matt Myers HUMOR
DRA 20
Guided Reading L
I loved this book! Louie and Ralphie Ratso keep trying to do mean, tough-guy things but every time it ends up helping someone. Ultimately, both boys and their dad decide to go with kindness but before they do, their experiences are very funny.
Best Nonfiction Books for 7-Year-Olds
Fly Guy Presents Sharks by Tedd Arnold
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
Visit the aquarium with Buzz and Fly Guy to learn about sharks in this terrific easy non-fiction reader. I LOVE how Arnold combines cartoons with photographs!
Fly Guy Presents Snakes by Tedd Arnold
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
Fly Guy and Buzz visit the zoo’s Snake House to learn all about reptiles like snakes. The facts are informative yet written in a way that makes them accessible to growing readers. “Scales are made of keratin–the same material as human fingernails.
Fly Guy Presents: Space by Tedd Arnold
DRA 18
Guided Reading K
National Geographic Penguins! by Anne Schreiber
DRA 24
Guided Reading M
You Might Also Like: The Best Read Aloud Books for 1st Grade
Want HARDER easy chapter books with more text on the page? GO TO: Best Beginning Chapter Books for 7-Year Olds
30 Beginning Chapter Books with Diverse Main Characters
Books For Kids Who Like Junie B. Jones
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