Kindergarten · ages 5 · levels R2–R4
Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds
Easy English books for 5 year olds: 50 picture books with one short sentence a page, a pattern that repeats and a surprise on the last page.
Ages 5KindergartenLevels R2–R450 books3 free to read
Free reading level test
Not sure which book to start with?
Read a few short texts and answer two questions about each. Young children tap the picture that matches the words. The test finds your exact level, from R1 to R29, and opens the right shelf of books.
- Ages 4 and up
- 5–10 minutes
- No timer
- Picture questions for young readers
At five, a page holds a short sentence – "I can see a red bus." – with one word that changes each time. Children learn the pattern, then read the changing word from the picture. These books sit at levels R2–R4, about Kindergarten.
With a five year old, cover the picture and ask what the changing word might be, then lift your hand and check. Guessing from the pattern is a real reading skill at this age.
The 50 books on this page, by topic: Animals (10), Earth, Water & Weather (5), Food & Cooking (5), Materials, Forces & Energy (5) and more. Good first picks: “Deep in the Jungle”, “Look at the Sea”, “Mama Buys Our Food”.
Animals
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Earth, Water & Weather
Food & Cooking
Materials, Forces & Energy
Art, Music & Making
Maths & Measuring
School & Everyday Life
More books
Questions about books for 5 year olds
How long should a 5 year old read for?
One book at a time: two minutes of listening and two of reading is plenty. A second book tomorrow does more than three books today.
My 5 year old only wants the same book again. Is that fine?
Yes. Rereading a book they know builds speed and confidence. Offer a new book next to it and let them choose.
Do the books have audio?
Yes. A narrator reads every page and each word lights up as it is spoken; characters have their own voices.