Welcome to our collection of 10 Must-Read Books for Children in Key Stage 1! Designed for children ages 4–7, this selection features a blend of classic favourites and exciting new releases that will inspire young readers. Each book has been carefully chosen to support early literacy development, foster a love for reading, and introduce important life lessons through engaging stories and beautiful illustrations. These books are perfect for guiding children on their reading journey while helping them build confidence, expand their vocabulary, and ignite their imagination. Explore our curated list and discover the joy of reading!
1. “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” by Judith Kerr
Age: 4–7
Description: A classic story of a friendly tiger who surprises a family by joining them for tea. This beloved book has been enchanting children for generations.
Topics Covered: Imagination, surprise, family.
Review from a Child: “I want a tiger to come to my house for tea, this story was so fun!” – Lucas, age 7
2. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
Age: 4–7
Description: Max’s journey to an island of wild creatures teaches children about imagination, emotions, and finding their way back home.
Topics Covered: Imagination, emotions, adventure.
Review: “I liked when Max got to be the king of the wild things!”
- Max, age 6
3. “Oi Frog!” by Kes Gray
Age: 4–7
Description: A rhyming tale about a frog trying to find a comfortable seat. Hilarious and full of fun wordplay.
Topics Covered: Rhyme, animals, humour.
Review: “It was so funny when the frog didn’t want to sit on a log!”
- Eliza, age 5
4. “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson
Age: 4–7
Description: The story of a clever mouse who outwits a series of dangerous creatures in the forest, including the mythical Gruffalo.
Topics Covered: Bravery, problem-solving, friendship.
Review: “The Gruffalo is scary but funny!”
- Louis, age 5
5. “The Adventures of Paddington Bear” by Michael Bond
Age: 4–7
Description: Paddington Bear’s adventures in London are full of comedy, curiosity, and mischief.
Topics Covered: Family, kindness, exploration.
Review: “Paddington always gets into trouble, but he’s so nice!”
- Lily, age 6
6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
Age: 4–7
Description: The story of a caterpillar who eats through a variety of foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
Topics Covered: Growth, transformation, nature.
Review: “I like the pictures and how the caterpillar became beautiful!”
- Isla, age 5
- The Rainbow Bear” by Michael Morpurgo
Age: 4–7
Description: This story follows a polar bear who is sad because he is white and feels different from the colourful animals of the jungle. One day, a magical encounter allows him to become a rainbow-colored bear, and he learns that being different is something to embrace.
Topics Covered: Acceptance, diversity, self-identity, self-acceptance, magic.
Review: “I liked how the bear was colourful! He looked so different, and he was happy in the end.”
– Nova, age 7
8. Grandad’s Secret Giant” by David Litchfield
Age: 4–7
Description: This is the story of a young boy who discovers that his grandad has a secret — he has a giant friend. The giant, who is gentle and kind, is not seen by anyone else, but through the boy’s eyes, readers experience the bond between them.
Topics Covered: Friendship, acceptance, kindness, imagination.
Review: “I liked that the giant was kind even though he was big, and everyone was scared of him.” – Elijah, age 6
9. “I Can Only Draw Worms” by Will Mabbitt
Age: 4–7
Description: This is a fun and silly book where the narrator insists they can only draw worms. Each page features attempts at drawing various things—like dogs, dinosaurs, or even an astronaut—but all the drawings turn out to be worms. The simple text and funny illustrations make it an engaging read for young children.
Topics Covered: Creativity, humour, imagination, persistence.
Review: “I liked how I could read this story all by myself”
– Oliver, age 6
10. The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch by Ronda and David Armitage
Age: 4–7
Description: This delightful story follows Mr. Grinling, the lighthouse keeper, who has a delicious lunch prepared by his wife every day. However, seagulls are always trying to steal his lunch! With the help of his clever wife, he finds a creative way to keep the seagulls away.
Topics Covered: Problem-solving, humour, teamwork, nature.
Review: “I loved how Mr. Grinling came up with a clever way to stop the seagulls! The pictures were really nice too.”
- Hudson, age 7