Here are some easy chapter books for your 1st grader to read independently. Choosing the right chapter book for your 6-year-old is important. The chapters need to be short enough for kids to be able to complete them easily.

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Easy Chapter Books for 1st Graders Age 6 years
Henry Heckelbeck Never Cheats
By Wanda Coven (Author), Priscilla Burris (Illustrator)
Henry is a normal boy who loves soccer. However, his Mom and sister can do magic. Will Henry take the help of magic to get into the team as a goalie? Easy-to-read language beginner chapter book. (Ages 5-9 years)
Boris on the Move
By Andrew Joyner (Author, Illustrator)
Join Boris on his adventure to wildlife. Light and easy-to-read text make this chapter book ideal for beginner readers. Perfect for kids who cannot sit and read for a longer time. A delightful book for 1st graders, especially boys. (Ages 5 to 7 years)
A Good Team: Unicorn and Yeti
By Heather Ayris Burnell (Author), Hazel Quintanilla (Illustrator)
If you want to introduce your reluctant readers to reading, this is the book. A charming story about a unicorn and a yeti. Colorful illustrations, simple words, and a fun friendship story. The perfect combination for kids starting to read chapter books. (Ages 5-7 years)
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants
By Dav Pilkey (Author, Illustrator)
This is the 4th book from the hilarious Captain Underpants series. It is a silly and fun book full of harmless pranks. A perfect book for beginners or reluctant readers. George and Harold make fun of Professor Poopypants’ silly name. The Professor retaliates by forcing everyone in town to change their names to be equally silly. (Ages 6 – 9 years)
Chapter Books helps build Literacy foundation (by increasing child’s attention span).
Narwhal’s Otter Friend
By Ben Clanton (Author)
Otty the Otter gets introduced to the fun group of Narwhal and Jelly. Children love the adventurous character of Otty and get to learn new facts about otters and jellyfishes in this book. A funny chapter book for early elementary students. (Ages 6 to 8 years)
Judy Blume’s Fudge Box Set
By Judy Blume (Author)
This is the complete five-book set of Judy Blume fans. The chapters are short and age-appropriately funny. Fudge’s funny acts of mischief are hilariously entertaining. (Ages 6 to 9 years)
Owl Diaries, Books 1-5
By Rebecca Elliott (Author)
This book series is perfect for getting your child introduced to chapter books. Colorful illustrations, positive messages, and sight words make this book series popular amongst children. (Ages 5 to 7 years)
Zoey and Sassafras Books 1-6 Pack
By Asia Citro (Author), Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)
This is the six-book set of adventurous Zoey and her cat Sassafras. Each story has a magical animal and a problem that must be solved using science. The short chapter makes this book a fun and delightful read for beginner readers. (Age 6 to 10 years)
Easy Chapter Books Builds Confidence.
The Never Girls Collection
By Kiki Thorpe (Author), Jana Christy (Illustrator)
Read the stories about four unique girls and their adventure to Neverland. Each book has ten chapters and stories narrated from the POV of a girl and a fairy. A fun read for 1st graders. (Ages 6-9 years)
Bo and the Dragon-Pup
By Rebecca Elliott (Author, Illustrator)
Bo Tinseltail and other unicorns live in Sparklegrove Forest. Read all about their new adventure in a dragon’s cave in this book. It is a fun, adventurous book for unicorn lovers. Read other books from Unicorn Diaries series here. (Ages 5-7 years)
Ivy and Bean
By Annie Barrows (Author), Sophie Blackall (Author)
Ivy and bean are just opposite of each other in attitude. Still, they became best friends. Read this endearing chapter book series on what antics the two friends are up to. This book set contains the three books from the series. (Ages 6-10 years)
Mercy Watson Boxed Set: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder
By Kate DiCamillo (Author), Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator)
Watch your 1st grader squeal with delight while reading the adventures of a mischievous pig. These Mercy Watson books are favorite early chapter books for 1st graders, especially boys. This boxed set contains six books. (Ages 5-8 years)
Chapter Books with Complex narrative, help increase kids’ Comprehension.
The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde
By Shannon Hale (Author), Dean Hale (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
A book with a story about girls being heroic and wearing black (not just pink). This is not a typical princess book. Full of colorful illustrations and short chapters. An easy chapter book for newly independent readers. (Ages 5-8 years)
Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up
By Melissa Thomson (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator)
Keena accidentally leaves her journal in her friend’s house. Now, this mix-up has created a situation. Read how Keena navigates the typical friendship situation. An early reader chapter book for the children starting elementary school. (Ages 6-8 years)
Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book 10-Book Box Set
By Herman Parish (Author), Lynne Avril (Illustrator)
Read the funny friendship and family stories of everyone’s favorite Amelia Bedelia. Read on as Amelia earns money for her new bike, goes on a road trip, and ore. This boxed set of 10 books is a series of endless fun. (Ages 6-9 years)
Pug’s Snow Day
By Kyla May (Author, Illustrator)
Read on how Bub gets past his fear of snow and makes great friends. An easy-to-read diary format book for pet lovers. The artwork is colorful and the story is charming. Check out the other books from Diary of a Pug series. (Ages 5-7 years)
Willa’s Wilderness Campout
By Valerie Tripp (Author), Thu Thai (Illustrator)
A camping book from the popular American Girl series Wellie Wishers. The storyline is simple with creative situations thrown in. The entire series is popular with early elementary girls. (Ages 4-8 years)
Chapter Books series help children continue reading.
InvestiGators: Take the Plunge
By John Patrick Green (Author)
Read how secret agents Mango and Brash save the city. The text is easy to read. This one is a funny spy book for elementary kids. (Ages 7-10 years)
Arnie, the Doughnut
By Laurie Keller (Author, Illustrator)
Read the entertaining story about the friendship between a donut and a shopkeeper. A humorous easy chapter book for 1st graders. (Ages 4-8 years)
Sunset of the Sabertooth
By Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Sal Murdocca (Illustrator)
Read the adventure of Jack and Annie. The story is set in the prehistoric land of cave people and woolly mammoths. An adventurous book for young readers. We love the entire Magic Tree House series.
Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters
By Tracey West (Author), Matt Loveridge (Illustrator)
This book is for kids who love the Dragon masters series. It is a 144-page full-color dragon guide. Maps, information about dragon master, notes from wizard – make this an engaging read. (Ages 6-8 years)
Stink: The Absolutely Astronomical Collection
By Megan McDonald (Author), Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)
If your child is obsessed with anything stinky or dirty, this chapter book is for you. The language is simple. Elementary kids will relate to the yack factor easily. (Ages 5-8 years)
Top Secret Smackdown
By Mac Barnett (Author), Mike Lowery (Illustrator)
This series is perfect for introducing kids to spy stories. Read on how Mac B. comes out of the crazy situations. Engage your grey cells with the entire Mac B, Kid Spy series. (Ages 7-10 years)
Recess Is a Jungle!
By Jack Chabert (Author), Sam Ricks (Illustrator)
Sam, Antonio, and Lucy get trapped in a monstrous hedge maze! Read on to know how they find their way out. Check out other books from the Eerie Elementary series. The plot is fast-paced with colorful pictures. (Ages 6-8 years)
Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea
By Cynthia Rylant (Author), Arthur Howard (Illustrator)
Elderly Mr. Putter decides that a cat will help him fight loneliness. It is the first book from the series introducing the characters. Read the hilarious story about Mr. Putter, his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry, and their pets. (Ages 6-9 years)
What are early chapter books?
Early chapter books are the ones where the chapters are relatively shorter – usually two to three pages. Most early chapter books for kids also have illustrations in them, even though considerably lesser in number than picture books. All early chapter books have simple plots with easy-to-read sight words.
When to Introduce Chapter Books to Kids?
Children are usually ready to start reading chapter books at around 1st grade. Initially, they might need some help in understanding the newer words. But pretty soon, they can comprehend and read through an entire chapter book on their own.
Some children are naturally enthusiastic about reading chapter books and gradually move from easy beginner chapter books to advanced levels. While others may need little encouragement and a book interesting enough to make them sit and read through. This is where the above list of recommended and popular chapter books for 1st graders can help.
It is also a great idea to start children with a book series. The known protagonist, familiar background plots, etc help children move through the next set of books of the same series with ease. This helps in improving the reading comprehension and vocabulary of kids.
3 Tips For Finding The Right Chapter Book For Your Child
Here are three essential tips to choose the first chapter book for your beginner reader
- The book should have colored illustrations on most pages
- The length should be less than 100 pages
- Choose a character or situation the child can easily relate to