First chapter books for children
Children’s first chapter books are short, illustrated stories with straightforward language, aimed at readers aged 5 to 8 who are starting to read on their own. They sit neatly between picture books and longer middle-grade novels, giving children a gentle step up in stamina and confidence. With lively plots, familiar characters and a dash of humour, they do more than fill a gap – they make reading feel like fun rather than a task. This list features books by Michael Rosen, Ross Montgomery, Alex Milway, Katie Jennings, Phil Earle, Francesca Simon, Cornelia Funke, Julie Sykes, Alex T. Smith, and Harriet Muncaster.
First chapter books for children aged 5-8 – our recommendations
Sheep School by Ross Montgomery
William is a lamb who would rather sing and dance than follow the flock. When the Big Bad Wolf grabs the others, it is William’s turn to step up, using his talents in an unexpected way. Part of the Little Gems series, the book is great fun and printed in a clear font on thick paper with wide spacing, making it easier to read. Colourful illustrations appear on every page, with sheep jokes and a puzzle tucked inside the covers.
Big Sky Mountain: The Sky Eagles by Alex Milway
Rosa feels at home at the top of the mountain with a family of eagles in this cracking adventure story that explores themes of helping each other and the environment. Inspired by the author’s own experiences, Big Sky Mountain is the perfect first chapter book series for children who like fast-paced and rewarding stories.
Rocket Boy by Katie Jennings and Joe Lillington
Callum is a space-mad kid who turns a cardboard box into a rocket and sets off for Mars. The story shifts between daily life and his imagined adventures, from floating in zero gravity to spacewalks and even a meeting with the Curiosity rover. His cat Oscar tags along, providing loyal company on the trip. With a large font, bright illustrations, and plenty of real space facts, this book is both fun to read and perfect for budding 5-8 year olds astronauts!
The Moon is a Ball by Ed Franck, illustrated by Thé Tjong-Khing
Through this collection of 9 fables of friendship, Panda and Squirrel will teach younger children the values of consideration, reconciliation and empathy. Thought-provoking and ideal to spark circle time discussion, this beautifully illustrated hardback is a wonderful text to share with EYFS classes, and perfect for children in KS1 moving towards first chapter books.
Superdad’s Day Off by Phil Earle
Stanley’s dad is Dynamo Dan, the world’s busiest superhero, saving the day six times a week. Fridays, though, are meant for family time. When emergencies pile up, Stan decides it is his turn to step in, rescuing stranded animals, sorting out vehicles, and even braving floodwaters. Illustrated by Steve May, this cracking Little Gems book uses short chapters, a clear font, and cream paper to make for an inviting first chapter book for young superhero fans. highly recommended.
Duck’s Backyard by Ulrich Hub
A limping duck and a blind hen club together – the duck as a guide and the hen as support – and embark on an amazing quest to a magical land where dreams come true. Empowering, heartwarming and inspiring, this story will help children to set goals and believe. This energising quest story is the perfect first chapter book for newly independent readers in KS1 and lower KS2 who want thrills, twists and surprises.
Squishy Mcfluff: the Invisible Cat! by Pip Jones
When Ava finds a tiny imaginary kitten in her garden, she soon makes him her companion. But Squishy causes plenty of chaos around the house until Great Grandad Bill steps in to show him how to behave. Told in rhyming verse across three short chapters, with large, clear text, the brilliant short book bridges picture books and early fiction. Bright colour illustrations by Ella Okstad help new readers, and this is the first in a highly readable series for 5+ year olds.
Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker by Francesca Simon
This madcap series of Viking-themed adventures, starring naughty twin children Hack and Whack, is perfect for children who need high-interest, read-aloud first chapter books in years 2 or 3. With funny dialogue and characters such as Dirty Ulf, Elsa Gold Hair, Twisty Pants, and Grunt Iron Skull, these books are ideal to read around a class or for a teacher to read aloud. In this, the second of the series (read about the first book in our Vikings book list), Hack and Whack juggle starting a new school with trying to outwit a really smelly Berserker who’s moved in next door. Read these books, or “may your nose turn into a turnip!”
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Spooky School by Tracey Corderoy
The cake-baking dog detectives return in a new fiction format for confident, newly independent readers. This collection includes three adventures: a spooky Halloween visit to St Spectre’s school, a mystery involving wild weather and a sly red panda, and a raccoon gang plotting at the museum. Illustrated in two colours by Steven Lenton, the stories mix laugh-out-loud moments with thought-provoking mystery and are designed to support children ready to move on from picture books to chapter books.
Amber Class Making Friends by Enomwoyi Damali and Ruthine Burton
This illustrated first chapter book series for 5+ year olds invites young readers into Amber Class, where Mrs Adisa leads a lively group of pupils, each with their own passions, be it books, bugs, music, or sport. As they tackle everyday ups and downs, the children learn about friendship, confidence, and working together. Enomwoyi Damali and Ruthine Burton’s story celebrates individuality and teamwork in a warm, diverse classroom setting. It’s warm-hearted, relatable read for KS1 independent readers.
Molly Rogers to the Rescue by Cornelia Funke
Molly and her mother, Barbarous Bertha, set out to stop Captain Firebeard, who is tearing apart Monkey Skull Island in his hunt for treasure. Aboard the Red Swallow, they fight to protect the island’s animals and drive off the pirates. Illustrated by Kasia Matyjaszek, this Barrington Stoke Little Gems book uses fun-packed short chapters, wide spacing, and vibrant colour artwork to support young readers. It mixes fast-paced action with a strong environmental message, plus anarchic pirate jokes tucked inside the cover. It’s aargh-some!
Luna Grace: Girl from Outer Space by Julie Sykes
Luna Grace has just landed on Earth from the planet Starbright, and blending in isn’t exactly easy, especially with rainbow hair and telekinetic powers. Her first day at school is a bit of a whirlwind, but as nerves give way to curiosity, Luna starts finding her place. With lively illustrations capturing every emotional twist, this story gently encourages kids to celebrate what makes them different. It’s a good first chapter book pick for fans of Isadora Moon or Hotel Flamingo.
Marv and the Mega Robot by Alex Falase-Koya
Marvin is an ordinary schoolboy until he finds a superhero suit tucked away in his grandfather’s attic. With his robot sidekick Pixel, he discovers he belongs to a family of heroes. Trouble soon arrives when Mastermind and her giant robot crash the school science fair, leaving Marvin no choice but to become Marv and defend his friends. Illustrated by Paula Bowles, this lively, fast-paced read is part of a popular series for 5-8-year-olds.
Ajay and the Red-Winged Prince by Ewa Jozefkowicz, illustrated by Gillian Flint
When Ajay stumbles across an old book about a forest guardian, he soon finds himself fighting to save Willow Wish Woods. With help from the Woodland Explorers Club, he takes action to protect the trees, wildlife and stories tied to the place. Blending nature with a touch of local legend, this eco-friendly instalment in a six-book first chapter series for 5+ year olds encourages children to care about the world around them – and do something about it.
Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith
A small dog called Claude and his companion Sir Bobblysock take their first trip to town, exploring cafés, shops, and a museum. Chaos follows when Claude accidentally foils a robbery and finds himself hailed as a hero. In the second half, Sir Bobblysock feels poorly and needs a doctor, adding a gentle twist. Packed with vivid illustrations on every page, the book is part of a series aimed at early readers.
Isadora Moon Goes to School by Harriet Muncaster
Isadora loves the dark, bats, and wearing black. But she also likes playing outside, waving her magic wand and the colour pink. Perhaps it’s because her mum is a fairy and her dad is a vampire! The cleverly illustrated Isadora Moon books are perfect to get 5-8-year-olds hooked on first chapter books. Highly recommended.
The Sports Day Chicken by Pamela Butchart
This book brings together three exciting tales from Year 2 at Wigglesbottom Primary. The class must race a chicken on Sports Day, tackle a strange green pudding at lunch, and deal with a classmate convinced she is an ant queen. Illustrated in two-tone by Becka Moor, the stories are written for children starting to read on their own. Everyday school settings are peppered with unexpected twists, creating plenty of laughs and imaginative moments for 5-8-year-olds.
The Incredible Adventures of Gaston Le Dog by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Gaston Le Dog longs to find a beach he remembers, and as he tries to locate it, he meets new friends and faces unexpected challenges. With fairy tale characters, magical scenes, laugh-out-loud adventures, and thought-provoking moments, this is a wonderful story to read aloud with Year 4 classes. The lively illustrations by Viviane Schwarz will appeal to less confident readers looking for a more challenging first chapter book.
Hotel Flamingo by Alex Milway
Anna inherits a run-down hotel that once welcomed animals from all over the world. Determined to bring it back to life, she recruits T Bear, Squeak the mouse, and Lemmy the lemur to help greet guests ranging from penguins to hippos. Just as things start to improve, a surprise visit from an inspector puts everything at risk, and the team must prove the hotel deserves to stay open. Vibrantly illustrated throughout, this fantastic early chapter book mixes simple text with lively animal characters. Highly recommended.
Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Esther Hernando
Young witch Maggie sets out to prove to her friend Arthur that Halloween is fun, not frightening, in this, the fourth in the engaging and accessible Maggie Sparks series. Up against giant spiders and a possible vampire, Maggie uses magic to find the truth behind the spooky events and help Arthur overcome his fears. With eye-catching illustrations by Esther Hernando, this series is a lively and exciting first chapter book option for 5-7-year-olds and Maggie Sparks. The Fang-tastic Fairground is an ideal Halloween-themed text to read to classes during October. Read our full review.
Ghost Scouts: Mayhem at Camp Croak! by Taylor Dolan
Lexie Wild and her friends join forces with a rival camp when dangerous whispering snakes threaten to cause misery. Can they put aside their differences to defeat this common enemy? With pillow fights, scary campfire storytelling and a race against time, this is an exciting read. The fourth in this series of brightly illustrated, fun and inclusive ghost stories, Mayhem at Camp Croak! is an ideal pacey first chapter book mystery adventure for children aged 6-9.
Super Rabbit Boy Vs Super Rabbit Boss! by Thomas Flintham
In this adventure, the video game hero finds himself in an upside-down world where good and bad have swapped places. Super Rabbit Boy has to join forces with unexpected allies, including a friendly King Viking and a Robot Army, to take on Super Rabbit Boss. Part of Scholastic’s highly engaging Branches series, the fast-paced story uses short chapters, simple text, and full-colour illustrations to help new readers while keeping the pace lively and packed with action. Highly recommended.
Poppy The Pea by Farzad Sharifi-Yazdi
Poppy is a pea who wants to break free in this charming little picture book about confronting fears, facing life and exploring the world. This beautifully crafted pocketbook explores themes of bravery and hope through charming illustrations and playful rhyming verses. Divided into five short chapters, it’s ideal for emergent readers. Teachers will find it useful to discuss resilience, fears and overcoming obstacles.
Mariella, Queen of the Skies by Eoin Colfer
Mariella is a young inventor who wishes bedtime would not interrupt her experiments. Determined to keep working, she builds a rocket-powered flying suit to chase daylight around the world. Illustrated by Katy Halford, the story mixes invention, problem-solving, and the reminder that even inventors need sleep. Presented in full colour, it is designed to be both accessible and appealing for children with an interest in STEM.
Poppy and the Prince by Julie Sykes
When friendly kitten Poppy disappears at the same time as Prince Edward, Princess Katie suspects trouble. With short chapters, illustrations, and kitten care facts, this book series is perfect for young readers transitioning from picture books to first short-chapter books.
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BISAC JUV043000 – JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Beginner | Thema YBD
