Kids’ Favorite Books

I grew up surrounded by books—but to be honest, I didn’t always love reading as a kid. Most of the time, I read what I had to for school, not what I actually enjoyed. There weren’t many options, and no one really asked, “What kind of stories do you love?” So reading felt like a chore for a long time.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve made it a priority in our home to raise kids who truly love reading. Not because they have to—but because books can be magical, hilarious, wild, comforting, or even life-changing. I want them to know they can choose their own stories. We read in both Russian and English, and our kids are fully bilingual, which gives us even more books to explore together. We also use the library a lot, and it’s one of our favorite family routines—everyone picking out their own stack.

Right now, the favorites in our house are anything about dragons, fantasy adventures, and non-fiction books about the world (especially if they include animals, weather, or fun facts). Some books have been read multiple times, others sparked pretend play or big dinner table conversations. Below is a list of what they’ve loved so far.

{This post contains affiliate Amazon links. That means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products I genuinely love, have personally used, or have thoroughly researched and would confidently use for my own family.}

Book Series Kids Can't Put Down

These series are full of adventure, magic, mystery, and friendship—perfect for young readers ready to dive into exciting stories!

Frostheart by Jamie Littler

Imagine a frozen world, where brave kids sail across icy lands on sledships! Follow Ash and his team of misfits as they face magical beasts and mysterious powers. Action-packed and full of heart.

The Woodwalkers series by Katja Brandis

A wild blend of magic, identity, and adventure—perfect for animal lovers and fantasy fans. If your kids dream of running through forests, turning into wild creatures, or going to a school where students are part animal—this series will be their new obsession.

Woodwalkers follows Carag, a puma shapeshifter trying to live in the human world after growing up in the wilderness. He doesn’t quite fit in—until he discovers a secret boarding school for kids like him. At Clearwater High, students are part animal, part human, and fully magical.

This one’s perfect for fans of Wings of Fire, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and Animorphs.

There’s also a companion series called Seawalkers, set in the ocean!

The Treehouse Series 10 Books Collection Set By Andy Griffiths

Ever dreamed of living in a treehouse with a bowling alley, marshmallow machine, and shark tank? Andy and Terry’s silly adventures will make you laugh out loud—and wish you could jump into the pages.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Greek mythology meets modern-day middle schooler! Percy discovers he’s the son of a Greek god and is suddenly thrown into epic quests, dangerous monsters, and heroic friendships.

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Step through the wardrobe into a magical land where animals talk, battles are fought, and kids become kings and queens. A classic fantasy series full of wonder, courage, and unforgettable characters.

The Land of Stories by C.S. Lewis

Twins fall into a magical fairy tale book and discover that Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and other fairy tale legends have secrets of their own! A fast-paced, magical adventure for dreamers.

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Four siblings create a home in an abandoned train boxcar and solve mysteries everywhere they go. Simple, sweet, and full of family warmth and detective fun.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Two siblings discover their grandparents are caretakers of a secret preserve for magical creatures. But when dark forces threaten the land, they must step up and protect it. If you love magical beasts and epic danger—this is it!

Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski

Some kids can fly or control fire... but what if your magic doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to? Meet a group of “wonky” magic students who turn their flaws into strengths. Funny, magical, and empowering.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Before the movie—there were the books! Meet Hiccup, a small Viking boy in a wild world of dragons. Hilarious, brave, and full of misadventures and unexpected hero moments.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Two best friends are swept into a school where fairy tale heroes and villains are trained. But what happens when the "wrong" girl is sent to the "good" school? Twisty, stylish, and full of drama.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Sophie isn’t just a regular girl—she’s an elf with powerful secrets and a big destiny. Join her as she uncovers truth, betrayal, and magic in a hidden world. Tons of action and mystery!

Aru Shah Series by Roshani Chokshi

Aru lights a cursed lamp and accidentally unleashes an ancient demon. Oops! Now she’s racing through Hindu mythology to save the world. Full of humor, culture, and girl power!

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Jack and Annie discover a treehouse that sends them through time! One day they’re in ancient Egypt, the next they’re with dinosaurs. Short, fun, and perfect for early chapter book readers.

Dragon Masters Series by Tracey West

Kids are chosen to bond with dragons and train them to protect the kingdom. Easy to read, packed with illustrations, and full of magical teamwork. Great for ages 6–9.

Wings of Fire Boxset by Tui T. Sutherland

Dragons rule the world—and the fate of peace depends on five young dragonets chosen by prophecy. Exciting, emotional, and full of dragon drama and epic battles.

Nonfiction Series Kids Actually Love to Read

These books make history, science, geography, and famous people come to life in exciting, funny, and easy-to-understand ways. Perfect for ages 7–12!

What Is? / What Was? / Where Is? America Collection

Focused on U.S. history and culture, these books explore big events, places, and ideas like:
– What Was the Boston Tea Party?
– Where Is Mount Rushmore?
– What Is the Constitution?

They’re written in a fun, kid-friendly way with lots of illustrations and fun sidebars to keep readers hooked.

Who Was? / Who Is? Series by Roberta Edwards and others (25-Book Collection)

This bestselling biography series introduces kids to world-changing people—from artists and presidents to inventors and athletes. With cartoon-style covers and engaging facts, each book is like a mini time-travel adventure.

What is Science & Technology? Collection

This box set explains cool science topics like inventions, robotics, space, and medicine—made easy for kids! It’s perfect for young STEM fans who want to know how and why things work.

What Is NASA? What Was the Age of the Dinosaurs? What Is Artificial Intelligence?

What Is World History 25-Book Box Set

A deep-dive into major world events, people, and movements from ancient times to modern revolutions. These books cover big moments in a way that’s exciting and easy to follow.

You Wouldn't Want to be

These hilarious, gross, and super-engaging books tell history from the worst possible point of view!
Want to be a pharaoh’s servant? A soldier in World War I? NO THANKS!
But reading about it? So fun.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Viking Explorer! You Wouldn’t Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party!

Each book mixes facts with silly cartoons, fun captions, and weird details that kids remember.

Horrible Geography Collection

Geography has never been this wild. Learn about volcanoes, deserts, disasters, and freaky weather with humor, facts, and plenty of "ew!" Great for kids who love nature or big natural events.

Think: earthquakes, poisonous swamps, and the world's wildest places.

Horrible Science: Bulging Box Of 20 Brilliant Books

Explosions! Parasites! Slimy things! This series is full of fun experiments, wild facts, and goofy illustrations that make science fun and unforgettable.
It’s like science class with a sense of humor.

Examples: Blood, Bones and Body Bits; Microscopic Monsters; Evil Inventions

Wisdom & Spiritual Stories

Books that bring calm, reflection, and even a bit of philosophy to the end of the day.

These are the books that make you pause. The ones that linger in your heart long after the lights go out. They offer quiet truths, spark big conversations, and gently introduce kids to themes like kindness, mindfulness, compassion, purpose, and wonder.

The Calm Buddha at Bedtime. The Buddha's Apprentice at Bedtime. Buddha at Bedtime. Buddha Stories. By Dharmachari Nagaraja

A collection of peaceful, gentle fables adapted from ancient Buddhist tales. Each story includes a mindful message—about patience, honesty, or kindness—told in a way that children easily relate to. Ideal for winding down with a calm heart.

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman

Don't be fooled by the cute cover—this little bunny is a martial arts master with a peaceful heart. Each short chapter offers a fun, ninja-style lesson in self-control, clever thinking, kindness, or courage.

Written in a simple, early-reader-friendly style with short chapters and illustrations, these books are perfect for kids just starting to read on their own. The full series includes several books kids will want to collect and read again.

What Do You Do With an Idea? What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

Big, bold questions in a format kids understand. These books explore how to face fear, grow ideas, and deal with uncertainty—with gorgeous illustrations and poetic text.

What Should Danny Do? by Ganit and Adir Levy

This is more than just a book—it’s an interactive adventure! Kids get to help Danny, a kid with superpowers, make choices throughout his day. Each decision leads to a different outcome—so kids see how their choices shape their day.

The first book includes 9 different endings, which means kids can read it again and again, making new choices each time. It’s a fun way to teach emotional intelligence, responsibility, and consequences—without lectures.

I Think, I Am!: Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations

A sweet introduction to the idea that our thoughts create our feelings—and that we can choose helpful, kind thoughts instead of hurtful ones. Each page shows a real-life situation where a child uses a positive affirmation to shift their mindset.

I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life

This isn’t written specifically for kids, but some older children or tweens (around age 10+) can definitely benefit from the concepts. Use it together as a parent-child conversation tool.

Sara, Book 1: Sara Learns the Secret about the Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks

Written by Esther Hicks and based on the teachings of Abraham (Law of Attraction), this chapter book blends storytelling with spiritual insight in a kid-friendly way. Sarah is a curious young girl who meets an unusual owl named Solomon, who teaches her about emotions, energy, and how our thoughts shape our experiences.

This isn’t just a book—it’s a gentle, imaginative way to introduce children to mindfulness, intuition, and emotional awareness.

The story is calm, magical, and deeply thoughtful—great for reflective children ages 8+, especially those interested in deeper “why” questions about life, emotions, and energy.

Educational Comics

Everyone loves Big Nate, Dog Man, and Garfield—but these comics are different. They blend storytelling, illustrations, and real science or history in a way that keeps kids engaged and learning. If your child is a visual learner or prefers graphic novels, these are the perfect bridge between fun and facts.

Building Blocks of Science Series

By various authors (Lerner Publishing)
These comic-style books break down complex topics into bite-size, visual learning. They’re colorful, fast-paced, and perfect for kids who want to learn about the world without reading a dry textbook.

Building Blocks of Physical Science – Covers motion, forces, energy, and more with real-world examples and funny characters.
Building Blocks of the Human Body – Explains how our organs and systems work in comic format—great for biology basics.
Building Blocks of Chemistry – A visual intro to atoms, molecules, reactions, and the periodic table—super accessible and clear.
Building Blocks of Earth Science – Learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks, and the planet’s structure in graphic form.
Building Blocks of Life Science – Dive into cells, genetics, ecosystems, and life cycles with a comic book twist.

Science Comics

This is an incredible series that turns big topics into page-turning stories—perfect for kids 8+. Each book is written by a different author but all follow the same educational, illustrated format.

Some of our favorites:

Science Comics: Dogs – From Predator to Protector
Science Comics: Coral Reefs – Cities of the Ocean
Science Comics: Volcanoes – Fire and Life
Science Comics: Trees – Kings of the Forest
Science Comics: The Digestive System – A Tour Through Your Guts
Science Comics: The Brain – The Ultimate Thinking Machine
Science Comics: Plagues – The Microscopic Battlefield

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales By Nathan Hale

If your kids like action and a little dark humor, this history-meets-comics series is perfect. Each book tells a different historical story—like the American Revolution, WWII, or the Donner Party—in dramatic graphic novel style.

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