Over the summer, my daughter and I started reading chapter books together. Since she turned 5 during the summer, I was looking for books that were easy for her to understand, but still gave us a great story. Since this can be a difficult balance, I decided to share some of the favorites we found to help other parents who want to start reading longer books with their little ones too. This list of early chapter books for kids covers a range of topics, and will draw kids into the stories.

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Rocket Kids: Adventures to Mars*

Written and illustrated by Lizzie Lipman

This adventure story follows Neil and Kate, the first kids to travel in space, as they head out on a mission to Mars. When they land on the planet, their job is to find water. But they soon find more than they bargained for. This exciting story is easy to read, and easy to listen to. The text weaves scientific facts into the story, providing kids with background information on space travel, Mars, and astronaut life. There are simple black and white illustrations throughout the book, and the chapters are short, making it easy to read with young kids learning to listen to longer stories.

A to Z Mysteries

Written by Ron Roy and illustrated by John Steven Gurney

This early chapter book series, and it’s spin-offs, feature a group of kids who solve mysteries. For the A to Z series, there is one book for each letter of the alphabet with an alliterative title. In each book, three third grade friends named Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, solve mysteries in their town in Connecticut. There are half or full page illustrations throughout the book. While there are 26 books in this series, there are also super editions, and spin offs featuring minor characters in the series.

The Calendar Mysteries series features Dink’s cousin Lucy, Josh’s twin brothers Brian and Bradley, and Ruth Rose’s brother Nate. There is a book for each month of the year. The Capital Mysteries series follows the adventures of K.C. Corcoran and her pal Marshall, as they solve mysteries in Washington DC.

Helper Hounds*

Written by Caryn Rivadeneira and illustrated by Priscilla Alpaugh

This series of books introduces kids to dogs who help people. Each book focuses on a different rescue dog. It tells the story of the dog’s background, and how it became a Helper Hound, and how the dog is able to help a specific human in need. The stories are told from the point of view of the dogs, giving the stories a sweet and gentle touch, even while dealing with heavier matters. There are sweet illustrations of the dogs and the kids they are helping too. This series introduced us to different dog breeds, as well as the many issues that dogs can help people to cope with.

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Magic Tree House

Written by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Sal Murdocca

This fun historical and magical series of books follows siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time in a magical treehouse. The series is easy to read, with 10 chapters in each book. Every four books in the series focus on a different mission – from finding the owner of the treehouse, to saving stories through time. The books not only introduce kids to different time periods and important figures throughout history, but also celebrate the power of books and storytelling in our world. We absolutely adored this series, and sped through it in a matter of  months. Once you have finished this series, the follow up series Merlin Missions, brings a bit more magic to the books, with longer stories and more mystical locations.

The Never Girls

Written by Kiki Thorpe and illustrated by Jana Christy

Since we are big Disney fans, this series was a definite must try for us. This series follows four young friends as they find their way to Never Land and meet the fairies who live there. When Kate, Lainey, Mia, and Mia’s little sister Gabby, find themselves in Never Land, they are introduced to a world of fairy magic that they only saw in their dreams before. Each of the books in the series melds the real world lives of the girls with the mystical world of fairies and magic. This series has a fun touch of magic, while also addressing real situations that kids can face in their every day lives.

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Jesse STEAM Mysteries*

This new series of chapter books introduces STEAM topics to kids through a strong female protagonist. Jesse is a young girl who solves mysteries with her knowledge of STEAM concepts. Each book focuses on a different STEAM topic (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). The books feature short, easy to read chapters, with large, brightly colored illustrations. Kids will love the adorable cartoons, and the silly chapter titles. The back of each book also includes a hands on activity to bring the concepts from the book to life for young kids.

Related Post: Girls in STEM: Picture Books and Chapter Books

Mia Mayhem

Written by Kara West and illustrated by Leeza Hernandez

This adorable series stars a young 8 year old girl named Mia Macarooney. who finds out that she is actually part of a superhero family. She receives a letter to join a training program for superheroes, and learns all about a superhero world she hadn’t known before. While training with other superhero kids, Mia learns a lot about herself, and how her unique abilities can make her extraordinary. The book is full of flashy black and white illustrations, with large text and short chapters.

What are your favorite early chapter books for kids? Share in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this post with another family of readers!

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