Best Adventure Book Series for 5 and 6 year olds

Best Adventure Book Series for 5 and 6 year olds

As our children begin moving away from picture books, it's crucial for their future as readers that we keep them engaged, excited and entertained as they take their first timid steps towards independent reading

For this particular phase, where weaning them off of the special effects of novelty books and the fun wordplay of picture books may be a challenge, the best recommendation we could give is to take them on an adventure. Yes, adventure books are where all the fun is to be had for readers aged 5 and 6

As always, we believe the best way to keep children engaged with reading is through series. The familiarity of beloved characters mixed with the mystery and excitement of new adventures is a great reading combo and will keep their steam running on a high! Here are our favourite series if your little one is ready to experience the thrill of incredible journies, epic worlds, heists and chases!

Toppsta
2026-03-01
Best Adventure Book Series for 5 and 6 year olds
Book pages Dino Dad Series

Dino Dad Series

Perfect for early chapter book readers aged 5+, Dino Dad is written by children's TV superstar Andy Day and illustrated in black-and-white throughout by Steven Lenton. In each book, we go on an exciting adventure with Ruby Thumb and her father, who works as dinosaur expert and POOPA, a Protector Of Our Prehistoric Allies. As certified POOPAs, Ruby and her dad often travel to Dinotropolis, an incredible island full of dinosaurs. And when they go there, they use a special magic ammonite shell to turn into dinosaurs too! The books are funny, fully illustrated and have lots of dino facts to read that will keep little ones moving from picture books to chapter books engaged. Dino Dad: Big School Talent Show, the third book in the series, is out on 27th Feb 2025 

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Book pages Mr Penguin Series

Mr Penguin Series

The creator of the Claude booksAlex T. Smith, has brought us Mr Penguin with this brilliant two-colour early chapter book detective series featuring a curious penguin and his right-hand, Colin, a small detective spider. The two characters go on exciting adventures together to find treasures, missing pets, and more...

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Book pages Little Gems Series

Little Gems Series

The Little Gems series is a collection of full-colour short chapter books written and illustrated by some of the best talent in the UK, specifically designed to not overwhelm beginner readers and to help them build vocabulary, reading speed and stamina. The books are carefully spaced for readers who might struggle with words on the page, too.

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Book pages The Story Shop Series

The Story Shop Series

This award-winning series is perfect for KS1 readers, with each book featuring three linked short stories and black-and-white illustrations throughout. Each book celebrates the power of imagination, and follows The Story Shop, a magical place where characters can shop for their stories. Its shopkeepers, Wilbur and Fred, are keen to help!

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Book pages The Questioneers Series

The Questioneers Series

Rosie Revere, Engineer is such a loved picture book, the author and illustrator have created an early readers series, making this a great transitional series from picture books to independent reading. In each book of the series, the brilliant Questioneers find the answers to all sorts of science questions, come up with brilliant inventions, solve strange mysteries and even take political action. 

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Book pages Tiny, the Secret Adventurer Series

Tiny, the Secret Adventurer Series

Friendship, courage and discovery take the lead with this lovely series about a small creature called Tiny, who grows up in a school garden and craves the acceptance of her animal neighbours. The black-and-white illustrations throughout also make it accessible to readers aged 6+ taking their first timid steps towards independent reading. 

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Book pages Too Small Tola Series

Too Small Tola Series

This classic-in-the-making is a sweet collection of three short stories per book in which main character Tola helps those around her in need, proving that her size matters little in comparison to the greatness of her heart.

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Book pages Lizzie and Lucky Series

Lizzie and Lucky Series

A sweet girl and dog detective duo make up the Lizzie and Lucky early chapter book series brimming with black-and-white illustrations throughout. Lizzie is a young deaf girl and, together with her puppy, Lucky, she solves all kinds of strange mysteries surrounding her hometown.

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Book pages Space Detectives Series

Space Detectives Series

In the world of Space Detectives, Starville is the world's first orbiting city, where there always seems to be a strange new mystery to solve. Two best friends Connor and Ethan are always up for that job. In the books they manage to save their space station from colliding with the moon, find missing space pets and so many other intergalactic mysteries.

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MORE TO EXPLORE

Al’s Awesome Science by Jane Clarke and James Brown (Five Quills)

Bear Grylls Adventures by Bear Grylls and Emma McCann (Bear Grylls Publishing)

Big Sky Mountain by Alex Millway (Piccadilly Press)

Destiny Ink by Adeola Sokunbi (Nosy Crow)

Far Out Five by Olaf Falafel (Puffin)

Flying Fergus by Chris Hoy and Clare Elsom (Piccadilly Press)

Leonora Bolt by Lucy Brandt and Gladys Jose (Puffin)

Lottie Loves Nature by Jane Clarke and James Brown (Five Quills)

Pizazz by Sophy Henn (Harper)

Stories from India by Chitra Soundar and Uma Krishnaswamy (Walker Books Ltd)

The Adventure Club by Jess Butterworth and Kirsti Beautyman (Orion Children's Books)

The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic)

The Tindims by Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry (Zephyr)

The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham (Walker)

Tiny Pony Friends by Linda Chapman and Kristen Humphrey (Orchard Books)

Stick and Fetch Adventures by Philip Ardagh and Elissa Elwick (Walker)

Toppsta
2026-03-01
Best Adventure Book Series for 5 and 6 year olds

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