Best Living Books for 5 Year Olds (2026): 4 Compared

The best living books for 5 year olds are the ones a five-year-old asks for again: funny stories, a book that teaches drawing, and gentle stories about being kind. We compared four books by listed reading age, grade level, print length and what each description says, so you can match the book to the child.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Scarry's Funniest Storybook	9.7/10	Buy
2	How to Draw Easy Step by Step	9.6/10	Buy
3	Berenstain Bears Golden Rule	9.6/10	Buy
4	Berenstain Bears Forgiving Tree	9.6/10	Buy

1

Scarry's Funniest Storybook

Richard Scarry·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 64-page collection of Richard Scarry's funniest Busytown stories, 2016 reissue from Golden Books.

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Pros

• Customer-listed reading age of 3 to 5 years, right at the target
• 64 pages of classic funny stories from Golden Books
• 2016 reissue of a classic collection

Cons

• Some stories also appear in the Favorite Storybook Ever
• Reissue, not new material
• Funny stories only; no activity pages

2

How to Draw Easy Step by Step

Barbara Soloff Levy·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 64-page drawing book with over 30 step-by-step pictures to draw and color, from Dover Publications.

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Pros

• Over 30 step-by-step pictures to draw and color
• Customer-listed reading age of 4 to 7 years
• 64 pages from Dover Publications, 2009

Cons

• Activity book, not a storybook
• 2009 edition; older layout
• Needs crayons or colored pencils, not included

3

Berenstain Bears Golden Rule

Mike Berenstain·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page Berenstain Bears faith story about treating others as you want to be treated, from Zonderkidz.

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Pros

• Teaches the Golden Rule with familiar characters
• Customer-listed reading age of 3 to 6 years
• 32 pages from Zonderkidz, 2008

Cons

• Faith story; not for secular readers
• Short at 32 pages
• No grade level stated

4

Berenstain Bears Forgiving Tree

Jan Berenstain·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page Berenstain Bears faith story about forgiveness and controlling emotions, from Zonderkidz.

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Pros

• Teaches forgiveness and compassion
• Customer-listed reading age of 3 to 8 years, grade Preschool to 3
• 32 pages from Zonderkidz, 2011

Cons

• Faith story; not for secular readers
• Short at 32 pages
• Similar theme to the Golden Rule book

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Compare the picks

Specifications are as each listing publishes them, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and stated reading level. All four listings state a reading age; two also state a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best living books for 5 year olds

Match the reading age

Richard Scarry’s Funniest Storybook Ever lists a customer-listed reading age of 3 to 5 years, right at the target age. How to Draw lists 4 to 7 years. The Berenstain Bears books list 3 to 6 and 3 to 8 years. All four fit a five-year-old; pick by what the child enjoys doing.

Stories or activities

Two picks are storybooks: Scarry’s collection of funny Busytown stories, and the two Berenstain Bears faith stories about kindness and forgiveness. One pick is an activity book: How to Draw with over 30 pictures to draw and color. A five-year-old who sits still for stories gets one; a five-year-old who draws gets the other.

Before you buy

• Check the length: the Scarry and drawing books are 64 pages; the Berenstain Bears books are 32 pages.
• The two Berenstain Bears books are faith stories in the Living Lights series; skip them if you want secular stories.
• For more picture books, see our best mermaid books for 5 year olds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a living book?

A living book is a rich, engaging book a child wants to hear again, rather than a dry textbook. The picks here are story and activity books with strong characters and ideas.

Is the Scarry book too long for a five-year-old?

The listing gives a customer-listed reading age of 3 to 5 years. It is a collection of stories, so read one story at a time.

Are the Berenstain Bears books religious?

Yes. Both are in the Living Lights faith story series, and the Golden Rule book references Matthew 7:12.

Still deciding? Our top pickScarry's Funniest Storybook

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Related lists

Also see our best nonfiction books for 5 year olds. Also see our best puzzle books for 5 year olds. Also see our best pirate books for 5 year olds.

More lists: browse picture books and kids and teens books.