14 Interesting and Fun Books to Read for Boys and Girls

RECOMMENDED READS FOR BOYS

1. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (ages 3 and up)

The jungle dance competition is coming up, and all the animals are practicing their moves. However, Gerald the giraffe hasn’t got any. His bandy knees and thin legs are making him feel left out. But then his body sways to different music, making us realize we all are capable of dancing; we just need the right tunes to match us. Beautiful illustrations add to the story’s engagement.

2. While You Are Sleeping by Nalini Sorensen (ages 4 and up)

Two boys, two continents, and the difference between night and day. An interesting approach to understanding the difference between time zones in a very simple story. The story talks about the transition of day and night—while we are living an eventful day, at the same moment, a child on the other side of the earth is envisioning beautiful dreams. The book ends with some fun facts about the earth’s day-night cycle and is a good read for tiny tots.

3. Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie (ages 6 and up)

YES! We are on the lookout for a rabbit. Not just an ordinary one. He’s wanted for stealing, and can you imagine what!? Not carrots, not radish, but BOOKS! And this time he tried to sneak into Arthur’s house. Let’s see if we can catch this bibliophile.

4. An Identity Card For Krishna by Devdutt Pattanaik (ages 6 and up)

It is the god Shri Krishna who couldn’t board a flight to Mumbai because he failed to prove his identity at the airport. A combination of mythology with real-world experiences makes a lovely self-read or read-aloud story with interesting illustrations.

5. Hungry To Read by Arti Sonthalia (ages 8 and up)

Arjun hates reading, but a reading contest has his interest, as the chosen one would get a chance to stay over at school and have a telescopic view of the solar system. Arjun doesn’t want to let go of this golden chance. But neither his reading skills nor his mom supports his winning streak. This story shows us his determination to win this competition. However, does he or not should be a suspense for our readers. A book I’m sure boys would enjoy reading, especially those not quite fond of reading.

6. The Old Man And His God by Sudha Murty (ages 10 and up)

Real stories, real people, real experiences. Sudha Murty has shared short experiences from her life, which are simple and directly from the heart. These heartwarming stories have life lessons for children without being moral-oriented. Enjoy these thought-provoking sets of stories with a nice after-conversation with your child.

7. Ikigai For Teens by Hector Garcia (ages 13 and up)

After the success of his book Ikigai (with Francesc Miralles), writer Hector Garcia came up with a book for teenagers—a self-help book on developing a purpose to wake up each day with a combination of passion, profession, vocation, and mission. A good guide for growing generations to help them figure out motives.

RECOMMENDED READS FOR GIRLS

1. The Milk Moustache by Vikas Khanna (ages 3 and up)

A beautifully illustrated book written by award-winning chef Vikas Khanna. Kali the cow is quite sad because the children of her village refuse to drink milk at all. Kali’s best friend Jass, the daughter of the local milkman, comes up with an idea to end this milk strike. A cute story to be enjoyed with a glass of milk.

2. Isabella: Girl On The Go by Jennifer Fosberry (ages 4 and up)

A simple story that can generate massive discussion. A little girl visualizes herself traveling to famous places around the world, imagining herself to be a warrior, artist, archaeologist, etc. Right from her backyard, while talking to her father, she makes her journey across the world. This innocent conversation between father and daughter is a must-read.

3. The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges (ages 6 and up)

The story of a small revolution that took place in a village, where all women painted only flowers and made paper umbrellas. This one little girl decides to paint elephants instead. How furious was her family when their only source of income, the paper umbrellas with flowers, was ruined? A beautiful traditional story about breaking traditions.

4. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl (ages 6 and up)

A quirky book about a girl whose anger passed on to her finger, converting people into animals and birds. However exciting it was, she did feel a tad guilty, but then some people deserved her anger. A naughty story of anger and forgiveness.

5. Best Friends Forever by Arti Sonthalia (ages 8 and up)

What happens when someone new enters your core friendship? You don’t like it, right? So didn’t Aditi. Aditi and Pari, the BFFs, have been separated in class by a new student Amber. Will this separation stick to their seating arrangement or drift their friendship? A realistic fun read for girls and their best friends.

6. Dork Diaries Series by Rachel Renée Russell (ages 10 and up)

A series for preteens, it covers various messes around the life of a girl Nikki, who considers her life not so fabulous. The books are filled with her not-so-appropriate encounters—like, going for a student exchange program with her frenemy, taking care of abandoned puppies without anyone knowing, and entering a skating competition to get money for charity when she doesn’t know how to skate. Nikki’s list of blunders goes on, but she figures them out. Young girls can relate to her somewhere here.

7. Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo (ages 13 and up)

A collection of motivational stories of different women from across the globe, who revolted against norms and paved their way to success. Each story is supported with an illustration of heroic women, making it more relatable and worth a read for growing girls. Girls will move out of the world of princess stories with this one.