8 Books that help Children Improve English Vocabulary
It’s no mystery that reading helps cultivate a rich vocabulary. Instructors everywhere insist their young students read as often as possible in order to immerse their minds in the literary worlds found on the pages of classic books. Unlike studying vocabulary flashcards, reading is an organic way to pick up on new words and phrases and improve English vocabulary.
Here are 8 classic children’s books to help your children improve English vocabulary:
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White
Age Range: 7+
This classic children’s tale of a small pig and his spider friend is perfect for emotionally mature readers. The tale chronicles the life of Wilbur the pig who is saved from slaughter. He develops a strong friendship with a spider who is determined to keep Wilbur safe and alive the remainder of his life.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: blissful, enchanted, amused, teeters, gander, butchered, sedentary, veritable, pummeled, and more.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
By Roald Dahl
Age Range: 9+
Children will love this tale of a poor young boy who happens upon a coveted ‘golden ticket’ to tour Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory! However, the tour doesn’t go as he expected when mysterious ailments doom greedy children on the tour. Nonetheless, Charlie and his grandpa experience a magical day full of new experiences and plenty of sweets!
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: enormous, dozing, frantically, dagger, scrumptious, wedge, huddled, murmur, exhaustion, and more.
James and the Giant Peach
By Roald Dahl
Age Range: 9+
Another classic children’s book by Roald Dahl sure to capture the imagination of your young reader. This story follows a boy named James and his insect friends on his adventures inside a giant peach floating in the ocean. James and his new friends must learn to survive despite the challenges of living at sea– like attacking sharks! Eventually they realize they are heading straight for New York City. James might be able to start a new life in the city–if only he can make it there alive!
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: jiffy, nuisance, ramshackle, famished, colossal, shrieked, shimmered, hammock, snigger, and more.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By: C.S. Lewis
Age Range: 8+
Four siblings move to a large house in the country during World War II. One day while exploring the house, the youngest sibling, Lucy, find a large wardrobe. In the wardrobe, Lucy discovers the entrance to a magical land called Narnia and soon meets a friend. Lucy’s siblings don’t believe her tales of this winter wonderland. Eventually Lucy takes her siblings to Narnia to prove she isn’t fibbing about the existence of the magical land. The children soon realize that the inhabitants of the land are in danger and trapped by the White Witch. Lucy and her siblings go on many daring adventures and meet quirky friends while trying to save Narnia from evil.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: exclaimed, muffler, inquisitive, jollification, sorrowfully, fumbling, resumed, harboring, and more.
Bridge to Terabithia
By Katherine Paterson
Age Range: 9+
This emotional book is ideal for mature readers. It tells the tale of fifth graders Jess and Leslie who become dear friends. They create an imaginary land in the forested area near their houses called Terabithia where they play after school. Unfortunately, their friendship is cut short due to a terrible accident.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: worship, haul, scramble, rhythm, scalding, grits, vinyl, nauseating, cliff, and more.
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Swiss Family Robinson
By Johann D. Wyss
Age Range: 8+
After an intense shipwreck, the Robinson family finds themselves alone on an island. They use materials from the island and the doomed ship to build themselves a treehouse. The family has many adventures as they become more and more familiar with their new home.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: amid, tumult, composed, despairingly, constraining, manufacture, exalted, lament, and more.
Little House in the Big Woods
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Age Range: 8+
This charming book is based on the life of the author, Laura Ingalls (who later adds ‘Wilder’ onto her name when she gets married). It tells the life of her and her pioneer family while they live in a log cabin in the plains of the United States. This book delights in the simplicity of life away from the city from many years ago.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: whittled, savage, calico, cousins, withered, sulked, venison, crescent, curlicues, and more.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll
Age Range: 9+
Alice is sitting by the riverbank with her sister when suddenly she spots a peculiar white rabbit frantically running about. The curious Alice follows the rabbit to find herself in a magical place called Wonderland. Each adventure leads to the next as Alice attempts to find her way home.
Your child will encounter new vocabulary words such as: remarkable, ignorant, telescope, duchess, shrinking, conqueror, eagerly, and more.
Additional resources:
Looking to improve English vocabulary as an adult? Here is a great free resource
Here is a list of free resources that will help you improve English vocabulary.
