Best Book Series for Kindergartners

Last updated: November 4, 2025

As kids start to move from picture books to chapter books, these engaging series will help ease the transition. And once they're hooked on the characters and setting in Book 1, kids will be hungry to keep going with book after book, building vocabulary and reading comprehension. Humor, action, mystery, and stories of friends, family, and animals make these hits with early readers. In some cases, we've done a series review. In others, we've reviewed the first or a later book in the series. For additional surefire picks, check out our Funny Books for Kids and Best Book Series lists.

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Henry and Mudge Series Poster Image

BOOK

Henry and Mudge Series

age 5+

Simple, sweet stories about a boy and his beloved dog.

Cynthia Rylant For Beginning Readers (1987)

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I Spy Fly Guy!: Fly Guy, Book 7 Poster Image

BOOK

I Spy Fly Guy!: Fly Guy, Book 7

age 5+

Fun, fast tale great for early and reluctant readers.

Tedd Arnold For Beginning Readers (2009)

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Juana & Lucas, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Juana & Lucas, Book 1

age 5+

Colombian girl learns English in fun early chapter book.

Juana Medina For Beginning Readers (2016)

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Katie Woo Series Poster Image

BOOK

Katie Woo Series

age 5+

Relatable stories in short chapters have good life lessons.

Fran Manushkin For Beginning Readers (2011)

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Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1

age 5+

Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.

Kate DiCamillo Animals (2005)

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Rainbow Magic Series Poster Image

BOOK

Rainbow Magic Series

age 5+

Friends' fairy adventures are fun intro to fantasy.

Daisy Meadows Fantasy (2005)

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The Princess in Black Poster Image

BOOK

The Princess in Black

age 5+

Fun tale of monster-fighting princess who leads double life.

Shannon Hale , Dean Hale For Beginning Readers (2014)

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A Bear Called Paddington Poster Image

BOOK

A Bear Called Paddington

age 6+

Delightful classic about a bear adopted by a London family.

Michael Bond Animals (1958)

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A to Z Mysteries Series Poster Image

BOOK

A to Z Mysteries Series

age 6+

Good-hearted kids solve mysteries in fun, short chapters.

Ron Roy Mystery (1997)

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Calendar Mysteries Series Poster Image

BOOK

Calendar Mysteries Series

age 6+

First-graders solve suspenseful mysteries month by month.

Ron Roy Mystery (2009)

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Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1

age 6+

Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination.

Abby Hanlon Family Life (2014)

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Book 1

age 6+

Inspiring, kid-friendly tales of extraordinary women.

Elena Favilli , Francesca Cavallo Biography (2016)

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Ivy + Bean, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Ivy + Bean, Book 1

age 6+

Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

Annie Barrows For Beginning Readers (2007)

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J.D. and the Great Barber Battle: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 1

age 6+

Superb, fun, nuanced story of family, friends, Black hair.

J. Dillard For Beginning Readers (2021)

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Judy Moody Was in a Mood Poster Image

BOOK

Judy Moody Was in a Mood

age 6+

Funny take on third grade life and friendships.

Megan McDonald School (2004)

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Junie B. Jones Series Poster Image

BOOK

Junie B. Jones Series

age 6+

Junie B. Jones brings good fun and laughs to early readers.

Barbara Park School (1992)

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Magic Tree House Series Poster Image

BOOK

Magic Tree House Series

age 6+

Fun, educational chapter books have something for everyone.

Mary Pope Osborne Adventure (1992)

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Masterpiece Adventures: The Marvin & James Series Poster Image

BOOK

Masterpiece Adventures: The Marvin & James Series

age 6+

A beetle and a boy share a friendship in sweet stories.

Elise Broach For Beginning Readers (2015)

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Nate the Great Series Poster Image

BOOK

Nate the Great Series

age 6+

Nate solves neighborhood mysteries in fun new-reader series.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat For Beginning Readers (2016)

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Rock Star: Jada Jones, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Rock Star: Jada Jones, Book 1

age 6+

Kind, honest friendship tale shows girl's inner strength.

Kelly Starling Lyons For Beginning Readers (2017)

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