
10 Spanish Chapter Books for Novice Readers (6-7 Years Old)
Are you looking for Spanish chapter books for your novice reader?
Isn’t it fascinating to witness your kid’s step-by-step reading development?
The amazing world of books and stories will not only feed your child’s imagination but their sense of curiosity as well. As a parent, to be an enabler of this process is both a joy and a big responsibility.
This is your chance to cultivate your child’s mind in an inclusive, sensitive way.
Keep reading to find 10 Spanish books for novice (and soon to be avid) readers. This article features classic books as well as contemporary pieces with an inclusive vision full of holistic core values.
In fact, you’re going to enjoy them as much as your little one does!
But First, What Is a Novice Reader?
This list of Spanish chapter books is fully dedicated to novice readers, who are in the second stage of the reading process. If you’re not sure what each stage entails, here’s a quick overview:
Stage 1: Emergent Pre-readers (6 months – 6 years old)
During this phase, children start to get familiar with books and understand that print has a meaning. They will voluntarily pick up a book and pretend to be reading, imitating an adult or older sibling. Guidance is needed at this stage so they can pay attention to the story, comprehend it, and associate it with their own experiences.
Stage 2: Novice Readers (6-7 years old)
Novice readers are able to relate images and letters to sounds and meaning. They understand that spoken words and printed ones are related. This is where conceptualization is born as they follow along the story and even predict upcoming events. The types of books made for this reading group have high-frequency words as well as new one-syllable words that encourage readers to recognize and memorize.
Stage 3: Decoding Readers (7-9 years old)
At this stage, learners understand how a story is told and that text has meaning. Decoding readers look for ways to increase their reading fluency and start guessing ahead of the lecture. They question whether the words and sentences make sense. They can respond to questions when asked and will give educated answers.
Stage 4: Comprehending Readers (9-15 years old)
In this stage, children become explorers and try texts that communicate new feelings as they acquire knowledge, relate to stories, and even empathize with the characters. The printed and digital materials also vary and are not exclusively educational—they range from magazines to newspapers. They learn more sophisticated vocabulary and syntax from reading sources of their choosing. Reading with punctuation marks and at a higher speed is part of this stage.
Stage 5: Expert readers: (16 years +)
By this phase of the process, the learner is an expert reading all kinds of literacy materials in advanced mode. These include exact and social sciences, narrative, news, politics, and all sorts of information. Reading starts having a lot of different purposes, as their attention span and speed increases.
What Is a Chapter Book?
Chapter books are built to accommodate novice readers in the following ways:
- Filled with illustrations to promote understanding of the text
- Broken up into short chapters to adapt to short attention spans
- Thematic works of fiction with topics interesting to children
Now let’s dive into our list of 10 Spanish chapter books that your child will love!
Classic Spanish Chapter Books
1. Aladino (Aladdin)

The adventures of a courageous young man named Aladdin have charmed generations of children for decades. Whether we met him in a book or on the big screen, this character sure made a big impression on most of us!
This tale is one of the most renowned of the Arabian Nights collection and here’s why: It invites you into a world with an exotic palace, a hilarious genie, a homeless prince-to-be, evil sultans, an outspoken tiger, a monkey that turns into an elephant, an empowered and picky heiress, a talking sand cave, and three outlandish wishes.
Even if classics aren’t your favorite reading material, you’ll appreciate how this story teachers worthy lessons such as:
- Be honest.
- Learn to trust your instincts.
- Be yourself.
- Value friendship.
- Money and power have little to do with happiness.
- Be loyal.
Author: Anonymous.
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
2. El libro de la selva (The Jungle Book)

Of all the books in this list of Spanish chapter books, this one is the best at reminding us that anyone can be family if there is love.
Mowgli is a kid raised by wolves, a panther, and a bear. This unique group of animals, who once made the decision to adopt a human baby, taught Mowgli kindness and the value of being different. Characters in the story include Akela, the wolf is the one who accepted Mowgli as one of their own, Baloo the bear who showed him the Law of the Jungle, and Bagheera the Jaguar who defended Mowgli from the perilous dangers of the tropical wilderness.
Together, they face different obstacles and—despite certain tense moments of separation—their courage, compassion, and friendship always prevail. It’s a story of camaraderie and belonging that leaves us in tears by the end, as Mowgli’s natural next step is to leave the jungle and rejoin the human community.
Author: Rudyard Kipling.
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
3. El maravilloso mago de Oz (The Wizard of Oz)

When a tornado strikes Kansas, it takes Dorothy and her dog Toto to an imaginary world called Oz. She desperately wants to go back home and the only way to do it is to walk the yellow brick path towards Esmerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz.
On her way, she meets a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tinman with no heart, and a Lion with no courage. This American literature classic is filled with lessons and symbolism that will inspire your child with wild imagery and emotional awakenings.
Author: Lyman Frank Baum
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
Female Leads in Spanish Chapter Books
4. Mi abuela la loca (My Crazy Grandma)

This abuela is crazy! Or is she just a youngster at heart?
This fascinating story is about a grandmother who competes in poetry contests and passes on her passion of literature to her grandson. Petunia is the extravagant granny who represents the boldness of older generations and their invincible will of living life.
Vicente (her grandson) thinks she is crazy, and according to him, her Darth Vader hairstyle is proof. But he has a feeling something’s up with her and he’s dying to find out what it is.
Author: José Ignacio Valenzuela.
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
5. La princesa de negro (The Princess in Black)

Princess Magnolia is like every other princess who obeys royal duties—but she hides a little secret.
When the monster-alarm activates, she transforms into The Princess in Black!
Defeating monsters is her specialty and requires little effort to do so. Meanwhile, her biggest challenge is to keep her heroic identity a secret from the world around her, especially the duchess. This award-winning book with a female hero is an empowering addition to your family library!
Author: Shannon Hale
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
Spanish Chapter Books for Explorers
6. La luna no es de queso (Footprints on the Moon)

Footprints on the Moon is an opportunity for your child to learn from poetry instead of the typical prose of chapter books.
A major benefit of switching to poetry is that its use of figurative speech stimulates abstract thinking and boosts your child’s ability to relate, compare, and analyze what they’re reading.
Imagine doing all this while joining a young explorer on an intergalactic trip! Open up this book to get to know alien characters and learn some true facts about space.
Author: Yanitzia Canetti.
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
7. Dinosaurios al atardecer (Dinosaurs at Dusk)

This list of Spanish chapter books would not be complete without a little time-traveling, don’t you think?
Jack and Annie happen to have a time machine in the shape of a tree house. All kinds of adventures await on the other side at a time of their choosing.
In this episode, they end up exploring prehistory, where they meet real life dinosaurs. What could possibly go wrong?
Let this suspenseful story excite your child’s mind and stimulate their imagination! Find out if our heroes will be back for dinner… or if they will be the main course.
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
Spanish Chapter Books for Aspiring Activists
8. Aventuras de seres humanos y no-humanos (Adventures of Humans and Non-Humans)

There’s nothing more charming than watching a child interact with a pet. It’s important to teach the new generation to be kind and gentle with animals from an early age. This book will take your little one to the Amazon to rescue monkeys and to solve rabbits’ problems at a farm. At the same time, they will learn how to be part of a brave and responsible group of children who defend non-humans around the world.
Author: Elaine Tornés Blanco
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
9. Luchadoras: Aventureras, reinas, activistas y aviadoras que han hecho historia (Fighters: Adventurers, Queens, Activists and Aviators Who Have Made History)

Every child should have access to a book like this! The stories of great women may have been buried in history, but Cristina Serret has resurrected them within these pages.
Learn about the positive and powerful impact that females have had throughout history, reading stories about pharaohs, queens, aviators, slaves, soldiers, and a contemporary activist. These incredible female warriors paved the way towards freedom, justice, and equality and your kid needs to know about it.
Author: Cristina Serret
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
Inclusive Literature in Spanish
10. Detrás de ese antifaz (Behind the Mask)

This ebook narrates the adventures of a child-hero within the autism spectrum. He recognizes his virtues and acknowledges his limitations but more than anything, he longs to be discovered.
Kids this special have sensations, experiences, and frustrations worth understanding and sharing.
Hernán Galdames is an Argentinian award-winning author who takes us by the hand to get to know the mysteries of Alex’s world.
Author: Hernan Galdames.
Where to find it? Click here to find the novice reader version.
Read Spanish, Then Speak Spanish!
Reading is only one of the four cornerstones of learning a foreign language. Speaking will reinforce new vocabulary learned through reading. Without practice, skills and vocabulary can easily fade away when it comes to learning a new language. Now that you have your mind set in enabling your child to learn Spanish, take the next step at HSA. Join our 24,000 active monthly students and practice with a certified native Spanish speaker! Sign up for a free class today.

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