Who this guide is for
This guide is for parents and relatives of a child of about 6 who loves Harry Potter but can't yet read the novels alone. It includes first chapter books about magic and dragons, and longer stories to read aloud together. Ages come from our catalogue or from the publisher.
How to choose
- For reading aloud together now: the illustrated Philosopher's Stone, The Magic Faraway Tree Collection or How to Train Your Dragon.
- For a child starting to read alone: Dragon Tales is written for beginning readers, and Isadora Moon and Mirabelle are first chapter books.
- If they love the idea of a school for magical characters: Villains Academy is set at a school for villains, with a werewolf, an elf-witch and a ghost among the pupils.
- If they love the dragons: The Boy Who Grew Dragons, How to Train Your Dragon and Dragon Tales.
- For a confident reader of 7 or so: Amelia Fang (the publisher says 7+) and The Wishkeeper's Apprentice (the publisher says 7 to 9).
Our picks
For sharing the first Harry Potter story before a child can read it alone. This hardback edition has full-colour illustrations by Jim Kay. Our catalogue lists it for ages 9 to 11, so for a 6-year-old it is one to read aloud together.
For a long read-aloud about a magical world. Joe, Beth and Frannie find the Enchanted Wood and the Magic Faraway Tree, home to magical lands, and meet Moon-Face, Saucepan Man and Silky the Fairy. It collects the three original novels in 656 pages; our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For children who love the How to Train Your Dragon films, or dragons in general. This is the first of the books behind the films: Hiccup, a smallish Viking, has to train his dragon or be banished from his tribe. Our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For a child ready for a first chapter book. Isadora is half vampire, half fairy, and her witch cousin Mirabelle talks her into taking a dragon to Bring Your Pet to School Day. It has pink and black pictures throughout; our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For children who like their magic with some mischief. Mirabelle, Isadora Moon's half-witch, half-fairy cousin, sets up her own business to earn money for new roller skates. The publisher describes it as a first chapter book; our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For children who like stories that are spooky and funny. Amelia is a little vampire whose family is busy with a baby on the way, until she is asked to look after three mischievous caticorns. The publisher says the series suits readers of 7+, so at 6 it may work best read together.
For children who like the idea of a school for magical characters. Bram, a werewolf, starts at Villains Academy, a school for villains, and tries to win the Villain of the Week trophy with new friends including an elf-witch and a ghost. The publisher calls the series highly illustrated; our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For a child just starting to read alone. Three stories about Dragon, A Friend for Dragon, Dragon Gets By and Dragon's Fat Cat, are collected in one chapter book that the publisher says is for beginning readers.
For children who would love a dragon of their own. Tomas finds a dragon-fruit tree in his grandad's garden, and a tiny dragon bursts out of one of the fruit. It is the first book in a series; our catalogue lists it for ages 6 to 8.
For a confident young reader, or for reading together. Felix is offered a job as apprentice to a wishkeeper and has to save his town's wishes from a wishsnatcher. The publisher pitches it at children aged 7 to 9, with black-and-white illustrations by Rachel Sanson.
Questions people ask
What age is Harry Potter for?
Our catalogue lists Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for ages 9 to 11. For a younger child, the illustrated edition with Jim Kay's full-colour pictures is one way to share the story aloud before they can read it alone.
Which magic books are written for early readers?
Dragon Tales by Dav Pilkey is written for beginning readers. Isadora Moon and Mirabelle are first chapter books of 128 pages, and Isadora Moon has pictures throughout.
Are there other books set at a school for magical characters?
Villains Academy is set at a school for young villains, including a werewolf, an elf-witch and a ghost. Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery, for ages 7 to 9, is about a moth starting at Minibeast Academy who wants to learn moon magic.
Is there an illustrated Harry Potter box set?
Harry Potter 1-3 Box Set: MinaLima Edition has the first three books with full-colour illustrations on nearly every page and paper-engineered extras such as a fold-out Marauder's Map. Our catalogue lists it for ages 9 to 11.
Selected by Fox & Fable from books in stock. Last updated 30 September 2026.