50 Kindergarten Books to Help Foster a Love of Reading
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Wrangling your energetic kindergartener for quiet reading time at home every day can be...rough. But it’s worth doing. Why? “Reading to your kindergartener as much as possible will increase the probability of your child’s school success,” says Denise Daniels , RN, MS, child development expert and creator of the Moodsters . “It helps children’s brain development and builds key language and social skills. It also fosters curiosity and communication skills,” she adds. Yep, reading boasts an impressive list of benefits, and this is especially true if you choose the right material. Daniels says kindergartners profit most from books with themes that “help children develop morals, empathy, social and emotional learning, and resiliency skills...and expose children to diversity.” But don’t worry if you don’t have time to vet every book in the children’s section yourself—we’ve rounded up 50 books for kindergarteners that they’re guaranteed to love.
The Best Kids’ Books for Every Age (from 1 to 15)
1. waiting Is Not Easy By Mo Willems
High drama, big print and plenty of humor combine in this story about navigating friendship and practicing patience. Little kids will want to hear it again and again…and that’s OK by us, because it’s truly a pleasure to read.
2. anxious Ninja By Mary Ninh
An anxious ninja finds his big feelings to be debilitating until a friend offers up some advice on how to manage emotions and find courage. This read delivers social-emotional learning with a side of laughter—and a powerful message about peer connections that every kid should hear.
3. dragons Love Tacos By Adam Rubin
A big dose of humor in a short book about friendship. Opt for this kid-favorite about, well, dragons who love tacos, and story time will be anything but boring.
4. alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day By Judith Viorst
This classic story about resilience and learning how to cope when nothing seems to work out right is highly relatable for readers of all ages, but especially for kindergarteners who are just learning how to keep their cool in the face of disappointment.
5. firebird By Misty Copeland
Penned by the first African American female principal dancer in the prestigious American Ballet Theater, this gripping read tells the story of a young girl who doubts her own ability to reach the same heights that Misty has done. Throughout the book, Misty encourages her to work hard so that she can succeed—and become Firebird.
6. amelia Bedelia By Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia has a hard time with figures of speech (like using a pen and paper to “draw” the drapes), but kids who read the book certainly will not. The simple words make this one a good candidate for early phonics instruction and the story will make your little one double over with laughter…literally.
7. my Heart By Corinna Luyken
Beautiful illustrations take center stage in this poignant story about emotional autonomy. The hidden heart motif on every page promises to keep kids engaged in the soothing narrative, which covers the entire spectrum of feelings.
8. the Book With No Pictures By B.j. Novak
Get ready to be goofy, parents, because The Book With No Pictures will make you appear ridiculous whether you like it or not. Wildly funny and incredibly clever, this book does a bang-up job of conveying the power of the written word—and we promise your kid will never tire of reading it (or making you read it out loud).
9. i Am Enough By Grace Byers
Striking art and melodic verses deliver an empowering message on inclusivity, self-love and respect for others in this New York Times’ bestseller that brings the beauty of diversity to the forefront for young children.
10. how To Catch A Mermaid By Adam Wallace
Upbeat, cheerful rhyming makes this catchy adventure story fun and fast to read, although children will likely want to linger on each page to take in the vibrant, intricate illustrations.
11. meet Me At The Moon By Gianna Marino
When a mama elephant has to leave her baby to “ask the skies for rain,” she reassures her little one by telling him to feel the warmth of her love in the sun and listen for it in the wind. This touching book boasts beautiful depictions of the African plains and the story, which ends with a moving mother-child reunion, is sure to soothe any child suffering from back-to-school separation blues.
12. the Day The Crayons Quit By Oliver Jeffers
School supplies come to life in the pages of this witty story about disgruntled crayons. This crowd-pleaser will develop your own kid’s sense of humor while nourishing the young imagination—and it’s sure to provoke laughter from parent and child alike.
13. last Stop On Market Street By Matt De La Peña
The list of awards and accolades earned by this book about giving back may well be longer than the book itself. The powerful message about the common good that comes through the pages of this soulful story is enhanced by vibrant illustrations of an urban setting. This library staple is a celebration of diversity that will teach your child the importance of doing a good deed every day.
14. alma And How She Got Her Name By Juana Martinez-neal
Alma has a lot of names—too many if you ask her. Or at least that’s what she thinks when we first meet her. But by the end of the book and after a journey into the past, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela loves knowing where all of her beautiful names came from.
15. because By Mo Willems
The lyrical prose Willems pens in this moving read is a departure from the sparse yet delightfully funny writing that characterizes many of his other children’s books, but the final product is just as exciting. This ode to the transformative power of music is accompanied by stunning illustrations—a combination that will mesmerize and inspire young readers (and pull on the heartstrings of parents).
16. the King Of Kindergarten By derrick Barnes
Got a kid with first-day jitters? This cheerful story will get her ready—and excited—for going to school. And sure, there are plenty of books that you could read to your reluctant kindergartener to let her know that it’s all going to be OK, but this one takes the message one step further by saying, ”You’ve totally got this”
17. detective Gordon: The First Case By Ulf Nilsson
A great introduction to chapter books, Detective Gordon is an age-appropriate and gripping whodunit adventure that kindergarteners will be excited to dive back into every day. Plus, this book also benefits from colorful illustrations from cover to cover, ensuring that even easily-distracted kids don’t lose the plot.
18. junie B. Jones And The Stupid Smelly Bus By Barbara Park
A chapter book for young readers told from the perspective of a sassy, uproariously funny, and charmingly relatable peer. This New York Times bestseller has been turning out bookworms for a quarter of a century, because no one can resist the big personality of kindergarten kid Junie B. Jones.
19. the Bear And The Fern By Jay Miletsky
Banish first day butterflies with this heartwarming tale of an offbeat friendship formed between a stuffed bear and his houseplant roommate—companions who empower one another to explore their surroundings and confront their fears. The wholesome message plays out to a beautiful, rhyming tune, and the lyrics include a few prized vocabulary words for good measure.
20. i Got The Rhythm By Connie Schofield-morrison
Young kids will be thrilled by this upbeat book about a little girl who, inspired by the sounds of the city, boogies her way to the center of town. With her passion, energy and cool moves, the little girl starts a spontaneous dance party, inspiring all the kids in the city to join the fun. Chances are your little one will want to bop to the beat, too, after this charming read.
21. kalinka And Grakkle By Julie Paschkis
With a subdued and artful dose of humor, Paschkis tells the story of a bird and a beast who just can’t understand each other’s habits and needs. Mutual acceptance is finally reached once both parties have made a tough emotional journey full of frustration and learned to listen rather than control. This light-hearted book invites laughter, while simultaneously familiarizing kindergarteners with the social-emotional learning that lies ahead.
22. pablo Neruda: Poet Of The People By Monica Brown
Young children are introduced to poetry and culture in this book that sings the praises of Pablo Neruda, while shining a spotlight on the empathic spirit behind his work. Magical and touching, Brown’s storytelling will spark creativity, and may well inspire a new generation of poets.
23. the Knight And The Dragon By Tomie De Paola
A tongue-in-cheek narrative about a knight and dragon that have to prepare for a duel by going to the library, because neither knows the first thing about fighting. Fortunately, there’s no stand-off at the end of this fairytale—instead the knight and dragon snub tradition and decide to collaborate on a new, exciting project, which they pull off with the aid of more books and a princess librarian to guide their research.
24. jabari Jumps By Gaia Cornwall
A patient, supportive father stands by his son and helps gently guide him in this story of a young boy who has all the skills to jump off a diving board, but can’t summon the courage to walk the plank. Kids of all ages will relate to and feel validated by this book that revolves around the main character’s inner struggle and ultimate victory over his own fears.
25. go, Dog. Go! By P.d. Eastman
Seuss-like in style and aesthetic, this classic book will help pre-K graduates master prepositional phrases, and the antics performed by the group of pups is basically a guarantee that the education is full of entertainment to boot.
26. do Not Lick This Book By Idan Ben-barak
Kindergarteners are known for questionable instincts when it comes to hygiene, but this book might just spare you a school year of endless illness. Written by a microbiologist with a good sense of humor, this book teaches kids all about germs (and how not to spread them) with an interactive format that makes for an undeniably fun read.
27. i Wrote You A Note By Lizi Boyd
Middle school teachers might report note passing as a problem but in kindergarten, literacy is the name of the game so no one will be upset when this book inspires your kid to practice writing letters with a classroom pen pal.
28. pink Is For Boys By Robb Pearlman
Gender stereotypes are among the unwritten, outdated rules that can start stifling children’s self-expression as soon as kindergarten begins (if not earlier). Blow the lid off all that crap with a book that encourages boys who want to wear pink and girls who like to play basketball. Bottom line: Both sexes will walk away from story time feeling empowered to explore their interests and expand their minds.
29. go Away, Big Green Monster By Ed Emberley
By kindergarten, many little ones have stopped napping and most schools don’t carve out a space in the schedule for children that want a midday snooze, so a good night’s sleep is a must. Nip bedtime drama in the bud and ease the transition to a nap-free school day with a sweet and silly book that will help your child put his nighttime fears to bed.
30. this Day In June By Gayle E. Pitman
Looking for an age-appropriate way to address questions on sexual orientation and gender identity? This inclusive book tells the tale of a fun pride celebration and also includes helpful information for parents plus a reading guide full of LGBTQ+ history and culture.
31. aberdeen By Stacey Previn
A series of unexpected events occur when a lovable mouse unwittingly embarks on an adventure and ends up charting new territory. But it’s Aberdeen’s efforts to find his way back home that imbue the story with a requisite degree of intrigue to keep restless kindergarteners glued to their seats.
32. my Friend Maggie By Hannah E. Harrison
Kids can be mean, which is why every kindergartener needs a primer from Paula, who has to learn some tough lessons about friendship and integrity before she figures out how to stand up to a bully in defense of her bestie Maggie. This heartwarming story is a must-read that teaches schoolyard newbies how to do the right thing as they form and navigate new relationships with peers.
33. bernice Gets Carried Away By Hannah E. Harrison
Lively animal portraits bring the characters to life in this book that helps kids comprehend the indispensable life skill of being able to recover from a bad mood. Bernice starts off with a me-first attitude that spoils her own fun at a friend’s birthday bash, so much so that she gets carried away...literally, by balloons. With a bit of effort, she finds her way back to the party at last—and becomes the life of it.
34. the Little Red Fish By Tae-eun Yoo
Take your child on a trip to the realm of magical realism with this Murakami-esque story of a boy who, after falling asleep in the library, sets out to explore the stacks in search of his lost little red fish. Whimsical and refreshing, this book will enthrall readers of all ages.
35. three Bears In A Boat By David Soman
Three bears break mama bear’s precious seashell keepsake and embark on an epic adventure to make things right by finding her a new special shell. The rough seas leave the siblings wondering if they can make it back home safely...and if they should have, perhaps, just come clean about the accident instead. The lesson in accountability is effective without being heavy-handed, and the ending is happy, of course.
36. after The Fall (how Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) By Dan Santat
Get back on the horse that bucked you—that’s the theme of this uplifting follow-up story that details the aftermath (and emotional fallout) of Humpty Dumpty’s famously tragic fall. Spoiler alert: Despite his morbid nursery rhyme fate, the once pitifully fragile character does indeed face his fear of heights and gets a taste of triumph in this kid-friendly page-turner.
37. mae Among The Stars By Roda Ahmed
A tale about real-life astronaut Mae Jemison, this book shines a light on women in STEM and the moral of the story couldn’t be better: “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”
38. what Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada
This book revolves around a seemingly simple question, explored with an extended metaphor that sparks creativity and big thinking in small people. The answer is not so straightforward, though, and the narrative skillfully covers all the obstacles children face when taking a chance (fear of the unknown, aversion to failure, and embarrassment, to name a few). The message is spot-on and the illustrations are stripped-down in the most striking way.
39. dear Girl By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Take a page out of this book and then read it to your daughter as a confidence-building reminder of her inherent worth. Every little girl should hear and relish this ode to the unbreachable beauty, strength and potential she has within—and this winner deserves its place on the bookshelves of boys, too, so they can grow up to be respectful men.
40. rude Cakes By Rowboat Watkins
Give your kid a leg up on classroom (and real world) etiquette with this playful story about a slice of cake that seemingly misplaced its manners. An amusing read that reminds children that no mistake is so grievous, it can’t be corrected with a little attitude adjustment.
41. stick And Stone By Beth Ferry
Anti-bullying themes are an understated but important component in this story of Stick and Stone and the the heroic choices they make to develop and maintain their friendship. A heartwarming message about loyalty and virtue—related with catchy, rhyming prose—this book is a major asset when it comes to encouraging the social-emotional learning that goes into any enduring childhood bond.
42. sulwe By Lupita Nyong’o
As soon as Sulwe realizes her skin is darker than that of her classmates, and even her own family, she struggles with self-acceptance...until she takes an eye-opening, magical journey into the midnight-black night sky. Her whimsical travels conclude with an invaluable realization: What made her feel uncomfortably different is, in fact, what makes her uniquely beautiful. The best antidote to racism comes from honest, early childhood education—consider this breathtaking book a starter course that every kindergartener needs.
43. my Magical Choices By Becky Cummings
Emotional autonomy is the solution to nearly every bout of angst (at any age) as it delivers one from boredom, frustration and the general feeling of powerlessness that so often plagues childhood. Cummings gets to the heart of the matter in her engaging book, which reads like self-help for pint-sized people, replete with alluring illustrations and a positive message to kids: You can control your own happiness.
44. that Neighbor Kid By Daniel Miyares
Shy kiddos might be inclined to hide in their shells, especially in the context of a noisy classroom with more boisterous, extroverted peers—but with a little extra nudge during reading time, even a shrinking violet can find the courage to tap a classmate on the shoulder and strike up a friendship. That Neighbor Kid throws timidity out the window in favor of a brave desire to connect and build something new.
45. we Don’t Eat Our Classmates By Ryan T. Higgins
Antisocial tendencies are kind of the norm in a kindergarten classroom, which is why kids and parents alike will appreciate this cheeky story about a student struggling with competing desires. Should Penelope Rex eat or befriend her classmates? The answer is fairly obvious (and she gets there in the end) but young readers will delight in a moral conundrum that pokes fun at their own worst instincts as they learn the dos and don’ts of classroom conduct.
46. hair Love By Matthew A. Cherry
This beautiful story explores a dynamic that you don’t often see in children’s books: a father in charge of his daughter’s care (which includes doing her hair). Read this celebration of fatherly love and natural hair with your kid first, then check out the Academy Award-winning short film here .
47. don’t Feed The Worrybug By Andi Green
The first day of big kid school is a big deal, so if your child is feeling nervous, help her find solace in a book. In this frank and relatable story, Wince’s “worry bug” starts off as a small thing that grows into a beast the more he frets. We’ve all been there, and it’s never too soon to give your child a head start on self-care with a story that places a premium on open communication about emotions.
48. here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth By Oliver Jeffers
A guide to help small people find their place in a larger-than-life world, Jeffers’ celebration of humanity is chock full of valuable lessons. The awe-inspiring backdrop against which the wisdom unfolds makes for a captivating read that is certain to inspire a sense of wonder in any child.
49. frida Kahlo And Her Animalitos By Monica Brown
The celebrated and supremely talented Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, is the subject of this cultural inquiry and she is examined through a decidedly kid-friendly lens, focusing on a love of living things. Pair this easy and engaging read with a trip to an art museum and your little one will feel the creative juices flowing.
50. the Day You Begin By Jacqueline Woodson
National Book Award winning author Jacqueline Woodson and Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López collaborated to craft this stunning children’s book that touches on the topics of inclusivity, self-esteem and the importance of human connection. Time to turn off the screens and engage in a conversation about what really matters—and as luck would have it, the script has already been beautifully written.
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25 Best Kindergarten Books to Read in Class: Teacher’s Guide
1. Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems
2. if you take a mouse to school by laura joffe numeroff, 3. firebird by misty copeland, 4. i am enough by grace byers, 5. the maggie b by irene haas, 6. may i bring a friend by beatrice schenk de regniers, 7. where the wild things are by maurice sendak, 8. yo yes by chris raschka, 9. cleversticks by bernard ashley, 10. david goes to school by david shannon.
The best kindergarten books to read aloud and by oneself can range widely from fictional tales to books with interesting facts. While students may have preferences in terms of what genre they love, you can encourage them to expand their reading horizons by introducing them to a diverse range of books.
To start with, you can reference a reading framework to measure your student’s reading level , such as the Lexile score, and add books from those levels to your class library or reading list. Books that meet your students’ reading level can help foster a love for reading as they gain confidence in their reading ability.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite books that are perfect for kindergarten readers. You can open a chapter from any of these books and let your kindergarteners immerse themselves in these new worlds. While many of these have unique stories, they are all designed to teach students valuable lessons such as courage, determination, hard work, and leadership.
Here are kindergarten reading games to educate and engage your kids!
The 25 Best Kindergarten Books To Rea d
Reading can bring immense joy to young readers as they explore new worlds and discover new ways of thinking. You can introduce a wide range of books that can be relevant to their experiences and give them a sense of direction in their reading journeys. The books to read to kindergarten students are the ones that they can remember for years.
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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.
This storybook for kindergarten children revolves around the dynamics of Gerald and Piggie, and their approach to asking for things. While one is patient, the other is demanding, making their friendship unique and full of twists and turns.
Category – Humor, Fiction
Takeaways – The simplicity of waiting rather than throwing a tantrum
Special Note – You can role play as the characters and speak aloud sentences for maximum engagement.
This engaging tale of the mouse talks about what happens if you take a mouse to school. It teaches cause and effect while exploring everything that waits for the boy and the mouse at school. It is one of the best books to read in kindergarten to instill equal parts confidence and empathy.
Category – Fiction
Takeaways – Courage and kindness go a long way
Special Note – This book is perfect for kids that may feel anxious on their first day of school
Misty Copeland, the distinguished ballet performer for the American Ballet Theater, takes young readers on a journey to reaching the stars. She describes a blueprint for young girls to strengthen their faith in themselves while becoming as fearless as the Firebird.
Takeaways – The rewards of hard work shine through
Special Note – The book can be used as a guide on achieving long-term goals for kids
It is a great book to read in kindergarten and practice reading aloud in class , as it empowers young women around the world to strengthen their self-esteem. “Like the trees, I’m here to grow. Like the mountains, here to stand”.
Takeaways – Kindness and self-esteem will take you everywhere
Special Note – The book is excellent for young girls to explore their inner gifts
One of the best books for kindergarten readers, The Maggie B is a tale of a young girl who goes on a magical adventure. It focuses on the power of courage and adventure-seeking when you face the unknown.
Category – Classic
Takeaways – Leadership in times of adventure is essential.
Special Note – You can use the illustrations in the book as a guide to the text.
This classic kindergartener book revolves around a child who is invited by royalty to tea. It is a visual masterpiece in its design and has lessons that children can use for years. You can start by exploring the underlying themes within the book.
Category – Classics
Takeaways – Humility, compassion, and kindness are traits all kids should imbibe
Special Note – You can sing aloud the rhyming sentences in the class
Another classic tale for kindergarten children, the book focuses on how anger can impact our own sense of wellness and affects those around us. Max wears a wolf suit and causes chaos within his home and his surroundings, eventually going outwards to seek the wild.
Category – Picture book, Classics
Takeaways – The role of anger in the lives of young kids
Special Note – You can focus on teaching the importance of empathy and compassion
The book focuses on how easy it is to make friendships that can last a lifetime. Cultural differences can be overcome through friendship, showcasing the power of understanding, compassion, and kindness.
Category – Picture book
Takeaways – Similarities and differences between cultures are explored in a simple way
Special Note – You can role-play the characters in the book for maximum impact
This book for kindergarten readers explores how each child can do something special in their field of interest and become better at it. It talks about how school can be a place of magical adventures, where each child can find something unique to focus on.
Takeaways – It focuses on how struggles can be overcome to achieve success
Special Note – Groups can be given different tasks to help them grow
Young David causes havoc in this tale, disobeying instructions, being noisy, and writing on desks. David then realizes the importance of being a part of a community and starts to change his behavior to fit in with everyone else.
Takeaways – David’s transformation can be an example for all kids
Special Note – You can introduce this book when kids are being unruly and rude in class
11. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
The storybook for kindergarten children describes the journeys of dinosaurs as they enter their first year of school. It reflects many of the emotions that kids feel when they start school and leaves children with a sense of courage, hope, and perseverance.
Takeaways – The book’s humorous take on everyday school activities can help kids adjust to school
Special Note – You can read aloud certain sections with dinosaur sounds
12. Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry
Captain Swashby’s journey to opening up and being friends with his new neighbors is a relatable theme that all kids can enjoy reading. The roles of friendship, family, and compassion are explored in this classic tale.
Takeaways – By focusing on compassion, the tale connects generations with a common theme
Special Note – The book is great for exploring phonics, sight words, etc.
13. Out the Door by Christy Hale
Out the Door focuses on a child’s journey from their home to school. It helps kids become more independent, courageous, and resilient as they traverse busy streets, crowded places, and confusing intersections.
Category – Classic, Picture book
Takeaways – The book’s empowerment theme resonates with young readers
Special Note – You can be descriptive about the visuals in the book when exploring themes
14. T. Rexes Can’t Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski
The book revolves around the challenges that different animals face when doing everyday things. It shows strength, perseverance, and grit when animals continue trying things they are not good at. It’s a light and casual read that will have children hooked, and kindergarten books to read can be for fun and pastime, too.
Category – Funny
Takeaways – Kids should always try their best and focus on improving their skills
Special Note – You can emphasize how different characters in the book refuse to give up
15. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
One of the best books for kindergarten students – Thank you, Omu! focuses on how generosity is reciprocated multiple times. The gifts given by the lady were impactful to her community, leading the community to give her gifts in return.
Takeaways – The gift of giving is a key theme underlying the narrative
Special Note – You can talk about similar themes in kids’ everyday lives and how giving feels good
16. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
This New York Times bestseller talks about how everyone is welcome in school and how everyone can explore their interests equally. It goes into more detail on how large-scale communities are built through diverse ideas, cultures, and backgrounds.
Category – Fiction, Picture book
Takeaways – Diversity is a key theme in the book, which is a great lesson for kids
Special Note – You can give real-life examples of how diversity benefits different jobs, industries, countries, etc.
17. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly always worries about getting hurt, falling ill, and other hypothetical situations. You can unpack the demerits of constantly worrying and how the world can be a joyful place to meet new people and do new things.
Takeaways – The role of fear and courage are expressed in this book
Special Note – You can alleviate the fear of school by reading snippets from this book
18. Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis
The book Kindergarten Rocks! is a timeless classic that covers the ground on how kids may feel when starting kindergarten. The feelings of anxiousness, fear of the unknown, and social nervousness are described through illustrations and rich narratives.
Takeaways – The book focuses on early anxiousness when starting kindergarten.
Special Note – You can make your students feel at ease with this one.
19. The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist
This feel-good adventure of fish and sharks takes students through the deeply engaging journey of young adults and how they face multiple challenges as they grow older. The shark follows the little fish everywhere and eventually gives up, with the fish living happily ever after.
Takeaways – This book focuses on the value of trying to find a way
Special Note – Kids can learn about how helping each other out is important for all animals
20. What Does It Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio
The book captures what it takes to be kind and how to transform an entire community through kindness. The impact of kindness and how it can spread to other people is also a key theme explored in the book.
Takeaways – The value of kindness and how it can evolve thought is a critical theme
Special Note – You can leverage the book to introduce empathy as a concept in class
21. I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty
The immersive and illustrative book features a young frog who wants to change who he is because he doesn’t like himself any longer. The book focuses on the dynamics of nature, self-acceptance, and appreciation for differences in people.
Takeaways – A fun adventure narrative that empowers kids to be themselves
Special Note – You can use toys and props when reading along
22. What Color Is Night? by Grant Snider
If you’re looking for metaphor-rich and adventurous kindergarten books to read, this book takes readers on a journey into the night. The vivid descriptions of how the world changes at night captivate even the youngest readers, making this a must-read for students.
Takeaways – The night evolves into darkness, with a bright cloud always around the corner
Special Note – You can use this book as a reference guide to art class as well
23. Locomotive by Brian Floca
The book takes children on an adventure across the country through the fascinating means of transportation at the time – trains! Many of the intricacies of locomotives are explored through a fictional tale that captures the attention immediately.
Category – Historical Fiction, Picture book
Takeaways – The advancement of technology and culture is a key area of exploration in the book.
Special Note – This is a great book for kindergarten students when introducing American history.
24. Bach to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger
An interesting tale of how Bach could have invented some of the most brilliant pieces of music, the book extracts from the composer’s journey and simplifies it for younger audiences. You can read this book aloud and introduce concepts such as confidence, perseverance, hard work, etc.
Takeaways – The challenges that a young Bach faces can be inspirational for younger generations.
Special Note – You can introduce this book as a precursor to the evolution of music worldwide.
25. A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David A. Adler
Harriet Tubman’s inspiring journey is captured visually through the book, sharing accounts of her heroic deeds in a manner that is readable by younger children. Her courage, determination, and grit are expressed throughout the passages, serving as a great example for kids.
Category – History
Takeaways – The book focuses on her journey and highlights her courage when facing challenges.
Special Note – The book can serve as a guide on building inner strength among younger children.
Explore more online educational resources and printable worksheets for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do i know if a book is right for my kindergarten students.
A key factor in knowing if a book is suitable for your students, apart from reading levels , is to gauge engagement. If your class is drifting away or showing a lack of concentration, it is ideal to try another book.
What is the reading level of a 5-year-old kindergartner?
Level-A reading and basic Lexile-Band reading are generally considered the appropriate categories of leveled reading books for kindergarten students. At this level, illustrations are present regularly to help the reader figure out where the story is heading. Sentences in level books are usually repetitive. Using only one or two-syllable words, making them the best books to read for kindergarten.
What genre of books is ideal for kindergarten kids?
There is no single genre that is right for kids. However, it is essential to diversify when it comes to reading. Historical novels, comedic books, classic tales, and picture books should be used yearly. You can also get them kindergarten books to read online so they can access multiple genres.
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Books for Kids and Grown Ups
The Best Books for Kindergarten
It’s so important to find great books for kindergarteners. Pre-schoolers and kindergarteners are still very open to exploring new interests, and it’s easier to raise a reader when you start young. The best books for kindergarten (especially class readalouds) are picture books — hands down! But if you have an advanced reader who is already getting into chapter books, the options on this list of second grade chapter books will come in handy.
For this list, I’ve included some of my favorite picture books ever! Many of these picks tackle the kindergarten experience and first-day-of-school jitters , but most of them cover various other topics like kindness, self-esteem, immigration, and so much more.
📚 Disclaimer in the books: Just so you know, Reading Middle Grade uses affiliate links. This means that when you shop via the links in our posts, we may earn a cent or two at no extra cost to you. Thanks for adding to our book buying fund.
Pete the Cat and the New Guy
Published: August 5, 2014
There’s a new guy in town, and Pete can’t wait to meet him. After all, more friends mean more fun. When Pete finally meets Gus, he realizes they’re very different from each other…and that’s what makes him cool. So when Gus starts to doubt himself, it’s up to Pete to convince him that there’s something everyone can do. Gus is special in his own way, just like Pete and just like you!
The Bad Seed
Published: August 29, 2017
This uplifting story is about a bad seed (with many bad habits and bad manners) who eventually changes his ways. Readers learn about the life event that makes the seed become bad, and they also see that people can always make a positive life change. I preferred The Good Egg to this one, but this is also funny and sweet.
Published: March 28, 2023
Most of the time, people say “no” or “you can’t” because they dream too small.
Young Mary has been told that there are many things she can’t do. Like stay up past bedtime, or be an astronaut or become president. But what she really wants is to sing, and she isn’t about to let anyone tell her she can’t do it! This is a fun and inspiring picture book based on the singer’s life. The writing in this is also great — Blige is a strong storyteller!
The Good Egg
Published: February 12, 2019
This is a sweet picture book about an egg who’s always trying to be good and perfect. Eventually, he starts to crack under the pressure.
I’m Growing Great
Published: January 18, 2022
Beautiful Black and Brown girls with gorgeous natural hairstyles full of flowers, butterflies, and other garden treasures are the stars of this vibrant, rhythmic picture book from the author/illustrator of Happy Hair and Cool Cuts . Set in a backdrop of nature’s glorious color and bounty, it’s the perfect springtime read-aloud to promote confidence and self-esteem for girls of all ages.
Last Stop on Market Street
Published: January 8, 2015
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This was one of the first picture books I read and fell in love with.
Thank you Omu
Published: October 2, 2018
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu’s delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
Together We Ride
Published: April 26, 2022
I loved this cute picture book about a girl whose father is teaching her to ride a bike. After a slip, she learns that she can get back up and enjoy the ride. This rhythmic picture book has super sparse text and manages to be adorable and moving without saying too much. Great growth mindset book !
The Word Collector
Published: January 30, 2018
Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coins. Some people collect art. And Jerome? Jerome collected words . . .
Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him — short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.
Room for Everyone
Published: November 9, 2021
The dala dala rumbles and roars as Musa and Dada drive off to the shore—but the bus stops for multiple detours: “Do you need a ride? It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun! Come in, there’s room for everyone!”
One stop becomes two stops which soon becomes ten, and Musa wonders when it will end: “How can any more people get in? We’re already smushed like sardines in a tin!” But there’s always room for one more, if you make the room, which is the heartwarming take-away from this bouncy, joyous tale in rhyme.
Published: March 1, 2022
It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says — from the school bus driver to his new classmates — sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other? Luckily there’s a friendly girl in Dat’s class who knows that there are other ways to communicate, besides just talking. Could she help make sense of the gibberish?
Solitary Animals
Published: March 8, 2022
Are you an introvert? Then you’ll love this new picture book about solitary animals in the wild. We learn that some animals are more social and move in packs, while others prefer a more solitary life. The dazzling imagery and animal trivia in this picture book make it a breathtaking read.
Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Published: June 14, 2012
This adorable picture book celebrates all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every single kindergartener. Whether it’s the first-day-of-school jitters or the hundredth-day-of-school party, every aspect of the kindergarten experience is introduced with a light and funny poem–not to mention charming illustrations.
KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day
Published: June 21, 2022
It’s the first day of Kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. She explained that they would be making a kindness pledge, and each student should bring one way to show kindness on the first day. As it turns out, Leo’s classmates have lots of ideas about kindness: like raising your hand, never leaving anyone out, and apologizing if you hurt someone’s feelings. At the end of the first day, Ms. Perry asks if anyone witnessed something they’d like her to add to the kindness pledge? Lots of hands shoot up in the air. Several classmates say they noticed Leo returning crayons to the box, holding the door for everyone, and helping a friend who fell. Leo smiles as he realizes he really does know a lot about kindness after all.
Our Class is a Family
Published: April 7, 2020
Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved.
With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.
And currently, during such an unprecedented time when many teachers and students are not physically IN the classroom due to COVID-19 school closures, it’s more important than it’s ever been to give kids the message that their class is a family. Even at a distance, they still stick together.
The Queen of Kindergarten
Published: May 24, 2022
MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom’s special tiara on her head, she knows she’s going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn’t just for show—it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness, and impressive soccer skills, too! Like The King of Kindergarten , this is the perfect book to reinforce back-to-school excitement and build confidence in the newest students.
The King of Kindergarten
Published: July 2, 2019
The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head–like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten ! Starting kindergarten is a big milestone–and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!
On the First Day of Kindergarten
Published: June 21, 2016
On the first day of kindergarten, there’s so much to do! From making new friends to jumping rope in gym to riding the bus to school, there are lots of exciting firsts to look forward to.
Even though saying good-bye to Mom and Dad is hard, when the school bus pulls up, it’s time to begin kindergarten fun.
Share at home along with such books as Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten and Kindergarten, Here I Come!
The Book with No Pictures
Published: September 30, 2014
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . . BLORK. Or BLUURF. Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.
The Day the Crayons Quit
Published: June 27, 2013
Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book
Published: June 19, 2018
It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.
There they are: 20 of the best books for kindergarten! Which of these books have you read and loved? Which ones did I miss?
More Kindergarten Book Lists
- Early readers for kids
- Back to school picture books
- Summer picture books for kids
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- About Afoma Umesi
Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.
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What do you think leave a comment cancel reply.
May 11, 2023 at 2:18 pm
I would add That’s Not my Name by Anoosha Syed and All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. I’m not sure I’d recommend The Bad Seed. It’s come under some criticism for having a racist message by contributing to the black = bad trope.
May 12, 2023 at 2:37 am
Thanks for sharing — I’ll check those two out! 🙂
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Home » 50 Must-Have Books for the Kindergarten Classroom: 20 New + 30 Tried and True
50 Must-Have Books for the Kindergarten Classroom: 20 New + 30 Tried and True
- Back to School , Book Lists
What better way to pull a young child into the thrills of reading than a great picture book? I have put together a list of our favorite new and classic picture books for kindergartners. Believe me, it was difficult to limit the list to 50! Here are 50 Must-Have Books for the Kindergarten Classroom
What are your students’ favorite books? What book is constantly being poured over by a little one falling in love with reading? Make sure to comment at the bottom of the post with your must-have picture books for kindergartners.
The picture books featured in the “New” list have been published in the last 3 years. Many of the books were published in 2017 and 9 of the books made the latest New York Times Best Seller List.
The “Tried and True” picture books for kindergartners feature timeless classics that the littlest readers have enjoyed year after year. This list was difficult to narrow down. I’m sure you’ll see some of your favorites on the list. If your very favorite didn’t make the list, tell us what it is in the comments below!
Need help getting books to fill your classroom library? Check out this post on 10 Ways to Build a Classroom Library on a Budget ! You’ll find great ideas on ways to get discounted or even free books for your classroom!
New Books For Your Kindergarten Classroom
You’ll love this list of fun, new books for your classroom! Keep your little readers engaged with the latest and most popular picture books available.
20. Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins
17. Places to Be by Mac Barnett
16. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
15. Ball by Mary Sullivan
14. Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper
13. She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton
11. The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalk
10. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
9. Dragons Love Tacos 2 The Sequel by Adam Rubin
8. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
7. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
6. I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
5. Pete the Cat and the Surprise Teacher by James Dean
4. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
3. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
2. What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Tried and True Books For the Kindergarten Classroom Library
A kindergarten classroom library wouldn’t be complete without these classic titles. Your kiddos will love the familiar texts that have made their way into the hearts of young and old readers alike.
30. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
27. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
25. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
20. Alexander and the terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
19. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
18. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess
17. The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Suess
16. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Suess
15. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
14. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
13. Curious George by H.A. Rey
THIS RESOURCE GOES WELL WITH:
12. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
11. Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
10. Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
9. Little Bear by Else Homelund Minarik
8. Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
7. A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
6. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
5. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Suess
4. Stone Soup by Ann McGovern
3. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
2. The Little Red Hen by Diane Muldrow
- The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter
I’m sure I’ve missed one of your favorites! Make sure to comment below with your must-have picture books for kindergartners.
Are you inspired with new titles to add to your library? Check out this post on 10 Ways to Build a Classroom Library on a Budget ! You don’t have to spend your vacation fund on books for your library! Lots of people are looking for a teacher just like you to help.
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Best Book Series for Kindergartners
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.
Henry and Mudge Series
Simple, sweet stories about a boy and his beloved dog.
I Spy Fly Guy!: Fly Guy, Book 7
Fun, fast tale great for early and reluctant readers.
Juana & Lucas, Book 1
Colombian girl learns English in fun early chapter book.
Katie Woo Series
Relatable stories in short chapters have good life lessons.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1
Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.
The Princess in Black
Fun tale of monster-fighting princess who leads double life.
Rainbow Magic Series
Friends' fairy adventures are fun intro to fantasy.
A to Z Mysteries Series
Good-hearted kids solve mysteries in fun, short chapters.
A Bear Called Paddington
Delightful classic about a bear adopted by a London family.
Calendar Mysteries Series
First-graders solve suspenseful mysteries month by month.
Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1
Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Book 1
Inspiring, kid-friendly tales of extraordinary women.
Ivy + Bean, Book 1
Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 1
Superb, fun, nuanced story of family, friends, Black hair.
Judy Moody Was in a Mood
Funny take on third grade life and friendships.
Junie B. Jones Series
Junie B. Jones brings good fun and laughs to early readers.
Magic Tree House Series
Fun, educational chapter books have something for everyone.
Masterpiece Adventures: The Marvin & James Series
A beetle and a boy share a friendship in sweet stories.
Nate the Great Series
Nate solves neighborhood mysteries in fun new-reader series.
The Rescue Princesses Series
Four princesses save animals using brains and bravery.
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50 Wonderful Kindergarten Books to Read Aloud
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My first teaching job was in a Spanish-speaking kindergarten classroom. Kindergartners are the CUTEST! So, based on my experience in the classroom and with my own kids and readers of this blog, I know which kindergarten books make the best read alouds for teachers and parents!
These picture books and their reviews aren’t just entertaining but also offer learning opportunities for your kindergartners, 5 and 6-year-olds. These are a mix of recommendations of books that I’ve read aloud to my students, along with the newest published books up until November 2023 .
it’s important to read aloud to your kindergartners several times during the day — to build brain development, language, and social skills; to share narrative and informational tests, to expand a child’s world, to spark curiosity, and to teach new concepts. You don’t have to read aloud at bedtime. Try reading to your kids or students at breakfast or any time throughout the day!
Top 10 Kindergarten Books to Read Aloud
- We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
- That Fruit Is Mine! by Anuska Allepuz
- Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
- Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
- The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox
- Pigeon Math by Asia Citro
- Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
- Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein
- Unicorns Are the Worst by Alex Willan
- Pacho Nacho by Silvia Lopez
What about Early Reader Books for Kindergarten?
Kindergarten children are beginning to learn phonics and decoding so they can read. Find the best book recommendations for growing readers, including 100 early reader books and good decodable book series .
How old are kids in kindergarten?
If you’re wondering what age kindergarten children are in the United States, the answer is they must be five years old to start kindergarten and sometimes will be six years old.
Sometimes, parents choose to “ red shirt ” their children which means they wait one year before enrolling their child in kindergarten.
How do you know if your child is ready for kindergarten? Check this kindergarten readiness checklist .
All Read Aloud Book Lists by Age & Grade
Kindergarten books.
I’ve made a free printable PDF of this book list. Sign up to get it emailed to you!
Kindergarten Books about the Kindergarten Classroom
Read these good picture books for the first week of kindergarten! They’ll show children what to expect at school . I highly recommend these books. Check out the reviews below.
This is the Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson, illustrations by Rafael López The evocative, lyrical text with gorgeous, lush illustrations illuminates the awkwardness of a girl’s first days at school . She listens to other kids’ big stories of summer and feels like she doesn’t fit until…she finds out that maybe there she might have something in common with others after all.
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Today, you’re the King of Kindergarten! Rich imagery filled with hyperbole and metaphor , plus captivating illustrations, create a festive atmosphere filled with exuberance and bravery. Kids love this day at kindergarten filled with the many happy possibilities, including storytime, recess, playing with new friends, and a kind teacher. This is one of the best award winning kindergarten books!
KINDergarten Where Kindness Matters Every Day by Vera Ahiyya, illustration by Joey Chou Leo gets a letter from his new kindergarten teacher, Ms. Perry, but he’s still feeling unsure about school. When he goes to school, his teacher helps Leo and his classmates learn about kindness in action — like raising hands and saying nice words. During the school day, Ms. Perry reassures Leo and introduces him to new friends. At the end of the day, Leo and his classmates decorate those kindness pledges, and his classmates give Leo compliments about his kind behavior.
Just Itzy by Lana Krumwiede, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli Itzy combines all the nursery rhyme spider stories and songs into one funny story about Itzy going to kindergarten. First, he chases a fly and accidentally scares a little girl eating curds and whey on a tuffet, only to get swallowed by an old lady (who also swallowed a lot of other crazy things!) When he’s coughed back up, he tries to build a web. As he does, it starts raining and he struggles to keep going up the waterspout. Hilarious, right?!
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins After a rough first day at school where this little dinosaur eats her classmates, Penelope’s dad explains while children might taste good, it’s not a good idea to eat them. But she does it again next day. It’s not until the class goldfish chomps on Penelope’s finger, and it HURTS that she realizes it’s not fun to be someone else’s snack! Penelope tries to remember this valuable lesson so she can make friends and playmates at school.
Kindergarten Books about Friendship
Good books for kindergarten students include books that help children with social skills. Picture books like the books on this list…
Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow Molly Lou Melon IS THE BEST! She’s responsible, loving, kind, tells the truth, and speaks up for what’s right, like stopping a classmate who teases a new student. The illustrations are absolutely perfect and filled with tons of nuanced details that add depth and humor to the story.
Turtle and Tortoise Are Not Friends by Mike Reiss, illustrated by Ashley Spires If you like FUNNY picture books with a great lesson about friendship, this is a great kindergarten read aloud . The tortoise and turtle agree that since they’re different, they can’t be friends. It’s too bad because they’re in the same pen, and they each have interesting adventures. Many silly antics happen that will crack you up. Eventually, these stubborn creatures learn that both are in the turtle family…and six years later, they decide to be friends.
Jenny Mei Is Sad by Tracy Subisak Narrated by Jenny Mei’s friend, we learn that Jenny Mei is sad, but she doesn’t always show it. Sometimes she smiles and sometimes she rips things, and sometimes she is quiet. And it’s ok. Her friend is always there for “ fun and not-fun and everything in between .” This kindergarten book shows the importance of accepting a friend’s feelings and behaviors without judgment or trying to fix things.
How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka Use this gentle, instructive guidebook to teach children about apologizing. It gives readers examples of what not to do (don’t make excuses) and what to do (be sincere). The examples show animals acting out apologies and, because most of them aren’t good apologies, end up being quite funny.
When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard Charley’s mom teaches him that “ Different isn’t weird, sad, bad, or strange. Different is different. And different is OK! ” But he hurts Emma’s feelings and fixes it with an apology. Emma helps Charley know that even though she’s a little “differenter” than he is, she’s a lot the same, too. This compassionate story shows the importance of accepting (physical) disabilities with kindness and openheartedness.
You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown I love how hilarious this picture book is! Lucy is very enthusiastic about making friends with a forest critter. Her good intentions go awry, and soon Lucy is yelling at the forest animals — “ Come back here and have fun with me ” and “ You WILL be my friend. ” This isn’t a great way to make friends, either. Will Lucy ever make a friend?
That Fruit Is Mine! by Anuska Allepuz This is a charming story about learning to share and the power of cooperation . You’ll crack up watching the elephants’ many failed attempts to get delicious-looking fruit off a tree while simultaneously watching a tiny group of mice work together to get the yummy fruit, too. Who do you think succeeds? The mice! When the elephants see what the mice have accomplished, they love the idea of teamwork and try again.
The More the Merrier by David Martin, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa An exuberant celebration of each animal’s uniqueness as one after the other joins bear in dancing through the forest –in their own way. Moose galumphs, snake wiggles, deer leaps, owl flies. Rhythmic with repetition, this animal party is a delight to read aloud. As each animal is introduced they say something similar to this — “ I like your beat. But I’m not like you. So I’ll just do what I can do. ” What fun to celebrate individuality and dance together!
Kindergarten Books About Feelings
Younger children love read aloud time. Share these stories with young readers to help them learn about feelings and to normalize feeling all your feelings. One of the most important things for kindergarten children is to learn social emotional skills and self-regulation.
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes Wemberly worries about many things, especially starting school. While this only touches on anxiety, it’s a reassuring story that sometimes things we worry about things turn out just fine.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez This growth mindset story reminds children that just because they can’t do something, it’s not forever — it’s just that they can’t do it YET. The magical yet means that you’ll start to see the possibilities in the future. Yet doesn’t mind mistakes or do-overs. With patience and an open mind to the magical yet, you can get where you want to be.
The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach A distressed butterfly gets lost from her migrating group. She talks with a whale about her fears and resistance. The whale encourages the reluctant butterfly to find its gumption and courage, kicking it out of his stomach and telling it to keep trying. It’s funny, emotional, and relatable — all narrated in dialogue bubbles. Kindergarteners will ADORE this cute little creature’s adventures and valuable life lessons.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken “ It started // with a mistake. ” Mistakes allow the artist to create something unexpected. Mistake after mistake shows a shift in expectation and a hefty dose of growth mindset . Lots of white space makes Luyken’s exquisite artwork pop.
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang This is one of the best, most healthy emotional intelligence children’s books I’ve ever read about feeling your feelings. Jim Panzee wakes up, and nothing seems right. His jungle friends like Norman suggest that he might be grumpy. Yet Jim insists he’s NOT grumpy. As Jim stomps around, bunching his eyebrows, not swinging, he yells at the other animals that he is NOT grumpy. Later that day, Jim sits with Norman. “ For now I need to be grumpy, ” he explains finally. To which Norman responds, “ It’s a wonderful day to be grumpy.”
Kevin the Unicorn: It’s Not All Rainbows by Jessica von Innerebner A delightful book about feeling your REAL feelings, even if they are not happy ones! Kevin is supposed to have days filled with magical awesomeness. Except he isn’t. He tries to pretend he’s having a glittery and fantastic day but his day is filled with not-so-great things and a lot of pretending that he is happy. Until he can’t contain his emotions anymore and shouts out the truth, “ Today is not awesome or fantastic and it’s definitely NOT sparkly. ” Interestingly enough, he’s not the only one feeling that way. Once Kevin stops pretending, other unicorns admit that they’re not having perfect days either. And that’s okay!
I Forgive Alex A Simple Story About Understanding by Kerascoet Wordless with beautiful illustrations, this story tells about the time at recess when Alex’s ball hit his classmate’s pictures, and they fell in a puddle. Everyone seems mad at Alex, but eventually, the boy to whom the drawings belonged, shakes Alex’s hand and forgives him.
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Curriculum-Related Kindergarten Books
Reading kindergarten books like these picture books will do double duty. The books teach concepts through their stories while also sharing entertaining stories that children love.
Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon Stories are everywhere. In fact, Ralph’s teacher helps his classmates and him find story ideas in everyday things.
Fiona the Fruit Bat by Dan Riskin, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi Read this mesmerizing story of a young fruit bat who is ready to take her first flight–and doesn’t understand why she needs to listen. As Fiona explores the world, she begins to understand how echolocation helps her hear where she is. The illustrations go from dark to light, and the story models growth mindset .
The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox Cat begins to read the story of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” to Dog, but she doesn’t get far before Dog interrupts with his ever-so-interesting thoughts about what might happen next. Cat is not amused. .. Dog just can’t help himself, though. Your kids will love Dog and Cat — and their unique and different personalities. Even better, use this book to teach asking questions and writing a story .
The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel Impressively educational while being funny, charming, and warmhearted! Fox tricks Bear into hatching a donkey egg for only $19.94. While Bear sits and sits on the so-called Donkey Egg, we learn helpful information about telling time. Read aloud this kindergarten book to introduce the passage of time and how to tell time.
Pigeon Math by Asia Citro, illustrated by Richard Watson Addition and subtraction fun with birds !! An increasingly exasperated narrator is TRYING to tell the story about ten pigeons, but it’s not going well. Visual support, goofy humor, and plenty of kid appeal make this a 100% must-read-aloud illustrated book.
Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat To celebrate the Raksha Bandham holiday, Bina makes bracelets for her brothers . First, she surveys her brothers’ preferences for colors. Then, she makes bracelets with their favorite colors in patterns by problem-solving. Gorgeous illustrations and likable main characters make this math story a fun way to learn about patterns.
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills Rocket is a dog who accidentally becomes a bird’s reading student when he’s nearby the bird’s “school.” Rocket isn’t interested in learning to read until he hears the bird read a story about an unlucky dog missing his favorite bone. Rocket learns the alphabet, letter sounds , and how to read words. Eventually, the bird must fly south for winter but will return for more reading.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin The cows want changes — electric blankets and that sort of thing. So they leave Farmer Brown notes with their demands . . . The picture book story is not only very creative and funny but also shows the power of persuasive letter writing.
Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman, illustrated by Andy Elkerton Dragons are rude, they set things on fire, they break things, all in all, there are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t bring your dragon to the library . So, why not borrow books for your dragon to enjoy at home? Excellent rules for dragon owners!
Don’t Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller Aria loves her hair but doesn’t love when people touch it. She hides in all sorts of fantastical places — a castle, outer space, underwater. Soon, Aria gets lonely and goes home. The next time someone touches her hair, she says, “ Don’t touch my hair. ” When people ask, Aria feels comfortable saying either no or yes. What a beautiful book to help children learn about respectful boundaries.
XO, Exoplanet by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jorge Lacera Get ready to laugh at this hysterical solar system story! When our solar system’s planets write a friendly letter to an exoplanet, their communication turns into a funny argument after the exoplanet tells our planets that THEY are the exoplanets. A visiting comet helps them see that both sides are right–depending on your perspective.
The Owl Who Asks Why by Michelle Garcia Andersen, illustrated by Ayesha L. Rubio Little Owl has a lot of questions. The other owls laugh because Owl doesn’t ask “ Who? ” questions. The same thing happens to Little Wolf, who asks “ When? ” questions not “ How? ” questions. So both Little Owl and Little Wolf run away together. But they get lost and scared and ask a variety of questions including to help them find the way home. This is a wonderful celebration of being true to yourself, staying curious, and solving problems.
Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf by Davide Cali and Marianna Balducci Clever, hilarious, and filled with so many juicy things like counting and storytelling with a demanding reader, this 2022 picture book begs for multiple readings. The narrator begins with a short, 2-sentence story about the three little pigs on the abacus that the wolf eats. Except, the reader demands a longer story. So the narrator tries again, adding more pigs to the abacus and more short stories. Count all the pigs and notice the pigs grouped by colors and numbers. Fantastic!
Dodos Are Not Extinct! They’re Just in Disguise by Paddy Donnelly A playful introduction to extinct animals ! Learn all about the dodo and other so-called extinct animals who are simply in disguise. Why are they in disguise? Because they’re so popular, of course! That means that the quagga wears striped pants or a brown sweater to blend in, the Smilodon grows a mustache to hide his tusks, and dinosaurs are everywhere.
Funny Kindergarten Books to Read Aloud
Kindergarteners love fun books like these. Reading books that are funny hooks kids on good books!
This Is a Taco! by Andrew Cangelose, illustrated by Josh Shipley Our narrator wants to tell you about squirrels with the help of Taco, a squirrel who loves tacos. Taco gets more irritated with the narrator when he hears the facts like “squirrels love to eat nuts, acorns, and even tree bark.” (He only agreed to be in the book because he thought there would be tacos!) This is a good nonfiction book with facts paired with hilarious commentary and a surprise ending.
This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Hilarious! This is a moose. Who wants to be an astronaut? But the narrator gets more irked in this silly adventure with animals who want to do big things like be doctors and astronauts.
Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein The interrupting chicken series is the BEST! Read aloud this series of kindergarten books in any order. In this story, Little Red Chicken loves to modify the stories his dad reads aloud. This morning, Little Red Chicken adds cookies to the nursery rhymes . Eventually, Papa suggests that instead of cookies for breakfast, they have cake…a pancake. Entertaining, funny, and playful.
We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen Two turtles. One hat. What will they do? Klassen shows the friends together, one turtle’s internal struggling with wanting to sneak back for the hat and the other friend sharing a dream about them both having their own hats. Illustrations tell much of this story so pay close attention to this important sharing life lesson!
Unicorns Are the Worst by Alex Willan Goblin is annoyed when unicorns move in next door — maybe even jealous. Because unicorns just frolic all day long and they get their own themed birthday party supplies! AND THERE’S SO MUCH GLITTER and so many tea parties…to which they don’t invite Goblin. Unicorns are really the worst! But Goblin’s opinion changes when the unicorns help him escape a dragon. Clearly, dragons are really the worst. Exceptional, inviting artwork!
The Little Blue Bridge by Brenda Maier, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez Echoing the Three Billy Goats Gruff fairy tale, Ruby wants to cross the bridge and pick blueberries. But her brothers go without her because she’s too little. When the brothers try to cross, the log-guard Santiago says, “ I’m the boss and you can’t cross…unless you give me a snack .” The boys tell Santiago to wait for the next sibling. Finally, Ruby builds her own bridge–and Santiago helps her with.
KEEP READING
Decodable Books for Kindergarten
Early Reader Books
Books for 1st Graders
Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.
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I love discovering new books to read aloud with my children. It’s such a great way to bond and foster their love for reading. For more resources on parenting and finding the best products for our little ones, check out reviewsformoms.com. They have a wealth of information to help parents make informed decisions for their families. Happy reading!
The Kindergarten Canon: The 100 Best Children's Books
The kindergarten canon: the 100 best children's books.
Click here to download this list as a PDF.
One of the great joys of parenthood is reading to my two young sons. Partly it’s the visceral experience: Little guys curled up on my lap, in their PJ’s, soft light overhead, the day winding down, sleep coming (well, one can hope). But it’s also about the books: An endless treasure trove of stories to share, pictures to enjoy, traditions to pass along.
So I got to wondering: Is there a list of the must-read picture books for preschoolers? The greatest classics, old and new? A “canon,” if you will? I couldn’t find one, so I decided to create one. You can find the books on Amazon with this wishlist . With help from some friends, I now present to you the Kindergarten Canon:
Click for full list.
* You can find myriad versions of these classic folk stories, fairy tales, and fables.
While this is, to my knowledge, the first ever Kindergarten Canon, there are certainly other worthy lists of great children’s books. These include the Caldecott Medal and Honor books ; the Core Knowledge Foundation ’s selection of recommended books for Kindergarteners; the American Library Association's Notable Children's Books list; and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards . I also found some solid recommendations in The Educated Child , by William J. Bennett, Chester E. Finn, Jr., and John T. E. Cribb, Jr.
Yet none of these lists amounts to a canon, per se. A canon, after all, isn’t simply a critic’s selection of the greatest books ever written; they also have to be books that everyone reads. You may or may not think Moby Dick was the premier work of American fiction, but you still had to read it because you couldn’t be considered culturally literate without it. Likewise with, say, Goldilocks and the Three Bears . There are plenty of children’s stories more compelling, in my opinion. But if you’ve never read Goldilocks , you’ll miss myriad references in literature, pop culture, newspaper editorials, and so forth. Which makes Goldilocks a must.
It’s worth noting that recently-published books struggle to reach canonical status; they simply haven’t been around long enough. And plenty of excellent books never get there either. Peruse the list of Caldecott winners , for instance, and I bet you’ll spot many unfamiliar titles. The books have merit in the eyes of “those who know”—but they don’t catch on in the marketplace. A canon is a quirky thing—connected to quality, but also to commercial success.
So are these the right books? What did I omit? What doesn’t belong here? The comments section is open.
Most of all, parents, I hope this list leads to many happy story times (and bedtimes) for you and yours.
Also by Mike Petrilli: " In praise of PBS kids "
President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Michael J. Petrilli is president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute , research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution , executive editor of Education Next , editor in chief of the…
Gain Student Independence With ➔
The Best Chapter Books for Kindergarten
Using read-alouds in the classroom is one of the most powerful teaching strategies for helping young students develop a love for reading. Finding new books to read students in different genres and exposing them to different types of text helps them connect to literature in many ways. Once school would get started, I would always get the itch to break out chapter books during the read-aloud time and to use them with my advanced readers who were ready for a challenge. However, I struggled to find books that were developmentally appropriate at this stage for my little learners. So I dug in and did some research, and I am so excited to share with you today a comprehensive list of the best chapter books for kindergarten!
What to Look for in a Chapter Book
When kindergarten-aged students come to school, read-alouds and books to read at home are typically shorter, picture-book style stories. This is developmentally appropriate for students at that time. However, as their learning and comprehension progress, it’s fun to introduce beginning chapter books during read-aloud time. Some students may even be ready to take chapter books home to read. A few characteristics I look for in good chapter books for kindergarten are:
A Balance of Pictures
While beginning chapter books have fewer pictures than shorter books, it is important that they do contain a good balance of pictures to text. This helps students make connections with the storyline and grabs their attention while they are listening to or reading the story.
Easy to Follow Storylines
While beginning chapter books are longer than early readers, they should contain easy-to-follow storylines. The chapters should flow easily from one to the next, allowing students to understand exactly where they are at in the story.
Captivating Themes
The best read-aloud chapter books for kindergarten have captivating themes and grab students’ attention right off the bat! This leaves them wanting more and gets them excited to keep turning the pages!
Chapter Book Recommendations
I had so much fun researching and finding ideas for good chapter books for kindergarten. There are a variety of genres and styles, including classic chapter books, mysteries, hilarious chapter book series, and more.
Junie B. Jones
Kindergarten students will enjoy the silly stories of Junie B. Jones as she heads off to kindergarten. This is a perfect beginning chapter book series for readers ready to take on a challenge.
Zoey and Sassafras
Each story in this easy-to-read series introduces a magical animal with a problem that Zoey and Sassafras, the trusty cat, can only solve by using science!
The Magic Treehouse
This classroom favorite series features the adventures of Jack and Annie as they travel back in time in their magic treehouse. Your students’ imagination will run wild with this series!
The 13 Story Treehouse
This chapter book series follows Andy and Jack in their adventures of writing their next book in a giant, 13-story treehouse with flying marshmallows, a bowling alley, and distractions galore!
Mercy Watson
Follow the hilarious pig adventures of a porcine wonder in this series! There’s no telling what this mischievous pig will get into next. Your students will be laughing hysterically as they listen or read!
Humphrey Hamster
Follow Humphrey the Hamster and laugh along as he takes you through adventures and different times of the year according to him. He has quite a unique perspective!
Ready Freddy
Freddy might just be the boy-version of Junie B. Jones. He’s always getting into sticky situations in this hilarious chapter book series, perfect for kindergarten.
Frog and Toad
This classic series about friendship and adventure is perfect for the beginning reader who is ready to start reading chapter books. These feel-good stories will inspire kindness in the classroom.
Nate the Great
Nate the Great is the best detective around! Kindergarteners will love solving different mysteries in each story as they follow Nate through his crazy adventures.
The Notebook of Doom
When Alexander uncovers the notebook of doom, he also uncovers a ton of monsters! This funny series has engaging storylines and easy-to-read text, perfect for newly independent readers!
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
This book is classic and perfect for beginning readers! It’s about a house painter and his group of penguins, and it’s hilarious!
The Princess in Black
In this series, a young princess has an alter ego that is called upon to save the day! There are 8 books in the series (so far).
I hope you enjoyed reading all about these chapter books for kindergarten! Check them out and incorporate them as read-alouds with your students and as a challenge for your advanced readers.
Want even more read-aloud and book suggestions? Check out my other book roundups below and use them throughout the entire year!
- Back to School Read Alouds
- Apple Books and Videos
- Pumpkin Books and Videos
- Social Studies Books
- Science Books
- Read more about: Language Arts , Teacher Resources
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Best book series for kindergartners
by: Grace Montgomery
Print book list
Angelina Ice Skates
by: Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig - (Pleasant Company Publications, 2001) 32 pages.
The hook: When Holabird and Craig teamed up to create the first Angelina Ballerina picture book in 1983, no one could have dreamt how long this little mouse with big dreams would endure. This lovely tale about New Year’s Eve party plans gone awry doesn’t disappoint. Still filled with dancing (this time on the ice) and friendship, Angelina’s newest escapade is sure to fill your child with winter wonder.
Perfect for: Kids who like adventure stories.
Find our favorites at your local library: Angelina Ballerina , Angelina Ice Skates , Angelina on Stage , Angelina and Alice , Angelina’s Big City Ballet .
The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant
by: Jean de Brunhoff - (Random House, 1960) 56 pages.
The hook: After his mother is killed by hunters in the jungle, young Babar makes his way to the city where he meets a rich benefactress who teaches him the ways of the civilized world. When Babar returns to the jungle a sophisticated adult elephant, the other elephants make him their king. The books have some old-fashioned moments and dated messages about colonialism, but Babar’s kind, hard-working attitude and the author’s gentle treatment of darker themes (such as the death of Babar’s mother) make this colorfully illustrated series still worth reading.
Want to see the movie? Check out Babar: The Movie and the TV series, Babar , both of which capture the elephant king’s generous spirit while introducing new adventures.
Perfect for: Kids who appreciate a dapper, green-suited elephant.
Find our favorites at your local library: The Story of Babar the Little Elephant , Babar the King .
The Day the Crayons …
by: Drew Daywalt , illustrated by: Oliver Jeffers - (Philomel Books, 2013) 40 pages.
The hook: A box of crayons has taken some serious abuse from their owner, Duncan, and they’ve had it! In a series of letters, each color supplies a litany of complaints, like getting used too much (red does all the heavy lifting) and not getting used enough (poor beige is only used to color wheat, and what kid actually colors wheat?). This incredibly creative concept, which is continued in an equally engaging sequel, hooks in kids and adults alike.
Perfect for: Kids with colorful imaginations.
Find our favorites at your local library: The Day the Crayons Quit , The Day the Crayons Came Home .
Bonjour Butterfly and the Fancy Nancy series
by: Jane O'Connor , illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser - (HarperCollins, 2008) 32 pages.
The hook: Nancy is back and fancier than ever. Once again the team of O’Connor and Glasser have swirled together another elegant Nancy tale with the glamour and humor that have characterized their past Nancy endeavors. After Nancy and her friend Bree become captivated with butterflies, the two girls decide to throw a butterfly party. Everything is going well until Nancy learns that she can’t go to the party because she has to attend her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary party. Thoroughly convinced that she won’t have a good time, Nancy soon learns that her grandparents are indeed just as fancy as she is. Familiar sparkly cover aside, this book is sure to please current Nancy fans. Newcomers to her world will love it too and want to go back and read the rest of her “mah-velous” tales.
Perfect for: Kids who like humor stories.
Find our favorites at your local library Fancy Nancy , Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly , Fancy Nancy: There’s No Day Like a Snow Day , and Fancy Nancy: Budding Ballerina .
If You Give…
by: Laura Numeroff , illustrated by: Felicia Bond - (HarperCollins, 2015) 40 pages.
The hook: If you give a mouse a cookie, you never know what might happen. That mouse might want a glass of milk, and then he may need a straw, and then who knows where the story will go. All the books in this sweet and silly series, which have won numerous awards, are written in a circular format. Kids love that the books end right where they began. The short, repetitive phrasing and energetic illustrations help young readers connect with the words.
Perfect for: Kids who can’t wait to know what will happen next.
Find our favorites at your local library: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie , If You Give a Pig a Pancake , If You Take a Mouse to the Movies .
Little Bear
by: Else Homelund Minarik - (Harper & Bros., 1957) 32 pages.
The hook : Old-fashioned sweetness. Little Bear loves his Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and friends (Duck, Cat, Owl, Hen, and a little girl named Emily). While the stories are simple, they manage to steer clear of syrupy sentimentality and Maurice Sendak’s expressive pen-and ink-illustrations evoke the humor and innocence of a child’s world-view.
Perfect for : Young kids who love simple adventures.
Find our favorites at your local library: Little Bear , Little Bear’s Friend , A Kiss for Little Bear .
Charlie and Lola
by: Lauren Child - (Candlewick, 2003) 32 pages.
The hook: Lola is absolutely certain about what she likes (strawberry milk) and doesn’t like (tomatoes and going to school), but her older brother Charlie isn’t so sure. With unfailing patience, he uses his wily wit to convince the stubborn Lola to come around in a series that was eventually turned into a TV show. Young readers love Lola’s exaggerated speech when she makes declarations like “I will probably still be perky at even 13 o’clock,” and her imaginative antics, which are presented in scrapbook-style artwork that’s eye-catching and fun.
Perfect for: Kids who are patient (or could be more patient) with their younger siblings.
Find our favorites at your local library: I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato , I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed , I Am Too Absolutely Small for School
by: Ludwig Bemelmans - (Viking Press, 1967) 54 pages.
The hook: “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls,” including Madeline, an orphan whose spunk has enchanted young readers since 1939. Beginning with the Caldecott Honor winner Madeline , the six-book series kicks off with little red-haired Madeline waking in the night at her boarding school with a terrible stomachache. But the girl who isn’t scared of tigers won’t let a case of appendicitis get her down. Kids love Madeline’s gutsy attitude and the book’s musical rhymes and quirky illustrations of 1930s Paris.
Want to see the movie? Check out the 1998 live-action adaptation, which is a charming amalgamation of many of the books in the series and stars Frances McDormand as Miss Clavel, or try the TV series Madeline and The New Adventures of Madeline .
Perfect for: Kids who love little adventures.
Find our favorites at your local library: Madeline , Madeline’s Rescue , Madeline in London .
Max and Ruby series
by: Rosemary Wells - (Viking Books for Young Readers, 1997) 48 pages.
The hook : Ruby, the older sister, has a leg up on just about everything. Although Max, the baby brother, can’t yet speak, read, or write — and is constantly messing-up — in the 25-plus books, he always gets what he wants (much to Ruby’s annoyance), be it the coveted chocolate chicken or the dragon shirt.
Want to see the movie? Check out the Nickelodeon series, which nicely portrays Max and Ruby’s charming sibling bond.
Perfect for : Siblings who drive each other crazy.
Find our favorites at your local library: Max and Ruby’s Bedtime Book , Bunny Cakes , Max’s Dragon Shirt .
by: Rosemary Wells - (Hyperion Books for Children, 1997) 32 pages.
The hook : Set in the 1930s, this vibrantly illustrated series of 10 books follows McDuff, a white Scottish Terrier who escapes from a dogcatcher’s truck in search of a loving home. Though he finds one in a young couple who feed him rice pudding and sausage slices, the little dog struggles with the same sort of problems a young kid might – from dealing with a new baby in the house to causing a ruckus at a relative’s house.
Perfect for : Energetic creatures who mean well, but get themselves into harmless trouble.
Find our favorites at your local library: McDuff Comes Home , McDuff’s Wild Romp , McDuff and the Baby .
Mitchell’s License
by: Hallie Durant , illustrated by: Tony Fucile - (Candlewick Press, 2011) 40 pages.
The hook: “Mitchell was three years, nine months, and five days old when he got his license.” It was the only way his father could get him to go to bed. Instead of chasing Mitchell around the house each night at bedtime, his dad came up with a clever solution: Mitchell could drive to bed, and dad would be the car. Through rollicking illustrations, Mitchell hops into the driver’s seat (on his dad’s shoulders) and with a lead foot takes a wild spin around the house to his bedroom. The trip leaves Dad more tired than Mitchell. This book and Mitchell Goes Bowling show the lovely bond between dad and son with wit and warmth.
Perfect for : Your rambunctious, cars-and-trucks-loving preschooler.
Find our favorites at your local library: Mitchell’s License , Mitchell Goes Bowling .
by: Ian Falconer - (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2000) 40 pages.
The hook: Olivia is a big sister, she has a dog and a cat, and she’s really good at “wearing people out” — including herself. Stark charcoal illustrations with just a splash of color, along with artwork by famous artists such as Degas and Pollock, accompany the stories of Olivia’s adventures as she torments her little brother, saves the circus, paints a mural on her bedroom wall, builds a spectacular sandcastle, forms a one-pig band, and muses about being a ballerina. The adventures of this exuberant pig perfectly capture the irrepressible energy of the preschool set. Both kids and adults appreciate the deadpan humor.
Want to see the movie? Check out the Nick Jr. show, which stays true to the stories and illustration style of the books.
Perfect for: Kids who really know how to wear themselves out.
Find our favorites at your local library: Olivia , Olivia Forms a Band , Olivia and the Fairy Princesses .
Pinky and Rex
by: James Howe - (Atheneum, 1996) 48 pages.
The hook : Without a heavy hand, Howe’s stories teach kids that boys and girls can be whoever they want to be. What’s more, they can solve many of the challenges that young kids face — confronting a bully, performing in a school play, or competing in a spelling bee.
Perfect for : For boys who love Pink, girls who loves dinosaurs, and kids who follow their own star.
Find our favorites at your local library: Pinky and Rex and the Bully , Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet , Pinky and Rex Go to Camp .
The Poppy Stories
by: Avi - (Avon Books, 1999)
The hook : Poppy is a mouse who lives with her family at the edge of a forest. If this sounds like the premise a lot of saccharine kiddy books with winsome characters whose minor adventures follow well-worn paths, well, think again. Like E.B. White and other literary giants, Avi imbues his little animals with complex characters and heartrending struggles. No spoiler alert here, but the story offers a rare fictional portrayal of death inside a family.
Perfect for : Kids ready to confront a little nail-biting drama.
Find our favorites at your local library: Poppy and Ereth , Poppy and Rye , Ragweed .
Splat the Cat
by: Rob Scotton - (HarperCollins, 2008) 40 pages.
The hook: Splat the Cat has a lot of worries. He’s not sure if the first day of Cat School is going to be any fun. And what if Santa doesn’t bring him any presents, even if he’s really, really good? And what if Spike breaks all of his toys during their playdate? Kids will relate to Splat’s fears and how he overcomes them. And the bold, engaging illustrations will bring on the giggles as Splat bumbles his way through each new experience.
Perfect for: Kids who tend to worry.
Find our favorites at your local library: Splat the Cat , Splish, Splash, Splat! .
Owl Diaries: Eva’s Treetop Festival
by: Rebecca Elliott - (Scholastic, 2015) 80 pages.
The hook: Eva Wingdale is a busy and ambitious owlet who wants to organize a spring festival at her school. She’s got more fun ideas than she can execute by herself and discovers that getting her classmates to help is the way to make the festival a success. The first in a series, this early chapter book is presented as a diary with cartoon-like illustrations and will resonate with kids who see the adults around them juggling their commitments.
Perfect for: Newly independent readers and future student council presidents.
Find our favorites at your local library: Eva’s Treetop Festival , Eva and the New Owl , and A Woodland Wedding .
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Be Loud: 28 Best Kindergarten Read Aloud Books
Rachel Rosenberg
Rachel Rosenberg has been writing since she was a child—at 13, she was published alongside celebs and fellow teens in Chicken Soup For the Teenage Soul 2. Rachel has a degree in Creative Writing from Montreal’s Concordia University; she’s been published in a few different anthologies and publications, including Best Lesbian Love Stories 2008, Little Fiction, Big Truth’s Re/Coded anthology and Broken Pencil magazine. She also appeared on the Montreal episode of the Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids podcast. Her day job is as a Children’s Librarian, where she digs singing and dancing with small humans.
View All posts by Rachel Rosenberg
Reading books to kids is the best. You can be loud, silly, or even just read it as regular ol’ stoic you and they’ll love it. I don’t have any kids of my own, but as a library professional at a public library, I’ve been reading to children for years and seeing a child discover a new favourite is always rewarding. It’s also super important that parents enjoy the book along with the kid, given that you’ll be reading it like 27 more times in a row. I’m aiming my suggestions for read aloud books to kindergarten people, as that can be a tricky age to suss out – something a bit more complex story-wise, but still have right, eye-catching illustrations. I’ve added a few chapter books at the end, simple ones to easily share between you.
1. Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson
This book is an adorable lesson in diversity. Gaston doesn’t exactly look like his poodle siblings: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La. While at the park, he meets a family of dogs that he does resemble, and they happen to have a poodle that matches his family. The mismatched puppies switch, but something doesn’t feel right.
2. Use Your Imagination by Nicola O’ByRne
This book is delightfully interactive, as a bored rabbit is convinced to write a story with a dastardly wolf. It’s a great lesson in narrative for little ones, and they will delight as our rabbit-y narrator eventually turns the tables on the wolf.
3. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
This is my favourite read aloud book ever. A young boy gets his kite stuck in a tree; in an effort to get it down, he launches into the leaves an increasingly ridiculous series of objects and animals. A whale ends up in the tree! Then there are English firemen thrown up there! No one can withstand the wacky cuteness of this book! No one, I swear!
4. The One Day House by Julia Durango and Bianca Diaz
A young boy named Wilson longs to help his friend make her house better. Wilson and his friend Gigi are a lovely example of friendship between an elderly neighbour and a young boy, and the story tells a beautiful story about a community pulling together to do something kind. The mixed media art is wonderful.
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5. King Pig by Nick Bland
King Pig, ruler of a land of sheep, can make his subjects do whatever he wants. Despite that, none of them like him. Frustrated, he comes up with a way to make the sheep happier. Hilarious.
6. Bedtime is Canceled by Cece Meng
A concept most kids can get behind. Two sneaky kids don’t like going to sleep, so they write a note that proclaims ‘bedtime is cancelled’! The note goes public via the news and it creates a lot of shenanigans – kids stay up and exhaust their parents, parents can’t work, society is crumbling! Eventually the kids come to accept that bedtime is a necessary part of life.
7. Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
Sam is number one at racing until his best friend Maggie manages to beat him one day. Struck by a new feeling of insecurity, Sam needs to win the next race.
8. Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell and Rafael López
A thoughtful, gloriously illustrated story about a young girl who wants to use art to make her neighbourhood less grey. Based on the true story of the creation of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, it’s really an inspiring story.
9. Kevin by Rob Biddulph
The monster is cute, the colours are gorgeous and I love the clever, fun rhymes! A little boy named Sid blames an imaginary monster for all the trouble he causes, but then Kevin the monster turns out to be real. The story takes a cute shift to teach Sid a lesson about selfishness, lying and friendship.
10. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
The rhyme scheme in this book is delightful, and the illustrations are wonderful. Tiny Ada Twist has more questions than her parents can handle. Initially overwhelmed, they begin to realize that she’s actually a super curious scientist kid who shouldn’t be stifled! The other two titles in this series are equally lovable: Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer .
11. Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah Ohora
This book is great for teaching siblings to appreciate each other. Dot Bunny has a new sibling – a wolf! Her parents can’t get enough of cute little Wolfie, but Dot knows that there must be something nefarious going on. The repetitive refrain makes this an unbeatable kindergarten read aloud.
12. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
This story is so good. On a grey day in a small town, Annabelle finds a box of bright, soft yarn. She knits a cozy sweater for herself and then magically the yarn box replenishes itself and she can knit items for all her friends. The art is cozy and funny and perfect, while the story has a wonderful message about being kind and considerate.
13. The Bear Who Wasn’t There by LeUyen Pham
I read this during a story time once and it was a real win-win-win. Kids were giggling, parents were chuckling, and I had a real ego boost about my ability to read to children.
14. Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor
This is an adorably simple book about an owl attempting to catch a meal by dressing up in sneaky disguises. Kids will laugh at Hoot Owl’s silly disguises.
15. Can You Make A Scary Face? by Jan Thomas
It never ceases to amaze me how all-in kids are when it comes to book participation. Ask them to follow along with a series of wacky actions and they are 150% here for it. All of Thomas’s books are great for this; I just especially like this one.
16. Bark, George by Jules Pfeiffer
This is a story time classic. It has all the hits: animal sounds, wacky illustrations and a twist ending. Puppy dog George won’t bark and his mom is confused about why not. He seems to have no problem with mooing, quacking and meowing, so why won’t he just bark?
17. Flo by Kyo Maclear and Jay Fleck
Flo is a little and very cute panda. The littlest and cutest, actually. She’s also the slowest, though, and sometimes that makes the other pandas impatient. Maclear’s prose is excellent even in its simplicity, and kids will definitely understand how it feels to be little and not as fast as others.
18. Ducks Don’t Wear Socks by John Nedwidek and Lee White
Emily is very serious and Duck is, well, not. He keeps turning up in wacky accessories, which Emily knows Ducks aren’t supposed to wear. Not too complex, and kids will love Duck’s oddness.
19. Mice Skating by Annie Silvestro and Teagan White
Lucy, a mouse, loves ice-skating. Her friends, unfortunately, just want to stay inside where it’s warm and cheese is easily accessible. Can she get them to join her for some winter-y fun? The story is cute, the art is gorgeous and the pages have plenty of cheese-y puns (you’ll see).
20. Shhh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
This picture book really knows how to build tension. A bunch of hapless warrior dudes have a plan. It’s not a very well thought out one, and mostly just involves creeping around after a bird. Lots of repetition, which kids will want to help you with. They especially dig joining in on the shhhhh ing.
21. Teacher’s Pet by Anica Mrose Rissi and Zachariah Ohora
A real back to school classic in the making. Mr. Stricter lets his students choose a tadpole to keep, but it turns out to actually be a giant class-destroying creature. A real whirligig of hijinks ensues! I loved this weird, silly book and so will your favourite kindergartner.
22. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
This one won a Caldecott Medal and definitely deserved it. This is a sweet, endearing ode to friendship. On a magical island, Beekle is waiting to be chosen as the imaginary friend of a real child. He keeps getting passed over though, and decides to take matters into his own hands by going into the city and finding a friend of his own.
23. Be Quiet, Mike! By Leslie Patricelli
This book is a celebration of following your own tune and appreciating that noise is a valid part of a child’s learning. A great read for kids who love music.
24. Are you a horse? By Andy Rash
This one is awesome for kids and their big people. A young cowboy is trying to figure out what a horse is, but he has to learn the hard way by asking creature after creature. A funny, silly twist brings it home.
25. A Good Day for a Hat by T. Nat Fuller and Rob Hodgson
This is adorably illustrated and tells a very basic story – Bear has a hat for every circumstance that accompanies his leaving the house. Kids will love the weird moments that follow Bear and guessing which hat comes next. A total crowd-pleaser.
26. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale , Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham
This early chapter book series is full of fun, bright illustrations and has a crime-fighting princess heroine to boot.
27. Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke
Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa, and this wonderful story is split into four shorter tales. It falls under a more realistic fiction style, as Anna goes on holiday, deals with visiting family and sees snow for the first time. There’s a whole series of books that follow her story.
28. JUANA and lucas by Juana Medina
A young Columbian girl wants to learn how to read English. Probably a fun book to read together if you’re trying to help your little one learn some Spanish, and it might be a good way to introduce some new English phrases to them too.
So there they are, my personal picks for great kindergarten read aloud books. I hope you found some that appeal to you, and I’d love to hear your suggestions for read-aloud books in the comments if you have some.
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101 Preschool Books To Stock Your Classroom Library
Story time for the entire year!
There’s nothing better in preschool than cozying up on the rug to share books together. Preschoolers represent a range of ages, developmental levels, and interests. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a mega-list of mostly recent preschool books to stock your classroom library. Check them out to support your thematic units or just make any story time better!
Psst: Don’t think we forgot about all our old favorite preschool books—many are included on this list of Books That Will Make You Nostalgic for Preschool .
Preschool Books About Friendship and Kindness
Learning to be a kind friend is at the heart of preschool! These books give kids the language and examples they need.
1. Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang
There are lots of kids in the childcare room while their adults attend English as a Second Language classes, but none of them speak to each other. That is until Luli makes a plan to bring them together to share tea and cookies. This is an adorable, heartwarming story about connecting with others that could definitely inspire many preschool tea parties!
Buy it: Luli and the Language of Tea on Amazon
2. Circle Round by Anne Sibley O’Brien
There’s so much to talk about in the pictures of this sweet counting book. At the park, more circles (a ball, bike wheels, Hula-Hoops) mean more chances to play with friends!
Buy it: Circle Round on Amazon
3. Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
Kindness is a universal theme in preschool, and this title brims with optimism and age-appropriate examples. Share it with kids and then celebrate their own kind ideas and actions.
Buy it: Kindness Makes Us Strong on Amazon
4. What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
This is one of our new favorite preschool books for building empathy around differences and disabilities . Joe just wants to play pirates at the playground, but the other kids can’t contain their questions about why he has only one leg. It’s a great #OwnVoices story for opening discussions about balancing curiosity with respect for privacy.
Buy it: What Happened to You? on Amazon
5. Bird House by Blanca Gómez
A young girl finds an injured bird while on a walk with her abuela . They nurse it back to health and release it—and receive a surprise visitor the following spring. If you’re looking to add to your collection of gentle preschool books for reading aloud again and again, this is a good choice. It’s also available in Spanish .
Buy it: Bird House on Amazon
6. The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear
The sweetest winter friendship story. Charles dreams of finding a “wish tree” and sets off into the woods with his trusty sled, Boggan, to find one. Along the way he selflessly helps many animals carry food and supplies they need for winter.
Buy it: The Wish Tree on Amazon
7. Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
This is a go-to for helping younger preschoolers understand how to be a friend to someone feeling grumpy. A group of animal friends share a silly hat gift to cheer each other up. Lots of fun to read aloud again and again (and again!) Check out the other Hooray For! books too.
Buy it: Hooray for Hat! on Amazon
8. The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
When a dropped love note makes its way around a group of forest friends, everyone has different reactions and ideas about who may have sent it. For all of them, though, the idea of the note makes them feel loved. Preschool listeners love having the inside scoop on the story as the animals try to figure out the mystery.
Buy it: The Love Letter on Amazon
9. Valentine’s Guest House by Sam Sharland
Valentine and her daughter Elsie run a friendly guest house. When Emmet the tiger arrives in search of a room, the other guests get nervous. Valentine and Elsie’s calm, welcoming reaction to an unexpected guest turns into a lesson for the whole community about acceptance.
Buy it: Valentine’s Guest House on Amazon
10. Something’s Wrong! A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear by Jory John
Bear has an uneasy feeling that something’s wrong, but he can’t figure out what. Cue the endless preschool giggles as he parades around the forest in his underwear. Hare is an exemplary friend and helps it all turn out OK.
Buy it: Something’s Wrong! A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear on Amazon
11. Nothing’s Wrong! A Hare, a Bear, and Some Pie To Share by Jory John
Hare plans to surprise his friend Bear with a pie for their picnic, but it ends up being ruined. Hare is completely bummed, but when he finally opens up to Bear, the two friends work together to make a backup plan. Add this to your preschool books about how friends can problem-solve together!
Buy it: Nothing’s Wrong: A Hare, a Bear, and Some Pie to Share on Amazon
All About Me Preschool Books
Read these books to help kids talk about (and love!) themselves and appreciate the beautiful diversity of those around them.
12. My Hair Is Like the Sun by St. Clair Derick-Jules
This gorgeous board book joyfully compares Black hair to the ocean, a cloud, a river, and more. We love it for helping all kids describe and celebrate their hair.
Buy it: My Hair Is Like the Sun on Amazon
13. Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder
This title belongs in every single classroom collection of preschool books. It’s hands-down the most positive and inclusive book we’ve ever seen about physical appearance. No matter your shape, size, hair, skin color and markings, and features, bodies are amazingly cool.
Buy it: Bodies Are Cool on Amazon
14. I’m Not Small by Nina Crews
A young boy wants to play outside and his parents tell him, “Go ahead. You’re a big kid now.” A relatable story about how feeling both big and small can feel good.
Buy it: I’m Not Small on Amazon
15. Tangle-Knot by Loretta Ellsworth
Add this to your preschool books for kids who like to do things their own way. Fia loves her tangled hair and refuses to brush it, despite her mother’s pleas—and the fact that its home to an actual bird’s nest! A relatable story about how good it feels to be your own special self.
Buy it: Tangle-Knot on Amazon
16. I Can Be … Me! by Lesléa Newman
This joyful, affirming read-aloud will encourage your preschool students to do, wear, dream, and be what makes them happy!
Buy it: I Can Be … Me! on Amazon
17. Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin
This happy title celebrates skin from babyhood to toddlerhood and beyond. We appreciate developmentally appropriate preschool books that invite kids to talk about skin color.
Buy it: Happy in Our Skin on Amazon
18. Let’s Make Faces by Hanoch Piven
Inviting preschool kids to make self-portraits or family portraits with loose parts is on our list of must-do projects every year. Get them thinking about how to celebrate and creatively represent all their features with this fun collage book.
Buy it: Let’s Make Faces on Amazon
19. A Dress With Pockets by Lily Murray
Lily and her aunt go on a shopping expedition, but none of the available dresses feel right. Lily is determined to find one with pockets! Preschoolers who have strong ideas about what clothing they like will easily connect to Lily’s experiences.
Buy it: A Dress With Pockets on Amazon
Preschool Books About Emotions
Social-emotional learning is a crucial part of the preschool years. These books can help kids understand and talk about all their big feelings.
20. Bea by the Sea by Jo Byatt
Bea hates the sand at the beach, but she loves lions. An imaginary lion helps her overcome her fears and feelings of discomfort so she can enjoy a beach day with her mom. Any child who has a setting or sensation they avoid because of how it makes them feel will appreciate this story!
Buy it: Bea by the Sea on Amazon
21. Mine! A Story of Not Sharing by Klara Persson
Add this to your preschool books about feelings related to sharing! Sharing is hard, especially when you have a friend over for a playdate. Sally takes her sharing woes to an extreme, shoving anything and everything she may have to share into the closet. It seems like a good plan, until everything in the closet is having way more fun than Sally.
Buy it: Mine! A Story of Not Sharing on Amazon
22. Ice Cream Face by Heidi Woodward Sheffield
We can’t have enough preschool books about feelings. This one explores emotions through the best context: ice cream! Kids can easily imagine how it would feel to be waiting in line for ice cream, eating ice cream, even dropping ice cream. Lots of fun follow-up project possibilities too!
Buy it: Ice Cream Face on Amazon
23. First Feelings Series by Child’s Play and Paula Bowles
These oversize board books are perfect for sharing with a small group of young preschoolers as they build their emotional vocabulary. The simple text talks about when you might feel angry (or surprised, loved, sad, scared, etc.). The illustrations show furry and cute monsters in situations that will be easy for kids to recognize and talk about.
Buy it: When I Feel Angry on Amazon
24. Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions by Mike Wohnoutka
One feeling word per page shows how a child’s emotions can change so many times over the course of a regular day. With words like “delighted,” “disgusted,” and “relaxed,” this is a great title for kids who are ready to learn more feelings-related vocabulary words beyond the usual “happy,” “sad, and “mad.”
Buy it: Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions on Amazon
25. Big, Big Feelings by Perry Emerson
It can be so frustrating to have a little sister who has big meltdowns. Her big brother helps her learn to use words to talk about her big feelings. This is a sweet opener for discussions about using words for feelings in pre-K.
Buy it: Big, Big Feelings on Amazon
26. Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson
Sometimes sad feelings need to just be. Rabbit goes to great lengths to fix Bear’s sadness, but it turns out what Bear really needs is a chance to sit together quietly with a good friend. Great for opening conversations about ways to help sad friends at school.
Buy it: Pocket Full of Sads on Amazon
27. Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero
This remarkable sequel to In a Jar shares how Llewellyn doesn’t like to experience his feelings so he puts them in jars. But what happens when it becomes too much to keep them closed up tight? Perfect for opening discussions with pre-K kids about naming and honoring different emotions.
Buy it: Out of a Jar on Amazon
28. Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
Get ready for mind-blowing preschool conversations. This title is like climbing into a kid’s head and giving them words for all the sensations, feelings, and experiences that make up their days. It’s an awesome way to connect conversations about the five senses with emotional vocabulary.
Buy it: Invisible Things on Amazon
Preschool Books About Family
Celebrate all kinds of families with these affirming, diverse preschool books.
29. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour
Family stories are staple preschool books. When Mommy goes away for the week, a little girl and her Mama make their own fun. Then they are happy to be reunited when Mommy returns.
Buy it: Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle on Amazon
30. Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Most preschool classrooms engage in some kind of study of families, and this book is a must-have to encourage an inclusive view on the topic. Illustrations are colorful and engaging and sweetly portray many different variations on family structure.
Buy it: Love Makes a Family on Amazon
31. Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
This feel-good story tells of a little girl who plays dress-up with her mother’s headscarves. We love sharing it when talking about families or when conversations about head coverings arise among students.
Buy it: Mommy’s Khimar on Amazon
32. I Really Want To See You, Grandma by Taro Gomi
This story is for every kid who fiercely misses a special relative. Yumi desperately wants to see her grandma, so she sets out for her house. What she doesn’t know is that Grandma has also decided to make a visit, causing some frantic back-and-forth.
Buy it: I Really Want To See You, Grandma on Amazon
33. Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivan
The dad in this touching story works night-shift security at a construction site. Its hushed descriptions of his rounds—complete with repeated sightings of a small, gray kitten—mesmerizes kids. The text is richly detailed without being too much for preschoolers, and we love the nod to families in which parents work varying schedules.
Buy it: Kitten and the Night Watchman on Amazon
34. Alphonse, There’s Mud on the Ceiling! by Daisy Hirst
Monster sibs Natalie and Alphonse love playing outdoors but are frustrated to live in a tall apartment building. Creativity wins, though, and the story is full of their imaginative adventures both indoors and out. We like sharing a story about playing outside that also acknowledges the diversity of kids’ homes.
Buy it: Alphonse, There’s Mud on the Ceiling! on Amazon
35. Hurry Kate, or You’ll Be Late! by Janice N. Harrington
Kate and her dad have a special bond, as shown through all the sweet moments of their commute to preschool. None of them are the reason she’s late though; that’s due to the extra-long hug they share at the end! Perfect for opening conversations about what students and their caregivers love to see and do together.
Buy it: Hurry Kate, or You’ll Be Late! on Amazon
36. I’ll Always Come Back to You by Carmen Tafolla
Navigating separation emotions is a critical part of preschool. This mom’s over-the-top reassurance will make preschoolers smile and feel confident that their own special adults will always come back.
Buy it: I’ll Always Come Back to You on Amazon
37. Raisin, the Littlest Cow by Miriam Busch
Raisin likes things just the way they are. When a new sibling comes along, it’s hard to adjust. We love this story for honoring the feelings of preschoolers who also may be adjusting to a new sibling. Raisin’s habit of making lists always seems to spark a flurry of prewriting activity among kids too!
Buy it: Raisin, the Littlest Cow on Amazon
Preschool Books About Seasons and Nature
Preschool is a time to build kids’ background knowledge and awareness of the world around them. These preschool books about weather and the environment can keep your class noticing, wondering, and learning across all seasons.
38. Berry Song by Michaela Goade
A young girl and her grandmother gather berries together and thank the earth, celebrating Tlingit traditions and the seasons. Definitely add this lovely, relatable book to your preschool books that represent indigenous cultures.
Buy it: Berry Song on Amazon
39. If You Find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro
A girl finds a leaf and imagines all the different things it could be. Gorgeous illustrations are so fun to pore over with kids. Add this to your preschool books for inspiring fall projects!
Buy it: If You Find a Leaf on Amazon
40. A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
Here’s one for every kid who’s every worried over an upcoming change—even those that are supposed to be exciting. When the squirrels really talk up the fall changes to come, the little leaves get uneasy, especially Maple. This would be such fun to act out with puppets or flannel board pieces!
Buy it: A Very Big Fall on Amazon
41. A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall
A witch heats up her cauldron for making a delicious soup with plenty of wholesome ingredients—and topped off with frogs. But she can’t keep the frog from jumping off the spoon! This is a hilarious read-aloud with fun pretend-play connections.
Buy it: A Spoonful of Frogs on Amazon
42. The Winter Bird by Kate Banks
A nightingale with a broken wing can’t fly south for the winter. Luckily, the kind winter forest animals help it adjust to the unfamiliar cold and snowy weather. This is one of our new favorite preschool books for talking about both seasonal changes and kindness toward others.
Buy it: The Winter Bird on Amazon
43. Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre
April Pulley Sayre’s photos are unparalleled for encouraging kiddos to study nature and observe like scientists. We love all her titles, but this one is particularly helpful for classrooms that study frog life cycles.
Buy it: Being Frog on Amazon
44. Green on Green by Dianne White
This delightful journey through the colors of the seasons is particularly nice to share if you have a child in your class who’s expecting a sibling. The mother in the book subtly grows with each change in season, and by year’s end, the family celebrates a new arrival.
Buy it: Green on Green on Amazon
45. What’s the Weather? by Shelley Rotner
Since we love every single one of Shelley Rotner’s gorgeous photo essays, it was hard to choose one to feature, but this title is particularly interactive for classrooms having conversations about the weather.
Buy it: What’s the Weather? on Amazon
46. Whose Egg Is THAT? by Darrin Lunde
The Whose Is THAT? series is ideal for preschool naturalists. The predictable question-and-answer format is so read-aloud-friendly, and the amount of information is just right. We love how this title builds kids’ descriptive vocabulary too.
Buy it: Whose Egg is THAT? on Amazon
47. Whose Prints? by Kari Allen
This board book is a must-have if it snows in your climate. Join in with a family’s snowy nature walk adventure to notice and describe all the tracks animals have left. Then head outside to spot tracks for real!
Buy it: Whose Prints? on Amazon
48. Zander Stays by Maureen Fergus
If you study winter animal adaptations, you’ll love sharing this book. Zander the goose decides he doesn’t want to fly south for winter this year. He explores different ways animals stay warm in wintry climates until he finds one that works for him!
Buy it: Zander Stays on Amazon
49. How To Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside by Kari Percival
This delightful how-to book invites kids to get up close and personal with all the delights of nature, including, of course, wiggling worms! Perfect for sharing to prepare for a nature walk or outdoor learning time.
Buy it How To Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside on Amazon
50. I’m Going To Build a Snowman by Jashar Awan
It’s a preschool classic conundrum: You want to build something and your materials aren’t quite right. In this case, it’s slushy, wet snow that just won’t turn into a snowman. This is the perfect title for working on sequencing. Plus, talk all about ways to manage frustration.
Buy it: I’m Going To Build a Snowman on Amazon
Preschool Books About Numbers, Letters, and Colors
Developing kids’ early learning concepts is a key piece of preschool, and fun books make the job easier! These preschool counting books, alphabet books, and color books are some of our recent faves to add to your collection.
51. & 52. Baby Bear Counts One and Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff
There are plenty of sweet bear stories, but it’s the gorgeous linocut illustrations that really make these concept books stand out. They build children’s vocabulary and content knowledge about a bear’s habitat too.
Buy it: Baby Bear Counts One and Baby Bear Sees Blue on Amazon
53. Mrs. Peanuckle’s Alphabet Series by Mrs. Peanuckle
Everything about this series is downright adorable. Each book marches through a nature-themed version of the ABCs with engaging facts about bugs, birds, veggies, fruits, trees, flowers, and more—all while using cheerful mixed-media art.
Buy it: Mrs. Peanuckle’s Alphabet series on Amazon
54. Bear Is Awake! An Alphabet Story by Hannah E. Harrison
We love preschool books that combine the alphabet with a great picture story. Hearing kids’ reactions as the narrative about a hungry bear unfolds is a treat. A is for “awake” …
Buy it: Bear Is Awake! An Alphabet Story on Amazon
55. The Peas Series by Keith Baker
The original title in this series, LMNO Peas , is a longtime preschool book favorite because it combines two preschool loves: the alphabet and exploration of occupations. (Plus, could those little peas be any cuter?) We love having the latest installment, LMNO Pea-Quel , on hand for our pre-K kiddos as they start to tune in to lowercase letters, which are highlighted in this book.
Buy it: The Peas Series on Amazon
56. Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley
Elegant in its simplicity, this title features a single-color word matched to a soup veggie on each page. We love pairing it with a paint-color exploration, painting full sheets of paper, and chopping them up into “soup” pieces.
Buy it: Every Color Soup on Amazon
57. Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by Kimberly and James Dean
Obviously, Pete the Cat is a preschool classroom’s best friend. We love this new fave—next to our all-time #1 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes , of course—for talking all things pizza and all things starting with the letter P. Preschoolers giggle endlessly over Pete’s pals’ silly topping choices.
Buy it: Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party on Amazon
58. What About X? An Alphabet Adventure by Anne Marie Houppert
As the letters prepare for a camping trip, X can’t figure out what to bring. Everyone else has something fun that starts with their letter. Preschoolers will love the creative problem-solving in this book. Also add this to your preschool books for when you set up your pretend play area with a camping theme!
Buy it: What About X? An Alphabet Adventure on Amazon
59. Again, Essie? (Storytelling Math) by Jenny Lacika
Big brother Rafael wants to protect his toys from his toddler sister, Essie. He fits together boxes and other found materials to make a wall. Will it work? Explore vocabulary like “tall,” “skinny,” “wide,” and more. We think every preschool classroom should have a full set of the Storytelling Math series books because they are so good. Many are also available in Spanish, and each one includes “Exploring the Math” activity ideas.
Buy it: Again, Essie? on Amazon
60. A Beautiful House for Birds (Storytelling Math) by Grace Lin
The Storytelling Math board books are ideal for setting out at your preschool math centers. We love them all, but this one about painting pattern and—oops!—making a mistake and coming up with a new plan will especially resonate with preschool students.
Buy it: A Beautiful House for Birds (Storytelling Math) on Amazon
61. Five Hiding Ostriches by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Five little ostriches wonder what to do when they spot a lion. This adorable spin on “Five Little Pumpkins” is such fun to read aloud and act out as a class.
Buy it: Five Hiding Ostriches on Amazon
62. Circle Under Berry by Carter Higgins
Explore shapes, colors, and prepositions with this most inventive of preschool books that’ll really get your class talking. It starts out simple but ramps up as the book goes on, making it a great multi-age concept book. Extension ideas abound, from offering it with loose parts for kids to explore or creating your own class version with cut and glued shapes.
Buy it: Circle Under Berry on Amazon
63. How To Count to 1 (and Don’t Even THINK About Bigger Numbers!) by Caspar Salmon
This clever counting book will tickle preschool funny bones as they catch all the jokes in the illustrations. Perfect for kids starting to be interested in “bigger numbers”!
Buy it: How to Count to 1 (and Don’t Even THINK About Bigger Numbers!) on Amazon
Preschool Books About Music, Sounds, and Movement
64. everybody in the red brick building by anne wynter.
Preschool books with fun sounds make great read-alouds. Late at night, a series of noises wakes up everyone in an apartment building one by one. What will lull them back to sleep? Illustrations by one of our favorites, Oge Mora, make this book sing.
Buy it: Everybody in the Red Brick Building on Amazon
65. Listen by Gabi Snyder
We love preschool books that encourage mindfulness and wonder, and this does both. A girl practices listening to the myriad small sounds around her, naturally encouraging preschool students to do the same.
Buy it: Listen on Amazon
66. & 67. Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing and Alphabreaths Too: More ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen
These invaluable titles are circle-time staples. Learn a different breath for every letter of the alphabet—and then learn another! Preschool kids think these are so fun, and they can call upon them when they’re upset or need to calm down.
Buy it: Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing and Alphabreaths Too: More ABCs of Mindful Breathing on Amazon
68. & 69. Good Morning Yoga and Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates
Yoga story time is one of our favorite ways to incorporate yoga in the preschool classroom, and these are two of our go-tos for energizing or winding down our littlest yogis.
Buy it: Good Morning Yoga and Good Night Yoga on Amazon
70. Natsumi! by Susan Lendroth
Natsumi has tons of energy, just like many preschoolers we know. Her grandfather helps her channel it into the perfect pastime: drumming! We like to pair this book with … you guessed it: plenty of percussion invitations.
Buy it: Natsumi! on Amazon
71. Animals Move by Jane Whittingham
Teach your younger preschoolers about animals and interesting verbs with a ready-made movement session. Invite kids to try out pouncing, hopping, dashing, and lots more. Photographs of both animals and kids moving bring the concepts to life.
Buy it: Animals Move on Amazon
72. Can You Dance Like a Peacock? by Rekha S. Rajan
Fun and engaging nonfiction facts about animals who “dance” build kids’ background knowledge. Use the “Dance Break!” sections to get your class moving.
Buy it: Can You Dance Like a Peacock? on Amazon
73. Ear Worm! by Jo Knowles
Get ready for the catchiest book ever. Little Worm has a song stuck in his head that he can’t quite place. As he tries to figure it out, it turns out his friends have their own ear worms too! Such fun to read aloud.
Buy it: Ear Worm! on Amazon
More Best Books for Preschool
Just because they don’t fit into a category doesn’t mean they aren’t shelf-worthy! These recent favorites are perfect for reading aloud, browsing, and making connections to curriculum topics.
74. House: First Words Board Books by Michael Slack
We’ve used this collection of little label books—each features contents of a room in a home—in so many ways. Share them to get kids talking about their own homes or as examples to inspire kids’ own label books. The little books fit into the box like a puzzle, so they make for a great item for independent exploration during quiet time too.
Buy it: House: First Words Board Books on Amazon
75. Wheels by Sally Sutton
Sally Sutton earned a special place in our construction book-loving hearts with Roadwork . This more recent title has a guessing-game structure, which makes it perfect for reading aloud to kids who love vehicles.
Buy it: Wheels on Amazon
76. Penguin Bedtime Classics illustrated by Carly Gledhill
These are not your typical fairy tales! This board book collection distills classic tales down to a few basic—but still engaging—short sentences and fills in the gaps with diverse, fresh-feeling illustrations.
Buy it: Penguin Bedtime Classics on Amazon
77. The Three Bears and Goldilocks by Bee Waeland
This wordless retelling of a classic fairy tale is perfect for sharing with kids once they are familiar with the story. They can use the fun illustrations to tell it themselves. We hope this creator will make more wordless fairy tale books!
Buy it: The Three Bears and Goldilocks on Amazon
78. The Princess and the (Greedy ) Pea by Leigh Hodgkinson
This rhyming riff combines the fun of a classic fairy tale with the “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” song. A green pea swallows a full menu of dinner items. This is such fun to share alongside a traditional version of the fairy tale and exposes kids to fabulous vocabulary.
Buy it: The Princess and the (Greedy) Pea on Amazon
79. The Perfect Plan by Leah Gilbert
Maya has big dreams of building a perfect fort—too big, in fact, to accomplish alone. Luckily her forest friends help out and it’s more amazing than she could have imagined. This is sure to inspire kids’ own fort-building ideas.
Buy it: The Perfect Plan on Amazon
80. & 81. What Color Is Night? and What Sound Is Morning? by Grant Snider
These poetic titles celebrate the nuanced colors of night and the sounds of the very beginning of the day. Bedtime and early mornings are preschooler prime times, of course, so these are highly relevant preschool books. They’re great springboards for activities about looking and listening carefully and describing colors and sounds in your school environment too.
Buy it: What Color Is Night? and What Sound Is Morning? on Amazon
82. Pizza Day by Melissa Iwai
This realistic narrative about a family who makes pizza from scratch—think growing veggies and making homemade sauce—gives kiddos lots to talk about! After reading, it’s definitely time for some pizza-making of your own.
Buy it: Pizza Day on Amazon
83. Find Fergus by Mike Boldt
Kids just love this book! Part story about a bumbling bear, part seek-and-find challenge, it’s perfect for sharing with a small group. Fergus wants to hide, but he needs a lot of guidance, which of course, young hide-and-seek experts find hilarious. We love preschool books that encourage pre-writers too—this one’s good for inspiring some list-making!
Buy it: Find Fergus on Amazon
84. Boxitects by Kim Smith
This is our newest favorite spirited STEAM tale. First of all, the amazing made-up words: Boxitect. Blanketeer. Spaghetti-tect. Kids want to be all of them. There is a nice underlying message about the value of teamwork, and tons of cardboard-box creation inspiration too.
Buy it: Boxitects on Amazon
85. A Story for Small Bear by Alice McGinty and Richard Jones
Small Bear is eager for her story time before settling in for winter’s sleep, but Mama tells her there’s preparation to be done first. Will they finish getting ready in time? This is hands-down one of the sweetest preschool books we’ve read recently and weaves in so many preschool curriculum topics—family relationships, seasons, forest animals—and, of course, the power of stories.
Buy it: A Story for Small Bear on Amazon
86. Ruby’s Sword by Jacqueline Véissid
When preschoolers discover stick swords, our impulse can be to squash them in the name of safety. Imaginative Ruby shows us another path, though—one of ants rescued, apples procured, and fictional dragons challenged by a fearless knight, along with a satisfying, friendship-filled ending. Bookmark this for sharing each year when talking about using sticks in safe but fun ways.
Buy it: Ruby’s Sword on Amazon
87. Penguin series by Salina Yoon
Penguin had our hearts back with Penguin and Pinecone , one of our favorite tales about the power of friendship that evokes amazing reflections from kids. In each subsequent story, Penguin sensitively grapples with a new social-emotional challenge, and we—and our penguin-loving preschoolers—are here for all of them.
Buy it: Penguin series on Amazon
88. & 89. Daniel Finds a Poem and Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer
If you think poetry isn’t for preschoolers, think again. They dictate the most perfect poetic lines, and this pair of titles is the best springboard. Daniel is an honest, observant, caring delight of a character.
Buy it: Daniel Finds a Poem and Daniel’s Good Day on Amazon
90. Firefighter Flo! by Andrea Zimmerman
Brave firefighter Flo and her crew must hurry to save a dog caught in the blaze. Prepare to read this energetic gem aloud over and over again. It’s full of all the classic firefighting details and has fun sounds that little listeners can chime in to add too.
Buy it: Firefighter Flo! on Amazon
91. Lift, Mix, Fling! Machines Can Do Anything by Lola M. Schaefer
Add this to your preschool books to inspire kiddos who love all things mechanical. From axles to inclined planes and many more, this awesome rhyming introduction to simple and complex machines can lead into so many hands-on STEM explorations.
Buy it: Lift, Mix, Fling! Machines Can Do Anything on Amazon
92. Gus’s Garage by Leo Timmers
This quirky, creative rhyming story just gets better each time you read it and notice a new detail. Animals visit Gus’s Garage with unusual vehicle problems, and he’s always able to use his “bits and bobs” to craft a solution. This is the perfect STEM tale for inspiring creations made with recycled materials.
Buy it: Gus’s Garage on Amazon
93. Rainbow Stew by Cathryn Falwell
When a trio of siblings visits Grandpa, they’re so disappointed when it rains. Grandpa knows how to make it fun, though. He sends them out to the garden to pick veggies for his famous rainbow stew! This classic story includes so many key preschool themes, from managing disappointment to teamwork to plants.
Buy it: Rainbow Stew on Amazon
94. Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon
A child is looking for their pet dinosaur, who disappears after a bath. The trouble is, the dinosaur is invisible. When he’s clean, no one can see him! This is an imaginative read-aloud to get kids noticing the pictures and talking about the story.
Buy it: Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? on Amazon
95. Don’t Wake the Dragon by Bianca Schulze
Add this to your preschool books with delightful vocabulary, perfect for sharing with eager listeners. The author asks kids to be very quiet, since she just put a “very rascally dragon” to bed. The interactive elements work well for a group, and this story could even be used as kids settle into their own rest time.
Buy it: Don’t Wake the Dragon on Amazon
96. The North Wind & the Sun by Philip Stead
Once in a while, we like to stretch preschoolers’ thinking and vocabulary by sharing classic fables. This gorgeous retelling about joy vs. anger is perfect for repeated reading aloud and acting out with kid performers, puppets, or a flannel board.
Buy it: The North Wind & the Sun on Amazon
97. All Through the Night: Important Jobs That Get Done at Night by Polly Faber
As a family finishes up dinner, the mom heads to work. This informational text shares tons of examples of people who work at night, from store clerks to cleaners, musicians, newscasters, and many more. Add this to your preschool books about community helpers to help represent the diversity of careers and work schedules required in a community.
Buy it: All Through the Night: Important Jobs That Get Done at Night on Amazon
98. My Dog Just Speaks Spanish by Andrea Cáceres
Aurora learned English when she moved to the United States, but her dog didn’t. This concrete explanation of what it means to speak one language and not another is perfect for helping preschoolers appreciate and empathize with those who speak languages different than theirs.
Buy it: My Dog Just Speaks Spanish on Amazon
99. The Midnight Babies by Isabel Greenberg
Determined to avoid sleep, the babies head out on a grand adventure. Can they manage to keep their eyes open? Preschoolers will love their funny antics.
Buy it: The Midnight Babies on Amazon
100. If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall
Sophie Blackall’s illustrations are unmatched. Unleash preschoolers’ imaginations as they consider what they’d do if they were horses.
Buy it: If I Was a Horse on Amazon
101. The Twist-a-Roo by Kathleen Doherty
Badger’s supposed to be getting ready for winter, but when he finds a discarded “twist-a-roo”—actually a kaleidoscope—he can only think of looking at the beautiful patterns it makes. This is a fun “twist” on a winter animal story, with sweet friendship themes too. Be sure to have an actual kaleidoscope on hand for kids to try.
Buy it: The Twist-a-Roo on Amazon
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35 Best Kindergarten Graduation Gifts for Students Who Are Moving Up
Small ideas for the whole class to get from teachers, and big ones for parents or grandparents to give.
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What student works harder than a kindergartener? While it make seem like all fun and games, being the newest at school and the lowest on the educational ladder — with all those new class rules to learn in addition to reading, writing and arithmetic — is tough work! So, when they graduate and finally make it to first grade, they're extra deserving of a great grad gift.
Our Top Picks for the Best Kindergarten Graduation Gifts 2024
- Squishmallows Zozo Blue Bigfoot Graduation Plush , $17 on amazon.com
- Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants 1st Grade Card Set , $17 on amazon.com
- Printualist Personalized Graduation Autograph Dog , $20 on amazon.com
- Skillmatics Foil Fun , $20 on amazon.com
- The River That Flows Beside Me Picture Book , $23 on amazon.com
With these in hand, they'll be well on their way to first grade!
Looking for more great gifts? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
The Best Preschool Graduation Gifts | The Best Educational Toys | The Best STEM Toys | The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds | The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Olds
Graduation Squishmallows
Whether it's a birthday, holiday or — yes — graduation day, there's always a reason to add another Squishmallow to the stuffed-animal collection. This 12-inch plush, with its rainbow mane and mortarboard cap, is perfect for the occasion. In addition to Zozo the Blue Bigfoot, there's also Arella the Graduation Owl . Ages 3+
Skillmatics Foil Fun
Whether you need an indoor activity to do on a rainy summer day or a DIY project to keep all the kids entertained at a picnic or barbecue, this activity was called a huge hit by Good Housekeeping Institute testers, Kids can rub sheets of shiny foil onto puffy, animal-shaped stickers, and the color transfers over like magic. Kids love mixing up the foil colors on the different animals. It comes in other themes, too, including dinosaurs, space, fashion and unicorns. Ages 4+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards
School Years Keepsake Book
Keeping a memory book is easy with this scrapbook, which encourages kids to keep track of their teachers' names and favorite subjects with fill-in-the-blank and check-box prompts. It goes through eighth grade, and they'll be amazed to see how their handwriting improves over time. No age recommendation given
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Space Explorer
Let them delve deeper into some of the science they learned this year with this telescope, which uses actual NASA images to illuminate the night sky. In addition, the voice of Emily Calandrelli, Emily's Wonder Lab on Netflix, offers facts about what they're seeing. Ages 4+
'The River That Flows Beside Me' Picture Book
Good Housekeeping Institute testers said this book had a huge "wow" factor, since it unfolds until it reaches nearly eight feet long. (And it's double-sided, to boot!) Once it's all laid out, kids can trace the path of a river from the top of a mountain, through various villages and habitats, until it reaches its destination. Ages 4+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Awards
Axolotl Questions T-Shirt
Celebrate their love of learning with the favorite animal of the moment: the underwater axolotl. It comes in three colors (black, royal blue and light blue), and it comes from Svaha, a brand known for its science-themed clothing. Sizes S to L
Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants First Grade Card Set
Jump start learning for the next year with this set of 120 cards that practice the first-grade curriculum. Thanks to a variety of questions, puzzles and games, they'll be ready for the year ahead. Kids can read along with parents and friends or practice alone. Ages 6+
Class of 2036 Shirt
Keep them focused on the big prize ahead with this shirt, which looks forward to the year of their high school graduation. You can get it in ten colors, and it comes in a huge range of sizes, in case you want to try and get one that'll fit them when they're 18, too. Sizes 4T to 4X
DoodleJamz BrightBoard
Kids love DoodleJamz , the sensory fidget toy that lets them squish beads around in a clear gel and layer them over pictures. Now, the BrightBoard lets kids illuminate their DoodleJamz creation! It comes with three transparent background graphics to use and a "kickstand" to hold it up, and Good Housekeeping Institute testers couldn't resist smushing those beads around. (Note: DoodleJamz must be purchased separately.) Ages 6+
Bobblehead Graduation Picture Frames
Slip a photo into the slot, and you've got a hilarious bobblehead of your graduating kindergarteners. They come in a set of 12, so it's a good gift for teachers to give out on the last day of school. No age recommendation given
LEGO DOTS Ice Cream Picture Frames
They can preserve some of their favorite kindergarten memories and get ready for summer with these cool DOTS picture frames, which they can personalize with the DOTS tiles. It even comes with a bracelet they can customize, too! Ages 6+
First Grade, Here I Come!
Add this to your summer reading list to get your little one ready for the next year. This book takes students through the first grade journey from the first day to the last, including everything from losing baby teeth to Pajama Day. Ages 4+
Summer Brain Quest Activity Book
If you want to keep their minds sharp over the summer, this well regarded workbook has activities, games and exercises specifically designed to bridge kindergarten and first grade. It also comes with a map, so kids can track their progress. Ages 5+
Custom Name Neon Sign
Now that they've graduated kindergarten, they might want more of a "big kid" room. Give them a cool decoration — one that's uniquely theirs — by spelling their name in neon lights. You can choose the size, font and color to match their room. No age recommendation given
Kindergarten Graduation Picture Frame
Kindergarten graduation means a million photos, hopefully with a cap and gown in tow. Give them a dedicated space to preserve that memory with a photo frame that announces just how proud you are. No age recommendation given
Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Just one push of a button and you get mini pictures instantly — so easy a kindergartener can master it! It comes in other colors, and you can also get film with fun borders . No age recommendation given
Graduation Trophy
Sure a diploma is nice, but we think the 5-year-old in your life will appreciate this cool trophy even more. Each one can be personalized with a student's name, and they stand more than five inches tall. No age recommendation given
This Book Is a Planetarium
This is a pop-up book that kids and adults can enjoy together. Each page transforms into different amazing things, all made of paper, including a working speaker, a planetarium, a spirograph and an instrument. Ages 8+
Kindergarten Graduation Bangle Bracelet
This bangle-style bracelet comes with charms depicting the year, a diploma, a crystal, an owl and a tassel, plus you get to specify the initial letter. It's the perfect accessory for any graduation outfit. No age recommendation given
Crayola Inspiration Art Case
Inspire a budding artist with this 140-piece art set. It comes with 64 crayons, 40 markers, 20 colored pencils and 15 sheets of paper. Everything packs away into the fold-up case, making it perfect for summer travel. Ages 5+
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50 Favorite Preschool Books (That Kids Love)
W ant to know kids’ favorite preschool books? Good books for 4- and 5-year-olds ? As a former teacher, preschool worker, mom, and book blogger, I have recommendations with reviews of picture books that your preschoolers will adore! (And so will you!)
Discover kids’ favorite picture books ; good books you can read aloud to your preschoolers. Because, at this age and stage, children love the humor and learning ALL THE THINGS.
It’s such a blast, right?!
What makes a great book for preschoolers?
Children grow out of easy toddler books like Eric Carle’s Brown Bear. At preschool age, children want to read more complex picture books like fractured fairy tales , silly stories, thought-provoking tales, and nonfiction books .
Here are my favorite read aloud books for your preschool-age kids and students…that they will LOVE! I updated this list every month, with the last update in November 2023.
And don’t worry, there are PLENTY more amazing preschool books than on this list. If you want more book ideas by topic, go to this comprehensive book list by topic .
Download the free PDF printable book list!
Favorite Preschool Books (for 4 and 5-year-olds!)
How to Count to 1 by Casper Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt
Can you count to 1? And no higher? Silly illustrations and humorous writing will surprise and engage growing mathematicians as they follow the directions and count to ONE . One worm in disguise, one giraffe (among other African animals,) one duck rollerblading, and well, you get the idea– ONE! What’s even better is that the illustrations often mislead you to think you might be counting higher. Except– you are not. Brilliant!
The Night Tent by Landis Blair
Reminiscent of Maurice Sendeck’s Where the Wild Things Are , this beautifully illustrated bedtime story is about Watson, a boy who worries about monsters in the closet. When he sees a light under his covers, he discovers a beautiful night sky with twinkling stars…UNDER HIS COVERS! He wanders down a path and through the forest. He plays with the forest creatures and rides a trolley to a tall tower which he climbs. When he crawls back out from under the covers, he’s so sleepy that he falls fast asleep without any worries about monsters. Enchanting and atmospheric!
Scaredy Cats by Jeff Mack
When a wrapped gift arrives, the kittens imagine what it could be…Maybe a cake? Or a hungry crocodile! Or a cake and a crocodile? They continue to what if– which is hilarious– as are the exuberant illustrations. What do you think is in the box? This is a perfect read aloud for preschoolers who will love to guess along with the kittens.
Stinkbird Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Bob Shea
Get ready for a new read aloud favorite about the many wonders of the stinkbird! The hoatzin papa narrates about his amazing superpower while his baby bird interrupts. Their dialogue is hilarious, and we learn factual information about their clever nests, avoiding predators by swimming and climbing! Oh, also–their poop STINKS!
I Am Dog! written by Peter Bently, illustrated by Chris Chatterton
Playful rhyming, simple text shares a day in the life from a dog’s perspective. “ I am a dog. Dog is me. I like walkies. I like tree. ” Dog likes to chase, splash, dig, and bark.. among other things like searching for the smell he sniffs which makes a big mess! The illustrations are essential to this story of the dog’s day — and what is really happening. This is the perfect read aloud for 2 – 5 year olds!
King Hugo’s Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
My preschoolers LOVED this funny rhyming book about a king who thinks VERY highly of himself and, as a result, is cursed by a witch. The curse means that whenever he utters self-important words, his head grows bigger. Surprisingly, the king doesn’t mind because that means there is more of him to love! Will the king ever learn his lesson? (We read this book EVERY night at bedtime for months.)
Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Lucy yawns while her mother reads her a bedtime story and goes to sleep. Later, she wakes up, realizing she doesn’t have her special stuffed bear, Molasses. As she makes her way back to bed with Molasses and her friends, help count her yawns. Beautiful illustrations perfectly set the tone for this comforting bedtime story.
Hippos Are Huge! by Jonathan London, illustrated by Matthew Trueman
Excellent writing and illustrations make this one of the best nonfiction animal picture books for preschool age kids . Bigger text pairs with smaller factual text to give younger readers tons of information.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean
Preschoolers love to sing along with Pete’s song: “I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes . . . ” It will get stuck in your head. This story is about going with the flow …” cause it’s all good. “ One of the best preschool read alouds!
Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Amber Ren
One of my favorite preschool books, this is a story about mythological monsters , friendship, and bravery! Naya searches in the dark of night for a jumbie…even though her Mama says that jumbies are only in stories. “ I’m looking for a jumbie. I’m going to find a scary one. ” The refrain repeats as Naya meets a jumbie and other mythical creatures .
Everyone’s Awake by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Shawn Harris
It’s a crazy night because the entire family is awake and doing all sorts of imaginative, random things. “ Grandma’s at her needlework . Dad is baking bread. My brother’s making laundry lists of every book he’s read. ” The rollicking, rhythmic verses plus neon-bright action-packed illustrations capture the exuberance and activity of this busy night.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board. Sort of. His dad tells Jabari that he feels scared too, and a deep breath and telling himself that he is ready helps him turn something scary into a fun surprise. Beautiful illustrations in a helpful, relatable story make this book a must-read preschool book for 4 and 5-year-olds
Good Night, Baddies by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Juli Kangas
The famous baddies head for home at the end of the day. They eat dinner together –politely! The troll takes a bath, the evil queen puts away the poisoned apple, and they all snuggle into their beds. Good night , sour dreams!
Alphabet Mystery by Audrey Wood
The lower case letters find the missing “x” and encounter the villainous capital letter “M” — this is a four- and five-year-old favorite to read repeatedly.
Hello, World! by Ethan Long
Welcome to Happy County, where charming animal characters live. The characters are busy, busy living their lives, similar to Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town . Look at all the things happening on Farmer Dell’s farm! Can you help Mr. Grizzles and Ms. Green find the birds they’re searching for? A treasure trove preschool book with labeled objects and lovable characters.
Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite by Nick Bromley, illustrated by Nicola O’Byne
What could be a very sweet metafiction story about the Ugly Duckling quickly turns very silly scary when a CROCODILE sneaks onto the pages. Gasp. Watch out! First, he eats the letters, then whole words, and finally, the sentences. It’s up to you, the preschool reader, to get rid of him. (You might even draw a tutu on him!)
A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa
A little girl explores the market to find her Amma a gift. She notices the colors, tastes, smells, and sounds. Beautiful illustrations perfectly illuminate the celebration of the market’s colors and the girl’s excitement.
Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham
Kids love this hilarious alphabet book about a very impatient moose and his kind friend, Zebra.
Quest by Aaron Becker
This enchanting and imaginative wordless picture book will transport preschoolers into a magical world. My kids and I poured over every beautiful detail in the pictures, and so will yours. Follow a boy and girl with a purple (magical) bird on their quest to save the king and his kingdom.
Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Jonathan Bean
The illustrations are so unique and gorgeous. The text shares what real cowboys are like — they are gentle, they share, they cry, they ask for help, and more. Love this!
Sleepy the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Scott Campbell
Roderick has impressive sleep-stalling strategies. So his parents get him a stuffed animal named Sleepy. But, Sleepy is even better at sleep stalling. In a hilarious role reversal, Roderick gets Sleepy a glass of water, reads him a bedtime story ( The Day the Crayons Quit ), checks the closet, and does all the things that Roderick’s parents used to do for him…until Roderick is exasperated and falls asleep.
The Whole Story by Vivian McInerny, illustrated by Ken Lamug
Zia falls through the hole in her pocket. She makes the hole into whatever she needs — a fishing hole, a swimming hole, a watering hole (for the cloud animals), and even an elephant trip. It’s a twisty-turny, creative adventure that your kids, ages 4 and 5, will adore!
Old Tracks, New Tricks by Jessica Petersen
Snubbed by the trains, the new wooden train tracks decide they’ll show the other tracks fun ways to play — like hide-and-go track, tick-track-toe, tracks stack towers, dominoes, and so much more. These creative play ideas will get your kids thinking of their train tracks in many new, inventive ways. One of my kids’ favorite picture preschool books for 4- and 5- year olds!
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea
Goat is very irritated when Unicorn moves to town and seems to show up Goat. Goat made marshmallow squares but Unicorn makes it rain cupcakes. That makes Goat feel very jealous. But when Unicorn prances by, he’s amazed by Goat’s cheese, goat’s ability to eat garbage, his ability to head-butt the soccer ball, and his cloven hooves. And before you know it, the two are best friends. Goat says, “You know something, Unicorn? I had a feeling we’d be friends.” HA.
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We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
After a rough first day at school , where she eats her classmates, gets scolded by the teacher, spits them out, and doesn’t make any friends, Penelope’s dad explains that “ children are the same as us on the inside. Just tastier. ” HA. The next day, Penelope eats her classmates AGAIN! However, when the class goldfish chomps on Penelope’s finger, and it HURTS, she realizes that it’s no fun to be someone else’s snack.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Salter
A worried squirrel who thinks that SOMEONE is stealing his tree’s leaves. HIS leaves! Even though his friend Bird tries to help him, Squirrel doesn’t seem to understand the changes that the fall season brings like leaves changing color and wind blowing them off the trees. It’s funny and illuminating — and will spark helpful discussions about the characteristics of fall – with a hint of a winter surprise at the end.
More Preschool Books
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
This is a must-read-out loud book because, “ Here’s how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. ” For example, you might have to read that “ I am a monkey who taught myself to read .” Or, “My only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named BOO BOO BUTT.” Side-splitting for kids of any age, especially preschoolers.
Have You Seen Gordon? by Adam Jay Epstein & Ruth Chan
Goofy adventures and fun characters make this a hilarious seek-and-find book . A funny narrator battles the independent-thinking characters with their ideas about how the story should go. But first, can you find Gordon? When Gordon doesn’t hide very well, the narrator decides to find someone else to look for — but his new target, Jane, the construction worker, is shy, so she runs away. What will happen now?
The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung by Samantha R. Vamos, illustrated by Sebastia Serra
If you’re looking for cheerful, lyrical bilingual preschool books, this is a favorite. The farm maiden hangs the piñata. But who is it for? In this clever cumulative story , see how the farmer, his family, and the animals helped to prepare the piñata and the birthday party festivities. Spanish words are written in bold and supported with lively illustrations so readers can infer what each word means.
Monsters in Trucks by Laura Baker, illustrated by Nina Dzyvulska
Toddlers and preschoolers will love the exuberant explosion of colors, monsters, and trucks filling every page. The rhyming text shows monsters building, drilling, and working very hard, whether they’re cleaning the street or eating everything they can. 100% adorable.
What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures by Heather L. Montgomery, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
Learn about famous scientists who were curious children . Gorgeous illustrations and clear text will captivate readers as they learn about kids like Diego, who collected snails as a child and later became a herpetologist, or Mary, who collected caterpillars and eventually wrote a book on metamorphosis. Young readers will be inspired to start their own collections and see where their curiosities take them!
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët
When a classmate is being bullied, what can you do? This wordless picture book shows that sometimes it’s about showing someone they are not alone. You can do what this girl does: show kindness and walk home with a lonely, hurting person. Added to: Picture Books About Kindness
We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey through Tanzania by Laurie Krebs, illustrated by Julia Cairns
Gentle rhymes, some repetitive text (LOVE), and plenty of gorgeous safari vistas make you feel as though you’re along with this Maasai family as they spot (and count) wildebeests, lions, warthogs, and more animals on their safari. Lovely.
Hooray For Amanda & Her Alligator by Mo Willems
Reminiscent of the George and Marth a books, this preschool book is about a girl named Amanda and her stuffed alligator. Told in 6 1/2 vignettes, the stories are all about surprises — a surprising surprise, an un-surprising surprise, a surprising tickle, a surprising value, a surprising . . . you get the idea. Both funny and poignant, this is one of our favorite preschool books.
You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown
We love this funny picture book ! Really seriously funny. Lucy is very enthusiastic about making friends with any forest critter. Her good intentions go awry, and soon Lucy is yelling at animals — “ Come back here and have fun with me ” and “ You WILL be my friend. ” As it turns out, that isn’t such a great way to make friends, either. Will Lucy ever make a friend?
You Are a Raccoon! by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Jay Fleck
Written in the second person point of view , you are a raccoon. As you read, you’ll learn about your family and den and sounds. Read about getting bigger, finding food, and waking at night with other nocturnal animals . Playful verbs invite you to act out raccoon actions. A must read for preschoolers ; it’s informative, interactive, and fun. (Also read: You Are a Honey Bee! )
I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt
This zany preschool counting book with all the worms is a laugh-out-loud adventure in neon pink, yellow, white, and black. The narrator explains that he can only draw worms, so that’s exactly what he does –draws lots of worms. Ten worms, actually, with super funny commentary.
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
Curious Ada Twist loves questions and thinking just as much as she loves science experiments. Even when in time out, Ada is thinking and wondering . . . all over the wall. I love this spunky science-loving character of color and know you will, too.
El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
Ramón isn’t scared of El Cucuy anymore (the boogieman) because he’s more worried about his first day of school . And El Cucuy feels the same — he misses their old home and the desert. Ramon reassures El Cucuy that they’ll both get used to it and make new friends and that El Cucuy is strong and brave; they both are. It’s a sweet story of friendship with colorful, vibrant illustrations.
Supermoms! by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper, illustrated by Jamie Harper
Did you know animals are moms , too? And they make safe, comfy homes like the groundhogs and red-knobbed hornbill. They’re creative with transportation — just look at a wolf spider mom carrying her spiderlings on her back. Fascinating facts about animal supermoms are paired with engaging comic-style illustrations.
Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman
The good thing for this farming family is that their chickens will help with EVERYTHING! Except on Sunday. A delightful adventure that reminds kids of the days of the week , too.
You Don’t Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Liz Climo
Get the inside scoop as our narrator breaks down the perils of unicorns as pets . They can’t be house-trained, they have really big unicorn parties, the horn is very destructive, especially after jumping, . . . it’s just not as awesome as you might think. What a helpful cautionary tale! (added to: 22 Magical Children’s Books About Unicorns )
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
Don’t miss this unpredictable and side-splitting story, Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs . In this remix, we have Dinosaurs instead of bears; Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur, and some other Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. And “ one day, for no particular reason, the three Dinosaurs made up their beds, positioned their chairs just so, and cooked three bowls of delicious chocolate pudding at varying temperatures. ” Also, in this story, the dinosaurs eat little succulent children.
Greatest Animal Stories chosen by Michael Morpurgo
The stories are about all animals, some from different cultural traditions; most of the stories contain a valuable lesson like “The Fox and the Crow” or explain a natural phenomena like “How the Bear Lost His Tail”. All stories are delightfully entertaining.
Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
A little girl sits sadly on her porch steps, thinking about the colors of the rainbow and how black isn’t in the rainbow. Poignant, lyrical metaphors and luminous illustrations tell readers what black is in the girl’s world — a crayon, a feather, braids, rhythm, blues, trains, dreams, and so much more. Her narration celebrates black culture, showing pride, context, and history. Every single part of this incredible book is meaningful, beautiful, and memorable.
Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins
Rupert tells his two exuberant and talkative friends that the book is supposed to be wordless but the friends just can not stop “helping” with ideas for the book, infuriating Rupert and cracking up the reader. Cartoon conversation bubbles, hilarious dialogue, and a funny storyline will keep you entertained from the first page. I predict this will be a new classroom and home preschool read-aloud favorite.
Saturday by Oge Mora
Everything on their special day goes wrong, but the mom and child acknowledge it’s all okay still because they’re together. What an important message about spending time with someone you love. Also, the ART — I can’t get enough of Mora’s collage artwork, it’s vibrant and beautiful.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
A classic favorite of childhood, this picture book is a rhyming story of alphabet letters having fun .
Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex
If you like funny preschool books, read this next! The narrator wants to know if Darth Vader is scared of anything. Maybe when this wolfman pops out? Or bites him? Or a vampire? “ I AM NOT SCARED. I WILL NEVER BE SCARED. WHO COULD POSSIBLY SCARE LORD VADER? ” Then a surprise ending shows what displeases , not scares, Darth Vader. What do you think it is?
Another by Christian Robinson
In this exuberant celebration of the imagination , a little girl is in bed when an oval door opens into the wall. She follows the cats into what seems to be another world of colorful topsy-turvy dots and rectangles, more oval doors, many diverse kids, and another girl and her cat that look exactly like them. The white space and repetition of shapes feel playful and fresh. You might also like: Meaningful Activities with Wordless Picture Books .
Poor Puppy and Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
You’ll laugh through this silly alphabetical story about Puppy and Kitty and their playful adventures.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Preschool readers immediately “get” the humor in the illustrations. As Sam and Dave dig their hole and dig and dig, they find nothing. But their dog , he’s sniffed out the world’s biggest diamond. Dogs know what’s up. Your kids will giggle their way through this favorite story!
Claymates by Dev Petty, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge
After reading this picture book, will your preschoolers want to make their own clay story? Two clay blobs, a gray and a brown blob, meet in an art room. A girl arrives to make the gray clay into a wolf and the brown clay into an owl. When she leaves, the two clays play around. They transform into many other creatures and objects until they hear the artist return. Can they fix each other?
Beware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
Introduce preschool kids to the crocodile in this picture book that could double as an easy nonfiction reader. Informative and awe-inspiring.
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Grace Zong
My daughter says this is SO MUCH better than the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears because in this story of a young Chinese girl named Goldy. Goldy returns to the scene of her crime to apologize and help fix things. This is a better ending. I agree!
It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
The narrator of this hilarious story tries to boss Jack around , which Jack doesn’t like. In fact, he doesn’t want to be a thief and murderer. So at the giant’s house in the sky, Jack stops following the story. He befriends the giant, makes him a taco salad, and goes to Cinderella’s house for a party. It’s the perfect updated preschool version of Jack and the Beanstalk with a take-charge hero and curmudgeonly narrator.
Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Siblings gather flowers for the upcoming festival of color, Holi. Each two-page spread is a different flower and color . “ They gather irises because irises make BLUE.” When the flowers are gathered, they’re dried and pressed into fine powders of color. Then, the family and friends come together and they throw the brilliant colored powders into the air and onto each other.
Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Bear discovers that observation of small moments can turn into big adventures with friends. He isn’t aware that he’s on an adventure until he’s floating down the river on a log with Froggy on his head soon to be joined by Turtles, Beaver, and Racoons, who don’t know they need to be careful until they run into Duck. With a wonderful circular ending and after a fun-filled fall of the waterfall, the friends realize they’re sharing life together…because the river came along.
KEEP READING
What Should Be the Goal of Preschool?
Good Nonfiction Books for Ages 2 – 5
Bookclub for Preschoolers
Activity Books for Preschoolers
Picture Book Scavenger Hunt
Good Books About Colors
The post 50 Favorite Preschool Books (That Kids Love) appeared first on Imagination Soup .
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3. dragons Love Tacos By Adam Rubin A big dose of humor in a short book about friendship. Opt for this kid-favorite about, well, dragons who love tacos, and story time will be anything but boring. $10 at Amazon Atheneum Books for Young Readers 4. alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day By Judith Viorst
1. Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems 2. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Joffe Numeroff 3. Firebird by Misty Copeland 4. I Am Enough by Grace Byers 5. The Maggie B by Irene Haas 6. May I Bring a Friend? By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers 7. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 8. Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka 9. Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley
BETA BOOK LIST The Best Books to Get Kindergartners Reading Build your kindergarten classroom library with this collection of all-time favorites that you and your students will return to again and again. By Scholastic Editors February 6, 2024 Grades PreK - K
Best Kindergarten Books for the Classroom All Grades K-5 All Grades 6-12 6th Grade 7th Grade Ask WeAreTeachers Education News & Research PD We Love Science Diversity & Inclusion Social Studies Technology Work/Life Balance DOWNLOAD HERE Reading Kindergarten 70 Kindergarten Books To Add to Your Collection
Best-Selling Books for Kids in Kindergarten Fuel your child's love of reading and aid their literacy skills with these popular books! By Scholastic Parents Staff Sep 09, 2022 Ages 4-6 As your child starts to develop early reading skills, it's essential to support their momentum and natural curiosity at home.
25 Books Every Kid Should Read by Kindergarten Give your child a head start on their first day of school. By Scholastic Parents Staff Jan 11, 2024 Ages 3-5 Before their first day of kindergarten, your child is expected to have some basic skills, like recognizing some letters of the alphabet, identifying colors and shapes, and counting to 10.
346 The best children's books that every kindergarten teacher should have! From the first day of school to the end of the year, this list of kindergarten books is perfect for read-aloud time in your classroom. Plus there are lesson ideas, too!
The best books for kindergarten (especially class readalouds) are picture books — hands down! But if you have an advanced reader who is already getting into chapter books, the options on this list of second grade chapter books will come in handy. For this list, I've included some of my favorite picture books ever!
What makes a "good" book for kindergartners? When our children begin kindergarten, most of us typically have one thought in mind: my child will read this year! After all, is there anything more synonymous with kindergarten than this singular goal? Finding the "right" kindergarten books is therefore essential.
Best Books for Kindergarteners Kindergarten is all about getting kids ready for elementary school. But how do you get your kids ready for kindergarten? These books can help ease first-day-of-school jitters by showing kids the lay of the land: classroom, cubbies, and playground.
18. Olivia the Spy by Ian Falconer 17. Places to Be by Mac Barnett 16. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood 15. Ball by Mary Sullivan 14. Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper
Henry and Mudge Series. Simple, sweet stories about a boy and his beloved dog. Funny, silly pig story great for early readers. Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination. Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books. Superb, fun, nuanced story of family, friends, Black hair. Funny take on third grade life and ...
Children's Choices 2012 (Beginning Readers K-2) 59 books — 54 voters TOON recommends: Books For Beginning Readers, Grades K-1 55 books — 52 voters Children's Books for Childcare Providers 64 books — 45 voters Picture Books about School 363 books — 45 voters Picture Books About Kindergarten 123 books — 39 voters School Words
Bee-Bim Bop. by: Linda Sue Park, illustrated by: Ho Baek Lee - (Clarion Books, 2005) 32 pages. Bee-Bim Bop — the name means "mix-mix rice" — is a traditional Korean rice dish of many items. This rollicking romp of a book is about cooking with mom, and includes a fun recipe for parents and children to try together.
How will I make new friends? What if I miss my grownups? Will I be ok? These are big emotions for children. But by using great stories, we can help our kids easily work through their complex feelings. So what are you waiting for? Get them ready for their first day of school with these fantastic books!
The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox Pigeon Math by Asia Citro Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein Unicorns Are the Worst by Alex Willan Pacho Nacho by Silvia Lopez
These include the Caldecott Medal and Honor books; the Core Knowledge Foundation 's selection of recommended books for Kindergarteners; the American Library Association's Notable Children's Books list; and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards.
The Princess in Black. In this series, a young princess has an alter ego that is called upon to save the day! There are 8 books in the series (so far). I hope you enjoyed reading all about these chapter books for kindergarten! Check them out and incorporate them as read-alouds with your students and as a challenge for your advanced readers.
The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant. by: Jean de Brunhoff - (Random House, 1960) 56 pages. The hook: After his mother is killed by hunters in the jungle, young Babar makes his way to the city where he meets a rich benefactress who teaches him the ways of the civilized world. When Babar returns to the jungle a sophisticated adult elephant ...
5. King Pig by Nick Bland. King Pig, ruler of a land of sheep, can make his subjects do whatever he wants. Despite that, none of them like him. Frustrated, he comes up with a way to make the sheep happier. Hilarious. 6. Bedtime is Canceled by Cece Meng. A concept most kids can get behind.
PreK 101 Preschool Books To Stock Your Classroom Library Story time for the entire year! We Are Teachers; Heather T via Amazon reviews; Sohaib via Amazon reviews By Lindsay Barrett Dec 20, 2023 There's nothing better in preschool than cozying up on the rug to share books together.
These books will get your child excited for what's to come. In Clifford Goes to Kindergarten, it's Emily Elizabeth's first day of kindergarten — and she can't help but feel nervous. Thankfully, her teacher gives students permission to bring something from home to make the day easier (but she didn't expect Emily to bring something quite as big ...
Our Top Picks for the Best Kindergarten Graduation Gifts 2024. Squishmallows Zozo Blue Bigfoot Graduation Plush, $17 on amazon.com. Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants 1st Grade Card Set, $17 on amazon ...
Want to know kids' favorite preschool books? Good books for 4- and 5-year-olds? As a former teacher, preschool worker, mom, and book blogger, I have recommendations with reviews of picture books ...
Nov 09, 2023 Ages 4-8 There are many early reading titles that have been created to meet the needs of newly independent readers (typically kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade), with easy-to-follow plots, simple vocabulary, and plenty of sight words, including those in the Raise a Reader sets .