26 best books for preschoolers to read aloud

26 Best Books For Preschoolers for learning and self-development

What are the best books you should buy for your preschoolers? Some of the best children’s books to read aloud of 2021.

I simply love books meant for preschoolers. They’re simple and relatively quick to read and the illustrations are amazing. Reading with preschoolers can be one of the greatest joys of life when the material is right.

Let’s be honest! Every child is different and their likes also differ. A 3-year-old preschooler I different from a 4 four-year-old preschooler.

They all have different reading habits and tastes and all this sometimes makes it so hard to find the right books for your children.

And of course!

Reading the same tedious guff over and over again every bedtime can be a bane for many parents. So, I have come up with a list of 26 best books for preschoolers that they will love to read, listen aloud and enjoy the most.

These preschooler books are amazing and can really be appealing to young children of roughly two- to four-years-old.

Kids have a lot of enthusiasm during this age and a lot of questions not to mention. Reading books to them can be a source of boosting or giving their enthusiasm a kick start. At bedtime or circle time, kids of this age look for fun, exciting reads that keep them engaged.  

Ever since my kids turned 3 and 4 their curiosity started to peak and sometimes, they asked new and challenging questions. During the first years, I picked regular learning books for them, but I realized I need to search for topics that go with their interests.

So, I slowly starting picking books on subjects they wanted to know more about and some books where I can build their enthusiasm in and are sure to grab preschool-age readers.

How Can You Read With A Preschooler?

Preschoolers mainly age 3 – 5 can sit still and listen to a story for at least five minutes. This is the time when you gain most of their attention with the right book and make them fall in love with it. They, at this age, also understands how to care for books and are ready for real books instead of board books.

Here are some tips on how you can incorporate reading in your preschooler’s routine:

  • Whenever possible, let your preschooler choose the book of his choice and read it to him.
  • Visit your library often with your little one. Once he keeps on seeing the books with beautiful illustrations, he will fall in love with them.
  • Books don’t have to be read in one sitting. You can spark their love and curiosity by keeping them in surprise to see what the books hold till the next day.
  • Ask your preschooler questions about the book you read. This helps them to listen attentively.
  • Whenever you read a book, ask them the name of it, the author’s name, title, and the end pages.
  • Don’t be afraid of the book has longer words and sentences. You kids don’t need to understand every sentence in a book. Let the mind and illustrations do its job.
  • It’s ok to read the same book over and over, but as long as your child is interested. This repetition will help him build this vocabulary and broaden it.

Best Learning Books For Preschoolers

There are so many books out there for preschoolers. But you need to find one that is best for you and your child and you enjoy reading together.

In this post, I’m sharing with you 26 Best books for preschoolers which have lots of beautiful illustrations to captivate prereaders.  These are some of my favorite learning books for preschoolers.

 I Like Myself

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“I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont is a great book for our little ones to boost their self-esteem. This book is something that will make them feel how important they are. The endearing confidence-boosting book tells them they are unique and important in their own skin.

Spoon

“Spoon” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a little book is about a ‘spoon’ who has always been a happy little utensil. But he feels that his life as a spoon is just isn’t what he wants. He thinks the knife, fork and the chopsticks are better than him.

But are they? What do they think about the spoon? This book shows how much special one is the way he is created. it is a gentle reminder to celebrate what makes each one of us special.

Lift-The-Flap Numbers

Lift-The-Flap Numbers by Howard Hughes is the best book for preschoolers to teach them counting, addition, and subtraction. This makes math a fun game.

Each page is filled with cute illustrations to keep your preschooler engages. This is a perfect book for preschoolers age 2-5.

Anno’s Counting Book

Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno is a great book to teach kids counting. According to Mitsumasa Anno, “Every child is a natural mathematician”.

Kids constantly compare and classify things and observe their surroundings. As they try to observe and bring sense and order into what they see and overserve, they are actually performing basic mathematical feats.

This is a classic book for preschoolers to teach counting. Give it a try!

A Little Book About 123s

A Little Book About 123s by Leo Lionni is a beloved children’s book. No childhood can be completed without having this one at home. This book joins the collection of Lionni’s best-selling classics.

Kids can learn the magic of numbers in this playful board book. With engaging artwork, this colorful book is one of the best books for preschoolers ages 0-3. It also makes a great baby shower gift for a mom-to-be.

The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is a book based on a story of a train with toys and gifts for little boys and girls that breaks down before reaching the kids.

After asking for several trains passing over the hill for help, the little blue train agrees to help the stranded toys. Even though this train was small, yet it tries her best to bring those toys to the kids on the other side of the hill.

The way the train keeps trying and trying hard can teach the child how important struggles in life and with willpower you can overcome any challenges of life. This is a great book for preschoolers ages 3 to 7.

Jasper and Ollie Build A Fort

Jasper and Ollie Build A Fort by Alex Willan is a humorous follow-up to Jasper & Ollie. This book will tickle your funny bone while highlighting the importance of celebrating your differences.

When Jasper and Ollie decide to build separate forts in the backyard, each of their efforts is different as the friends themselves. Jasper builds an elaborate fort in minutes, while Ollie takes time planning and building a meaningful place for two friends to share.

Where Do Speedboats Sleep At Night

Where Do Speedboats Sleep At Night by Brianna Caplan Sayres which provokes the love of those children who can’t get enough of the boats? They will love this nautical nighttime story full of exciting watercraft.

Those children obsessed with modern classic Where do Diggers Sleep At Night? will love this new addition to the bedtime story. So, let your kid join a wide variety of boats and watercraft as they wash up and get ready to dock for the night.

This book will leave kids to nod off to dreams with gentle ideas and rocking boats.

How To Read To A Grandma Or Grandpa

How To Read To A Grandma Or Grandpa by Jean Reagan is a great How-to book which is a collection of their famous “how-to” picture books from babysitting grandparents to scaring ghosts.

In this latest book, they teach how to read with grandparents and teach them how to orchestrate the perfect storytime. This book teaches how kids can show their grandparents to choose a great book, find a perfect spot together to read and lots of activities that kids and their grandparents can do together.

This is the best book for preschoolers filled with humor, creative ideas, and especially how you can bond your kids with their grandparents.

Bob Books Set 1: Beginning Readers

Bob Books Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen is a great book for preschoolers if your little one has just started learning phonics and blending words. The stories in this book use three-letter word sentences for your early reader.

It is a wonderful book that covers a few letters sounds and gradually adding more and more sounds to increase the complexity. This book is a must-have book for preschoolers to learn to read.

The Tiny Seed

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is a story of a life cycle of a flower that is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. This story shows how the seed travels a long distance through different seasons to finally grow into a beautiful plant.

This book seed-embedded paper inside the book which kids can use to plant the entire piece of paper and watch their seeds grow into beautiful flowers.

This is an amazing book for preschoolers ages 2-7. It gives children a good understanding of the lifecycle of a plant.

Moo On The Farm

Moo On The Farm by Parragon Books is an interactive sound book that teaches children about different animals found on the farm and their sounds.

There are press buttons on the book to hear the animal sounds. This one feature makes it a perfect book for engaging little readers and help them learn about animals.

This is a wonderful and interactive preschooler’s book for ages 2 and up.

Ladybird I am ready to explore my world

Ladybird I Am Ready To Explore My World by Ladybird is a lovely addition to your little one’s book collection. This book teaches about 20 different countries and cultures around the world from their similarities and differences to their famous landmarks, clothing, flag, and language are spoken.

This is the best book for preschoolers to get information about the world the life in and the countries around them. This book includes all this information for a 3-year-old to 5-year-old to grasp in an easy format.

Your child can actually learn a lot of information through this book. It’s a must-have on your bookshelf!

Safety Rules – My Very First Preschool Book 

Safety Rules by Pegasus is a book for children to learn about important health and safety rules. It is an easy grasp book for preschoolers where each page ahs a concept explained in short sentences with a picture. This is an amazing way to teach preschoolers to understand the safety concept better.

It covers topics like personal hygiene, safety around electrical sockets, swimming pools and other areas where the safety rules need to be followed in everyday life.

The design and colorful images inside the book are a way to catch a kid’s attention and help them learn.

Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind

Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische is a follow-up to Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave. This book is a reminder to always treat others with kindness. This uplifting book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow they will be helpful, grateful and kind to others.

This is the best book to teach preschoolers to learn how to be kind to others. This book is perfect for ages 3-7.

Just Like Me

Just Like Me by Vanessa Newton is a collection of stories of all kinds of girls – girls with goals, girls who feel happy, sad, scared, powerful, girls who give back and girls who love.

If you’re a mom of girls then this book is a perfect fit for your little one. This book will warm the hearts of everyone who read it.

From the country to city girls, girls from all backgrounds share their dreams and thoughts. This book has vibrant colors and pictures to attract readers and find themselves within the pages of this book.

Jack A Bat

Jack A Bat by Mac Barnett is a series to A Jack Book. So, if your little ones are a fan of Book 1 and 2, I’m sure they’re going to love this one as well. These series are quickly becoming a favorite of growing readers everywhere. 

This is a story about Jack who is told to become a Bat Boy in a baseball game. Kids will laugh out loud as they read about the adventures of Jak during that baseball game.

There are more series of this book coming in May so your kids can enjoy reading every single night.

Cool Cuts

Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe is a book that kids will enjoy, especially young African American boys. This book is about self-love and celebration of diverse hairstyles/

Brightly colored illustrations of hairstyles like cornrows, curls, and afros adorn each page along with the mantra, “I am born to be awesome!”. This book gives life to the feeling of self-satisfaction and admiring yourself and loving how you’re created.

This is a perfect book to teach kids to love the way they’re and rock their awesomeness. If you want you can check out the companion book for girls, Happy hair.

The Bug Girl: A True Story

The Bug Girl: A True Story is written by Sophie Spencer and Margaret McNamara. This is a true story where the author shares her personal experience and her love for bugs. Ever since she was a toddler, she loved bugs but the other kids never understood her fascination.

Bullies finally pushed this 7-year-old Sophia to stop sharing her interests, until hundreds of female scientists reach out to encourage her to follow her passion.

This author’s personal story uplifts and encourages children to follow their passion and embrace their curiosities. This is the best book for preschoolers ages 4-8.

To The Moon And Back For You

To The Moon And Back For You by Emila Bechrakis is for any parent who has struggled on their journey to have their baby. This book explores the difficulty of conceiving.

There are so many books that illustrate the extraordinary love for a parent for their child, but there are few that do so through the lens of infertility.

This book is a love letter to every parent who crossed oceans, deserts, and mountains just to find their baby. This is a perfect book to teach the unconditional love of a parent for their child.

Grandma’s Gardens

Grandma’s Gardens by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton in an amazing book to teach about the powerful and everlasting bond between generations.

Grandma Dorothy shared her love of gardens with her granddaughter and taught them how magical they are. She left her precious gift of the garden for them with fond memories of their time spent together.

This book celebrates a special bond that forms across generations as we share the things we love.

How To Solve A Problem

How To Solve A Problem by Ashima Shiraishi one of the world’s youngest and most skilled climbers, shares her story of determination in this picture book.

She points out that a boulder is just like any other problem you might face in life. There are twists and turns, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them.

This book teaches children that there is always a way to solve a problem and with strong determination, any goal can be achieved. comes a true story of strength and perseverance–in rock climbing and in life.

Press Here

Press Here by Herve Tullet has a yellow dot on the cover of the book and follow the directions within embark upon a magical journey.

Each page of this book surprises the reader as it instructs them to either press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book and who knows what will happen!

Children and adults will giggle as they move from one page to another in this unique picture book about the power of imagination. This is a perfect read-aloud book for preschoolers.

Round Is A Tortilla: A Book Of Shapes

Round Is A Tortilla is written by Roseanne Thong through which children will discover all the shapes around them. This is a great informative book to teach kids about shapes through a variety of pictures in this book.

With rich illustrations and rhyming text, this playful book will teach children shapes in a fun and creative way.

10 Things I Can Do To Help My World

10 Things I Can Do To Help My World is written by Melanie Walsh. This is a great book to teach kids about some small things they can do on a daily basis to help the world around them.

Few things to keep in check are whether you turned off the tap while brushing your teeth. Or did you use both sides of the paper to draw and write? How about planting seeds and nurturing new plants as they grow?

Bold and child-friendly illustrations help the young children to understand the importance of small things and his gentle reminder of easy, everyday ways can help them become kinder to nature.

Penguins Love Colors

Penguins Love Colors by Sarah Aspinall is an illustrative book that introduces readers to the six primary and secondary colors and the adorable antics of six creative penguins.

The lively text in the book asking children to participate in questions and answers within the book makes it really engaging and is a perfect bedtime story, or literally anytime.

So, that’s it! These are my favorite books for my kids and the best books for preschoolers. I really hope you liked them. Many of the authors listed above have multiple books. Find one that your child likes? Make sure to check out more by the same author!

Leave me a comment below with some of your recommendations for learning books for preschoolers.

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26 Best Books For Preschoolers for learning and self-development

Um Mishael

I am the Wife, Mommy, & Blogger behind All Moms Blog learning to run my own home and raise up kids while chasing my dreams. I work to support, inspire, and encourage moms in the journey of motherhood to make their lives easier without losing your sanity.