Best Books for Preschoolers: Ages 3-5 Years

From managing emotions to laugh-out-loud stories, books for preschoolers can’t be beat. In addition to supporting early literacy development, books for this age group promote imagination, creativity, and a love of reading. Here are my favorite books to recommend to caregivers of 3-year-olds and 4- to 5-year-olds, as well as to share in storytime.

A quick note: As Donalyn Miller said in The Joy of Reading, a list is only as good as its maker. While these titles have been successful with the families I’ve served and my own children, I don’t expect you to share them wholesale with yours. You know your community best! I hope you discover a few new titles that foster connection with your own readers and give your readers’ advisory a quick boost.

Books for 3-Year-Olds

Kindness Makes
Us Strong
By Sophie Beer
Showcases children extending kindess on the playground, at lunchtime, and more.
In the Night Garden
By Carin Berger
A celebration of nighttime nature perfect for bedtime.
Stack the Cats
By Susie Ghahremani
One cat sleeps. Two cats play. Three cats stack! Adorable counting book.
Bing! Bang!
Chugga! Beep!
By Bill Martin Jr.
Sing-song fun that’s a must for young car fans.
It’s a Tiger
By David LaRochelle
Swing, swing, swim, swim, don’t slow down, it’s a tiger! The perfect choice for any storytime.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
By Eric Litwin
It lends itself to a flannel board, plus you can sing along!
Get the Giggles
By Andy J. Pizza
For whenever you need a good laugh or to boost your little one’s mood.
Everybunny Dance!
By Ellie Sandall
Everbunny dance, play, sing, and the ultimate challenge, be still!
Supertruck
By Stephen Savage
A mysterious superhero saves the snowy day!
The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer
By Philip C. Stead
Three barnyard friends must venture to the edge of the farm to find the sun.
Can You Make a Scary Face?
By Jan Thomas
Interactive fun with silly faces, a bossy ladybug, and a big hungry frog.
Grumpy Bird
By Jeremy Tankard
Bird will need help from friends to shake off the grumpies.
Look and Listen
By Dianne White
Get outdoors and guess the garden critters! Details about each one are found in the back matter for older readers, too.
How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?
By Jane Yolen
Even dinosaurs need to learn how to cross the street and encounter strangers.

Books for 4-5 Year-Olds

Daniel’s Good Day
By Micha Archer
Daniel explores his neighborhood learning a variety of answers to the question, “what makes a good day for you?”
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree
By Daniel Bernstrom
A sneaky snake doesn’t know the captives in his belly are planning their escape! Kids will bop to the beat and eagerly await the snake’s next treat.
Grandma’s Purse
By Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ordinary days can become extraordinary when grandma visits with her purse full of special surprises.
Open Very Carefully
By Nick Bromley
Beware the crocodile! Do you think he can escape the book?
Jabari Jumps
By Gaia Cornwall
A young boy conquers his fear of the high jump. What could he conquer next?
The Rabbit Listened
By Cori Doerrfeld
Taylor doesn’t know what to do when something sad happens. All the animals give him different advice, but the Rabbit listens.
A Spoonful of Frogs
By Casey Lyall
The most important ingredient in a witch’s soup is frogs, but how do you get them to stay on the spoon?!
How to Say Hello to a Worm
By Kari Percival
Excellent introduction to gardening and exploring the outdoors in spring.
Bea’s Bad Day
By Tom Percival
Bea is really excited for her birthday until a snowstorm causes everything to go wrong. A great intro to dealing with disappointment.
Pass the Baby
By Susanna Reich
Energetic rhyming book about family, food & fun. Great for those with younger siblings.
The Monster At the End of This Book
By Jon Stone
Don’t turn the page! There is a monster at the end of this book.
Owl Babies
By Martin Waddell
“I want my Mommy!” cries the owlet Bill as his siblings try to convince him she’s just hunting.
Bear Snores On
By Karma Wilson
Bear’s cave fills with animal friends as he sleeps.