Preschoolers reading books


55 Preschool Books To Read To Your Kids Before They Grow Up

With the help of 55 spectacular preschool books, children learn to explore new concepts and thus increase their pre-existent knowledge of the world. Explore new and exciting literary worlds and all the creative tales they present!

1. Kindness Starts With You

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The main character, Maddy, spreads kindness wherever she goes. Kindness Starts With You teaches kids that every kind act has the potential to make a difference!

2. We Listen to Our Bodies

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We Listen to Our Bodies teaches young learners to tune into their physical, emotional, and intellectual selves. These skills help learners navigate their surroundings and foster better interactions with those around them.

3. Grumpy Monkey

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Get ready to laugh your socks off! Grumpy monkey Jim may just need to have a bit of a bad day to turn his frown upside down. This read demonstrates that it's important to feel all of your emotions and not just try and rid yourself of the negative ones!

4. The Gruffalo

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A mysterious creature named the Gruffalo is invented by a mouse to be his protector!  The Gruffalo is a beloved tale about using your intelligence to navigate the tough, puzzling, and scary times faced in life.

5. The Family Book

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The Family Book is the perfect addition to every Preschool class! It shows readers that each family is special in its own unique way by depicting different types of family arrangements.

6. All by Myself

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Little Critter is really enjoying his independence! He learns to accomplish everyday tasks such as tying his shoes, brushing his hair, and many more, all by himself!

7. Learn to Read: Sight Words Storybook

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Sight Words Storybook is a wonderful book for learning to read. Identify sight words as you enjoy 25 short stories as well as a reinforcing educational activity at the end of each read.

8. All About Weather

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All About Weather is the perfect addition to your preschool classroom as it helps learners gain basic knowledge about the seasons, different types of weather and clouds, and a whole lot more!

9. Llama Llama Loves Camping

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Help Llama Llama face his fears as he sets off on his very first camping trip! So much fun, adventure, and camp-time favorites are in store!

10. My First Learn to Write Workbook

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Looking to replicate a day in the life of preschoolers at home? Why not enlist the help of this fun Learn to Write a book! This awesome book helps children practice pen control whilst learning to recognize, read and write the letters of the alphabet.

11. How to Catch a Mermaid

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Discover how to catch a mermaid in this sweet book. Will you find the most success using glittering gold crowns, perfectly shaped pearls, or other sparkling jewels?

12. The Wonky Donkey

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The Wonky Donkey is the perfect read-aloud book. Children practice recognizing and forming an assortment of vowel sounds as they enjoy a comical read about a donkey with only 3 legs!

13. When I Feel Frustrated

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Help children better navigate emotions of anger with the help of this cleverly written read. When I Feel Frustrated shows learners how to cope with unsettling emotions such as frustration and anger.

14. Peppa in Space

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Peppa Pig has quickly become a fan favorite tv-show. Based on the hit show, Peppa and her family explore a day at the museum and this rambunctious little pig quickly decides that she'd like to explore outer space.

15. Dragon's Breath

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Dragon's Breath reminds readers of the importance of brushing your teeth as well as maintaining good gum and mouth hygiene. This funny picture book is a great walk-through of how a young boy and his dragon maintain proper dental care.

16. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

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With bold graphics, rhyming sentences, and beautiful characters, this lovely book will quickly become a storytime favorite! Brown Bear by Bill Martin and Eric Carle is certainly a classic book for children and introduces young minds to farm animals like never before!

17. The Color Monster

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The color monster needs your help in exploring his emotions. This heartwarming book is perfect for teaching kids how to identify what they are feeling and then calmly process their emotions without losing control.

18. The Night Before Preschool

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Banish first-day preschool jitters with the help of this endearing read. Billy makes a friend on his first day that helps to take all of his nervous feelings away!

19. If Animals Kissed Good Night

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This charming story prompts readers to consider the ways in which different animals would kiss one another goodnight if they were just like humans!

20. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

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With vibrant illustrations and a beautiful storyline, The Very Hungry Caterpillar will have you intrigued from page 1! This read is all about one caterpillar's magnificent transformation into a butterfly. It is the perfect reading choice for preschoolers as it not only allows learners to enjoy a lovely story but also practice counting and learning the days of the week.

21. How to Be Cooler than Cool

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The hilarious tale teaches readers that coolness is something that comes from being yourself and having fun! How to Be Cooler than Cool is a great book for kids as it follows a lively bunch of animal friends on their journey to discovering what it means to be cool.

22. The Mysterious Sea Bunny

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The Mysterious Sea Bunny may not be all that he first seems! This unique picture book teaches learners about the hidden life of many sea creatures.

23. Best Day Ever!

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Best Day Ever maps out a day in the life of an energetic pooch and her owner. This is one of the best books for preschoolers as it demonstrates how to turn a bad day into a good one!

24. Listen

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Explore the sounds of a busy city in this wonderful picture book. Listen inspires readers to be aware of their surroundings and make the most of even the smallest of joys.

25. Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter

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Dakota Crumb is a tiny treasure hunter who lives in the museum. With a mission to find prized artifacts, Dakota is in for the ride of her life as she embarks on her nocturnal adventure!

26. How to Apologize

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How to Apologize is an endearing read that explores the ins and outs of apologies. This book about friendship reminds us that although apologizing isn't always the easiest thing to do, it's extremely important in helping us maintain healthy relationships.

27. We All Play

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We All Play likens young children to animals and helps encourage a spirit of fun and playfulness. This has to be one of the most beautiful books on the market and acts as a fantastic reminder to make time to explore your connection with the natural world.

28. The Museum of Everything

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If you're ready for an adventure-filled read, then The Museum of Everything is the perfect book for you! This story invites readers to take delight in exploring the world around them and marveling at its natural beauty.

29. I Am Not a Fish!

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After undergoing a bit of an identity crisis, Edgar the jellyfish learns to accept himself and love the characteristics that make him special! I Am Not a Fish helps to shed light on the importance of self-acceptance.

30. How to Talk Monster

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How to Talk Monster is an imaginative tale of a boy who may just encounter a monster before going to bed. Monsters aren't as scary as they're always perceived and this humorous picture book shows readers just that!

31. The Octopus Escapes

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After being taken from his cave by a diver, this brave little octopus undergoes studies and tests in an aquarium. He plots his escape in order to live freely in the ocean once more!

32. I'm Getting a Shark!

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Being the biggest shark fanatic around, a young girl hopes to be gifted a shark for her birthday after mishearing her parents' conversation! Learn about the varieties of the shark species as well as how to protect these magnificent creatures with the help of this exciting book.

34. Regina Is NOT a Little Dinosaur

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Regina dreams of independence in this captivating picture book with bold, child-friendly illustrations. When a trip from her nest goes wrong, Regina realizes she may not be as ready as she first imagined!

35. Are You a Cheeseburger?

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Are You a Cheeseburger is a hilarious book about a raccoon who befriends a seed that he finds whilst rummaging through the trash. With big hopes for his little friend, Grub the raccoon is on a mission to grow a cheeseburger, and with the right approach- he may just find success!

36. Turtle in a Tree

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Turtle in a tree is about learning to respect other people's ideas or opinions. In this charming read, a bulldog and greyhound demonstrate that one cannot always see the full picture from their point of view.

37. What If, Pig?

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Pig catastrophizes everything when he starts planning a party for his best friends. Help Pig adopts a positive outlook and disregards his anxious approach in this endearing tale.

38. The More the Merrier

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Great for classroom teaching about learning to love what makes you different from others. Join a variety of forest animal companions as they dance in celebration of their differences.

39. Scribbly

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After moving to a new town Maude finds herself lonely and bored. She draws an imaginary friend dog who teaches her the value of being her authentic self.

40. Have You Ever Seen a Flower?

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Marvel at the natural world with this magnificent picture book. Have You Ever Seen a Flower? encourages readers to explore the natural wonders around them and appreciate the diverse universe in which we exist.

41. Memory Jars

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Memory Jars is a beautiful story that illustrates how wondrous times can be stored as memories- to be retrieved and contemplated whenever we should wish to do so.

42. The Smile Shop

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Left feeling down-trodden after facing a day of disasters, a young boy hopes to use his pocket money to buy himself a smile in the hopes of cheering himself up.

43. Wishes

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Follow the inspiring journey of a Vietnamese family who seeks to build a new life on the other side of the world. Wishes is a poetic read that instills a new hope for humanity in its readers.

44. Oddbird

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Oddbird helps readers appreciate what makes them unique. This witty book sees a young bird gain confidence and relish in new friendships!

45. Dessert Island

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Learn to share with the help of this awesome picture book. Dessert Island is about a fox and a monkey who become the most unlikely of friends.

46. When Lola Visits

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When Lola Visits is a timeless read about the bond between family relatives. This special book details the account of a granddaughter visiting her grandmother for the Summer.

47. Wonder Walkers

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Tap into a world of wonder with the Wonder Walkers. This duo has explored far and wide and has many-a-tales to share. Thought-provoking questions encourage readers to be creative and use their imagination- quickly making this a fan favorite book.

48. My Heart Fills With Happiness

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My Heart Fills With Happiness reminds its readers to appreciate the small joys in life by considering the beauty and pleasure in everyday life.

49. Dumplings for Lili

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Dumplings for Lili is a celebratory tale of family, culture, and cuisine. Lili spends the day helping all the grandmothers in her building make different types of dumplings.

50. Fred Gets Dressed

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Encouraging self-expression, Fred Gets Dressed sees a young boy who enjoys wearing no clothes, playing dress-up, and falling in love with clothing!

51. The Curious Garden

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Liam dreams of a greener world and so decides to fix up a dying garden- planting trees and promoting green growth as he goes!

52. Bedtime for Bad Kitty

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Bad kitty isn't in the mood for bedtime, but can she keep her eyes awake after she runs out of energy? Find out in this hilarious tale about before-bed antics.

53. Star of the Party: The Solar System Celebrates!

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Loved by all, Sun gets a surprise when all her solar system buddies throw her a birthday party! The Solar System Celebrates is a fact-filled book that helps learners discover more about the galaxy!

54. A Pizza with Everything on It

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A dynamic father-son duo creates an outlandish pizza that threatens to destroy the universe and everything in it!

55. Goodbye Preschool, Hello Kindergarten

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Kiss Preschool goodbye with this exciting paperback. Goodbye Preschool, Hello Kindergarten is about a quirky duck named Max who overcomes his fears about moving grades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a literature-based preschool curriculum? 

Preschool curriculums founded on literature rely on books as the main focus in a child's learning journey. Here's why: books explore a number of themes, ideas, and natural phenomena, as well as help, increase a child's vocabulary through natural language acquisition.

150+ AMAZING Preschool Books Preschoolers Will Love

How many books did you read in the classroom yesterday or at bedtime last night? 1, 2, 3, a gazillion?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?… These are just a few of the books that most preschoolers will request every single day.  Keeping up with the demand of a voracious book lover can be challenging.

Here is your one-stop-shop for all things related to reading books with preschoolers. I’ve got the best book lists, reading tips, and book activities that will have your preschoolers craving more and more books which is music to a parent or teacher’s ears.

Preschool Books

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

When choosing books for preschoolers, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

  • Choose books that are engaging.  Great characters and lots of dialogue draw a preschooler right into the story.
  • Know your child or group of kids.  Attention span will vary from child to child.  Start with shorter books and build your way up to lengthier stories.
  • Match books to a child’s interests.  If you have a child who loves monsters, then grab a big stack of monster books.  Kids love to learn more about topics they are passionate about at any given moment.

Book Lists

Each reader, of course, has her own personal reading taste. But, there are some books that can almost be assured to be loved by all preschool children.  The two that I hear teachers and parents say over and over again are…

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean is a sure hit. Really anything by Pete the Cat can be inserted here.  I personally prefer the original four books that were written by Eric Litwin.  The others, in my opinion, have become commercialized and the quality of the story isn’t there like in the first four books.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems is great for eliciting lots of participation and giggles. That silly pigeon wants to drive the bus, but the bus driver has asked the reader to make sure that doesn’t happen.  Move right into Elephant & Piggie books after you have read the Pigeon books.

See what parents and teachers say are the other must-reads for preschool.—>Giant List of Popular Preschool Books

By Age

Each year I share a list of books that have been favorites in our house for the past year.  They are some of our most popular book lists for kids.  Here are the two that apply to the preschool years: Favorite Books for 3 Year-Olds and Favorite Books for 4 Year-Olds.  I’m pretty sure they will be hits with your preschoolers too.

More Great Book Lists

Just like we need a variety in our diet, we also need to expose kids to a variety in their reading diet too. Having multicultural books on our shelves is a must.  Add a good helping of multicultural books for preschoolers to your shelf too.

Books are also a great teaching tool.  Preschoolers learn about colors, shapes, feelings, sequencing, and more.  Explore some titles to help with that development.—>Books for Preschoolers to Teach Basic Concepts has over 40 book suggestions.

Here are some other related preschool book list posts to check out.

Science Books for Preschoolers

Math Books for Preschoolers

Interactive Books for Kids

Nonfiction Books for Preschoolers

Seasonal

A change of seasons is a great opportunity to help your child learn and grow through books.  Below are some of our favorite books to celebrate each season and the holidays of the season.

Fall Books for Preschoolers 

Winter Books for Preschoolers

Spring Books for Preschoolers

Summer Books for Preschoolers

For holiday-specific books, we have you covered too!

Groundhog Day Books 

Click here for more Holiday Books and Activities.

Books for Preschool Themes

This growing list of preschool books for different themes pairs with our Preschool Literacy Units.  Any unit of study is always richer with some quality reading material.

All About Me

Apples

Balls

Boxes

Cars and Trucks

Dinosaurs

Insects

Leaves

Space

Spiders

Books for Special Milestones

Preschoolers usually encounter many special milestones during these precious years.  Here are some book lists to fit those special times

Books for New Siblings

Hopefully, you won’t need this list, but Death of a Sibling books too.

First Day of School Books

Preschool Books and Activities

Our literacy time centers around books.  We thrive on using a book as a springboard into real-life learning and playing.

*Each month a new Book Activity is shared on Growing Book by Book.  It’s an early literacy-building hands-on activity paired with a favorite children’s books.   Here are a few preschool book activities to start with the students.

Pete the Cat Activities

Eric Carle Activities

*Virtual Book Club for Kids is a monthly club that to use on a regular basis.  Each month a preschool book is selected and participating bloggers share hands-on activities that correlate with the book. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Brown Bear Brown Bear Activities

Pinkalicious Activities

Corduroy Activities

*One of my very favorite activities to do at home with preschoolers (and older kids) is Family Dinner Book Club.  Each month a book, themed menu, table craft, conversation starters, and a family service project are shared.  Here are a few past favorites.

James Herriott’s Treasury for Children ( I LOVE this book.)

A Bear Called Paddington

*Another book project near and dear to my heart is helping my preschoolers learn to give to others. We created a monthly project that would help us focus on reading, creating, and then sharing with others.  All the books, activities, and service projects were put together to create my first book, Read, Create & Share.  It’s a great way to bring books to life with preschoolers.

Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, and Folk Tales

I bet you have a few fairy tales and nursery rhymes memorized.  They are true classics.  We were on a huge Three Billy Goats Gruff kick for a while.

Add a good mix of nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and folk tales into your child’s reading diet.

Here are our all-time favorite rhyming books to build phonological awareness.—>Click to see the Not To Be Missed Rhyming Books.

And speaking of rhymes, I have some rhymes and songs your preschoolers will love.  Plus, they will help build your child’s phonological awareness.—>35 Songs and Chants to Build Literacy Skills 

Circle Time Books

Some books lend themselves better to circle time read-alouds.  Here are my top picks of circle time books.—->Circle Time Books

More Tips for Reading Books with Preschoolers

Here are some common questions with answers and tips when it comes to reading books with the preschool crowd.

How do I deal with a squirrelly preschooler during a read-aloud?

It’s the nature of preschoolers to be a bit squirrely.  They are an active bunch of youngsters.  I so wish I could find a way to bottle that amazing energy and take a dose myself.

Just because kids are moving during a read-aloud doesn’t mean that listening isn’t happening. Many kids need to keep their hands busy to help with concentration.  Why Can’t My Child Sit Still When I Read? is a post I wrote with ideas to keep kids focused during a read-aloud.

Should I read a chapter book to a preschooler?

Many preschoolers are also ready to start listening to chapter books.  This read-aloud time has opened so many doors for us on our reading journey.  We do have to be wise when starting this new adventure though.—->Tips for Reading Chapter Books with Preschoolers

Then, check out this month-by-month list of chapter books to read.—>Chapter Books for Preschoolers

How do I interest my preschooler in books?

If your child doesn’t have his own library card, now is a great time to get him one.  Preschoolers thrive on new independence and having their very own library card is a big deal (and great responsibility.)

I think my preschooler is ready to read on her own?  What should I do?

There is a big age range when it comes to learning to read.  I know some children as young as 3 who are ready to read and I know many more that aren’t ready until age 6 or 7.  If your child is ready, and you are looking for books that are easy but not boring, then this is the list for you.—>Easy But Not Boring Beginning Reader Books

Building a Preschooler’s Library

Ok, now you have oodles of book recommendations to read with your preschoolers, but how do you build a personal library for her?

We are huge fans of the library.  Though it doesn’t build your child’s personal permanent library, it’s an excellent way to test out books you may want to purchase. If you find that you are checking out the same book over and over again, then it might be one that you want to consider buying.

I do think that it is important that a child has a set of books that she can call her own too.  There is a great pride and ownership that comes from a personal library.

Here are a few tips for building a library.

  • Give a special book on birthdays and holidays.  Write a note inside the book telling why you selected the book and date it.  I guarantee that these will be treasured books down the road.
  • Ask grandparents, parents (if you are a teacher), and guests to parties to bring a book instead of a toy as a present.
  • Here are some more ideas for getting books for FREE or almost free.—->8 Ways to Get Books for Free

Then, once your preschooler has a starter library, it will be important to teach her how to care for it.—>Teaching Kids to Take Care of Books

Now you have a gazillion more preschool books to read to your budding readers.  Start stocking the shelves because soon that little one will be reading to you

P. S. Join our free Growing Book by Book community.—>YES, I WANT TO

PIN IT for others to discover!


Books for preschoolers, reading for preschoolers, reading to school

All parents want their child to grow up to be kind, versatile, successful. Let's try to figure out how to get closer to this goal already in preschool age.

Reading at preschool age opens up a magical world

Reading at preschool age opens up a magical world. The young reader easily gets used to the roles of the main characters of the works, faces difficulties together with them and finds a solution. This develops social skills, instills the foundations of morality - the concepts of good and evil, good and bad. Reading books to preschoolers develops the flexibility of the mind, makes the child's speech rich and correct, and, of course, prepares for successful schooling.

The magical world of books


To instill in a child a love of reading means to ignite the perpetual motion machine of curiosity. How else can you feel like a traveler, meet fabulous characters, visit the most amazing places and unfamiliar countries? Book lovers are never bored, the book is their eternal friend and adviser in difficult times. Models of various life situations drawn from literary works will be useful in solving your own problems and achieving your goals.

Books open up a new world and give the keys to all doors

Reading List


It would probably be very arrogant for us to recommend certain books for reading. We refer to a selection of highly experienced educators and teachers who have developed an excellent pre-school reading list. "The program of education and training in kindergarten" edited by M. A. Vasilyeva, V. V. Gerbova, T. S. Komarova is officially approved by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and is widely used in kindergartens. You can get acquainted with the program and even download some works in electronic form here:

Reading Suggestions for Preschoolers

Don't Rush to Prose


From birth until about age 5, toddlers show an exceptional affinity for rhythm, rhyme, and expressive storytelling. Most children like poetry more than prose. Therefore, Russian folklore, which has rhythm and vivid presentation, is very important, as are the verses of the classics of children's poetry. Since parents have a strong influence on the preferences of the child, there is a temptation to immediately jump to prose, because adults sometimes find children's poems boring and devoid of a plot component. Do not rush to remove songs, poems and nursery rhymes from the children's shelves, let the baby choose the works that interest him. When the child is ready, he himself will show interest in Nosov's adventures and stories.

It is convenient and pleasant to read books in nature

Choose books with good illustrations


A child of preschool age largely relies on visual images, so for reading to preschoolers, choose books that have more bright, understandable illustrations. An excellent book format is thin books containing one work. Usually they are full of drawings. In addition, thin books leave the child with a sense of completion after reading and help to avoid the persistent "Mom, now let's read the next fairy tale!" When it's time to sleep. Thin books are convenient to take on trips, it is easier for a child to hold and flip through them.

Quality illustrations can be as impressive as the story itself

Consider the context of the work


This may seem obvious, but it is necessary to take into account the seasonality of the works, removing books about snowmen in time when the leaves are already blooming on the street. It is very useful to link books to events that take place in the life of a child, this increases their relevance and interest in the eyes of a young reader by an order of magnitude. For example, before going to the zoo, read V. Bianchi, and take a book with you. Go to the "Nutcracker", get acquainted with the history of the fairy tale in abbreviation. Children really like to draw parallels between various events in their still small life.

Explore fantasy worlds discovered by books

Reading, develop!

Reading books will help preschoolers make friends with the world by building a model of life from the building blocks of goodness and justice. Becoming happy is not easy, but only in the joy of perceiving each situation can you appreciate peace and gain a vision of the shortest path to your goal. Books will help you with this. They not only beckon us with ideals, but also indicate the ways to achieve them. Books teach a child to think, analyze and express their opinion about what is happening in the world. Books magnetize the needle of the inner compass of principles and morality, self-confidence and purposefulness. Read to develop your mind and soul.

An excellent selection of children's books of various formats, from thin books to readers,
you can find in White Rabbit stores. Develop with us!

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Preschool children and reading: how to make a child friends with books?

Modern parents are very concerned about the question of how to attract a preschooler to reading: where to start? What authors, what genres and formats to choose? How does love for books come about? Marina Solomonova, teacher and researcher of children's literature, deputy director of the Central City Children's Library named after A. P. Gaidar, subordinate to the Department of Culture of Moscow, tells.

Marina Solomonova, teacher and researcher of children's literature, deputy director of the Central City Children's Library named after A.P. Gaidar

What would you recommend reading for kids?

Russian poetry for children. Start with Daniil Kharms, Alexander Vvedensky, Korney Chukovsky . Read the unique collection of OBERIU poets when modern children's literature was just beginning. This is the history of the Russian language, its wealth, its game.

Being a parent is great! You finally have the opportunity to read the poetry of the last hundred years. You will not even notice how, one poem a day, together with your child, you will also grow as a reader. Of the newest, but already famous authors, I recommend Anastasia Orlova and Maria Rupasova.

From foreign classics I recommend for the smallest cardboard books by great artists - Eric Karl, Suzanne Berner, Ali Mitgush. These books have been around for many years, and in Russia they have been reprinted more than once, and Russian mothers and teachers around these books have already come up with a lot: games, master classes.

Of the latter, absolutely wonderful: "Where did the mountain go" by the "eco-author" Stanislav Vostokov and the wonderful illustrator Maxim Pokalev, the unusual work "My mother is an airplane" by Yulia Aronova, the book "Bolivar" by Sean Rubin, similar to a real movie. Marianne Dubuc's books are witty about sequence and size, and the series about Tata and Pata, Finnish inventor boys, is just fantastic! Children and adults are crazy about the wake-up-feed-dressing machine of the brothers Tatu and Patu. And if you don't have a single book by Mauri Kunnas yet, you need to read them as well!

Scooter

MIF

Rech

Scooter

How to choose the right first book for a child?

Three main components of success: the quality of the book, its appropriateness for the age of the child and the size . Books made from the "correct" cardboard, with safe paint and glue, are quite expensive. But honestly, this book pays off. The child will slobber her, spill juice on her, but she will endure everything. And children love their first books; they come back to them again and again a.

Until the child begins to read excitedly on his own, try to select books according to his age. A two-year-old will not appreciate The Wizard of Oz, even if it seems to you that he is listening with might and main. He listens to you, not to the book. And, if it seems to you that your friend's son has already read a lot, then don't chase them. Let your child develop at his own pace : where are you in a hurry, are you late? The most important thing has already happened - you are together and near.

As for the size of the book, it should be small, its ideal option is under the palm of a baby (like special editions of the ABC from the Hermitage Collection), because then it is not just a thing, but a thing of a child. Down with the bricks "Reading from zero to five"!

When choosing a book by a modern author, is it better for parents to rely only on their own taste?

If you don't read yourself, aren't fond of contemporary art, then practically not. Most of the average Russian parents read the latest poetry ... from the Silver Age; in painting, even the avant-garde is not understood... In fact, such a young parent is a hundred years behind modern art and modern books.

What should be done? Feel free to go to a library or a bookstore and walk there between the shelves, leaf through, ask questions , moreover, with open eyes, heart and soul. You may be surprised by your choice.

When the child gets older, take him with you and choose according to the principle: one - to your taste, the other - let the child choose, and the third one, take the one that the librarian or seller advised . And you can also use the navigator from Gaidarovka - I hope this link will be bookmarked.

Should a child's library contain a lot of educational literature?

Children are all different. If a child fell in love with dinosaurs with all his heart, you won’t say: “Let’s read about a hedgehog.” There are children who are completely indifferent to popular science literature. A home library is not a ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, there is no regulation on how many encyclopedias, biographies and fairy tales should be.

What are the advantages of children's books in unusual format?

My favorite format of this type is books without words, but with a plot through illustration . They develop something absolutely incredible in a child - the ability to build a story on their own, comprehend the meaning of illustrations, the depth of their own emotions. It's like a journey within yourself. An example is Tatyana Ukhova's Grasshopper.

Toy books are also unusual. But still they are not about reading. You yourself remember that you fell in love with reading, not because you put a puzzle inside the book, but because you met some amazing plot or hero. I wish there was still a market for children's books specifically for smartphones.

Can a child be taught to read audio books?

This is a different way of spending time. A child may love to listen to audio, but not like to read. In general, audio is super, a great story and very helpful to mom.

Does such a form of reading as showing filmstrips still exist?

I know families that have an overhead projector and a collection of filmstrips, and they enjoy viewing them. The RGDB has a collection of filmstrips. But still, in my opinion, it's like listening to vinyl records. Retro pastime. Not reading.

Do you recommend comparing reading with cartoons?

I don't really like that cartoons have been made based on all the main children's books. The child does not have his own images, he has ready-made ones. I advise to go to the play, or even better, stage it yourself : play with toys, make heroes out of plasticine...

If you don't have the energy for the play, let it be a cartoon. A calm mother is the most important thing. But it's great if there are all sorts of author's decisions in the cartoon. For example, the characters sing, then you can learn the songs and sing them when you read them again. It will definitely fit in a small fluffy children's head like two different works for one story, and then it will be possible to show the difference between the possibilities of different art forms.

How often should a child read?

Traditional night reading. You can do it during the day, before going to bed, and during a walk. On the road, be sure to take a book too. Children love a change of activity. We read, played, drew, walked, ate, read some more... The books themselves can be different during the day. And if you get to read three times a day - morning, afternoon and evening - excellent .

Why is it difficult to captivate a preschooler with books? What are the most pressing issues right now?

Insufficient parent resource. Parents are very tired . Every 10-20 minutes the child wants something different. They sat down to read a book, he already lost his desire and runs somewhere, grabs his phone. He may like books that are completely meaningless, rather than those with drawings by an award-winning illustrator.

Many parents think that their child will never be interested in books. My advice: look for that very book ! Well, if it's completely hopeless... Don't punish. Just show that text is everywhere, and not just in books. One cannot cope without text in the modern world.

Many of the generation of the 2000s fell in love with reading as adults - this is already an officially recorded phenomenon.

See also:

15 tricks that will help your child to read

How to choose books for the little ones?

More fun! 15 large format educational books

Photo: Africa Studio, Tomsickova Tatyana, HTeam/Shutterstock.


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