Looking for the best books for preschoolers?!? These are five children’s books that every preschooler will love.
Thank you to HarperCollins for sponsoring this post.
Now, I know this is a super teachery thing to talk about. But I’m obsessed with children’s books. We have not one, not two, but three giant bookshelves filled with the best books for preschoolers (and I just keep buying more).
Some of my favorite memories of my own preschool years are the simplest. My mom, myself and some of our favorite pieces of literature. Now, I’ve talked a lot about how nutty our schedule is. We tend to leave the house by about 6:45 or 7 am each day and to get home at 6 pm. What does that mean? Both parents and one preschooler, all tired.
When Lydia was born, we agreed to make a bedtime story part of our evening routine. As crazy as this sounds, we’ve never missed a night. That’s right, that’s over 1,250 bedtime stories so far (and most nights we read at least two books). Trust me, there are nights when I’ve suggested skipping. But, now Lydia refuses to go to bed without a story. As a teacher and fellow bookworm, I can’t help but feel proud of that!
Remember last year when we launched our A Reading Family series? For a month, Lydia and I did a Facebook Live broadcast each Friday to share some of our favorite books. Well, you guys have been asking us to bring it back. So we are, in blog post form! I wanted to kick off our suggestions for building a home library that any preschooler will love with 5 of our favorite classic children’s books (plus one awesome bonus).
Best Books for Preschoolers
These five books take up prime real estate in Lydia’s bedroom bookshelf, and I own a second copy of all five in my classroom library. They’re on my list of personal favorites and my mom read all five to me growing up. Now if that’s not a solid recommendation, I don’t know what is!
The Runaway Bunny: This adorable story was written in 1942, and is one of the most popular children’s books EVER. It tells the story of a mother bunny who promises to follow her baby ANYWHERE (and has stunning illustrations).
Where the Wild Things Are: This book is a classic (and is perfect for nights after days of temper tantrums, ha!). It shares the story of Max, an imaginary journey, and one pretty crazy party. Kids will seeing him play with his imaginary friends!
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: This book is a favorite for any preschooler, and is a GREAT way to teach cause and effect in a silly, goofy story. Kids love following the consequences of giving one little cookie to a very small mouse! (bonus points if you eat cookies while you read)
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Want to spark imagination and encourage art exploration? The story of Harold and the Purple Crayon is a great place to start. One little boy, one purple crayon and a world of possibilities.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a total classic. In fact, for the first two years of her life it was Lydia’s favorite bedtime story…..we probably read it 4 nights a week. It was written in 1947, and shows an adorable bunny saying goodnight to EVERY item around her (including the cow jumping over the moon and noises everywhere). It’s an adorable story that has helped generations of parents encourage their own children to say goodnight to their surroundings and to head off to dreamland. I read it with my own parents, and it’s been a true joy to read it with Lydia.
Good Day, Good Night by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Loren Long: I’m a HUGE fan of Goodnight Moon, so when I got an email last month with this news…..I could barely contain my excitement (I know, I know dorky teacher response)……….THERE’S ANOTHER BOOK! Yup, HarperCollins just released Good Day, Good Night…..a previously unpublished book meant to accompany Goodnight Moon. I was given the opportunity to preview a copy before it released…..and am SO glad I got to see it. This story of a little bunny uses the same type of repetitive word patterns we see in Goodnight Moon, and tells the story of an adorable animal town that has a good day AND a good night. The illustrations are stunning, and perfect for preschoolers. The story is engaging, kid appropriate, and a ton of fun to read. I can’t wait to pair Goodnight Moon and Good Day, Good Night as the perfect baby shower gift…….they’re a great combo to give together!
Now, I know you’re swooning over these Best Books for Preschoolers. So, I’ve got a treat for you. I’m teaming up with HarperCollins to give one family their own set of books! One lucky kid will win copies of Good Day, Good Night and Goodnight Moon, a Good Day, Good Night– themed event kit and the adorable bunny rattle Lydia has in these pictures (although she kept calling it a stuffy since rattles are for babies, ha)! It’s made by KidsPreferred and is adorable!
To download the adorable Good Day, Good Night Activity Book, click HERE
So what do you think? Are you a bookworm? What do you think are the best books for preschoolers??? Leave your favorites below in the comments!
I like Goodnight Moon, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and If you give a mouse a cookie.
I cannot remember what I read as a child but I love You are my I love you. It is my favorite book to read to my daughter.
I think I can recite goodnight moon from heart lol
I loved Corduroy as a kid!
Oh, The Places You Will Go is a great one.
I like Wild Things.
Where the wild things are
The Corduroy books.
goodnight moon and kissing hand
I like goodnight moon
I like Goodnight Dear God.
We love curious george
I am a huge bookworm so I love so many of the classic children’s books! My youngest daughters current favorites are The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Love You Forever. 🙂
I loved Dear Zoo.
It is Good Night Moon
Mary Had A Little Lamb
Many of the ones you mentioned + Corduroy!
I love Goodnight moon and now read it to my grandchildren!
Charlottes web
I love Corduroy nd Velveteen Rabbit.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the velveteen rabbit.
cat in the hat
Give a Mouse a Cookie is a favorite!
I like the children’s book Pat the Bunny.
My favorite book is Bambi.
This was always a favorite for my kids as well as Love You Forever.
My kids and I always loved Noisy Nora.
I love kids’ books! When I was little I always loved being read to and then reading myself! Now I have many small great-nieces and nephews and would love to include your prize in the Christmas bag I am giving them!
Goodnight moon is my all time classic also my niece likes it
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
I liked where the wild things are and chicka chicka boom boom
where the wild things are was always a favorite of mine
I’ve always loved Goodnight Moon!
All the ones you mentioned are good.
Curious George books were always my favorite!
charlottes web is my favorite childrens book
Popeye climbs a mountain.
We have 3 of the 5 you mentioned and Corduroy also!
I am a retired elementary librarian and this is a great list!
Where the Wild Things Are is by far one of my absolute favs!! I remember from childhood and enjoy reading it to my son <3
When I found out I was pregnant, I think I was more excited to buy baby books than I was about anything else!
My favourites are “Each, Peach, Pear, Plum” by Janet and Allan Ahlberg and “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson. Oh! And “The Snowy Day” by Jack Ezra Keats.
Good Night Moon is a favorite at our house.
The Littlr House by Virginia Lee Burto
We have and love all 5 of these! And I can’t wait to read Good Day, Good Night.
My preschooler recently developed interest in books and we have started reading a variety of them. Our favorite is the very hungry caterpillar, Mr. Brown can Moo, Berenstein bears in the night and good night moon! I will definitely check the books you have listed. I find Books a great way to develop vocabulary and imagination in kids.
One of my favorites has always been Ferdinand the Bull. My son also loved it when he was little.
Love these books
We live good night moon!
Good Night Moon. My son had me read that book over and over.
I love Where the Wild Things are
My son loves Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon is one of my favorites.
With the holidays coming, I hope you will share my book, Spider’s Gift: A Christmas Story (Pauline Books and Media).