Pre-K books for children aged 0-4
Pre-K children’s books including picture books, poetry and illustrated nonfiction. Explore themes such as kindness, feelings, family, resilience, bedtime routines, attempting things for the first time and starting school. This list contains more than 30 engaging titles to read and share with younger children. This list features books by Richard Scarry, Anna Dewdney, Jonathan Stutzman, Nikki Grimes, Suzanne Lang, Sandra Boynton, Eric Carle, Herve Tullet and Drew Daywalt.
Pre-K books for children aged 0-4 – our recommendations
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman
A cake-loving llama accidentally triggers a cosmic catastrophe in this humorous picture book. After overeating on Monday, Llama’s antics escalate, leading to an accidental black hole by Friday. With sparse text and vibrant illustrations, the book uses a countdown structure to engage young readers in a playful tale of cause and effect.
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Julián dreams of dressing as a mermaid after seeing three women in dazzling costumes on a subway ride. Inspired, he creates his own mermaid attire but wonders if his Nana will accept his self-expression. Love’s watercolor illustrations capture the warmth and understanding between Julián and his Nana. The book subtly celebrates individuality and acceptance, offering young readers an inclusive, gentle story about self-discovery.
From Head to Toe Board Book by Eric Carle
Mimic animal actions, clap hands and stomp feet! The book uses simple instructions and vibrant illustrations to engage children in physical movement and learning. With animals like giraffes, monkeys, and seals leading the way, the book promotes listening, exercise, and trying new challenges with Carle’s signature collage-style artwork.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
When a train filled with toys and treats breaks down before reaching its destination, several trains refuse to help. But a small blue engine, despite its size, decides to try. With determination and the mantra “I think I can,” the little engine successfully pulls the train over the mountain. The story conveys a message of perseverance, inspiring readers to tackle challenges, no matter how daunting.
The Bunnies Are Not in Their Beds by Marisabina Russo
Three mischievous bunnies defy their parents’ attempts to get them to sleep. As their antics escalate, from playing with toy trains to staging a Wild West game, their parents repeatedly intervene, only to find the bunnies still wide awake. The book’s rhythmic text and lively illustrations capture the humour of bedtime struggles.
Hope Is a Hop by Katrina Moore
Eva despairs after a rabbit devours her garden. But a shift in perspective leads her to discover a new family of bunnies, inspiring her to try again. Through lyrical verse and gentle illustrations, the story conveys resilience and the power of renewed hope. The book’s themes of forgiveness and growth, and the soft bunny motifs, make it an ideal choice for Easter gifting.
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle
When a wind blows half of the dragons away, the others go on wild adventures, including surfing in Hawaii and forming a rock band. As dragons disappear and reappear, the story engages readers in addition and subtraction. LaRochelle’s humor and Cho’s playful illustrations capture the quirky antics of the dragons, making this an entertaining way to practice math.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Chester Raccoon faces the anxiety of starting school and separation from his mother. To comfort him, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family tradition known as the Kissing Hand, a gesture to remind Chester of her love whenever he feels scared. This heartwarming tale has become a beloved classic, especially for children dealing with separation anxiety. Its simple, reassuring message and gentle illustrations offer comfort to young readers.
The Bad Seed by Jory John
There’s a bad seed with poor manners and a bad attitude who cuts in line and makes babies cry! But when reflects on his troubled past, he realizes what led him to his bad behavior and decides to change. This story emphasizes the power of self-awareness and the possibility of change, showing that even bad seeds can grow into something better. There’s a meaningful message about second chances and personal growth.
Hands are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
This simple yet powerful picture book that teaches young children the importance of using their hands for positive actions rather than violence. With bold illustrations and minimal text, the book highlights activities like playing, drawing, helping, and hugging, while stressing that hands should never be used for hitting. A special section for adults provides discussion starters and techniques, such as the “Mad Dance,” to help children manage strong emotions in a fun and safe way.
A B See by Elizabeth Doyle
A B See is a beautifully designed and engaging alphabet book that offers a fun twist on the traditional ABCs. Each letter is formed from embossed images of related objects, creating a tactile experience for readers. The book challenges children to look beyond the letter itself and find hidden treasures, such as apples, arrows, and armor in the letter A, or bears, banjos, and bikes in the letter B. The book uses simple text, with each page featuring a creature interacting with an object that starts with the corresponding letter.
Words by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
A lively and engaging introduction to the world of vocabulary for young children. With rhythmic, playful text, the book explores different types of words, from long and short to fancy and dancy. The combination of Martin and Archambault’s lively text with Lois Ehlert’s vibrant, bold illustrations is perfect for introducing first words.
Making Faces by Abrams Appleseed
This book helps young children recognize and mimic five basic emotions: happy, sad, angry, surprised, and silly. Each emotion is paired with a photo of a baby displaying that expression. Readers are tasked with identifying the correct face from a group of babies. The book concludes with a mirror to encourage children to observe their own facial expressions. The simple layout and diverse images support early emotional development.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
I Want My Hat Back follows a bear searching for his missing hat, politely asking other animals if they’ve seen it. Each denies knowing its whereabouts, but one is not being truthful. The book is told entirely through dialogue, using minimal text and illustrations to create a deadpan humor that engages young readers. Klassen’s muted color palette and simple yet expressive artwork enhance the story’s understated wit.
Ooo, Baby Baby! by Sandra Boynton
Ooo, Baby Baby! celebrates the love and wonder of parenthood as a baby bunny explores the world with joy and curiosity. The story, narrated by an adoring big bunny, highlights the transformative experience of welcoming a new child, observing everyday moments with delight. Boynton’s warm illustrations and rhythmic text make the book an ideal gift for parents, caregivers, and families.
The Crayons’ Book of Feelings by Drew Daywalt
The familiar crayon characters from The Day the Crayons Quit introduce young readers to a range of emotions in this simple, accessible, this board book. Each crayon expresses a different feeling, from happiness to sadness, encouraging children to recognize and understand their own emotions. It’s an engaging approach to emotional literacy for young children, helping them learn that all feelings are normal and okay.
Good Night, Curious George by Margret Rey and Hans Augusto Rey
In Good Night, Curious George, young readers follow Curious George through his bedtime routine, from bath time to storytime. This sturdy board book, designed for little hands, includes tactile tabs and familiar bedtime scenes that encourage interaction and engagement. With its soft covers and rounded corners, this book is ideal for bedtime reading, inviting children to wind down.
Home by Carson Ellis
Carson Ellis explores of diverse dwellings and blends real and fantastical homes. From houses and flats to a shoe and sea homes, each page showcases a unique abode. The illustrations celebrate the varied possibilities of “home,” culminating in the artist’s own studio, inviting readers to revisit the visual details. Home is an imaginative picture book that encourages children to think about what makes a home.
My First Shapes with Frank Lloyd Wright by Mudpuppy
Introduce young readers to basic shapes through the architectural lens of Frank Lloyd Wright. Each section focuses on circles, squares, or triangles, using simple yet intricate designs inspired by Wright’s style. This board book features interactive tabs for easy page-turning, with minimal text and geometric patterns.
Taro Gomi’s Big Book of Words by Taro Gomi
Taro Gomi’s Big Book of Words introduces toddlers to vocabulary through a mix of basic terms and playful categories, paired with Gomi’s vibrant illustrations. Each page covers themes like greetings, objects, and expressions, with humorous classifications that encourage exploration. This collection not only teaches words but also introduces cultural elements, including Japanese phrases with English translations.
The Good Egg by Jory John
An overachieving egg feels pressured to be perfect, especially among a dozen less-than-perfect peers. The story explores themes of self-care, balance, and acceptance as the good egg learns that constantly striving to be “good” can lead to burnout. A good book to discuss.
My Friends by Taro Gomi
A young girl learns life skills from her “friends,” many of whom are animals. With simple text and colorful illustrations, she describes learning to walk from a cat, to jump from a dog, and to climb from a monkey. This warm, repetitive narrative celebrates curiosity and discovery, while Gomi’s charming illustrations encourages interactive reading, inviting children to imitate actions and sounds.
Press Here by Herve Tullet
Press Here by Hervé Tullet is an unique children’s book that uses simple prompts to create a unique, hands-on experience. Readers press, shake, and tilt the book, making dots appear to move and change as they turn the pages. Each action leads to a new effect, engaging children in a physical and imaginative way. Without any technology, Press Here invites young readers to actively participate.
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
Jim Panzee feels inexplicably grumpy despite his friends’ efforts to cheer him up. As various jungle animals suggest ways to improve his mood, Jim grows frustrated, leading to a funky outburst. In the end, he accepts his feelings with the support of his friend, Norman. Young readers will learn to understand that it’s okay to experience difficult emotions.
My First I See You by Eric Carle
With mirrors on every page, Eric Carle introduces toddlers to rhyming text and familiar animals. As children turn the pages, they see their own reflection within illustrations like a butterfly, lion, or sun, engaging them in the book’s theme of self-discovery. The rhyming phrases encourage imitation of animal actions for sensory engagement.
LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
Using animated pea characters to creatively explore the alphabet, each letter is paired with rhyming text and illustrated scenes of peas acting out diverse careers and hobbies, from acrobats to zoologists. The peas’ lively antics and colorful backdrops invite children to explore letters through an imaginative perspective.
Bee: A Peek-Through Board Book by Britta Teckentrup
Britta Teckentrup introduces young readers to the world of bees through vibrant, mixed-media illustrations and die-cut windows. Following a honeybee on her daily journey, the book highlights the essential role bees play in pollination and plant growth. Peek-through holes offer glimpses into the hive and fields of flowers, encouraging an interactive exploration of nature and the environment.
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes
A mother guides her imaginative child through the bedtime routine by transforming the end of each day into a vibrant animal world. The child roars like a lion, asks questions like an owl, and evades sleep like a playful bear. The colorful, textured depictions of animals and expressions are a joy to view.
See, Touch, Feel by Roger Priddy
This sensory board book designed to engage infants through interactive play. Each page offers tactile features like raised textures, finger trails, and mirrors to encourage exploration and develop motor skills. Bright photos and simple activities stimulate curiosity, helping babies with language recognition and hands-on engagement as they grow.
Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel
Dive into the diversity of animals and the connections between them. Starting with colors and patterns, the book presents over 30 species, many endangered, to highlight similarities and differences in nature. Through vibrant illustrations and simple rhyming text, the board book encourages curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman
Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy face their fear of the dark during a backyard campout. Despite setting up “nighty-lights” to ward off imagined creatures, an unexpected blackout challenges their bravery. Together, they discover the calming presence of moonlight and stars. A charming read.
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Baby Llama’s dramatic bedtime ordeal captures the familiar anxiety young children feel when left alone in bed. Dewdney’s rhythmic text and expressive illustrations showcase Baby Llama’s escalating fears and Mama Llama’s patient reassurance, creating a comforting bedtime read for both children and parents. This board book edition brings Dewdney’s beloved story to the youngest readers, offering a relatable and soothing message about nighttime worries.
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Search for the beloved puppy, Spot, in this interactive lift-the-flap classic. This timeless story engages children in a hide-and-seek adventure as they lift flaps to look for Spot throughout the house. With simple text, colorful illustrations, and familiar settings, this book is ideal for preschoolers, who delight in the repeated search, even once they know where Spot is hidden.
Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
There are so many vehicles, from fire trucks to unicycles, in Scarry’s detailed illustrations. Each page introduces new characters and scenarios, encouraging children to explore and discuss what they see. The book includes an interactive element, asking readers to find Goldbug hidden on every page. Children can also follow the ongoing narrative involving Officer Flossy and Dingo Dog. A timeless classic.
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