You’ve been reading to your child since he chewed the corners of his board books. By the time they reach preschool, they are preparing to learn to read, so choosing high-quality, inspiring books that instill a love of reading is critical. The best preschool books to read aloud teach children about emotions, spark their imaginations, and satisfy their curiosity about the world. My Scary Mom contacted Sally Macaluso, a preschool teacher, to learn more about what kinds of books preschoolers (and their parents) love.
the expert
Sally Macaluso, M.Ed, is a New Jersey-based special education preschool teacher with a master’s degree in early childhood education from William Paterson University. she runs the blog teacher tender, where she provides early childhood resources to parents and caregivers of preschoolers. she emphasizes that her “general philosophy emphasizes social-emotional development above all else.”
You are reading: Preschool books read aloud
what to look for when shopping for the best preschool read aloud books
Whether you’re shopping for your own little bookworm or a birthday or classroom present, one thing is clear: Preschoolers like stories they can participate in. language that they can read with you while you tell the story”, explains Macaluso. “for example, my preschoolers love eric litwin’s pete the cat series and anna dewdney’s llama llama books because they know what’s coming and they get excited for participating”. For that reason, you’ll find plenty of books on this list with a rhyming cadence, and there’s even a section below that is specifically devoted to interactive children’s books.
Preschoolers also enjoy books that relate to their own life experiences, Macaluso explains. “These can include stories about going to school, making friends, becoming siblings, and more,” Macaluso adds.
Is your preschooler ready to read a chapter book aloud?
Although picture books are king in preschool, Macaluso recommends introducing chapter books when your child can, “enjoy story time, can sit and engage for longer periods, can make predictions about what is read and show comprehension and memory skills. ”
But because chapter books rely less on illustrations, the best preschool books to read aloud to your new reader are ones they’ll enjoy. “Choose quality books with relatable characters, themes, and topics that your child will be interested in,” recommends Macaluso, adding that “you want to choose books with short chapters so you can hold your child’s attention.”
Want even more motivation to choose a book? Studies have shown that children benefit from reading print books rather than reading on a screen. so snuggle up, grab one of the recommendations below for your library, and get your silliest reading voices ready.
the best preschool books to read aloud
a book about friendship that will make you paint *all* the rocks
A book about creativity and collaboration, Scribble Stones is one your child will want to read again and again. just look at its 4.8 star rating on amazon. the simple gray stone in this book has high hopes for what it will become, but ends up being a “boring” paperweight. the stone helps to scribble and splash, gaining its color along the way and becoming unique. Don’t be surprised if this book inspires your little artist to want to doodle their own! the dust jacket even unfolds into a poster for a newly obsessed rockhound.
review: “This is a great book. great fun to read and reread and reread and reread as preschoolers expect you too. I love the story and the message it gives. and since my daughter is an avid rock collector, she fell in love with the story and now wants to paint all of them.”
recommended age: 3 to 7 years old
the funniest book for adults to read aloud
Between its rhythmic beat, colorful illustrations, and heartwarming story, The Snail and the Whale is a book you’ll really enjoy reading aloud. Preschoolers will relate to the little snail who is eager for adventure and befriends a humpback whale. the whale takes the snail on beautiful long-range voyages, but ends up needing to be rescued. the quick-thinking snail finds a way to help, despite his small size, and the book ends with the snail’s friends and family taking a tour of the world together. From the same author as the gruffalo and the broomstick room, this endearing tale is sure to become a family favorite.
review: “what a gem of a story: about an unlikely friendship, a globetrotting adventure, creative problem solving and ingenuity, thinking beyond the confines of one’s limitations (perceived or not) . […] the rhymes and prose flow seamlessly. it’s delightful to read and listen to. the artwork is also excellent. the images are vivid, colorful, and engaging. we’ve already read the book dozens of times, and we still notice some small new details.”
recommended age: 3 to 7 years old
a superbly illustrated book for creating little bookworms (or dragons)
This book on sharing the love of books is perfect for budding readers. lessons include not judging a book by its cover (or a dragon by its fierce appearance) and how books can bring people together. Franklin finds a friend on Little Moon and the two end up opening a bookstore behind Franklin’s back. The jewel-toned art and lyrical writing style make this a book they’ll want to listen to again and again.
review: “this is a book that begs to be read aloud. […] there is a lot of rhyme in this book; I especially like how it appears to be used as some kind of stimulation device. During the climax of the story, when Luna and Franklin are building the bookstore, the rhymes get closer and closer. in other places, they are more subtle; sometimes they are even just internal rhymes.”
recommended age: 3 to 5 years old
an award-winning book on how to face your fears
This book has won a host of awards, including the New York Times Outstanding Children’s Book of 2017. Written by Caldecott Medal-winning author Dan Santat, After the Fall follows the inspiring journey of Humpty Dumpty as he He heals physically (and emotionally) after his fateful fall. Humpty Dumpty learns to face his newfound aversion to heights and teaches the kids the value of not letting fear get in the way of living life to the fullest.
See Also: Literary cameos in HBOs The Night Of
review: “I loved the idea of learning how to pick myself up when you fall. the ending is a surprise and makes children think. […after the fall] was fun to read after practicing the lullaby so much. the children referenced it later that day, indicating that they were still thinking about the book and the message. I was also surprised at how big it was and how nice the dust jacket was for [the price], as well as beautifully illustrated.”
recommended age: 3 to 8 years old
a humorous read-aloud book with over 70,000 reviews
There’s a reason this read-aloud favorite has over 70,000 reviews on amazon. is a fun, cumulative story of a coffee-deficient donkey that farts with a repetitive “hee ha” that preschoolers love to yell. my little one was urging me to read faster and faster, enjoying how much he tripped me over the tongue-twisting text. while it may not qualify as good literature, it is a book that will have you giggling from start to finish. what better lesson than teaching that books can be great?
review: “this book is hilarious! My 4 year old granddaughter kept talking about this book in her preschool class so I ordered it and it has been a favorite of all. not necessarily for those without a sense of humor (after all, farts are fun…especially for a preschooler). enjoy, it’s a great read!”
recommended age: 2 to 5 years old
the best interactive read-aloud books
an interactive book where children make decisions
Do you remember how much you liked to choose your own adventure books when you were a child? This is the ultimate read-aloud book for preschoolers, with nine stories that will have them begging for another read. kids love going back to see how different paths lead to different endings. Parents love how the book teaches kids about the power of their daily choices as they decide what Danny should do for the day.
review: “we bought this as a birthday present for our 3 year old daughter and she loves it. […] after reading it a couple of times with different endings, we had to stop to run an errand .my daughter started having a tantrum but when i reminded her how she was using her power to choose she stopped in mid-cry i could see the wheels turning in her mind she said ‘i’m going to make a good choice’ it was averted […] now we talk regularly about her power of choice, and at bedtime she asks to talk about the choices she made that day.”
recommended age: 3 to 7 years old
an interactive book that puts your preschooler in charge of the dragon’s bedtime
This book was written to be read aloud, giving children a variety of tasks to ensure the dragon doesn’t wake up. Children are asked to sing a lullaby to the dragon, move the book gently from side to side, and prevent noisy townspeople from accidentally waking up the dragon. the humorous text will keep children involved and engaged until the very end, where they are instructed to (gently) close the book.
review: “the art is vivid and engaging, the empathy skills it teaches are fantastic, and the interactive reading is fun and makes for a light-hearted bedtime story. Your preschool and elementary school children will love following the book’s instructions as they care for their dragon friend.”
recommended age: 2 to 7 years old
the book that comes with an accompanying music app
There is much to enjoy in this interactive read-aloud book. The most unique part of this book is the QR code that allows the reader to download a free app. by pointing the app at any page of the book, you will hear the orchestral music corresponding to that part of the story. The text features a rhyming introduction to each animal member of the symphony, and there are also hidden surprises for young readers to spot along the way and a secret message to decipher. This book earns a place in your library!
review: “This book is a brilliant way to share music and the animal world with your children. As a teacher, I appreciate all the great features in this book: the downloadable music, the ease of using each animal and poem separately, the fabulous illustrations, the beautiful and intriguing music, and the secret web-related features. […] this book can be read, read and listened to, danced to, imitated and enjoyed by children of all ages! you can read a little, play a little and create memories for your family.”
recommended age: 2 to 7 years old
an interactive read aloud that will grab your superhero’s attention
Part of the popular and interactive Who’s in Your Character series of children’s books, this book lets kids team up with a new superhero friend. together, they (gently) defeat a green doodle-writing character, who is eventually guided to doodle in a coloring book instead of this entire book. Kids are asked to pound, shake, pick up and touch the book as they follow along with the story, which has eye-catching art and a great message.
review: “does a great job of talking directly to the reader. there are lots of possibilities to be active and do things to or with the book: tap the pages, shake it to make it fly, etc. [ …] basically uses the book as a prop as much as a book and breaks the fourth wall to engage the reader.i liked how it ties in with the other characters in the series for the new hero to rescue!plays with the conventions of superheroes, but it really uses the superpower of kindness to point out how super heroic we all can be. Brilliant!”
recommended age: 3 to 7 years old
writer’s choice: a bedtime read aloud that creates shadow art on the walls
This book is not just a bedtime story, it is an experience. Simple passages are combined with solid pages that project the art onto your ceiling or wall with the help of a small flashlight (like the one on your phone). kids love helping with this part! the text is relaxing, as you follow the journey of a kite that flies higher and higher, passing birds, planes and even rockets.
See Also: 7 Great Investing Books for Beginners | Morningstar
Writer’s Compliment: “When my children were in preschool, they loved to take turns holding the light while we read this book every night. They enjoyed playing with the distance of the light to change the scale of the art or slowly moving the flashlight up to make the planes and birds really “fly”. It’s soothing bedtime reading that my youngest son still enjoys well into elementary school.”
recommended age: 3 to 9 years old
best chapter books to read aloud
editor’s choice: the antidote to frilly princess books
This chapter book is the first in a series of nine books about Princess Magnolia. she’s a typical princess, except when she’s saving the day as the princess in black. her alter ego is a secret, so there’s a lot of humor involved as she battles monsters between (and during) tea parties along with her trusty pet horse. Princess Magnolia gives kids the chance to rethink what a princess is capable of during an action-packed, fearless monster hunt.
Editor’s Compliment: “both of my daughters love this series, specifically because the princess fights monsters! or as my 5-year-old said: “She’s not just sitting on a throne dressed in pink. she’s doing something! the illustrations are really sweet and the writing has a lot of alliteration so it’s fun to read aloud.”-kate miller, scary moms editor
recommended age: 4 to 7 years old
this book for your dog-obsessed kid (cat lovers don’t need to apply)
A chapter book for the dog lover in your life, Barkus is a collection of five stories about Barkus the dog and his favorite son. is the perfect first chapter book because the chapters are short (the book is only 45 pages total) and the text is straightforward and easy for new readers to understand. bright and colorful art appeals to little ones accustomed to picture books.
review: “my 4 year old has asked me to read this book every day. […] she loves it! has a great balance of words and pictures for those just starting to read longer or chapter books, especially for animal lovers. We have really enjoyed the art and history.”
recommended age: 4 to 8 years old
a chapter book with science, magic and positive female role models
Introduce your emerging reader to the wonderful world of chapter books with this delightful reader. The main character, a girl named Zoey, loves to explore nature and wears her “thinking glasses” on top of her head as she explores scientific theories. The book also features Zoey’s mother, also a scientist, as a strong role model for parents. The book even comes with a glossary of science terms to ensure kids understand the story. the best part? this is the first in a long series!
review: “it’s about magic and dragons that appealed to my preschool and elementary school kids. the characters are adorable and zoey’s age is wonderfully ambiguous so that each of my kids thought she was her age even though they are more than 5 years apart. Zoey is helpful and independent, but still depends on her parents when she needs them. The scientific method is woven into the story to guide Zoey in her experiments to help Marshmallow.”
recommended age: 4 to 8 years old
the perfect chapter book for preschoolers who love animals
get ready to hear “just one more chapter!” when you read to your preschooler the whimsical story of mercy watson, a toast-loving pig and his human family. The first book in a highly rated six-book series, Mercy Watson to the Rescue features short, snappy chapters, humorous illustrations, and the kind of repetitive phrases that new readers love.
review: “this book may have been written for early readers, but my 4 year old loves it when I read it to her. she loves mercy and all the other characters and is captivated by the story. […] my husband and I also enjoyed it.”
recommended age: 4 to 8 years old
this classic chapter book that engages your preschooler’s sense of adventure
My Father’s Dragon, a classic book of early chapters, was written in 1948, but still captures children’s imaginations today. Elmer Elevator, a little boy who dreams of flying, learns about a dragon that is forced to transport people across a river. he sets off to free him to win a flight. The book has black and white illustrations every few pages to help children get used to the idea of a book without pictures, while the text paints a vivid picture of the wild jungle and its many resident animals.
review: “this is the first chapter book i read to my 4 year old son and he was very interested, wanted to know what was going to happen next. he read 2 chapters every night and in the morning he wondered what he would discover at night. he loved the anticipation. he’s very active and has a short attention span, but he was all over this book. he started daydreaming about going to a faraway island and what kind of things would he put in his backpack.”
recommended age: 4 to 7 years old
experts: sally macaluso, med, special education preschool teacher
See Also: 8 best affiliate marketing books for beginners to read – Supermetrics