Seven of the Best Reading Readiness Books for Your Preschooler

The right books can engage and delight your preschool child. Librarians, teachers and other parents can often provide recommendations regarding books you and your child can enjoy together. New series and stand-alone books often integrate modern educational ideas to help children develop reading readiness skills more rapidly. Some of the best books for preschoolers, however, are established classics that have entertained children for decades. Here are seven of the best books to share with your preschool-aged child.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

An unabashed tribute to the power of imagination, Harold and the Purple Crayon can inspire children to create new worlds and new adventures. Used as a bedtime story, this book can complement art exploration and color identification activities to reinforce lessons learned earlier in the day.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish is especially appropriate for younger preschoolers learning about numbers and colors for the first time. The whimsical illustrations provide visual cues for children to help them learn the words associated with each concept. As a result, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish is one of the best ways to promote reading readiness in the home and preschool environment.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a perfect nap time or bedtime story and offers a lighthearted and inventive take on a little boy and his demanding mouse friend. For sheer fun, it’s difficult to beat this story and its charming protagonists.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The enduring appeal of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are is inspired at least in part by its unique artwork and sense of adventure. Children can easily identify with Max and his angry response to the restrictions imposed by his parents. His rise to leadership among the Wild Things and his return home can provide added perspective for children on their own emotions and reactions.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The voracious hero of The Very Hungry Caterpillar will delight young readers and can help them to make the connection between words and pictures. As the caterpillar eats his way through an extensive menu, children can identify the food items and actively read along with parents and teachers, creating a positive foundation for reading readiness even for the youngest babies and toddlers.

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

Boisterous and active children will empathize with the alphabetical adventures of the eponymous Bad Kitty and her refusal to eat vegetables. This delightful picture book romp was followed up by a number of sequels in chapter book form to allow preschoolers to move up naturally to more difficult reading material as their skills increase.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, is one of the most honored and respected authors in the children’s literature field. His two-time inclusion on our list is a testament to his continuing popularity and influence on preschoolers around the world. The Cat in the Hat is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time and offers a window into a whimsical world filled with talking fish, conniving cats and the entertainment possible on a rainy indoor day.

At Discovery Point Child Development Centers, we work with your child to promote reading readiness with the most beloved classics of children’s literature. Our early childhood education programs can help your child excel academically while providing opportunities for positive socialization and physical activities. Discovery Point’s holistic approach to child care can provide real advantages for you and your preschool-age child.