Best books for preschoolers
Big feelings, silly jokes and pictures you could look at for an hour. Picture books for ages 3 to 5 are where a love of stories really takes off.
Between three and five, children become real story people. They can follow a plot, predict what happens next, spot jokes in the pictures and tell you very firmly that you read it wrong. This is the golden age of the picture book.
The best books for this age have a strong, simple story, a bit of repetition so children can join in, and illustrations that carry as much of the tale as the words do.
What to look for in a preschool picture book
- A clear story with a beginning, middle and end, often built on a problem and a clever solution.
- Rhyme and repetition that children can memorise and chant along with.
- Pictures that tell extra stories, so each re-reading reveals something new.
- Humour, including the kind that makes grown-ups laugh too.
- Characters facing real childhood experiences, such as being brave, losing something, or feeling left out.
Make story time interactive
Preschoolers love being part of the story. Pause before a repeated line and let them say it. Ask what they think will happen on the next page. Point out something in the picture that the text does not mention and ask them what they notice.
Try this: After you finish, ask “What was your favourite part?” and listen. You will learn a lot about how your child thinks.
Ten picture books preschoolers love
The Gruffalo
By Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
A quick-witted mouse invents a monster to scare off hungry animals, and then meets him in the flesh. Rhyming, funny and perfect for reading aloud.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
By Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
A family wades, squelches and stumbles through grass, mud and snowstorm. The sound words beg for actions, which makes it a joy to perform together.
Owl Babies
By Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
Three baby owls wait anxiously for their mother to return. Waddell, from Northern Ireland, captures a child’s worry and relief with great gentleness.
Lost and Found
By Oliver Jeffers
A boy finds a penguin on his doorstep and sets off to take it home. Jeffers, who grew up in Belfast, tells a quiet story about friendship and loneliness with very few words.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
By Judith Kerr
A very polite tiger arrives at Sophie’s kitchen and eats everything in the house. It is gloriously silly and a good one for talking about manners and surprises.
Where the Wild Things Are
By Maurice Sendak
Max is sent to bed without supper and sails to a land of wild creatures. A classic about big feelings and the comfort of coming home.
Elmer
By David McKee
A patchwork elephant wonders why he is different from the rest of the herd. A warm, bright story about being yourself.
The Day the Crayons Quit
By Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
A box of crayons write letters of complaint to their owner. It is clever, funny and a lovely way to talk about colours and feelings.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
By Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
Gerald the giraffe is clumsy on the dance floor until he finds his own music. A cheerful rhyme about confidence.
Dogger
By Shirley Hughes
A little boy loses his beloved toy dog and finds a surprising ally. It is a perfect story for talking about worries and about kindness between siblings.
Moving towards reading
Many four- and five-year-olds begin to recognise letters, spot familiar words and sound out simple ones. Keep reading to them at their level, which is higher than the level they can read themselves, and let them “read” a favourite book back to you from memory. That counts, too.
Frequently asked questions
How many picture books should a preschooler have at home?
There is no right number, but having a small shelf of books they can reach by themselves helps. A mix of old favourites and borrowed library books keeps things fresh without breaking the budget.
Should preschoolers learn to read before school?
Children learn at different paces, and there is no need to push. Reading together, playing with rhymes and talking about pictures are the best preparation. Formal reading instruction usually starts in school.
Why does my child want the same book every night?
Repetition helps children learn language, predict what comes next and feel secure. Re-reading is a sign of a growing reader, not a sign you should hide the book.
Are picture books only for young children?
No. Many picture books work for much older readers, and some deal with sophisticated themes. Older children often enjoy returning to old favourites too.
Ready for the next step? See our guide to books for early readers (ages 6–8).