26 Amazing Books For 4-Year-Olds

Around the age of four, most children are able to recognize different types of print, recite the alphabet, chunk words into syllables, and enjoy playing with sound and speech. The following collection of book recommendations targeted at this age group is designed to enchant their young minds while encouraging early fluency. Ranging from fractured fairytales to interactive books and inventive stories and fantasy adventures, this carefully curated collection is sure to inspire a love of reading while sparking young imaginations.

1. If I Built A Car by Chris Van Dusen 

This award-winning book full of silly rhymes and bold illustrations is part of a larger series encouraging children to reimagine everyday objects such as cars and houses as fantastic new creations of their own making. 

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2. Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

This moving story of a blackbird who learns to accept his dark feathers makes him an excellent role model of self-acceptance for younger readers. Ashley Bryan’s paper-cut illustrations honor the beauty of one’s unique cultural heritage. 

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3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault 

Who thought a coconut tree could be the basis of such an enjoyable alphabetical story for little readers? This favorite book among early literacy teachers uses fun rhymes, a suspenseful letter race to the top of the tree, and bright illustrations to teach the alphabet. 

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4. Hair Love by Matthew Cherry

This lovely story of self-love and acceptance is brought to life by the colorful illustrations of Vashti Harrison. It celebrates the special bonds of African family life and empowers children of all backgrounds to celebrate their unique appearance. 

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5. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

This national bestseller follows children on an adventure that takes them through swamps, snowstorms, and forests in search of new animal friends. 

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6. Press Here by Herve Tullet

This fun, interactive book is a kid favorite that encourages imagination and interaction as children are prompted to shake, press, and title the book to discover the next page of the story. 

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7. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

All the classic construction site characters are back to get the job done in this inspiring story of friendship and teamwork.  Full of fun illustrations, this favorite picture book makes for a great read-aloud. 

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8. Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

This fractured fairytale allows readers to take on the role of the big bad wolf and bring the classic story to life in real-time.

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9. The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi

This gorgeously illustrated story is designed to instill a growth mindset in children through the use of the magical word ‘yet’. It’s an uplifting and inspiring story of learning to ride a bike, tie one’s laces and spell one’s name with courage and determination. 

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10. The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler

This heartfelt story of the special connection between a digger and a tiny flower is sure to inspire meaningful discussion about the environment and the role of nature in young readers’ lives.

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11. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

This wildly popular tale reminds kids that they can be both brave like a lion and meek like a mouse and that it’s okay to embrace all sides of their emotional nature. While similar to the classic Aesop fable, the Lion and the Mouse, it’s an uplifting tale of humility, empathy, and animal friendship. 

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12. Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

This hilariously charming board book takes kids on an adventure of attempting to capture a bird with nets until one little companion presents a far better (and gentler) idea. 

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13. The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee 

Preschoolers are at a ripe age for learning about the value of embracing all of their emotions, including extreme and channeling ones. This is a great book for developing emotional empathy, sensitivity, and intelligence.  

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14. Please Don’t Read This Book by Deanna Kizis

This zany, laugh-out-loud, crowd-pleaser is sure to be read over and over again by kids looking to break the rules in a fun way. 

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15. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg

Hooray, hooray, mistakes are okay! This celebration of all sorts of spills and smudges encourages young learners to embrace so-called mistakes as opportunities for creative exploration. 

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16. If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey

Did you know that a dinosaur could be a can opener? How about an umbrella or a pillow? Whatever imaginative idea is being explored, kids are sure to walk away with a greater license to think creatively. 

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17. The Fort by Laura Perdew

This whimsically illustrated book brings together a pirate and a prince in a project to defend their fort from intruders. It’s a wonderful story for developing social-emotional skills while encouraging cooperative play. 

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18. Made for Me by Zack Bush 

This moving story of a father’s love for his newborn child is sure to touch the heart of young and old readers alike. Many readers report tearing up at the powerful force of parental love behind the words. 

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19. Ollie’s Odyssey by William Joyce

A suspenseful story told through the eyes of adventurous animated toys in a child’s beloved collection, this popular book has also been turned into a Netflix series. 

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20. Seeds and Trees by Brandon Walden

This delightful tale told through the natural imagery of seeds and trees speaks to the power of words to either hurt or heal. It encourages children to wield their words with care to create a more beautiful world by planting positive seeds that can turn into soaring trees. 

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21. The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

What if a box of crayons could speak? It turns out they’d have a few things to say about all their thankless hard work of coloring clouds, houses, and trees all day. This whimsical adventure inside the mind of a group of rebellious crayons is sure to elicit plenty of laughter!

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22. Little Red Writing by Joan Holub

Can a courageous red pencil weave a captivating yarn while making her way safely through the woods? Based on the beloved fairy tale classic Little Red Riding Hood, this literacy-based creation is sure to delight both young and mature readers alike. 

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23. Stop that Pickle by Peter Armour

You don’t have to be a fan of pickles to enjoy this wild chase through urban streets! Readers are on the hunt for a runaway condiment that is tired of playing second fiddle to every sandwich in town and wants to roam free. 

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24. Bird Boy by Matthew Burgess

This heartwarming story of a young boy’s love for nature encourages children to embrace their passions, regardless of how unconventional they may be. 

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25. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

What would you do with a terrific idea? Would you be willing to try and fail or get upset and walk away? Sometimes, we all need a little encouragement to persevere when faced with obstacles. This delightful book is full of descriptive vocabulary, sure to cultivate STEM skills and build fluency in young readers. 

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26. The Bad Seed by Jory John

Can the bad seed stay bad forever? He sure seems to think so! This inventive story, part of a popular food group series, reminds children that there is no such thing as bad people- only bad behavior that can always be improved. 

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