There’s nothing your preschoolers love more than exploring a new book at storytime! Let them discover the joy of reading with these 35 amazing story books that are jam-packed with exciting tales and beautiful illustrations. From enchanting fairytales to interactive books and fantasy adventures, this carefully curated collection is sure to inspire a love of reading while sparking young imaginations. Read on to see which of our picks you’ll be adding to your class library!
1. If I Built A Car by Chris Van Dusen
This award-winning book is full of silly rhymes and bold illustrations! It’s part of a larger series that will encourage your children to reimagine everyday objects such as cars and houses as fantastic new creations of their own making.
2. Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan
![Beautiful Blackbird (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner) by [Ashley Bryan]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxIDEiIHdpZHRoPSIxIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZtLm1lZGlhLWFtYXpvbi5jb20lMkZpbWFnZXMlMkZJJTJGNTFybjBOTiUyQlBETC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMSIgZGF0YS1oPSIxIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
This moving story is all about being proud of who are are! A blackbird learns to accept himself and his dark feathers, making him an excellent role model of self-acceptance for young readers. Ashley Bryan’s paper-cut illustrations make this book a truly unique read for your class!
3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Who thought a coconut tree could be the star of such an enjoyable alphabetical story for your 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.
4. Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
This lovely story of self-love and acceptance is brought to life for your kiddos by the colorful illustrations of Vashti Harrison. It celebrates the special bonds of family life and empowers children of all backgrounds to celebrate their unique appearance.
5. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one! This national bestseller follows children on an adventure that takes them through swamps, snowstorms, and forests in search of new animal friends. Your kiddies will love the repetition and rhythmical flow of this super story.
6. Press Here by Herve Tullet
This fun, interactive book is sure to become a firm favorite of your little learners. It will encourage imagination and invite interaction as they’re prompted to shake, press, and title the book to discover the next page of the story.
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 that your class is sure to love!
8. Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda
This fractured fairytale allows your readers to take on the role of the big bad wolf and bring the classic story to life in real time. They’ll have fun reading along with this interactive tale, as they huff and puff to try to blow the houses down!
9. The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
Let your little learners discover the power of ‘yet’! This gorgeously illustrated story is designed to instill a growth mindset in them through the use of the magical word ‘yet’. It’s an uplifting and inspiring story of learning to ride a bike, tie laces, and spell your own name with courage and determination.
10. The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler
This heartfelt story is one that will open up discussions about the environment with your kiddies. Have them read this story about the special connection between a digger and a tiny flower and it’s sure to inspire meaningful conversations about the role of nature in our lives and how our actions can have an impact.
11. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
Teach your kids all about finding bravery within themselves! This wildly popular tale reminds them that although they may be young and small, they can be brave like a lion! Similar to the classic Aesop fable, the Lion and the Mouse is an uplifting tale of humility, empathy, and unlikely friendships.
12. Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
Take your kiddos on an adventure with this hilariously charming board book! Four friends attempt to capture a bird with nets until one of the companions presents a far better (and gentler) idea!
13. The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
Your 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 their emotional empathy, sensitivity, and intelligence.
14. Please Don’t Read This Book by Deanna Kizis
This zany crowd-pleaser is sure to be read over and over again by your kids who are looking to break the rules in a fun way. They’ll love the interactive nature of the book, which’s sure to have them laughing out loud every time they read it!
15. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Hooray, hooray, mistakes are okay! This celebration of all sorts of spills and smudges encourages your young learners to embrace so-called mistakes as opportunities for creative exploration. This book will help you to show them that making mistakes is just a part of the learning curve!
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, your kids are sure to walk away with a greater license to think creatively!
17. The Fort by Laura Perdew
This book is perfect for broaching the topic of sharing with your little ones! 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 their social-emotional skills while encouraging cooperative play.
18. Made for Me by Zack Bush
This moving story of a father’s love for his newborn child is sure to be an emotional read! Your kiddos will love this touching tale that shows the bond between father and child. It’s a great choice to kick off a Father’ day activity!
19. Ollie’s Odyssey by William Joyce
This relatable tale is all about having a favorite toy! It’s an adventurous tale about a toy in a child’s beloved collection who is “toynapped” and must be rescued! If they love the book, you could have them watch the Netflix adaptation!
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 your kiddies to wield their words with care to create a more beautiful world by planting positive seeds that can turn into soaring trees.
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 hilarious adventure inside the mind of a group of rebellious crayons is sure to elicit plenty of laughter from your little learners!
22. Little Red Writing by Joan Holub
Can a courageous red pencil make 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 your kiddies with its new and creative take on this well-known story.
23. Stop that Pickle by Peter Armour
Your students don’t have to be fans of pickles to enjoy this wild chase through the streets! They’ll be on the hunt for a runaway vegetable that is tired of playing second fiddle to every sandwich in town and wants to roam free.
24. Bird Boy by Matthew Burgess
Follow Nico as he takes on his first day at his new school and figure out how he fits in. This heartwarming story of a young boy’s love for nature will encourage your children to embrace their passions, regardless of how unconventional they may be.
25. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
What would your kiddos do with a terrific idea? Would they be willing to try and fail? In this book they’ll follow the story of a girl who keeps trying and failing, so she quits. However, after a pep talk from her dog, she’s ready to get back on the horse and try again!
26. The Bad Seed by Jory John
Can the bad seed stay bad forever? He sure seems to think so! This inventive story reminds your kids that there is no such thing as bad people- only bad behavior that can always be improved. This book is a super way to send the message to your kiddos that they are not their mistakes and it’s never too late to turn things around!
27. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
The Pout-Pout Fish is a great story for your young children who are learning about emotions. Pout Pout Fish is always pouting, but no matter what the other fish do, they can’t cheer him up! Full of beautiful illustrations, this book will teach them to be proud of who they are!
28. My Mouth Is A Volcano by Julia Cook
My Mouth is a Volcano is the perfect book to teach your 4-year-olds about organizing their thoughts, without interrupting others. Most children from preschool through 2nd grade often blurt out what they say, making this the perfect book to teach them about waiting for their turn to speak.
29. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook
This next book is a great way to teach your kiddos about unnecessary tattling. This comedic story will put your children in the shoes of Josh the Tattler, who has no friends because he tattles so much. This could be the book for you if you’re inundated with tattle-tales after recess!
30. The Poo Poo Book by Mike Bacera
Every child laughs at the word “poo,” so why not turn it into a learning experience? This cute story will teach your children all about their poop and make toilet time a positive experience. If you’re doing a ‘My Body’ topic in your class, then this book could be the perfect choice!
31. The Snot Book by Mike Bacera
Here’s another great choice for your ‘My Body’ topic! Your four-year-olds are probably obsessed with anything gross, like snot, so why not use it to your advantage and turn it into a learning experience? In this awesome story, Mark Bacera explores the importance of snot, what its color means, and how to stay healthy.
32. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo is a classic story about a tiny mouse who uses his brain to outsmart the bigger, terrifying, Gruffalo! Through simple rhymes and a charming story, your students will learn that they can do anything, as long as they put their minds to it.
33. The Hair Book by LaTonya Yvette
All your kiddos are totally unique and this delightful story shows them that they’re beautiful no matter what they look like! Through beautiful rhymes and simple illustrations, LaTonya Yvette instills an important message to each of your little readers.
34. Ricky The Rock That Couldn’t Roll by Mr. Jay
This book rocks! Ricky The Rock That Couldn’t Roll is the perfect story to teach your kiddies about the power of friendship and how it can help them overcome their difficulties. This book is perfect for a quick reading session to inspire them to motivate and empower their peers.
35. It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw
It Looked Like Spilt Milk may seem like a strange name for a book, but it is the perfect title for this super imaginative story. Through stunning illustrations, your children will have to use their imaginations to think about what the spilled milk looks like to them. This story lends itself brilliantly to an art lesson afterward!
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