Looking for a great way to connect with your child that’s simple yet meaningful? Reading is a great option!
Books help children learn, explore new ideas, and use their imagination to travel to different worlds. You probably have a favorite book from when you were growing up that has really stuck with you. Now you can give your child the same experience and instill a love of reading.
Books can also help you bond with your child. For example, you can build a nightly routine of reading to them every night in bed, which helps them develop a sense of safety and predictability.
For more than 45 years, Options for Learning has served children and families throughout the San Gabriel Valley with early learning programs and educational resources, including promoting simple at-home learning activities like reading together.
Read on to learn about:
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Why reading to your child is so important
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Book recommendations organized by categories such as
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Emotions
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Friendship
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Imagination and curiosity
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Starting school
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Family
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Why reading to your child is so important
Many children adore having books read to them, especially when they are starting school, learning how to manage big emotions, and developing their basic academic skills.
Aside from supporting the learning process, reading to your child has several benefits that go beyond literacy, including:
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Language development (exposing children to vocabulary and grammar that they normally wouldn’t hear)
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Empathy and emotional awareness (gaining an appreciation for other people’s feelings and lifestyles)
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Developing the parent-child bond (having focused time together without distractions or demands)
Book recommendations based on category
Since there are so many great children’s books out there, it can be difficult to decide which ones to read with your preschooler. Below, we share some of the top recommendations by category, including emotions, friendship, curiosity and imagination, starting school, and family.
Emotions
1. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
In this New York Times bestselling book, a little girl named Taylor doesn’t know where to turn when she is going through a hard time. All of the animals think they have the answer. The chicken tries to talk it out, and the bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but Taylor doesn’t feel like that’s quite right. After she feels almost defeated, the rabbit arrives, and all the rabbit does is listen – which is just what Taylor needs.
2. The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
One day, the Color Monster wakes up and feels very confused; his emotions are all over the place. Then, a little girl comes along and shows him what each feeling means through color. As a result, the Color Monster learns to sort and define his mixed-up emotions and feel more at peace.
3. I Calm Down by Cheri J. Meiners
In this board book, children learn how to use deep breathing, mental imagery, and other simple strategies to calm themselves. With straightforward words and warm images, children can begin to understand that feelings change and that their own actions can make a difference in how they feel.
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
In this #1 bestseller, a caterpillar eats its way through a variety of foods as it prepares to grow into a beautiful butterfly. Carle’s book introduces children to concepts ranging from the days of the week to the idea that change can be a positive and necessary part of life.
Friendship
5. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
In this bestseller, a beautiful rainbow fish learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions. The fish ultimately learns that friendship is built through kindness and sharing rather than appearance.
6. Tiny Troubles: Nelli’s Purpose by Sophie Diao
Best friends and succulents Nelli and Worthi have very busy schedules, but one morning, Nelli wonders: Is there more? Nelli and Worthi then embark on the ultimate adventure to discover their purpose and where to find it.
7. The Sharing Book by Dianne White
Two best friends go on a camping trip, sharing all the things they love to do outdoors with family and friends: meals, laughter, adventures, stories, and campfire songs. While all of these things make the trip memorable, the most important thing they share is their love for one another.
8. Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
In this bestselling book, a boy and his tiny pet elephant show up at Pet Club day; however, they are told that no elephants are allowed. The boy and his pet elephant must show the Pet Club what it means to be true friends.
Imagination and curiosity
9. Round Like a Ball by Lisa Campbell Ernst
In this interactive picture book, children are left to the familiar guessing game of what the round hole through the pages of the book is as it grows larger and larger. With each page, your child will grow closer to guessing the identity of the object that’s round like a ball.
10. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows. This bestselling story is inspired by the author’s childhood memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister.
11. Just How Long Can A String Be?! by Keith Baker
One day, Ant discovers a great big ball of string and can’t see his way over or through it. However, when he asks his friend Bird how long the string can be, Bird shows him all the wonderful ways that a string can be cut up and used.
12. Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
In this New York Times bestseller, two narrators debate whether an illustration is a picture of a duck or a rabbit. This cute story also has a thought-provoking underlying lesson about differing points of view and right versus wrong.
Starting school
13. Time for School, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
In this beloved book, Mouse searches high and low for his homework, but instead finds a lot of other things in the process. This story teaches kids new words and celebrates the fun of going to school.
14. Arthur’s Off to School by Marc Brown
Arthur the aardvark and his friends are getting ready for school. Get a sneak peek at all the characters’ morning routines before they start their day.
15. The Smart Cookie by Jory John
In this New York Times bestseller, a cookie has never quite felt like a “smart” cookie, no matter how hard she tries, especially when she compares herself to all the cupcakes and rolls in the bakery. The cookie goes on a journey to discover if a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence will be enough.
16. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum thinks her name is perfect until her first day of school, when all the kids start teasing her. This popular picture book is a funny and honest story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance.
Family
17. ¡Mistasco! by Eliza Kinkz
After an awful day at school, Izzy wants to be left alone, but it’s Friday, so she has to make tortillas with Lito. As the mistakes pile up, they come tumbling out of Izzy. However, Lito surprises Izzy by saying that everyone makes mistakes, and if she makes a tortilla out of them, he will eat it.
18. The Family Book by Todd Parr
This story celebrates families and all the varieties they come in. Whether they’re big or small, look alike or different, this book assures readers that every family is special in its own way.
19. No, David! by David Shannon
In this beloved story, a mischievous little boy named David gets into all kinds of trouble, from climbing for cookies to playing basketball in the house. Throughout the story, his mother constantly scolds him. However, despite all his naughty antics, his mother ends up hugging him and saying she loves him.
20. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover that love is not an easy thing to measure. This classic bedtime story captures the deep bond between a parent and a child.
Looking for more preschool readiness tips?
Besides reading to your preschool-age child, you might be wondering if there’s any other way you can help them prepare before starting school.
Carmen Estrada, the Education Supervisor at Options for Learning, helped answer some common questions parents have before their child starts preschool in this guide. Learn answers to questions about preschool readiness, what happens if your child cries at drop-off, how preschool helps children prepare for kindergarten, and more.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I read to my preschooler?
Try to read together every day. Even 10 to 15 minutes of reading together can help support language development, strengthen your connection, and build a love of books.
What if my child wants to read the same book over and over again?
This is completely normal! Repetition helps young children build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and gain confidence. While adults may grow tired of reading the same story repeatedly, children are continuing to learn something new each time they hear it.
What if my preschooler has trouble sitting still during storytime?
Many young children learn best when they can move, ask questions, and interact with the story. Try pointing to pictures, asking questions, using different voices for characters, or letting your child help turn the pages. Reading together doesn’t have to be perfectly quiet to be meaningful.
