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Book Lists & Recommendations for Ages 3-5

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Book Lists & Recommendations for Ages 3-5

 
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How Can a T-Rex Make Friends?

Learn about this hilariously heartwarming story about making friends.

11 Autumn Stories Celebrate the fall season with your 3- to 5-year-old with these stories.
The Everyday Adventures of David David Shannon's beloved character comes to life in these fun books.
Preschool Library Essentials

Learn which books are best for your 3- to 5-year-old.

Ages

Award Winners

Favorites & Classics

Series, Characters, Authors

Adventure & Fantasy

Baby's First Books

Funny & Scary

Animals

Science & Nature

School

Families & Relationships

Life Experiences & Values

Health

Bedtime & Sleep

Poetry & Rhymes

History & Social Studies

Seasonal Themes

Holidays & Celebrations

More Book Lists

Award WinnersSee all

Caldecott Medal Winners for Grades 1-2
Inspire your early readers with picture books that won the national award of distinction for illustration.
Sure-to-Please Book Recommendations
These long-time favorites, new hits, and kid-approved titles are great picks for readers and parents looking for suggestions.

Favorites & ClassicsSee all

Books Parents Loved as Kids
We asked our Facebook fans to tell us which books they loved when they were kids. Here are the most popular responses we received!
Favorite Fairy Tales
Fairy tales are ideal bedtime stories for 3- to 5-year-olds. These books are a great way to enjoy classic stories like Goldilocks and Rapunzel.
Popular Books for Ages 3-5
We asked parents what books their kids are reading these days. Here are some of the most popular titles they mentioned.
Favorite Books for Pre-Readers
We surveyed early childhood experts to create this list of favorite books for preschoolers.

Series, Characters, AuthorsSee all

WordGirl Readers
Help your children boost their vocabulary with WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face!
I SPY Challengers for All Ages
The I SPY Challenger series uses photographs from the original I SPY books with new challenging riddles.
I SPY Classics for All Ages
Share the I SPY fun with anyone.
I SPY Square Paperbacks for Preschoolers & Pre-Readers
Rhyming riddles and picture clues are perfect for early readers.

Adventure & FantasySee all

WordGirl Readers
Help your children boost their vocabulary with WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face!
Hilarious Books By Mo Willems
Don't miss all the favorites from this perennial New York Times bestseller.
When You're Not Ready for Harry Potter
Too young for Hogwarts? These read-alone and read-alouds are just the thing for wizards-in-waiting.
Read 'em Up, Cowpoke!
Tales of the Wild West are sure to lasso the imagination of your early reader.

Baby's First BooksSee all

6 Great ABC Books
Use these alphabet books to help your baby discover the foundation of language.

Funny & ScarySee all

Silly Stories
Get giggling with fun tales perfect for read alouds!

AnimalsSee all

Bug Books
If it creeps and crawls your little one is sure to love it!
Books With Frog Characters
Kick off the Spring season with these wonderful tales of frogs.
Books With Bunny Characters
Kick off the Spring season with these wonderful tales of adorable bunnies.

Science & NatureSee all

Children's Books about Flowers & Gardening
Delight in the springtime with picture books featuring gardening, flowers, and nature's beauty.
Astronauts, Stargazers, and the Planets
Blast off! Your little one will discover the wonders of space and get to know the planets in the solar system.
The Wonders of Science Books
Discover mysteries seen and unseen with fiction and nonfiction about the natural world, biology, chemistry, and more.
Keep It GREEN by Reading!
Little readers will be thrilled by stories about our planet and the people who care about it.

SchoolSee all

Go Back to School!
Don't miss these great titles that inspire back-to-school spirit in your preschooler and kindergartener.
Starting School
These books can help ease worries and make the classroom a little more welcoming.

Families & RelationshipsSee all

Read Alouds with Grandma and Grandpa
Strengthen the bond between little ones and their grandparents with these charming titles.
Books for Dealing with Tough Issues
Some sad, scary, or traumatic situations aren’t easy for kids to talk about. Use these books to break the ice and get them to open up.
Books That Celebrate Mom
On Mother's Day or any day, savor this marvelous mix of mommy-honoring read-alouds.
Read-Alouds That Honor Dear Old Dad
Check out these charming, lively, and touching tales that celebrate fathers.

Life Experiences & ValuesSee all

Books for Dealing with Tough Issues
Some sad, scary, or traumatic situations aren’t easy for kids to talk about. Use these books to break the ice and get them to open up.
Books That Build Courage
These memorable picture books inspire self-confidence and reinforce a can-do spirit through humor and honesty.
Books for Gutsy Girls
Engage your 4- to 8-year-old leading lady with these stories of girl power, strength, and adventure.
Books for Giving Thanks
Expose your early readers to the many ways they can express gratitude with these sure-to-please titles.

HealthSee all

Books for Before a Dentist Visit
Is it time for your 5- to 8-year-old child's dental checkup? Help ease the worry, or introduce the dentist with these fun stories.
Best Books for Sick Days: Ages 3-5
When your little one falls ill, let him curl up with one of these favorite titles. He'll start feeling better in no time!

Bedtime & SleepSee all

Favorite Tuck-In Tales
Make every night good with these bedtime favorites, perfect for ages 3-6.
Best Cuddle-Time Books: Ages 3-5
Discuss the illustrations in these gorgeous picture books. Ask your little reader about what he thinks will happen next.
Best Before-Bed Read-Alouds
Prepare your child for a good night's sleep with these nighttime favorites.
Best Bedtime Stories for Preschoolers
Whisk your little one into dreamland with these charming tales.

Poetry & RhymesSee all

Rhymes and Poetry for Preschoolers
Delight your child with the rhythms and sounds in these perfect books for read-alouds.
Poetry for Beginning Readers
Treat your child to stories in verse and poetry collections that make learning to read a delight.

History & Social StudiesSee all

Election Books
As election season heats up, let your 6- to 7-year-old child explore the drama of campaigning, voting, and competition with these books.
Native American Heritage
Help your early readers explore the history, traditions, and culture of Native Americans.
Books to Help Explain the Economy: Ages 4-8
Sometimes, the perfect book can help you tackle the most difficult issues with your little reader. Here are our picks for 4-8.
Asian-American Stories
With more land, people, and voices than any other continent, Asia has an especially colorful literary presence. Explore these resonant stories.

Seasonal ThemesSee all

Children's Books for January Celebrations
In January we celebrate New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and more! Enjoy these occasions with books that your preschooler will love.
Food-Inspired Books
Have your child read a delicious book every day in October.
Yummy Books For Little Readers
These yummy book recommendations might be the perfect recipes for reading success with your little ones!
Autumn Tales
Welcome the fall season with your 3- to 5-year-old with these stories.

Holidays & CelebrationsSee all

Children's Books About Mom
These Mother's Day-themed books are the perfect way to show kids how important mom is in their lives.
Easter Books for Children
Get ready for the holiday! Check out some of our favorite Easter picture books for preschoolers.
Groundhog's Day Stories
Will the groundhog see his shadow this February 6th? Your 6- to 7-year-old child will love discovering Groundhog's Day legends with these books.
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Explore the symbols, foods, and traditions of Chinese New Year with your 6- to 7-year-old child.

More Book ListsSee all

Best Books for Wordplay: Ages 3-5
See what letters, words, or phrases your child can remember on her own. Try substituting a wrong word and your child might correct you!
Mighty Math Books
Develop your young grade-schooler's arithmetic ability with books that take a creative approach to teaching basic math concepts.
Great Books for Beginning Readers
Experts pick their favorite titles for early elementary-schoolers.
All About the Alphabet
Uncover the world of words with these spectacular ABC books.

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