The Secret Book Picks Teachers Use to Spark a Love of Reading — All in One List

Helping your child read at home is the best thing you can do to set them up for academic success in the coming school year. It’s not just about building reading skills or confidence in reading aloud. Reading together helps children expand their understanding of the world and develop habits that last long after school is out. 

We talked to four 2024-2025 Scholastic Teacher Fellows, a dedicated team of K–8 educators who collaborate with Scholastic through the academic year, to get their tips (and favorite reads!) for kids going into preK through third grade. Their insight reminded us that reading is an adventure and a chance to connect for kids of every age. 

Take a look at recommended tips and books for your: 

• Preschooler
• Kindergartner
• First Grader 
• Second Grader 
• Third Grader

PreK: Simple Stories, Easy-to-Read Lines

For preK students, kindergarten teacher Milagros Sanchez-Cohen recommends keeping things simple and letting kids’ interests and abilities guide reading selections. 

“For instance, if an entering preK student can identify some words, then a very simple story with easy-to-read lines would be best,” she says. “Maybe even a short sentence or a book with one to two words on the pages.”

Sanchez-Cohen also recommends picture books, which she says are “a big hit as students are able to think about what is happening through each illustration and come up with their own story.”

And don’t be afraid to move off-page for reading adventures: “For families, going to the local library, or even having their child engage in books found online that can be accessed through an iPad or tablet is also a great way to have families find books and engage their young readers and learners,” Sanchez-Cohen says.

A book this teacher loves: “I would recommend any of the Pig the Pug Stories because they are easy to follow along with and follow a rhyming pattern. It is also a fun way to use animals to depict unwanted behaviors or wanted behaviors without stating it directly." 

Kindergarten: Embrace Your Child’s Love of Specific Genres

“For incoming kindergarten students, it is best to find books that are appealing to their interests and can be read by them,” says Sanchez-Cohen. “If a book is above their reading level, they can become frustrated, give up, and not want to read.”

She notes that book series like Pete the Cat and No, David are “simple read(s) and easy to follow for young readers and learners.” 

Again, she advises letting kids’ interests steer book selections: “...families should embrace their child's love for specific genres and take them to the local library for free events, book readings, and even crafts tied into the stories. Books accessed through the online library system can also be another way for families to not have to drive away from home and still have their young reader and learner continue to read.”

A book this teacher loves: “I would recommend Clifford Goes to Kindergarten because Clifford the Big Red Dog is a character that all students know. Clifford goes on these adventures with his best friend Emily Elizabeth, and in this book, they are going on a first day of kindergarten adventure. It is such a light "

First Grade: Read What You Love! 

Second grade teacher Alexandra Felix emphasizes that kids should read what they love. 

"One tip is this: read, read, read what you love!” she says. “Families should tap into their children's interests and find books that suit these interests. Reading about the things you love can be the gateway to a lifetime love of reading.”

Don’t get stuck on a specific type or format of book, either. “If a child struggles with reading or expresses that they do not like reading, families can try introducing them to graphic novels,” she suggests. “Visual literacy, tied in with rich text, can be the best way to foster that love of reading and build crucial literacy skills. The artwork and stories are usually fun and accessible for children of all ages. Graphic novels can also encourage children to explore other formats, genres, and topics."

A book this teacher loves: “Graphic novels are great for first-graders as they develop their literacy skills. The visuals are engaging and fun, and motivate young readers. Pizza Shark, Layla and the Bots, and Eerie Elementary are all great introductions to chapter books, other graphic novels, and series. They also inspire first-graders to write their own stories and comics. My students are mostly English Language Learners who love these visually rich texts. The visuals and dialogue also help my students improve their English proficiency and access essential concepts or vocabulary words.”

Second Grade: Find a Series That Piques Your Interest

What’s better than one beloved book? A whole series of super-engaging reads! Second grade teacher Keke Powell says that her best tip is to “have a series that piques your interest. That way, when you finish one book, then you can continue the series to keep wanting to learn more.”

Powell reminds us that reading doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor, either: “Find a friend who wants to read it with you and your partner. Reading should be a fun way to connect with learning in your own way."

A book this teacher loves: “I love the Dog Man series and how Dav wrote them with so much interaction. I have read the whole series because I wanted to connect with my students. In

the beginning, each book has a quick retell that helps the reader stay connected to the story. This book is the #1 most checked-out book in my classroom behind Captain Underpants. They are a great bridge to help introduce chapter books to keep my students excited for reading."

Third Grade: Ask Questions as You Read

Third grade teacher Morgan Mercado offers tips for family members supporting kids on the path to becoming active readers. In short, it’s all about making shared reading a family experience — and asking the right questions to help your child develop these skills. 

"I encourage you to read together as a family! Take a trip to the library and let your child pick out some books that interest them,” Mercado suggests. 

Then, when you’re reading together, Morgan recommends asking questions such as: 

• What was that chapter about? (Summary)
• Who is the main character? How would you describe them? (Character traits)
• What problem is the main character facing? (Story elements)
• Did you learn anything new after reading this book? (Theme)

“These questions jump-start conversations with families, as well as get them familiar with standards that will be taught in third grade — without the child even knowing it!" 

A book this teacher loves: "Harry Potter. I was in third grade when the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie came out. So we all read the book before we saw the movie. It was a magical time of everyone being in on this phenomenon together. 

“Harry Potter has timeless themes of friendship, bravery, and love that any child will be enthralled with. Once entering the world of Hogwarts, any child wishes they were living in the book as they read. It’s a page-turner that shouldn’t be missed! I saved my set of the Harry Potter series to read with my children when they start third grade."

Ready to boost reading skills, build your child’s vocabulary, and set reading habits that will last all school year long? Search for your next family reads at The Scholastic Store. You can filter by grade and age, format and subject, series and character, and more.

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