The Best Books to Ignite a Love of Reading in Preschoolers

Instilling a love of reading in children from a young age is crucial for their language development, imagination, and overall cognitive growth. Selecting the right books for preschoolers can significantly impact their engagement and foster a positive association with reading. This article presents a curated list of exceptional books tailored for preschoolers, focusing on stories that captivate their attention, encourage participation, and introduce them to the joys of reading.

The Importance of Early Reading

Reading to preschoolers goes beyond mere entertainment. It lays the foundation for language acquisition, enhances vocabulary, and stimulates creativity. By exposing children to diverse narratives and engaging characters, we help them develop critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence. Moreover, shared reading experiences create lasting bonds between children and caregivers, making reading a cherished activity.

Favorite Story Books for Preschoolers

What the Ladybird Heard

Julia Donaldson's "What the Ladybird Heard" is a timeless classic beloved by preschoolers, parents, and teachers alike. This brightly illustrated story features farm animals, minibeasts, and a clever ladybird who outsmarts two burglars trying to steal the prize cow. The lilting rhymes and engaging plot make it a clear winner for storytimes in the Early Years.

Young children delight in joining in with the repeated refrains of animal sounds and following the unfolding plot as the ladybird helps her farmyard friends save the day. The book's interactive nature and satisfying resolution make it a perennial favorite.

Lost and Found

"Lost and Found" is an endearing story about a boy who goes on a journey to return a lost penguin to its South Pole home. This simple story with beautiful illustrations is a popular choice for children in the preschool years and beyond.

At its heart, the story is about caring for others and going above and beyond to help somebody in need. Children love the penguin character and the warm resolution of this journey-home narrative.

The Rabbit, The Dark and the Biscuit Tin

"The Rabbit, The Dark and the Biscuit Tin" is a read-aloud book with a wow factor that is guaranteed to produce ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ at storytime.

Any child who has ever tried to prolong bedtime will relate to Rabbit. In a bid to not have to go to bed, Rabbit decides to capture the dark and hide it in a biscuit tin. If it doesn’t get dark, he won’t have to go to sleep! But hiding the dark has knock-on effects, and he hasn’t thought about the nocturnal animals, his body’s need for rest and recovery, or the joy of waking up to a delicious breakfast! With an impressive fold-out page, this is a go-to story choice for preschool and younger primary children.

The Little Red Train

In "The Little Red Train," Duffy Driver accidentally leaves the brakes off, sending the Little Red Train on an unexpected journey down the track. Duffy tries everything he can to catch up, enlisting the help of a tractor, horses, a boat, and a helicopter.

This enjoyable story is perfect for repeated readings, and preschoolers will delight in the gently unfolding journey narrative. They'll also relish the chance to join in with the train noises and spot the many details on the pages.

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Eat Your Peas

"Eat Your Peas" is one of the earlier picture books featuring the much-loved character Daisy, who now also stars in her own series of illustrated chapter books too.

This story introduces younger children to the popular character and many readers will relate to the scenario Daisy faces when she finds herself with a plate of peas in front of her at dinnertime. The story features a repeated refrain of “I Don’t Like Peas” - which children love to join in with - and readers will adore the escalating promises Mum makes to try to tempt Daisy to eat her veg. The close-up illustrations of facial expressions help preschool children to interpret and understand character emotions, and the additional pea-themed details to spot throughout the pages are so much fun too (look out for Mum’s necklace and earrings!).

EYFS Stories with Super Fun Characters

Digger and the Gang

This is a beautifully illustrated very simply story book for young children. The story tells the story of ‘digger’ and his companions searching for their missing cone friend.

With a very simple storyline and lovely illustrations, this picturebook by Morag Hood would appeal most to pre-school and reception age children, and especially those with an interest in vehicles and construction.

Dotty the Doughnut

Dotty is a plain doughnut in a shop full of exotic doughnuts. She is desperate to be noticed, so she tries to transform herself into another kind of doughnut that someone might pick. This is a wonderfully dotty book, featuring all sorts of wild-flavoured doughnuts such as Bubble Gum, Matcha Madness or Lemon Meringue - all of them superstars in Dotty’s eyes!

The story teaches you to love yourself for who you are in a very comical and engaging way. The illustrations are bright and bold, and even plain Dotty looks pretty fabulous with her red rimmed glasses. There is something incredibly appealing about the doughnuts in this book. Younger children will love the look of this book, and older children will enjoy the humour, and as the tagline says, “Being yourself is fabulous”.

The Blue Monster

This is a read-aloud book that demands that the reader find a voice for the Blue Monster and a voice that conveys something of the character’s charm, even though he eats anyone who won’t play with him!

The illustrations capture each character’s feelings, and seeing Blue Monster’s body language change as he becomes more and more embarrassed and guilty is a joy! The approach to solving friendship problems is clear and simple, and one that could easily be used with a class of children. This book is so simple and enjoyable. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story holds a powerful message that is given gently and humorously.

The Circular Square

The Circular Square is a clever picturebook that will engage young children with its humour and illustrations.

The concept and language used by the author, Simon Philip, mean this is an ideal text for Early Years children. The rhyming story describes all of life’s ups and downs and how these shape us, quite literally. The character of Square does not like his edges or straight sides but chooses to focus on the positives of life. As he does that, he slowly becomes more rounded without even noticing. This story has a wonderful message about having a positive mindset and showing resilience.

Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present

Mr Rabbit lives alone, and do you know what? He likes it! He enjoys peaceful moments spent reading, drinking cups of tea, and gardening - but sometimes it can get a little too quiet. Luckily, Spring has arrived, and that means Mr Rabbit can plant his favourite vegetable - carrots! With some love, sunshine, and a little bit of singing, the carrots begin to grow. But one day, Mr Rabbit spots something unusual - a wiggling carrot top! He pulls and pulls, and out pops a walking, talking carrot.

Carrot only wants to be Mr Rabbit’s friend, but Mr Rabbit just wants to be left alone! From leaving soil all over the sofa to rummaging through Mr Rabbit’s books, Carrot’s mischievous antics leave the solitary rabbit feeling a bit irritated. Yet, as the day unfolds, Mr Rabbit finds himself starting to enjoy the company. He’s so used to being all alone that he’s never even considered having a friend. Maybe now is the perfect time for that to change.

Funny Rhyming Books for Preschoolers

Pasta Man and the Missing Sauce

This is a fun superhero-themed story book that helps to get younger children counting. When Pasta Man’s supply of Pasta Power runs out, he needs all of the help he can get to outsmart the spicy supervillainess Madame Chilli.

We love Caryl Hart’s tongue-twisting rhymes and Nick East’s lively illustrations, capturing the cast of imaginative superhero characters in this unique counting book.

Zoo Poo

Steve Smallman is the master of funny rhymes for children and as luck would have it, quite a lot of words rhyme with ‘zoo’.

Take a menagerie of animals, a thumpingly fast rhyming verse and a dash of toilet humour and you have the makings of a riotous storytime favourite. As well as the tongue-twisting story filled with funny-sounded onomatopoeia (there’s plenty of plopping and splatting), the book also features themes of keeping the environment clean, animal tracking and caring for wildlife. This book will become an instant favourite with children who love a good giggle at storytime.

Oi Dinosaurs!

by Kes Gray and Jim Field brings back the beloved Oi Frog and Friends crew for a hilariously rhyming dino-themed adventure. Frog, Cat, and Dog debate what dinosaurs didn’t sit on, leading to comical scenarios like Pterosaurs avoiding bendy straws. It’s a guaranteed giggle-fest for young dinosaur fans.

It’s hard not to be impressed by and amused at the rhymes in this latest addition to a bestselling series - unlike frogs and dogs, dinosaur names are not the easiest words to rhyme with, after all! Jim Field’s vibrant illustrations perfectly capture the joyful silliness. This book is ideal for shared reading with little ones, offering laugh-out-loud fun and encouraging a love for language. The superbly clever, laugh-out-loud rhyming book is sure to be another hit in the classroom. It’s brilliant to have books that make exploring phonics and spelling patterns so much fun. They’re great for reading for pleasure too.

The Bear and the Hare and the Fair

Following on from The Cat and the Rat and the Hat, and The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat, The Bear and the Hare and the Fair cleverly combines phase 5 phonics with hilarious antics. As the title suggests, Hare persuades Bear from the chair in his lair and off they head to the fair. They tempt each other with different rides and seem to have rather different tastes! But do Bear and Hare dare to go on the rollercoaster?!

With hilarious illustrations, joyous rhymes and great onomatopoeia too, this one is lots of fun to read aloud and join in with.

Bear in a Chair

A charming and funny picture book that has been much-loved by preschoolers for over a decade now. It tells the simple story of a determined Mouse trying to oust a very comfortable Bear from his favourite chair. Mouse’s increasingly funny attempts to move the large, oblivious Bear are sure to bring giggles.

The book’s bold illustrations and simple, rhyming text make it perfect for EYFS children. The ending is humorous and children will choose to hear the story again and again. A five-star delightful storytime read, making it a wonderful addition to any preschool bookshelf.

Gentle Stories for Preschool Children

Lulu Starts School

Lulu is going to preschool for the first time. She has visited school before with Mummy, but this time she will go on her own. She’s excited, but a bit nervous. She gets dressed, packs her bag and makes sure she has her cat Dinah with her. When Lulu gets to school, she quickly settles and makes a friend with Mummy watching close by. When Mummy leaves, Lulu is nervous, but soon finds her way forward on her new adventure.

We highly recommend this starting school book and the whole Lulu series, which gently reassures preschool children about all sorts of relatable scenarios from getting a pet and planting flowers to starting school and shows them how to tackle new challenges head-on.

A Home is a Nest

Award-winning artist Emma Carlisle brings us her new observations of the passing of time and seasonal change, inspired by her new garden at home.

A Home is a Nest focuses on British birds and animals bringing up their young in cosy, safe nests and homes in the wild alongside the young family of humans who feature in the background. The rhyming narrative takes young readers gently through the seasons, and the illustrations provide clues about nature’s activities, usually hidden from view from us all but on full display in the book, thanks to the artist’s gentle illustrations. The book covers a whole year by which time the young animals have left their nests to start their own journeys. This book is suitable for sharing with young children, or anyone who wishes to introduce the idea of parenthood, the seasons and nature’s rhythm around the year.

Is It a Seed?

Is It a Seed? is an imaginative picture book that encourages wonder. A young girl and her brother discover an unusual seed, prompting a flurry of speculation about what it might become - from a tiny flower to a giant’s beanstalk.

The story captures something of the wonder of planting seeds for young children, making it a perfect classroom choice for EYFS children learning about growing plants or life cycles. The bright illustrations vividly depict these potential scenarios imagined as the family plants the seed. The book also gently encourages a connection with the natural world, making it a delightful read-aloud that celebrates curiosity and the magic of growing plants.

Animal Crackers

Ruby Wright’s debut, Animal Crackers, is such a joyful and gently humorous picturebook!

This is a heartwarming story beginning with a scenario that may feel familiar to many children - animal-mad Maisie wishes for a pet, but Mum says it is not to be, living in such a small flat. Much to her delight, her wishes come true via magical animal crackers. This leads to a delightfully chaotic zoo appearing all around. The story beautifully blends fantasy with relatable modern family life. It’s an encouraging read-aloud that celebrates animals, imagination and the joyful mess of unexpected wishes.

Blue Kangaroo

A treasured toy-themed story about a child’s love for their favourite teddy. Lily has always loved her blue kangaroo toy best of all. When she acquires a set of new toys, Lily’s loyalty to Blue Kangaroo is put to the test.

This is a gentle and reassuring story that has been a favourite with Early Years children for decades.

Mama’s Sleeping Scarf

Chino has to stay at home with her Papa while her Mama goes out to work. When Chino is worried that Mama might not come back, Mama leaves her sleeping scarf for her- the one she wears ‘to keep her hair all soft and nice’ - to play with for the day. The scarf weaves its way through Chino’s day with her, helping her play games and forming part of her conversations with both her grandparents and her Papa. The scarf is a reminder throughout the day of the love of her Mama and of the rest of her family, too.

Through this charming and seemingly simple story, Adichie explores the reversal of traditional home roles, the value of multi-generational family bonds, and the simple anxiety of a child who wants to know their parent will return.

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