Ten Books Your Preschool Class Will Love

Reading is incredibly important for every child’s development. It can be challenging to find books that focus on learning, encourage kindness and bravery, or make your preschoolers squeal with delight. With gorgeous illustrations, hilarious and heartfelt storylines, and whimsical rhymes schemes, these books are sure to encourage a love of reading in your preschool class.

1. Dinosaurs Don’t Draw

Elli Woollard (3 – 5 years)

Is there a right and a wrong way to be a dinosaur?

In this delightful and gentle story, we follow artistic Picassaur as he discovers new materials to draw with. When he shows his creations to friends and family, they tell him that dinosaurs don’t draw – they stamp, they stomp, and they roar!

But when the little dinosaur’s drawings scare off a hungry T. Rex, the other dinosaurs learn that making art is important – and being different might save the day.

With a lilting rhyme scheme and gorgeous illustrations from Steven Lenton, this colorful book is sure to become a class favorite.

2. Tiny T. Rex and The Impossible Hug

Jonathan Stutzman (3 – 5 years)

Tiny T. Rex has a big problem… His friend Pointy is upset and only a hug will make him feel better. How can Tiny hug with such small arms?

By asking for advice from his family, and figuring out a few lessons on his own, Tiny finds a way to comfort his friend. Throughout this story, your preschoolers learn that the best hugs come from the biggest hearts.

Tiny T. Rex And The Impossible Hug perfectly illustrates kindness, perseverance, and the impact of creative and independent thinking.

3. I Have Ants in My Pants

Julia Cook (3 – 8 years)

Is your preschool class struggling to sit still?

Louis can’t sit still, no matter how hard he tries. Until his mom gives him a special tool to help him – the Wiggle Dance. With some practice, patience, and a couple of clever tools, Louis learns to calm his wiggles and be the boss of his ants!

Perfect for the movers and shakers in your class, I Have Ants In My Pants gives children a healthy outlet for extra energy and helps them to control their impulses.

4. The Gruffalo

Julia Donaldson (3 – 7 years)

A mouse wants to take a stroll through the woods, but hungry owls, foxes, and snakes present a problem. The quick-witted mouse invents the Gruffalo to ward off the predators, not knowing that the Gruffalo actually exists…

A silly, energetic story, The Gruffalo teaches kids to stay calm under pressure and use creative thinking to get themselves out of difficult situations.

5. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings

Jo Witek (2 – 4 years)

Little bodies can be filled with very big feelings… In My Heart: A Book Of Feelings gives your class ways to identify all their different emotions, describing how they can feel physically and in your heart.

Many preschoolers struggle to verbalize what they are feeling. Use this book to give them ways to communicate their complicated feelings, and start identifying the feelings of the people around them.

6. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus!

Mo Willems (2 – 6 years)

The bus driver is taking a break, and asks YOU to not let the pigeon drive the bus. Your preschool class will giggle and laugh as they shout “NO” to the cheeky pigeon when he asks, again and again, if he can drive the bus.

Interactive and silly, Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! is an entertaining story that engages learners and teaches them that reading is fun.

7. The Most Magnificent Thing

Ashley Spires (3 – 7 years)

Take your class along the unnamed main character’s journey to create the most MAGNIFICENT thing. The best part about this story is that she doesn’t get it right at first. Or at second, or at third…

She tinkers and hammers, smooths and fiddles, tweaks and twists, working through her frustration and anger (and mistakes!) to find a way to make the magnificent thing she’s imagining.

The Most Magnificent Thing teaches preschoolers about creativity, perseverance, and shows them that sometimes, the best way to make progress with a difficult project is to take a walk with your dog.

8. The Wonderful Things You Will Be

Emily Winfield Martin (3 – 7 years)

You know your preschoolers have unique dreams to match their unique personalities and talents. The Wonderful Things You Will Be encourages them to be kind and clever, to share, and to take care of small things as they grow and discover their places in the world.

Inspiring and affirming, this book celebrates dreams of all shapes and sizes.

9. The Day the Crayons Quit

Drew Daywalt (3 – 6 years)

Duncan’s decided to color, but his crayons have other ideas! Blue is tired of coloring in bodies of water, Black is tired of only being used for outlines, and Orange and Yellow are tired of arguing about which is the true color of the sun.

What can Duncan do to pacify his crayons and get coloring?

With colorful, bright illustrations that engage your class, and a story that sends them giggling, The Day The Crayons Quit is a delightful and silly story perfect for end-of-the-day reading.

10. Our Class Is a Family

Shannon Olsen (3 – 7 years)

Educators do more than teach. They generate a sense of community within a classroom, teaching children to work as a unit. This story helps build relationships and strengthen class unity by encouraging kids to be themselves, accept others, work through mistakes, and how to be a good friend.

After reading Our Class Is A Family, every preschooler feels like part of a special school family.

Encouraging Reading in Your Preschool Class

The best way to create voracious readers is to tell stories that your preschool class loves.

Every book mentioned here is perfect for any preschool class itching to learn, laugh, or be encouraged.

At Parkland Children’s Academy, we prioritize your child’s development and fun. Located in Parkland, Florida, you can learn more by calling 954-688-5877, checking out The Parkland Children’s Academy Facebook page, or subscribing to our blog. We can’t wait to see your child discover a love of reading!