10+ Best Award Winning Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or a new favorite read for your preschooler? Dive into our curated selection of award-winning books for 4-year-olds, each brimming with enchantment and lessons that stick. Whether you're looking to spark imagination or instill a love of reading, these celebrated titles are sure to captivate and charm. Keep reading to discover our various lists of award-winning books for 4-year-olds that are beloved by children and critics alike!

Fun Award Winning Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power of their own minds to create adventures and manage emotions.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who love letting their imagination run wild.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book follows the journey of a caterpillar eating his way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in a simple and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, a young bunny says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and calming pictures make it an ideal bedtime story, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy soothing bedtime rituals and stories.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Rhyming book
  • Synopsis: A repetitive rhyme structure introduces a series of colorful animals and a teacher, asking each of them what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps with pattern recognition and introduces animal names and colors in a fun, repetitive way that encourages participation.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture book
  • Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, the pigeon makes several humorous attempts to get permission to drive the bus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages children with its interactive style, allowing them to say "No" to the pigeon, fostering decision-making and assertiveness.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughing and interacting with the story they’re reading.

Educational Award Winning Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story captures a day in the life of a little boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the season's first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of seasons, exploration and curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder of a snowy day through the eyes of a child, encouraging exploration and appreciation of the simple joys in life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in the wonders of nature and exploring the outdoors.

• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Urban life
  • Synopsis: A young boy named CJ travels with his grandmother on a bus ride, discovering beauty and wonder in his everyday urban environment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, appreciation for diversity, and understanding of socio-economic differences
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children to find beauty in everyday life and to appreciate the diversity of people and places around them.
  • Perfect for: Children living in or curious about urban settings and those learning about kindness and community.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Animal tale
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing consequences for his actions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding consequences, curiosity, and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful storytelling with important life lessons about curiosity and the importance of following rules.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and learning through the misadventures of characters.

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Nature
  • Synopsis: A child and their father go owling on a cold winter night, experiencing the special bond between parent and child and the beauty of the natural world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Patience, appreciation for nature, bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the quiet beauty of a snowy night and the special experience shared between parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Children who love nature and exploring the world with their family.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhyming book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, letter sequencing
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, playful text makes learning the alphabet fun and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to learn the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic read-alouds.

Challenging Award Winning Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world of adventure, where she travels through various fantastical landscapes using her red marker.
  • Why this book is challenging: The absence of text requires children to interpret the story through the illustrations alone, enhancing their analytical and inferential skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters imagination and creativity, encouraging children to tell their own story and interpret complex visual narratives.
  • Perfect for: Young visionaries and dreamers who love crafting stories and adventures in their minds.

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of an imaginary friend who, unheard and unseen, embarks on a journey to find his perfect human match.
  • Why this book is challenging: The complex themes of existence, friendship, and bravery are explored through a unique perspective that challenges young minds to think deeply about relationships and emotions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the themes of loneliness and friendship in a way that is accessible yet profound, encouraging empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to understand the complexities of friendships and emotions.

• This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A tiny fish wears a hat that he stole from a big fish and believes he will not be caught. However, the consequences of his actions catch up with him.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle humor and the moral ambiguity of the story challenge young readers to think about ethics and consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the concept of right and wrong in a humorous, engaging way that sparks discussion and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a good laugh and parents who want to introduce discussions about morality in a light-hearted manner.

• Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Insect life
  • Synopsis: Insects converse in a fictional language as they observe a tiny shoot growing into a beautiful plant and eventually a tree.
  • Why this book is challenging: The invented language requires children to use contextual clues to understand the story, enhancing their cognitive and decoding skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively uses a made-up language to draw children into a vibrant ecosystem, promoting curiosity and linguistic playfulness.
  • Perfect for: Linguistically curious kids and those fascinated by nature and the lifecycle of plants.

• The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Psychological
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Laszlo confronts his fear of the dark, which lives in the same house as him, in a gentle, understanding way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The exploration of abstract concepts like fear and the psychological depth of the narrative challenge young minds to confront and reflect on their own fears.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand and manage their fears through a relatable character and beautifully crafted narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with fears of their own and need a gentle, imaginative way to face them.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading with your little one can be a magical journey, especially with award-winning books that are tailored to capture the imagination of 4-year-olds. To make the most out of these reading sessions and develop good reading habits, here are some fun and effective exercises you can try:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Browse through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to predict what happens next.
  • How it helps: Encourages active thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Make it fun by taking turns to guess the next part of the story.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and makes the reading experience interactive.
  • Tips: Use props around the house to bring the story to life.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read the same book multiple times.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and fluency.
  • Tips: Try to focus on different aspects of the book each time, like plot, characters, or illustrations.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and create rhymes based on the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and language skills.
  • Tips: Make a game of finding as many rhymes as possible, even silly ones.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the story’s events.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding sequence and plot structure.
  • Tips: Use simple drawings or stickers to represent different parts of the story.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these activities, you're not only helping your child develop a love for reading but also setting a strong foundation for their literacy skills. Happy reading!