Books Lists
10+ Best Disney Princess Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories to delight your little one? Look no further than Disney Princess books for 3-year-olds! These enchanting reads are just the ticket to spark the imagination of your tiny tots. Keep reading as we dive into a magical selection of Disney Princess books that are sure to become fast favorites in your household. Let's explore these charming tales together!
Table of Contents
Fun Disney Princess Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Cinderella's Countdown to the Ball by Heidi Kilgras
- Illustrator: Atelier Philippe Harchy
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Early Learning
- Synopsis: In this charming book, young readers can help Cinderella get ready for the royal ball as they learn to count from one to ten.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the enchanting world of Cinderella with educational content that helps kids practice their counting skills in a fun, engaging way.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales and are just starting to learn their numbers.
- Belle's Discovery by Kitty Richards
- Illustrator: Studio IBOIX and the Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Follow Belle as she discovers a mysterious wing of the castle and meets new friends.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and exploration, showing young readers the joys of discovering new places and making friends along the way.
- Perfect for: Little adventurers who enjoy stories about exploration and friendship.
- Ariel is Fearless by Liz Marsham
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Ariel, the little mermaid, shows her bravery as she explores the ocean and helps her friends.
- Why we recommend this book: This story highlights courage and kindness, ideal traits to instill in young minds through an engaging and familiar character.
- Perfect for: Young readers who admire bravery and love undersea adventures.
- Jasmine's New Rules by Suzanne Francis
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Princess Jasmine makes new rules in the palace, aiming to make life better for everyone in Agrabah.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of leadership and fairness, wrapped in an entertaining story that keeps young readers engaged.
- Perfect for: Young leaders and fans of tales that involve princesses taking charge and making a difference.
- Sleeping Beauty: A Moment to Remember by Lori C. Froeb
- Illustrator: Studio IBOIX and the Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Fantasy
- Synopsis: This book retells the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty with a focus on the memorable moments that make the story special.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a perfect introduction to classic storytelling, providing a narrative that supports memory building through repetition and highlights.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy classic stories and those beginning to understand the structure of storytelling.
Educational Disney Princess Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Tiana's Winter Treats by Andrea Posner-Sanchez
- Illustrator: N/A
- Genre(s): Cooking, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Join Princess Tiana as she prepares delicious winter treats and shares them with her friends in New Orleans.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic cooking concepts, sharing, and seasonal awareness
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches the joy of cooking and sharing, along with a touch of seasonal magic.
- Perfect for: Young chefs and fans of Princess Tiana who enjoy stories about friendship and food.
- Merida's Highland Games by Ruth Homberg
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Adventure, Sports
- Synopsis: Merida showcases her skills in archery, sword fighting, and horseback riding during the Highland Games in her Scottish kingdom.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Sportsmanship, traditional sports, cultural appreciation
- Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of tradition and bravery, encouraging physical activity and cultural respect.
- Perfect for: Little adventurers who love tales of bravery and cultural festivities.
- Rapunzel's Perfect Pony by Jennifer Liberts Weinberg
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Animal Care, Adventure
- Synopsis: Rapunzel spends a day in the forest with her perfect pony, learning how to take care of her animal friend.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Responsibility, animal care, empathy
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches compassion and responsibility through pet care, wrapped in a fun adventure.
- Perfect for: Young animal lovers and fans of Rapunzel who enjoy stories about caring and friendship.
- Snow White's Apple Adventure by Melissa Lagonegro
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Cooking, Adventure
- Synopsis: Snow White helps the Seven Dwarfs in their garden and learns to make delicious apple treats.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Gardening, cooking basics, teamwork
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of gardening with cooking, teaching teamwork and the farm-to-table concept.
- Perfect for: Little gardeners and cooks who enjoy teamwork and fairy tale adventures.
Challenging Disney Princess Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Moana and the Ocean's Secret by Kari Sutherland
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Moana sets sail on a daring mission to uncover a hidden secret of the ocean that could save her people.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces complex themes of environmental conservation and cultural heritage.
- Why we recommend this book: It fosters a sense of adventure and teaches important lessons about environmental stewardship and respect for one's culture.
- Perfect for: Young explorers passionate about nature and adventure.
- Elsa's Icy Magic by Erica David
- Illustrator: Bill Robinson
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Elsa uses her magic to save her kingdom from a mysterious winter threat, learning more about her powers along the way.
- Why this book is challenging: It explores the complexities of self-acceptance and control over one's abilities.
- Why we recommend this book: This book encourages self-discovery and control over personal fears through a captivating magical adventure.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love magic and tales of self-discovery.
- Aurora's Royal Wedding by Wendy Loggia
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Romance
- Synopsis: Princess Aurora plans her dream royal wedding but faces unexpected challenges that test her resolve and creativity.
- Why this book is challenging: The story deals with themes of problem-solving and resilience in the face of adversity.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the enchantment of fairy tales with lessons on patience and perseverance.
- Perfect for: Little dreamers who love stories of princesses and weddings with a twist of adventure.
- Pocahontas and the Strangers' Ship by Susan Amerikaner
- Illustrator: Disney Storybook Art Team
- Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: Pocahontas encounters a mysterious ship that brings strangers to her land, leading to a journey of understanding and friendship.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces historical contexts and the importance of cultural understanding and empathy.
- Why we recommend this book: This book teaches valuable lessons about peace and the significance of cross-cultural friendships.
- Perfect for: Young historians and any child interested in learning about new cultures and historical events.
- Mulan's Lunar New Year by Natasha Yim
- Illustrator: Sophie Li
- Genre(s): Cultural Celebration, Adventure
- Synopsis: Mulan prepares for the Lunar New Year festivities, but an unexpected challenge teaches her about the true spirit of the holiday.
- Why this book is challenging: It delves into cultural traditions and the values of courage and family unity.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful introduction to Lunar New Year customs through an engaging story that emphasizes family and bravery.
- Perfect for: Children interested in cultural celebrations and fans of Mulan's courageous character.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the magical world of Disney princess books with your little one, you're in for a treat. Not only are these stories enchanting, but they also offer fantastic opportunities to develop early reading habits. Here are some fun and effective exercises designed specifically for 3-year-olds to enhance their reading experience:
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Flip through the pages of the Disney princess book before reading, looking at and talking about the pictures.
- How it helps: This exercise helps children understand the story better and anticipate the plot, which enhances comprehension.
- Tips: Ask questions about the pictures like, "What do you think she is doing?" to encourage your child to think about the story.
- Story Prediction
- What it is: Before turning the page, ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story.
- How it helps: This stimulates imagination and logical thinking, and gets them excited about reading to see if their guess is right.
- Tips: Praise their efforts, regardless of whether their predictions are right or wrong, to boost confidence.
- Character Role-Play
- What it is: After reading the book, act out scenes from the story with your child, each of you playing different characters.
- How it helps: Helps deepen understanding of the story and characters, and enhances memory retention of what they've read.
- Tips: Use simple props like a scarf or a toy crown to make the role-play more engaging and fun.
- Repeat and Echo
- What it is: Read a sentence and have your child repeat it after you. You can also reverse roles where they read (or pretend to read) and you echo.
- How it helps: This exercise builds memory and word recognition skills.
- Tips: Keep your tone lively and animated to maintain their interest.
- Simple Q&A
- What it is: After reading, ask your child simple questions about the story, such as "Who was the main character?" or "Where did the story take place?"
- How it helps: Encourages them to pay attention to details and understand the story structure.
- Tips: Use the illustrations in the book to help jog their memory and guide the discussion.
Incorporating these exercises into your reading time can turn story sessions with Disney princess books into both fun and educational experiences for your 3-year-old. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also lay down the foundations of good reading habits and comprehension skills. So grab a book, pick an exercise, and let the magic begin!