10+ Best Learning to Read Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect learning to read books for 3-year-olds? Finding the right books can be a game-changer in sparking your little one's love for reading. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of engaging and effective books designed specifically for toddlers to help them on their reading journey. Keep reading to discover our top picks of learning to read books for 3-year-olds that are sure to capture their imagination and make learning fun!

Fun Learning to Read Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: This beloved book follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in vibrant illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it easy for young readers to participate and anticipate what comes next.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just starting to learn how to read and enjoy repetitive patterns in storytelling.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, playful text helps children learn the alphabet in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning their ABCs and enjoy lively, rhythmic reads.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this classic of children's literature, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its gentle, calming text and comforting rhythm make it the perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy soothing stories before bedtime.

• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sally the dog searches every nook and cranny of her house looking for her puppy, Spot.
  • Why we recommend this book: This interactive book encourages children to lift the flaps and engage directly with the story, fostering an active reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and playful stories.

Educational Learning to Read Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyme, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows the protagonist trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations with different companions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, vocabulary building, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging read that introduces children to rhymes and repetitive patterns, making it easier for them to predict and remember the text.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to recognize words and enjoy rhythmic, repetitive text.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet. The zoo sends various unsuitable pets that are sent back, leading to a delightful discovery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, problem-solving, understanding of adjectives
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap format keeps children engaged, and the simple, repetitive text helps in memorization and prediction.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love animals and interactive reading experiences.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story of a young boy named Peter who explores his neighborhood after the season's first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploring new experiences, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall, encouraging curiosity and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who are discovering the joys and wonders of the world around them.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Circular Tale
  • Synopsis: A boy gives a cookie to a mouse, setting off a chain of events where the mouse needs more and more things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, sequencing, prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: Its humorous, circular story helps children understand sequencing and the consequences of actions in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humorous twists and learning about cause and effect.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him, stretching his arms wide and hopping high.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, measuring, comparative language
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that encourages children to express their feelings and understand measurements through playful comparisons.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are beginning to understand emotions and enjoy bedtime stories.

Challenging Learning to Read Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie, a brilliant inventor who dreams of becoming a great engineer. Despite facing failure, she learns the importance of perseverance.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of perseverance, engineering, and failure as a part of learning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires creativity and resilience, encouraging kids to engage in STEM activities and not be afraid of failures.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any child who loves to tinker or invent.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, the mouse invents a monster called the Gruffalo... but then meets the creature face to face!
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich vocabulary and rhymes that enhance linguistic skills, along with strategic thinking and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating story that demonstrates cleverness and bravery, with engaging rhymes that help develop phonemic awareness.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy mythical creatures and stories that involve clever problem-solving.

• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Imagination
  • Synopsis: A rabbit shows the reader that a box is not just a box but can be anything it imagines it to be.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages abstract thinking and creativity, asking children to envision beyond what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes imagination and creativity, encouraging kids to think innovatively and see potential in the simplest objects.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who love to invent and imagine new uses for everyday items.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: The crayons have had enough! Each crayon writes a letter to their owner, expressing their frustrations and demands.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents multiple perspectives and teaches about emotions and conflict resolution.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on expressing feelings and resolving conflicts, with a creative twist that keeps children engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy laughter and learning about emotions through a fun narrative.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Wordless
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world where adventure awaits.
  • Why this book is challenging: Being a wordless book, it challenges children to interpret the story through pictures alone, enhancing their visual literacy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to narrate their own story, fostering creativity and storytelling skills.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and any child who loves drawing and storytelling through art.

Each of these books offers a unique set of challenges and learning opportunities, making them perfect choices for advanced young readers eager to explore and learn.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little one start their reading journey, here are some fun and engaging exercises specifically designed for 3-year-olds. These activities are not only enjoyable but also crucial in developing early reading skills.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the pages of a book and talking about the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about what they think is happening in each picture to stimulate imagination.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Reading books with rhyming words or singing rhyming songs together.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness, which is important for learning to read.
  • Tips: Emphasize the rhyming words and pause to let your child fill in the rhyme.

• Alphabet Soup
  • What it is: Playing with magnetic letters to form simple words.
  • How it helps: Helps recognize letters and understand that letters form words.
  • Tips: Start with short words from a book they like and praise any effort they make.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Using pictures or objects to retell a story in the correct sequence.
  • How it helps: Builds comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Keep the sequence simple and help by using phrases like "What happened first?"

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Reading a short book or a page and then having your child repeat phrases after you.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and sentence structure understanding.
  • Tips: Use expressive reading to make it more fun and engaging.

• Scribble Stories
  • What it is: Letting your child draw and then asking them to tell you a story about their drawing.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and links storytelling with visual elements.
  • Tips: Show genuine interest in their story, which boosts their confidence to express themselves.

These exercises are a great way to make reading a fun part of your 3-year-old's daily routine. Remember, the key is to keep the sessions light and playful. The more fun your child has, the more they'll love reading. Happy reading!