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

Are you on the hunt for the latest page-turners for your little one? Dive into our curated selection of new books for 4-year-olds, perfect for capturing the imagination of preschoolers everywhere. Whether you’re looking to cozy up for storytime or find a new favorite to spark joy and curiosity, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks of new books for 4-year-olds that are hitting the shelves now!

Fun New Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Bench by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
  • Synopsis: This touching story explores the special relationship between a father and son, as seen through a mother's eyes. Inspired by her own family, Meghan captures the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated book that emphasizes the strength of family bonds and the joy of shared moments.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy family-centric stories and vivid illustrations.

• Grumpy Monkey: Freshly Squeezed by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: In this installment, Jim Panzee, the grumpy monkey, learns about managing his emotions when he wakes up in a bad mood. Throughout the day, his friends try to cheer him up, but Jim learns it’s okay to have grumpy days.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches emotional intelligence and self-acceptance in a fun, relatable way, making it easier for kids to understand their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who sometimes feel grumpy or are learning to navigate their emotions.

• The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a minimalist landscape, this story features a turtle, armadillo, and a snake dealing with a mysterious rock that falls from the sky. The characters experience a series of humorous and suspenseful events related to the rock.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its subtle humor and unique storytelling captivate young minds, encouraging imagination and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love quirky stories and those who appreciate visual storytelling.

• Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Little Blue Truck is off to school! Along the way, he picks up all his animal friends so they can join him. The journey is filled with delightful rhymes and scenic countryside views.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, rhyming text makes reading aloud a joy and can help develop phonemic awareness.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are about to start school or love stories about vehicles and animals.

• Billy and the Balloons by Elizabeth Dale, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Billy dreams of flying with balloons, and one windy day, his dream comes true. He soars above the world, encountering incredible sights and making new friends.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and dreaming big, while the adventurous plot keeps children engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and any child who loves whimsical, imaginative tales.

Educational New Books for 4-Year-Olds

• All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell, illustrated by Allison Colpoys
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This charming book celebrates all the different ways children can be smart—from being good with numbers to being creative, from showing empathy to playing music.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an affirming and inclusive story that helps kids recognize and appreciate their own unique talents and those of others.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are exploring their own strengths and parents who want to encourage a broad definition of intelligence.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors and a friendly monster to help children understand and identify their emotions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional recognition, vocabulary related to feelings
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a simple and visual way for children to connect with their feelings and learn how to express them.
  • Perfect for: Young children beginning to understand their emotions and parents or educators who want to help in emotional development.

• My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids by Bruce Betts, PhD
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Science
  • Synopsis: This educational book introduces young readers to the wonders of our solar system, including all the planets and their unique features.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic astronomy, scientific curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with fascinating facts that are presented in a way that's easy for preschoolers to understand and enjoy.
  • Perfect for: Young space enthusiasts and any child who has shown an interest in stars and planets.

• The Hike by Alison Farrell
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Nature
  • Synopsis: Follow three friends as they go on a hiking adventure through the woods, encountering various animals and plants along the way, and charting their journey in a nature notebook.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Nature awareness, environmental appreciation, basic biology
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages outdoor exploration and teaches children about the natural world in an engaging, story-driven way.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and any child curious about nature and outdoor activities.

• Hello, World! Ocean Life by Jill McDonald
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the diverse and vibrant world under the sea, featuring simple, clear explanations about different ocean creatures and environments.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Marine biology, environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great starting point for young readers to learn about marine life and the importance of oceans in a fun, accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love animals and parents looking to spark an interest in science and nature.

Challenging New Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Little Engine That Could: Reillustrated Edition by Watty Piper, illustrated by Loren Long
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This timeless story follows a small blue engine as she attempts to pull a train full of toys over a mountain, using her determination and the mantra "I think I can, I think I can."
  • Why this book is challenging: The text includes repetition and builds on the complexity of phrases, which challenges young readers to follow and remember the story's progression.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the power of positive thinking, offering a valuable lesson in perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy uplifting stories and learning about determination.

• Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Science, Nature
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a magical journey through the phases of the moon, viewed from different perspectives around the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces scientific concepts like moon phases and the global perspective, which are advanced topics for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its peek-through pages and lyrical text captivate young readers while educating them about the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in astronomy and nature, and those who appreciate artistic illustrations.

• The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty by Beatrice Alemagna
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Edith sets out on a quest through her village to find the elusive, magical "Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty," encountering a cast of quirky characters along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative includes a rich vocabulary and a variety of character interactions that require attention and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and problem-solving, while the detailed illustrations provide a lot to discuss and discover.
  • Perfect for: Children who love whimsical adventures and solving mysteries.

• Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book explores the ecosystem of a pond throughout the seasons, detailing the life and activities of creatures above and below the water surface.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents ecological concepts and introduces specific animal species and their roles in the habitat, which are complex ideas for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the balance of nature and encourages curiosity about science and the environment.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and young scientists eager to learn about ecosystems and wildlife.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Science, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life scientists, this story follows a curious girl named Ada, who embarks on a mission to use science to understand the world around her, starting with a quest to discover the source of a foul smell.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book encourages scientific inquiry and problem-solving, featuring complex, thought-provoking questions that stimulate critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes STEM education and inspires children, especially girls, to explore science and engineering.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young scientists and any child with a curious mind and a love for problem-solving.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a curious 4-year-old eager to dive into the world of books, here are some fun exercises to help develop their reading habits. These activities are designed to make reading an enjoyable and integral part of their daily routine.

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

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Finding rhyming words in the story or creating your own rhymes.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and understanding of language patterns.
  • Tips: Make it a playful activity by singing the rhymes or turning them into a game.

• Story Retell
  • What it is: Telling the story back in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use the book’s pictures as cues for their retelling.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the book using their favorite characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make it more engaging and fun.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud together, taking turns on each page.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and reading confidence.
  • Tips: Emphasize the fun by using different voices for different characters.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Matching words from the book with objects around the house that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Strengthens letter-sound associations.
  • Tips: Keep it lively by turning it into a scavenger hunt.

These exercises aren't just educational; they're a great way to bond with your child over books. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting a strong foundation for a lifelong love of reading. So, grab some books, and let's make reading fun for your little one!