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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect preschool books for 4-year-olds? Finding the right books can be a game-changer in sparking your little one’s love for reading and learning. Whether you're looking to cozy up for storytime or find interactive reads that engage curious minds, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our handpicked lists of preschool books for 4-year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate.

Fun Preschool Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This charming book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple counting with a delightful story, helping young readers develop both their reading and numerical skills.
  • Perfect for: Young children 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, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A repetitive text pattern guides young readers through a colorful array of animals and their actions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text makes it easy for children to participate in reading aloud, enhancing their phonemic awareness.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• 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, but will there be enough room?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and lively way to introduce the alphabet, with rhythmic text and bold illustrations that capture attention.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy playful stories.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, facing various obstacles, as they hunt for a bear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages participation through repetitive phrases and captures the imagination with its adventurous plot.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous children who enjoy acting out stories and exploring new experiences through reading.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this classic book, a gentle bedtime ritual is depicted as a young bunny says goodnight to everything in the room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing narrative and familiar bedtime setting help children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy calming bedtime stories to help them settle down for sleep.

Educational Preschool Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: This fun and engaging book explores the love dragons have for tacos and the chaos that ensues when they eat tacos with spicy salsa.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding cause and effect, cultural food awareness, and sequence of events
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious read that captures children's imaginations while subtly teaching about consequences.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humorous stories and those with a budding interest in different foods.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mouse uses clever tricks to evade danger in the forest, inventing a creature called the Gruffalo... which then turns out to be real!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to think creatively and shows the power of intelligence over brute strength.
  • Perfect for: Children who love engaging with fantastical creatures and stories that involve clever protagonists.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter Stories
  • Synopsis: The story captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration of weather effects, and experiencing seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder of a snowy day through the eyes of a child, with simple yet profound experiences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in the joys of winter and exploring the outdoors.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, problem-solving, and rhyming
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a story of friendship and collaboration, filled with rhythmic text and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about teamwork and magical adventures.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Circular Tale
  • Synopsis: This classic book explores a series of increasingly whimsical events that start with giving a mouse a cookie.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Predictive and logical reasoning, cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches sequencing and consequences in a fun, engaging way that resonates with young readers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy stories that build on cumulative tales and playful scenarios.

Challenging Preschool Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book inspires readers with its rhythmic verses, encouraging them to face life’s challenges and successes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces abstract concepts like ambition, resilience, and self-confidence, which are advanced topics for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes optimism and resilience, teaching children about personal development and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to understand their own journeys and potential.

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Environmental
  • Synopsis: Through the character of the Lorax, this book teaches the importance of taking care of the environment and the consequences of not doing so.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex environmental issues and ethical dilemmas, encouraging children to think about sustainability.
  • Why we recommend this book: It raises awareness about environmental conservation in a way that is accessible and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Eco-conscious families and children interested in nature and conservation.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces scientific inquiry and promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, which are advanced cognitive skills for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages curiosity and perseverance, particularly inspiring for young girls in science.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young scientists and any child with a curious mind.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: The crayons have had enough! Each color writes a letter to their owner, expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features multiple perspectives and teaches empathy and problem-solving through the crayons’ diverse viewpoints.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun, imaginative way to discuss emotions and conflict resolution.
  • Perfect for: Children who love drawing and coloring, and those learning to express their feelings.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. In quiet secrecy, she builds gadgets and gizmos, learning from her failures along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses themes of perseverance and innovation, encouraging a growth mindset in young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and resilience, especially encouraging for girls in engineering and sciences.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators, and any child who needs encouragement to keep trying despite setbacks.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! Are you looking to foster a love of reading in your 4-year-old? Incorporating fun and engaging exercises can make a world of difference. Here are some simple exercises designed to help preschoolers develop good reading habits while keeping the joy in the journey of exploring new books.

• 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 your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud with your child, taking turns on each page.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading fluency.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pitch to make the story more exciting and engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Your child retells the story in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to use the book's illustrations as cues for their retelling.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Finding objects around the house that start with the same letter/sound as the book title.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonetic awareness and letter recognition.
  • Tips: Keep it playful and use a timer to make it a fun challenge.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out the story with costumes or props after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and deepens understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple items from around the house to create costumes or props.

Implementing these exercises can turn reading time into an adventure that your child looks forward to. Not only do they develop essential reading skills, but they also build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. So, grab a book and let the fun and learning begin!