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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material to spark your 4-year-old's imagination? Look no further! Scholastic Books for 4-Year-Olds offer a treasure trove of captivating stories that are just right for preschoolers. Whether you're looking to cozy up for storytime or find engaging reads that encourage early literacy skills, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Scholastic Books tailored specifically for 4-year-olds, and find the perfect picks to delight your little reader.

Fun Scholastic Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • 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 in a simple and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vibrant illustrations and learning basic concepts.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: In this rhythmic, rhyming alphabet book, 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 playful and rhythmic text makes learning the alphabet fun and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are just starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy lively, colorful illustrations.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and children explore the colors and animals they see around them in a repetitive, predictable pattern that delights young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children predict what comes next, aiding in their cognitive development, while also teaching colors and animal names.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and are beginning to learn about colors and patterns.

• Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Family, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Llama experiences bedtime drama as he waits for his mama to come back to him after tucking him into bed.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses common bedtime fears and soothes anxieties about separation in a comforting rhyme.
  • Perfect for: Children who find bedtime a bit challenging and need a comforting story to reassure them.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. When danger arises, her new friends find a way to save the day.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship and cooperation through an exciting and whimsical tale.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about magic and friendship, with a dash of humor.

Educational Scholastic Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad take a peaceful evening drive and say goodnight to their animal friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Language development, understanding of daily routines, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines soothing rhymes with the familiar, friendly characters of the Little Blue Truck series to help ease children into bedtime.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy gentle stories at bedtime.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This engaging book uses rhyming and predictable text paired with a simple guessing game to delight young readers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, cognitive development, early literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: Its playful text and peekaboo windows foster interactive reading sessions and surprise with each turn of the page.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who love playful and interactive reading experiences.

• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
  • Genre(s): Rhyming, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The Pout-Pout Fish swims along with a pout on his face, spreading "dreary-wearies" everywhere—until his friends help him discover that being glum is not his destiny.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, social skills, rhyming and phonetics
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fun and rhythmic exploration of emotions, encouraging children to smile and spread cheer.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning to identify and express their feelings.

• Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: Three white mice discover three jars of paint—red, blue, and yellow. They jump in and out, mix colors, and learn all about color combinations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, basic concepts of color mixing, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches primary and secondary colors through a simple and engaging story that encourages experimentation.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who is beginning to learn about colors and mixing.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, facing swishy grass, a splashy river, and oozy mud, in search of a bear.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, prepositions, sensory words
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text encourages participation and movement, making it an interactive reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy adventure and interactive storytelling.

Challenging Scholastic Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the myth of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to fend off predators, only to encounter the real Gruffalo in the woods.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces elements of strategy and deception, which are complex concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling tale that encourages problem-solving and critical thinking through its clever and suspenseful plot.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love engaging stories with a bit of suspense and humor.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Rhyming, Beginner Reader
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince his friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations with different companions.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of simple vocabulary in a repetitive, rhyming format challenges young readers to predict and remember text.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes persistence and the willingness to try new things, wrapped in a fun and engaging rhyme scheme.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to read and enjoy rhythmic, repetitive texts that make learning words enjoyable.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season, experiencing the joy and wonder of a snowy day.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story uses a simple yet profound narrative to explore themes of curiosity and discovery in the context of a child's everyday experiences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and possibilities of a snowy day, encouraging imagination and exploration in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in the wonders of nature and exploring the world around them.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Max, a young boy feeling misunderstood at home, travels to an island inhabited by wild creatures that crown him as their ruler before he decides to return home.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex emotions like anger and loneliness, presented through rich, imaginative storytelling and illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to explore emotions and the concept of home and belonging in a creatively fantastical context.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about adventures and creatures, and who might be navigating their own feelings of fitting in.

• Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Corduroy, a teddy bear in a department store, goes on a nighttime adventure to find his missing button, hoping to improve his chances of finding a home.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces themes of perseverance and self-improvement, encapsulated in a heartwarming story that also addresses the concept of belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches values of hope and determination through the endearing experiences of Corduroy.
  • Perfect for: Children who love heartwarming stories and learning about self-worth and persistence.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 4-year-old develop good reading habits with some Scholastic books, you're in the right place. Here are some simple and fun exercises that can make reading an enjoyable and beneficial part of your child’s daily routine. Let’s dive in!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read a book together.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills through regular exposure to language.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time each day, like right before bed or after lunch, to make this a routine.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a book and talk about the pictures before reading the words.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and comprehension skills by using visual clues.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make predictions about the story.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading a book, have your child retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of key details and character names to deepen comprehension.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Focus on a particular sound and find words in the book that start with or contain that sound.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonetic awareness and early reading skills.
  • Tips: Start with sounds at the beginning of words to make it easier for your child.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the story with your child, using dialogue and action from the text.
  • How it helps: Boosts engagement and helps with understanding character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more fun and memorable.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a multi-sensory, interactive experience that can spark your child’s love for books. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you’re setting a strong foundation for your child’s future learning adventures. Happy reading!