10+ Best Usborne Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material to captivate your little one's imagination? Look no further than Usborne Books for 3-Year-Olds! These books are specially crafted to engage and educate toddlers, making reading time both fun and beneficial. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Usborne Books that are just right for your three-year-old's growing mind and ever-curious spirit.

Fun Usborne Books for 3-Year-Olds

• That's Not My Puppy... by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book is part of a delightful series that encourages young children to explore the world of textures. Each page features a different texture, helping toddlers develop sensory and language awareness.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive text and interactive touch-feel elements make it incredibly engaging for little hands and minds.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy sensory play and are just beginning to explore books.

• Peep Inside the Zoo by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Simona Dimitri
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Young readers can peep behind the flaps to discover the animals and goings-on at the zoo. It’s a charming introduction to the world of animals and their environments.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of discovery with engaging facts about animals, making learning fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• The Usborne Big Book of Colors by Felicity Brooks, illustrated by Sophia Touliatou
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book introduces children to a world of colors, showing how they mix, the science of colors, and examples of different shades.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stimulating book that helps children understand colors and their various uses in a fun and educational way.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child fascinated by colors and learning how the world around them is connected through hues.

• Lift-the-Flap Very First Questions and Answers: What is Poop? by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a humorous yet informative exploration of why animals and humans poop, with flaps to lift and discover more facts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles a topic of fascination for many toddlers in a respectful and educational manner, encouraging curiosity and learning.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids who aren't afraid to ask "why?" and parents who appreciate educational opportunities in everyday topics.

• Are You There Little Fox? by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Emily Dove
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Peek-Through Book
  • Synopsis: Little fox is hiding! Children can peek through the holes and turn the pages to find the little fox as it moves through the book.
  • Why we recommend this book: The peek-through features and the engaging hide-and-seek aspect provide a playful reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love interactive games and exploring nature through books.

Educational Usborne Books for 3-Year-Olds

• First Thousand Words in English by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Vocabulary, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book is a vocabulary builder for young children, featuring detailed scenes labeled with words to enhance language acquisition.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, language skills, object identification
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses colorful pictures and lots of interesting scenes to make learning new words fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to build their vocabulary and language skills.

• Look Inside: Your Body by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Kate Leake
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Science, Anatomy
  • Synopsis: This interactive book explores the human body with flaps to lift and discover what goes on inside the human body.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic anatomy, curiosity about the human body, interactive learning
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a simple yet fascinating introduction to the workings of the human body, making complex subjects accessible and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young children curious about how their bodies work and who enjoy interactive books.

• The Usborne Outdoor Book by Minna Lacey, illustrated by Marianna Oklejak
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: Encourages children to explore the great outdoors, with ideas for activities and lots of information about the natural world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, physical activity, exploration
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to get outside, explore nature, and learn about the environment in a hands-on manner.
  • Perfect for: Energetic youngsters who love being outdoors and parents looking for educational outdoor activities.

• Animal Homes by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Simone Abel
  • Genre(s): Educational, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the various homes animals build, from nests in trees to burrows in the ground.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Knowledge of animal behavior, understanding of habitats, observational skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a peek into the fascinating world of animal architecture, enhancing respect and understanding of nature.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers who are fascinated by animals and their environments.

Challenging Usborne Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Secrets of the Rainforest: A Shine-A-Light Book by Carron Brown, illustrated by Alyssa Nassner
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Educational, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book allows children to explore the hidden wonders of the rainforest by holding the pages up to the light to discover the animals and plants that live there.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecological concepts and a diverse range of rainforest species, challenging young readers to understand and retain new information.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines an intriguing use of light and shadow with educational content, making learning about the rainforest an exciting adventure.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds interested in nature and science, and kids who enjoy interactive reading experiences.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Time by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book explores the concept of time, from seconds to seasons, through engaging lift-the-flap questions and answers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the abstract and complex concept of time, which can be a difficult topic for young minds to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a playful yet informative approach to learning about time, encouraging curiosity and understanding through interactive elements.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are beginning to understand the passage of time and parents looking for educational tools to assist with this concept.

• The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Antonia Miller
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide offers a wide range of art projects and techniques, from drawing and painting to collage and printing.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced art techniques and concepts that are typically not encountered by three-year-olds, encouraging them to develop fine motor skills and artistic expression.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters creativity and provides a vast array of artistic activities that can keep children engaged and learning for hours.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists and creative minds looking to explore and expand their artistic abilities.

• Big Book of the Body by Minna Lacey, illustrated by Peter Allen
  • Genre(s): Educational, Anatomy
  • Synopsis: A large-format book that teaches children about the human body with large, detailed illustrations and engaging, informative text.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into detailed anatomical concepts and the functions of different body systems, which are advanced topics for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a clear, engaging introduction to human anatomy, helping children understand how their bodies work in a visually appealing way.
  • Perfect for: Young learners curious about their bodies and parents who want to nurture a child's interest in science and anatomy.

• First Encyclopedia of Science by Rachel Firth, illustrated by David Hancock
  • Genre(s): Reference, Educational, Science
  • Synopsis: This encyclopedia introduces young readers to basic scientific concepts, covering everything from forces and light to plants and animals.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of scientific topics, presenting complex ideas in a format that young children can begin to understand.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to science, encouraging exploration and curiosity about the natural world and how things work.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who have a burgeoning interest in science and parents seeking to lay a strong educational foundation in the sciences.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're introducing your 3-year-old to the colorful world of Usborne books, you're on the right track. These books are designed to engage young minds and stimulate early learning. To make the most out of these books, here are some fun and effective exercises to help develop good reading habits in your little one:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Helps children make connections between pictures and words, boosting comprehension.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Asking your child to predict what will happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages active thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Keep the predictions fun and light; there are no wrong answers here!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud while your child listens and follows along.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and listening skills.
  • Tips: Change your tone of voice to match different characters or emotions to make it more exciting.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the book with your child taking on the role of a character.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more engaging.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Identifying objects in the book that start with a specific letter or sound.
  • How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are easy to recognize and articulate.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Having your child retell the story in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Encourage your child by asking questions about the story to guide their retelling.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more enjoyable but also more educational. Usborne books offer a fantastic opportunity to explore new concepts in a fun, interactive way. Enjoy this special time with your child, and watch as their love for reading grows!