Best Books for 3, 4 and 5 Year Olds: Picture Books Preschoolers Love
Picture books for preschoolers: rhymes, clever animals, big feelings and classic stories to read aloud. Every book here is in the Tori catalog, and each line says why it fits.
Calm, cozy and heartfelt reads
1963Where the Wild Things AreMaurice Sendak
Children’s Books · HopefulMax sails to the land of the wild things and becomes their king.
1964The Giving TreeShel SilversteinChildren’s Books · ThoughtfulA tree gives everything she has to the boy she loves.
- 1939MadelineLudwig BemelmansChildren’s Books · Warm
The smallest, bravest girl in a Paris boarding school has an adventure at night.
1941Make Way for DucklingsRobert McCloskeyChildren’s Books · WarmMr. and Mrs. Mallard look for a safe home and walk their ducklings through Boston.
2007Llama Llama Mad at MamaAnna DewdneyChildren’s Books · WarmBaby Llama gets cranky in the store when Mama says it is time to go.
Playful and funny reads
1957The Cat in the HatDr. SeussChildren’s Books · LightA tall cat in a hat turns a rainy afternoon into chaos and puts it all back.
1960Green Eggs and HamDr. SeussChildren’s Books · LightSam-I-Am keeps asking whether you would like green eggs and ham.
1999The GruffaloJulia DonaldsonChildren’s Books · LightA clever mouse invents a monster to stay safe in the woods, then meets him.
2001Room on the BroomJulia DonaldsonChildren’s Books · WarmA witch keeps making room on her broom for new friends.
1985If You Give a Mouse a CookieLaura NumeroffChildren’s Books · LightOne cookie leads a mouse to ask for milk, a straw, and a whole afternoon of chores.
1941Curious GeorgeH. A. ReyChildren’s Books · LightA curious little monkey is taken to the city and finds trouble everywhere.
1902The Tale of Peter RabbitBeatrix PotterChildren’s Books · LightA naughty little rabbit squeezes under the gate into Mr. McGregor’s garden.
- 1984The Very Busy SpiderEric CarleChildren’s Books · Warm
A spider spins her web while the farm animals invite her to play.
1975Strega NonaTomie dePaolaChildren’s Books · LightA grandmother’s magic pasta pot overflows when her helper uses it.
2013The Day the Crayons QuitDrew DaywaltChildren’s Books · LightDuncan’s crayons send letters explaining what they will no longer do.
2003Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!Mo WillemsChildren’s Books · LightA pigeon tries every trick to get you to hand over the bus.
1955Harold and the Purple CrayonCrockett JohnsonChildren’s Books · HopefulA boy draws his own world with one purple crayon, and it comes true.