Books are an excellent gift for preschoolers. They teach valuable life lessons and help develop language and listening skills. Reading is a fun activity for you and your preschooler that sparks their imagination and teaches them crucial lifelong skills. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite books for you to consider while doing some holiday shopping for your little one.
Here are Our Favorite Books for Preschoolers
The Cat in the Hat
One of the best-selling children’s books of all time, The Cat in the Hat is filled with amusing rhymes and lively illustrations. It tells the story of a cat who shows up at the home of Sally and her brother on a rainy day. The cat tries to entertain the children while wrecking the house in the process. For a fun story that your child will love reading over and over again, you can’t go wrong with Dr. Seuss!
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a melancholy story about the life-long relationship between a boy and a tree. It teaches children about giving, friendship, and love.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Harold and the Purple Crayon is a simple story about a boy named Harold who uses his purple crayon to create his own adventures. It’s a tale of imagination as well as responsibility. Harold makes sure to create landmarks for himself so he can always find his way back home.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
This book recounts the mishaps that a boy named Alexander encounters throughout his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It shows kids that not every day will be a good day, but that’s okay.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a colorful book that makes learning the alphabet fun.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar uses bright collage illustrations to tell the simple story of a caterpillar who eats until he transforms into a butterfly. It incorporates educational concepts such as the days of the week and foods.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
This book tells the story of what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. The mouse asks for a glass of milk, and then a straw, and the demands of the mouse keep piling up until the end of the book where the last thing he asks for is another cookie. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie introduces children to the concepts of “if/then” logic and consequences.
Press Here
This interactive book lets children’s imaginations run wild. Just follow the instructions on each page and watch the dots change. Press Here is an enjoyable way for children to learn about colors, numbers, and following instructions.
Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon is one of the most popular bedtime stories of all time. It tells of a bunny whose bedtime ritual involves saying goodnight to all the objects in his room. The book’s slow pace and calming effect makes preparing your child for bed easier, and maybe even inspire a bedtime ritual of their own.
Corduroy
Corduroy is the story of a teddy bear who waits on the department store shelf for someone to be his friend. Corduroy wanders around the store, trying to find his missing button. He never finds the button but he finally finds a girl who gives him a home.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Follow Pete the Cat around as he gets his white shoes all dirty by stepping in things like mud and blueberries. Pete is optimistic though and doesn’t let his dirty shoes ruin his day; he just keeps singing his song. The book gets kids involved by asking questions about the color of food and objects.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Another great bedtime story, Llama Llama Red Pajama is about the drama that ensues when Baby Llama’s Mama leaves after tucking him in for bed. Children can easily relate to Baby Llama’s anxiety and will feel reassured by Mama’s words.
These books are sure to be enjoyed by children and parents alike. Take time to create fun memories with your children over the holidays and spend time reading some of these great books.
At Bayside Discovery Center we teach from a literature-based curriculum. We believe that reading with your preschooler now will help to foster a lifelong love of learning. Contact us to learn more about our preschool and VPK programs as well as before and after school care.
December 4, 2018
