Are you looking for the perfect books to spark your 4-year-old’s imagination and curiosity? Reading books together is an excellent way to bond with your child and inspire a love of learning.
With so many options out there, it can be challenging to choose which ones to pick up. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the best books for 4-year-olds. Whether your child is interested in animals, superheroes, or princesses, there’s a book on this list that they’ll enjoy. So, grab a cozy spot and get ready to explore the wonderful world of literature with your little one.
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Books For 4-Year-Olds Picks
1. Corduroy (40th Anniversary Edition)
Millions of readers shared Lisa’s sentiments for a small brown bear wearing green overalls with one button missing in 1968, making Corduroy one of the most popular children’s books of all time. A very special anniversary edition of Don Freeman’s classic is now being enthusiastically celebrated by Vikings forty years later. This gorgeous volume is a must-have for any Corduroy fan, with an extra-large trim size, special extras like an embossed cover, and four bonus spreads of never-before-seen contents.
2. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Once upon a time, there was a cool cat named Pete who loved his white shoes. One day, he went out for a walk, and as he strolled down the street, he encountered piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes. But did that stop Pete? Not a chance! He kept on walking, grooving, and singing his song, even as his shoes changed from white to red to blue to brown to WET! How did he stay so cool and collected? Because, as Pete always says, “Everything is all good.”
3. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV
Children will learn that there can be too much of a good thing by reading this timeless Berenstain Bears tale! Mama Bear bans television for a week when she determines that her family watches it too much. When the television is once again permitted, the Bear family finds other activities to enjoy and keep them occupied, so they watch less of it and don’t really miss it.
4. The Gruffalo
A hungry fox, an owl, a snake, and a deep, dark wood all approach a mouse as it strolls among them. The mouse creates the Gruffalo because he is intelligent enough to realize that he is edible. In addition to having awful claws, terrible tusks in its dreadful jaws, knobbly knees, turned-out toes, and a deadly wart at the end of its snout, the Gruffalo is described by Mouse as being a beast. But Mouse doesn’t appear concerned. There is no such thing as a Gruffalo, after all.
5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Are you ready to boogie with your ABCs? Get ready to join in on the fun as the letters of the alphabet race to climb up the coconut tree in “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”! With its catchy and rhythmic chant, this beloved classic has been entertaining children for over 30 years. But will all the letters fit on the tree? Find out as you and your little ones sing along and follow the colorful illustrations by the Caldecott Honor-winning artist, Lois Ehlert.
6. Sparky!
Are you looking for something new to add to your children’s book collection? Look no further than Sparky, a hilarious and heartwarming picture book perfect for young animal lovers. This book features a pet that is much more than meets the eye. While the sloth that the narrator orders in the mail aren’t exactly a master of pranks or hide-and-seek, there’s just something about Sparky that captures your heart.
7. Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?
Visit Busytown and have fun learning about how people spend their days there. This beloved picture book will hold the interest of young readers from page to page as they discover how construction workers, firefighters, farmers, physicians, and more contribute to Busytown’s operation each and every day.
8. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends
Join Sister Bear on her new adventure in the beloved First Time Book® by Stan and Jan Berenstain! In Bear Country, Sister can’t wait to meet the new cub in the neighborhood, Lizzie. But, the budding friendship might be at risk if one of them becomes too bossy. Will Sister and Lizzie be able to get along? This heartwarming story teaches children about the importance of kindness and friendship, and it’s perfect for parents and children to enjoy together.
9. The Kissing Hand
Get ready to discover the heartwarming tale of Chester Raccoon and the Kissing Hand, a family secret that helps him feel secure and loved in the face of uncertainty. When Chester is nervous about going to school in the jungle, his mother, Mrs. Raccoon, shares this special gesture with him to ease his worries and remind him of her constant affection.
This beloved children’s book, originally published in 1993, has become a timeless classic for families facing separations or new beginnings, like starting school, daycare, or summer camp. Teachers often use it to soothe anxious little ones on their first day of kindergarten. And now, with stickers on the back, children and parents can keep their own Kissing Hand close to their hearts.
10. Green Eggs and Ham
Dr. Seuss’ well-known favorite has solidified its status as a children’s classic with its recognizable characters and rhymes. As the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham becomes longer, kids will adore the fantastic tongue twisters. They could even pick up some tips on trying new things.
11. The Rabbit Listened
Taylor is unsure of what to do when a tragic event occurs. The animals are all certain they know the solution, but the chicken wants to discuss it and Taylor isn’t in the mood to talk. Taylor should not be upset, contrary to the bear’s opinion, which is also incorrect. The animals each make an attempt to soothe Taylor by advising her on how to behave, but they all fall short.
The bunny then shows up. The rabbit only listens, which is precisely what Taylor needs. The Rabbit Listened is a book about how to soothe and heal the people in your life by taking the time to carefully, tenderly, and softly listen. It has a short, emotional text and irresistibly charming artwork.
12. I’ve Loved You Since Forever
A joyful and poetic testimonial to the enduring love shared between parent and child, I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebration of that love. The touching adoption of Hoda Kotb’s infant daughter, Haley Joy, by the co-anchor of the Today program, served as the inspiration for this lovely picture book. Children and parents will want to cuddle up and read the pages of this book together repeatedly thanks to Kotb’s poetic language and lovely images by Suzie Mason.
13. Biscuit Visits the Doctor
Visits to the doctor might be frightening, but Biscuit shows that they can be entertaining and educational too! Find out how tall Biscuit is now, and let’s investigate! Come along with Biscuit and the young girl as they go to see Dr. Green for a checkup and make some new pals!
14. May I Please Have a Cookie?
Alfie discovers in this Level 1 Scholastic Reader that asking nicely is the key to getting a tasty cookie. Alfie adores his mother’s cookies and is compelled to have one at all costs! However, grabbing one, looking for one, and posing as a cookie inspector don’t appear to be effective. There is a better method, according to his mother. It is what? As Alfie’s mother teaches him to pronounce the magic words, beginning readers will learn appropriate behavior from him.
15. The Dinosaur Who Discovered Hamburgers
Did you know that dinosaurs were the first to eat hamburgers? It’s true! And you can learn all about it by joining Scout on his thrilling adventure. This fantastic bedtime story is perfect for your child to immerse themselves in. They’ll get to experience the excitement of a world where dinosaurs and hamburgers coexist. So get ready for a wild ride with Scout and his prehistoric pals!
16. Grumpy Monkey
Without good cause, Jim the chimpanzee is in a horrible temper. How can he be in a foul mood when it’s such a gorgeous day, his buddies wonder? They have numerous ideas on how to improve his mood. However, Jim is unable to heed all the counsel and has a small meltdown. Maybe he simply needs a bad day to feel bad. Bringing humor and lightheartedness to this crucial lesson in emotional literacy, Suzanne and Max Lang show children that it is okay to feel their emotions.
17. Dragons Love Tacos
Dragons adore tacos. They enjoy eating beef tacos, large tacos, small tacos, and tacos of all sizes. As a result, tacos are a must if you want to entice dragons to your party. Tacos in buckets and buckets. Unfortunately, salsa is always present where tacos are. And if a dragon unintentionally consumes hot salsa, boy. You’re in for a tough time.
18. The Day the Crayons Quit
Duncan only wants to color, poor guy. But when he opens his crayon box, all he sees are letters, all of which read, “His crayons have had enough!” They gave up! After painting so many bodies of water, blue crayon is in need of a break. In addition to tracing, black crayon desires to be utilized for other purposes. Orange and Yellow have stopped talking as each considers himself to be the actual hue of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to placate every crayon and encourage them to resume their best behavior?
19. What Should Darla Do? Featuring the Power to Choose
Darla is a bright, young, and aspirational astronaut. Just like her favorite doll, Astronautica, she aspires to visit Mars one day. She will first need to learn how to deal with situations that are applicable to many youngsters’ daily lives. Your kids may guide Darla through her day by choosing decisions for her in this book that is written in the style of “Choose Your Own Story”! The enjoyment never stops because there are eight storylines in one!
20. Never Let a Unicorn Wear a Tutu!
Have you ever noticed a unicorn wearing a tutu? The protagonist of this tale is a young girl who overheard her friend warn against letting a unicorn wear a tutu. She regrettably missed the opportunity to inquire as to the reason, and now that she has a gorgeous tutu for her unicorn, she is unsure of what to do.
How Can I Help My 4-Year-Old Learn To Read?
Giving them books with simple content is an excellent place to start. When you’re not busy, set aside some time to read the book aloud to your youngster. Help them pronounce the unfamiliar words. Don’t push them to stop if they become frustrated with their errors or want to. Instead of forcing reading skills, four is a good age to foster a love of reading.
It’s okay if your 4-year-old doesn’t seem ready to read independently. Just continue reading to your kid. Highlight any letters and words you come across in books and daily life. Discuss the sounds that letters make.
What Should A Child Be Able To Read At 4?
By age four most children will be able to read simple books and recognize many common words and possibly write their names (1). Some children may be able to read more complex texts by this age, while others may still be working on mastering the basics. In general, the more practice a child has with reading, the better they will become at it.
Is It Normal For A Kid To Read At Age 4?
Most experts agree that the average age for a child to start reading is around 6 years old. However, some kids may start reading earlier, while others may start a bit later. So, if your child is 4 years old and reading, it is considered normal. As long as they are reaching most of their language and cognitive milestones, then you shouldn’t worry.
How Long Should A 4-Year-Old Read Per Day?
A good general guideline is to aim for around 20-30 minutes of reading per day. This can be broken up into shorter sessions if needed, and parents can also help by reading aloud to their child for part of the time.
