Ready to get your preschooler reading, but not sure where to start? We can help! In this post, we’ll share the must-have features in books for 4-year olds, and some of the best titles on Epic. We’ll also provide tips for creating lasting reading habits for your preschooler.
What makes a great preschool book?
Some preschool books are better than others! The best books for preschoolers typically offer the following:
Simple, engaging stories.
Preschoolers like stories with clear narratives, predictable patterns, and repetition. These make reading fun and help build comprehension and early literacy skills. There’s a reason nursery rhymes are so popular with this age group!
Rich visuals and interactive elements.
Illustrations should be eye-catching, but they also need to support the words on the page—this helps budding readers connect words with ideas. Sound buttons, flaps and playful layouts can also help keep squirmy kids focused and engaged.
Opportunities for language development.
The best preschool books introduce kids to new words in a natural, low-pressure way. Rhymes and wordplay make learning fun, help reinforce the meaning of new words and demonstrate how to use new words in a sentence. Books that encourage question-asking, inspire critical thinking and let kids practice their verbal expression.
Themes that reflect a preschooler’s world.
Kids love stories about their everyday experiences—like getting dressed, going to school, making friends or feeling left out. Books with these themes help preschoolers make sense of their lives and the world around them. They help kids understand their own feelings and develop empathy for others.
Epic’s top books for 4-year-olds.
Not sure what books fit the bill? We’ve got some suggestions. Here are 10 great preschool storybooks your kid will want to read again and again. You can find them all on Epic—and many are available as Read-To-Me books, so even the littlest readers can enjoy reading all on their own.
1. Scribbles and Ink
Author: Ethan Long
Read time: 5-20 mins
A delightful tale of two artistic friends who draw—and bicker—their way through a creative adventure. This story not only celebrates imagination but models problem-solving and collaboration.
2. Watermelon Madness
Author: Taghreed Najjar
Illustrator: Maya Fidawi
Read time: 5-20 mins
Noura loves watermelon. So much so that it’s all she ever wants to eat. This whimsical tale highlights the importance of balance and introduces cultural context with bright, playful illustrations.
3. Scaredy Monster
Author: Meika Hashimoto
Illustrator: Steve Lambe
Read time: 5-20 mins
Scaredy Monster is a furry, loveable monster with some very relatable fears—like the dark, riding a bike or losing a tooth. With humor and heart, this popular Epic Originals book helps young children talk about their own worries in a safe, easy way.
4. Santa’s Underwear
Author: Marty Rhodes Figley
Illustrator: Marty Kelley
Read time: 5-20 mins
Yes, it’s as funny as it sounds. Santa can’t find his favorite pair of underwear and the clock is ticking. With just the right mix of giggles and holiday cheer, this is a fun preschool book that kids will ask for year-round.
5. Duck! Rabbit!
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Read time: 5-20 mins
Is it a duck? Or a rabbit? This clever optical illusion story helps kids practice perspective-taking while keeping the laughs coming. Great for open-ended discussion and imagination, teaching young readers that people can see the exact same thing in different ways.
6. Huff & Puff
Author: Claudia Rueda
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Read time: 5-20 mins
A new twist on the classic Three Little Pigs story, told with just a few words and plenty of interaction as the reader is cast in the starring role: the Big Bad Wolf! Kids will love “huffing and puffing” along with the story—perfect for read-aloud time.
7. The Wheels on the Bus
Author: Kim Mitzo Thompson, Karen Mitzo Hilderbrand
Illustrator: Sharon Lane Holm
Read time: 5-20 mins
This vibrant picture book brings the beloved children’s song “The Wheels on the Bus” to life in a fun way. Bright, cheerful artwork illustrates the familiar verses of the song. This Read-To-Me version is set to music for preschoolers to sing along to.
8. Cubs in a Tub
Author: Molly Coxe
Read time: 5-20 mins
This playful phonics reader is designed to help young children master their short vowel sounds in a fun and engaging way. The story follows a group of cheerful cubs on a silly adventure in a bathtub, with a narrative carefully crafted from words rich in the short ‘a,’ ‘e,’ ‘i,’ ‘o,’ and ‘u’ sounds.
9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: John Archambault, Bill Martin Jr
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
In this classic alphabet chant, all 26 lowercase letters race one another in a boisterous climb to the top of the coconut tree. With an unforgettable, jazzy rhythm and vibrant cut-paper illustrations, the tree bends under the weight, sending the letters tumbling down in a chaotic pile with a “Chicka Chicka… BOOM! BOOM!”
10. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Author: Beatrix Potter
Read time: 5-20 mins
A timeless classic of children’s literature, this book is a simple yet profound cautionary tale about the consequences of mischief. Peter ignores his mother’s warning and ventures into the forbidden garden of the formidable Mr. McGregor. Beautiful watercolor illustrations make it enchanting for kids and grown-ups!
How to create lasting reading routines at home
When it comes to building strong reading habits, consistency is key. Here’s how to create routines that stick:
- Same time, same place: A cozy reading spot and regular storytime can help signal to your kid that it’s time to unwind. Whether it’s a comfy armchair, a pile of floor pillows, or a special spot on the sofa, choose a space they’ll want to come back to again and again.
- Let them pick: Give kids agency in picking from your preschool book collection—it boosts motivation and interest. It becomes their activity, not just a passive routine. To avoid overwhelming them, you can offer a curated choice of two or three pre-approved books.
- Reread often: Repetition supports confidence, vocabulary, and comprehension. While it may feel monotonous to you to read the same story for the tenth time, kids see things a little differently. Each pass through the book is a chance for them to build confidence. They can shout out familiar phrases and memorize new vocabulary words. They can deepen their understanding of the plot, or notice new details in the illustrations.
- Talk about the story: Pause to ask questions, predict what might happen next, or connect the story to your child’s life. Instead of a one-way monologue, it’s a lively, interactive conversation. Your child gets to become an active participant in the story, deepening their engagement and comprehension.
Ready, set, read!
We hope these tips and suggestions have been helpful. Remember: The goal of preschool reading isn’t to hurry up and get to some reading milestone. It’s to make books feel like fun and to teach kids that reading is a treat, not a task.
Ready to get your preschooler reading and loving it? Explore the top preschool books mentioned here—plus over 40,000 more titles on Epic, the leading digital reading platform for kids 12 and under. Happy reading!
