Your baby is not such a baby anymore. She’s speaking in clear sentences (though the syntax is often an endearing mess); she’s stopped eating books or throwing them off your shelves, but will instead sit still for stories longer than that of Pajama Time! What then? If you’re looking to bulk up that part of your library dedicated to good reads for the over two set, here are a few of my favorite books for preschoolers:
The Story of Creation, by Norman Messenger
The detailed (and animal heavy) illustrations are fun to study with small zoologists, and the story is a great one for those little readers to learn. (Read the full review.)
The Maggie B., by Irene Haas
I want there to be more books like this in the world. (Read the full review.)
Winnie-the-Pooh, by A. A. Milne
While there are families who prefer to save this book until the children are older, we’re a family of re-readers who wanted to get an early start on the wit and rollicking prose of A. A. Milne. Our girls enjoyed this book at four and again at six, and will no doubt get a little more out of it every time we re-read it as a family. (Read the full review.)
The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
For a while there, we dropped this one out of the rotation. I brought it back as a lunch-time read and, forgetting how moving this book is, found myself weeping awkwardly into my quesadilla while my children waited patiently for me to regain my composure and turn the page. Lloyd-Jones’s powerful rendering of the gospel in simple (but not shallow) language makes this the best of the children’s Bibles. (Read the full review.)
The Golden Feather, by David & JJ Heller
The story is sweet; the illustrations, lovely. The hidden bunnies on each page take Dave and JJ Heller’s first picture book up the level of “Perennial Favorite.” (Read the full review.)
We Are in a Book!, by Mo Willems
How to describe this book? I can’t do it. But your little reader will love it (you will, too). (Read the full review.)
Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise, by Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola illustrates a beautiful hymn of praise in watercolors. Sized for little hands and short attention spans, it’s just right for reading over and over and over and over . . . (Read the full review.)
How to Be a Baby, by Me, the Big Sister, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
What is the life of a baby like? You’ll know by the end of this book. (Read the full review.)
Does God Know How to Tie Shoes?, by Nancy Carlstrom
A young girl asks questions about God, but not catechism-style, “Who are the three persons of God?”-type questions. No, she wants to know if God has to clean his room and if he gets letters. Her parents answer her well and inspire me to step up my game. (Read the full review.)
Or you could write your own stories . . .
Sound like a crazy idea? It isn’t. (Read more.)
Bonus List
Here are our favorite Christmas books to read with our preschooler:
The Stable Where Jesus Was Born, by Rhonda Growler Greene
A gorgeous rhymed poem paired with rich yet cozy illustrations tell the story of Christ’s birth with beauty and grace. Also, there are kittens. (Read the full review.)
The Friendly Beasts, by Tomie dePaola
This lovely book tells the story of Jesus’ birth through the lyrics of an old Christmas carol, and rounds it out with his own distinct illustrations. Tomie dePaola fans, you’ll love this one. (Read the full review.)
