10+ Best Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or a new favorite read for your little one? Dive into our curated selection of Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds that are sure to captivate and inspire young minds. Whether you're looking to stock up your child’s bookshelf or find a special gift, these acclaimed titles have something magical to offer. Keep reading to discover our various lists of Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds that both you and your preschooler will love!
Table of Contents
Fun Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power and freedom of their own minds. The story also deals with emotions and temper management in a way that's accessible to young children.
- Perfect for: Children who love adventures and using their imagination.
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
- Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
- Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in colorful and engaging illustrations.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy learning about nature and animals through vibrant stories.
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
- Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
- Synopsis: In a great green room, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
- Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and calming pictures make it an ideal bedtime story, helping children wind down for the night.
- Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who need a soothing bedtime ritual.
- Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
- Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
- Synopsis: Madeline is a brave, plucky girl living in a Paris boarding school. She has adventures and even goes to the hospital for her appendix.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to courage and resilience through the adventures of Madeline, who is a great role model for young girls and boys.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories of adventure and children living in different cultures.
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
- Synopsis: A repetitive pattern text where a series of animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish all cross the pages by asking each other what they see.
- Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic phrases make it easy for young children to join in and read along, which can help develop early literacy skills.
- Perfect for: Young children who are just starting to recognize words and phrases.
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
- Synopsis: This book captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
- Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder and excitement of snow through the eyes of a child, encouraging exploration and curiosity.
- Perfect for: Children who delight in the small adventures that every new day holds.
Educational Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Urban Fiction
- Synopsis: A boy named CJ and his grandmother ride a bus across town, encountering various passengers and neighborhoods. Throughout the journey, CJ learns about the beauty and diversity of the world around him.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, social awareness, gratitude
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about appreciating what we have and the importance of helping others.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in understanding diverse lifestyles and urban settings.
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
- Synopsis: A box of crayons sends letters to their owner, expressing their frustrations and demands. Each color has its own unique personality and concerns.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, emotional expression
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and imaginative story that encourages children to think about perspective and the feelings of others, even inanimate objects!
- Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who enjoy stories with humor.
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
- Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme
- Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince his friend to try green eggs and ham in various locations with different companions.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, vocabulary, trying new things
- Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, catchy rhymes make it an excellent read for early readers, and it teaches the importance of keeping an open mind.
- Perfect for: Early readers and children who are reluctant to try new things.
- Journey by Aaron Becker
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a door on her bedroom wall and steps into another world, embarking on a magical adventure.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creativity, storytelling without words
- Why we recommend this book: This wordless story allows children to narrate their own tale, enhancing their storytelling abilities and creativity.
- Perfect for: Children who love drawing and those who enjoy fantastical adventures.
- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
- Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus and tries every persuasive tactic at his disposal to get permission from the reader.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Persuasion, understanding of rules, interactive reading
- Why we recommend this book: It engages children directly, encouraging them to participate in the story and learn about decision-making and responsibility.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive stories and laughter.
Challenging Award Winning Books for 3-5-Year-Olds
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Genre(s): Classic, Animal Fiction
- Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, despite his mother's warnings, and finds himself in various troubles.
- Why this book is challenging: The use of early 20th-century English and the implicit moral lessons challenge young readers to think critically about the consequences of their actions.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the consequences of disobedience in a captivating way, with charming illustrations and engaging narrative.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and those beginning to explore moral themes.
- Olivia by Ian Falconer
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
- Synopsis: Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. She explores various adventures and activities, showcasing her unique personality and creativity.
- Why this book is challenging: Olivia's advanced vocabulary and complex character traits provide a richer reading experience that can promote cognitive development.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates individuality and imagination, encouraging children to embrace their unique traits and interests.
- Perfect for: Creative children who see themselves as different and love to stand out.
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and uses clever tricks to evade danger by inventing a monster called the Gruffalo, only to meet the real creature.
- Why this book is challenging: The strategic thinking and rhyming patterns used by the mouse to solve problems are sophisticated for young minds.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches strategic thinking and problem-solving through engaging rhymes and a thrilling narrative.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy puzzles and rhymes, and those who appreciate a good twist in stories.
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
- Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him, stretching his arms wide and hopping high, but Big Nutbrown Hare can always reach farther and hop higher.
- Why this book is challenging: The abstract concept of love is explored through a physical comparison, challenging young readers to think about emotions and relationships in a broader context.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that helps children express their feelings and understand the depth of familial love.
- Perfect for: Young children beginning to explore their emotions and the concept of love.
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A kind witch invites various creatures to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces themes of hospitality, sharing, and teamwork through rhythmic, cumulative storytelling that requires attention and memory skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes values of kindness and teamwork in a fun and engaging way, with repetitive phrases that help build reading confidence.
- Perfect for: Children who love magical adventures and learning about friendships and teamwork.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your little ones to the magical world of award-winning books, here are some fun and effective exercises to help develop good reading habits. These activities are tailored for 3-5-year-olds and are designed to make reading an enjoyable and rewarding part of their daily routine.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Flip through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
- How it helps: Enhances imagination and prediction skills.
- Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.
- Read Aloud Together
- What it is: You read the book aloud with your child, taking turns if possible.
- How it helps: Improves vocabulary and listening skills.
- Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make it more engaging.
- Role Play
- What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child after reading.
- How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting.
- Story Retelling
- What it is: Encourage your child to retell the story in their own words.
- How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding of the narrative.
- Tips: Prompt with questions if they get stuck to keep the story flowing.
- Book-Based Crafts
- What it is: Create crafts based on themes or characters from the book.
- How it helps: Supports creativity and helps connect the story to real-world activities.
- Tips: Keep craft materials handy and relevant to the story to spark interest.
- Interactive Reading Apps
- What it is: Use educational apps that relate to the reading material.
- How it helps: Integrates technology with reading for a modern learning experience.
- Tips: Choose apps that are age-appropriate and have positive reviews.
- Scheduled Reading Time
- What it is: Set aside a specific time each day for reading.
- How it helps: Builds a routine and helps children look forward to reading time.
- Tips: Let your child choose the book during this time to increase engagement.
By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you'll not only enhance your child's love for books but also build a strong foundation for their reading skills. Remember, the key is to keep the activities fun and light-hearted. Happy reading!