10+ Best Books for 4-Year-Old Girls w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 4-year-old girls? Whether you're looking to spark imagination, teach new concepts, or simply enjoy storytime together, finding the right books can be a game changer. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of captivating books that are perfect for little readers. Keep reading to discover our handpicked selections that are sure to delight and engage your young reader!

Fun Books for 4-Year-Old Girls

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This engaging book follows a hungry 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 fantastic for teaching days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped up in colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vibrant, interactive books and learning about nature.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, 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 lulling illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read that can help establish a nighttime routine.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who need a soothing story before bed.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals 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 we recommend this book: It's a tale of friendship and cooperation, filled with rhymes and whimsical illustrations that capture the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who love magical stories and learning about the value of sharing and teamwork.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, playful text makes learning the alphabet fun and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy upbeat, lively stories.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, facing grassy fields, rivers, and other obstacles in search of a bear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages physical activity and imagination through its repetitive, catchy phrasing and delightful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Active children who enjoy interactive read-alouds and adventurous tales.

Educational Books for 4-Year-Old Girls

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie, a bright young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. She faces her fear of failure to create a machine that flies.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, perseverance, engineering concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages girls to pursue STEM fields and teaches the importance of learning from failures.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and anyone who needs a little encouragement to try, fail, and try again.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and determination in young readers, especially girls, showing that science can be a path for everyone.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds who have a penchant for asking "why?" and "how?"

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Cultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is worried that American kids will not like her name. Her new classmates decide to help her choose a new name by filling a jar with names, which leads Unhei to a journey of self-acceptance and appreciation for her Korean heritage.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-esteem, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of diversity and the beauty of one's heritage in a simple, touching way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are navigating cultural differences and those learning the value of their unique identity.

• Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: Sofia Valdez is a little girl with big dreams of improving her community and one day becoming the president. She learns about civic engagement and leadership as she sets out to turn a local landfill into a beautiful park.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Leadership, community involvement, civic education
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an empowering story that shows even the youngest kids can make a big difference in their community.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young leaders and activists who dream of making the world a better place.

• Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, LGBTQ+
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book follows Julian, who dreams of becoming a mermaid. After seeing women dressed as mermaids on the subway, Julian creates his own mermaid costume, leading to a heartwarming reveal with his abuela.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, self-expression, acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates individuality and acceptance, showcasing the loving relationship between a boy and his grandmother.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring self-expression and families looking to discuss acceptance and unconditional love.

Challenging Books for 4-Year-Old Girls

• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: The story follows Alice Rumphius, who longs to travel the world, live by the sea, and make the world more beautiful. She accomplishes all these goals, including her final quest to scatter lupine seeds everywhere she goes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates themes of personal legacy and environmental stewardship, which are profound and thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to think about how they can contribute positively to the world, instilling values of kindness and responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and nature lovers who are inspired by stories of adventure and making a difference.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic, Animal Tale
  • Synopsis: This classic story tells of a mischievous rabbit named Peter and his escapades in Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of sophisticated language and the implicit moral lessons challenge young readers to think critically about the consequences of their actions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless tale that combines delightful storytelling with important life lessons about curiosity and obedience.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal stories and those who can learn from Peter's adventurous spirit and its outcomes.

• Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Little Sal and her mother go blueberry picking to stock up for winter, but Sal wanders off and encounters a bear cub on a similar mission with its mother.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure, which parallels the human and bear families, offers a sophisticated storytelling technique for young readers to follow and understand.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a charming story that teaches about the surprising parallels between nature and human behavior, fostering a connection with wildlife and nature.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who are curious about nature and animals, and enjoy outdoor adventures.

• The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: Ferdinand is a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights. He sits peacefully in the meadow, undisturbed by the other bulls' call to action.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents themes of non-conformity and peace in a way that encourages young readers to think about personal identity and the value of gentleness.
  • Why we recommend this book: Ferdinand's story is a testament to being true to oneself and finding strength in one's unique nature.
  • Perfect for: Gentle souls who value peace over conflict and those who advocate for staying true to oneself in the face of societal expectations.

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young child and their father go owling on a cold winter's night, sharing a special moment as they search for the elusive Great Horned Owl.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses rich, descriptive language and explores the subtle dynamics of a father-child relationship, which requires a deeper level of inferential thinking and emotional understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: This beautifully illustrated book captures the quiet beauty of nature and the special bond between parent and child during a shared experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate nature and those who cherish family bonding activities.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to foster a love of reading in your 4-year-old girl, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits. These activities are not only fun but also beneficial in nurturing early literacy skills.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through a book and talk about the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell a story based on the pictures they see.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child, engaging them with the story.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and introduces them to new concepts.
  • Tips: Change your tone and voice for different characters to make the reading more interesting.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Play a game where you say a word and your child finds an object or picture in the book that starts with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness, an essential skill for learning to read.
  • Tips: Keep the game fun and lively, and praise her efforts to keep her motivated.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: After reading a story, ask your child to retell the story in the order it happened.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Use props or pictures from the book to make sequencing more tangible.

• Make Your Own Book
  • What it is: Create a simple book together using drawings or pictures cut from magazines.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and reinforces the concept that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Tips: Let your child lead the storytelling and writing process to boost her confidence and creativity.

These exercises are designed to be interactive and enjoyable, making reading a fun part of your child’s daily routine. Remember, the key is to be patient and consistent. Happy reading!