10+ Best Books for 4-Year-Old to Read Themselves w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect books for 4-year-old to read themselves? Finding the right reads that not only entertain but also enhance their budding reading skills can be a game-changer. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or educator, you've come to the right place! Keep reading as we explore a variety of engaging books that are specially tailored for young readers taking their first steps into the world of words. Let's dive in and discover the ideal picks that will captivate and educate in equal measure!

Fun Books for 4-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with different companions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhyming text makes it easy for beginners to follow and read aloud, enhancing phonetic skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful language and repetitive patterns.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated 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 introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in a simple, engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are curious about nature and basic concepts of growth and transformation.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Pattern book
  • Synopsis: A series of colorful animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish are asked what they see, leading to a chain of responses that culminates in a surprise ending.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its predictable pattern and simple repetitive text encourage early reading skills and memorization.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal characters and vibrant, colorful illustrations.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: The lowercase letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree, but will there be enough room?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic way to learn the alphabet, with a lively story that keeps readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, energetic stories.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems, illustrated by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's fiction
  • Synopsis: A pigeon dreams of driving a bus, but the reader is in charge of making sure the pigeon doesn’t get his way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages interaction and decision-making, as young readers must tell the pigeon 'no' throughout the book.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy humor and interacting with the story they’re reading.

Educational Books for 4-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems, illustrated by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's fiction
  • Synopsis: Characters Elephant and Piggie discover that they are in a book and playfully interact with the reader.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, fourth-wall awareness, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the concept of metafiction in a fun and engaging way, encouraging them to think about reading in a new light.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy playful stories and direct interaction with characters.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Classic
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story that bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Routine establishment, calming techniques, object identification
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing narrative and familiar bedtime routine provide a comforting end to a child's day.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who benefit from a bedtime story as a part of their nightly routine.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Cause and effect, Humor
  • Synopsis: A boy gives a cookie to a mouse, setting off a chain of increasingly whimsical demands.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding cause and effect, prediction skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a humorous exploration of sequences and consequences that encourages prediction and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a humorous twist and learning about actions and reactions.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Winter story, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Exploration and curiosity, understanding seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magical and transformative nature of snow, encouraging outdoor play and discovery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love exploring the world around them, regardless of the weather.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Family, Bedtime story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, relational bonds
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Children and parents looking for a heartwarming bedtime read that reinforces the importance of expressing love.

Challenging Books for 4-Year-Old to Read Themselves

• 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 appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and imaginative elements require higher-level thinking and interpretation, which are advanced for a 4-year-old.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and imagination, while also exploring themes of anger, rebellion, and forgiveness.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy exploring fantastical worlds.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Animal fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother's orders and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing several challenges as he tries to escape.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of more formal English and the complex narrative require advanced comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons about obedience and the consequences of one's actions in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with animals and learning lessons through adventures.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Classic, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Madeline, a brave and mischievous girl living in a Paris boarding school, goes on various adventures, including a visit to the hospital after appendicitis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sophisticated rhyme schemes and occasional advanced vocabulary present a higher reading level.
  • Why we recommend this book: It portrays courage and resilience through the adventures of a spirited protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate stories of bravery and independence, set in picturesque locales.

• Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Corduroy, a teddy bear in a department store, goes on a nighttime adventure to find his missing button in hopes of finding a home.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative includes a deeper understanding of themes like friendship and belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of adventure and the joy of finding where one belongs.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy heartwarming stories of friendship and adventure.

• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Creative fiction
  • Synopsis: Harold uses his purple crayon to draw a world of his own adventures, creating landscapes and challenges as he goes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The abstract concepts and creative problem-solving in Harold's adventures offer a complex cognitive challenge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and shows how imagination can craft entire worlds.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who enjoy drawing and storytelling.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a little reader at home who's just starting to explore the world of books, here are some fun exercises to encourage their reading habits. These activities are designed to make reading a joyful and self-driven adventure for your 4-year-old. Let's dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages storytelling skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make predictions about the story.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Finding objects around the house that start with the same letter or sound as seen in the book.
  • How it helps: Strengthens phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence.
  • Tips: Keep it playful and use items your child is already familiar with.

• Story Retell
  • What it is: Telling the story back in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Encourage them to mention their favorite part of the story or any funny character.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: Drawing a scene or a character from the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Reinforces understanding and allows for creative expression.
  • Tips: Provide them with plenty of drawing materials and let their imagination run wild.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identifying rhyming words in the book and thinking of new ones.
  • How it helps: Develops phonological awareness and word families understanding.
  • Tips: Make it a fun game by seeing who can come up with the most rhymes.

• Book-Based Puzzles
  • What it is: Creating simple puzzles related to the story, like sequencing the events.
  • How it helps: Promotes logical thinking and understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Start with broad sequences and gradually increase complexity as they get more comfortable.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a deeper connection with books and nurturing a lifelong love for reading. By engaging in these activities, your child will not only improve their reading skills but also have a lot of fun along the way. So, pick a book, and let's get started on this exciting reading journey!