10+ Best First Reading Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect first reading books for 3-year-olds? Choosing the right book can spark a lifelong love of reading in your little one. From captivating illustrations to simple, engaging stories, the right books can make all the difference. Keep reading as we explore a variety of first reading books for 3-year-olds that are sure to capture the imagination of your eager young reader.

Fun First Reading Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This charming 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 in a simple, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about nature.

• 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 text pattern guides young readers through a colorful array of animals and asks them what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text makes it easy for young children to participate in reading aloud, enhancing their pre-reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just beginning to recognize colors and animals.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to all the objects in the room and the world outside.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its gentle, soothing narrative makes it a perfect bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a bedtime routine and soothing storytime.

• 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 and find themselves tumbling down.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book makes learning the alphabet fun and interactive, with its vibrant illustrations and playful rhythm.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning the alphabet and enjoy lively, rhythmic stories.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents who enjoy sharing heartfelt stories together.

Educational First Reading Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A playful puppy named Spot is hiding somewhere in the house, and his mother, Sally, searches for him under flaps that readers can lift.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Object permanence, fine motor skills, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and fun, encouraging children to participate actively in the story by lifting flaps to find Spot.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and playful stories.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking for a pet, and the zoo sends various animals that turn out to be unsuitable for different reasons, until the perfect pet arrives.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, reasoning skills, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful introduction to animals and the concept of suitability, with engaging lift-the-flap surprises.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love animals and interactive books.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This simple, rhyming book invites young readers to guess what's hiding behind each page with the help of a peek-a-boo window.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, prediction, rhyming
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, predictable pattern and playful illustrations make it captivating for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy guessing games and playful surprises.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal Book
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season, experiencing the joy and wonder of a snowy day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Seasonal awareness, exploration, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and tranquility of snow through the eyes of a child, with beautiful, expressive illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy stories about nature and exploration.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with different companions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming, vocabulary, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, rhythmic text and whimsical illustrations make it an engaging and memorable read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fun rhymes and whimsical stories.

Challenging First Reading Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This classic 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 narrative incorporates more complex vocabulary and sentence structures than typical books for this age, offering a richer reading experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about obedience and the consequences of misbehavior, wrapped up in engaging, beautifully illustrated adventures.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals and are ready for slightly more complex narratives.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: Set in Paris, this charming tale follows the daily adventures of Madeline, a brave and spirited girl who lives in a boarding school with eleven other girls under the care of Miss Clavel.
  • Why this book is challenging: Madeline’s adventures are told through rhyming text that introduces a variety of sophisticated language patterns and cultural references.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of youthful independence and courage, and is filled with whimsical illustrations that bring the story of Paris and the spirited Madeline to life.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories of adventure and those interested in different cultures.

• Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Little Sal and her mother go blueberry picking, but Sal wanders off and ends up following a mother bear, while the mother bear's cub starts following Sal's mother.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure that parallels the adventures of human and bear introduces complex storytelling techniques and themes about nature and human-animal relationships.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a delightful exploration of curiosity and the gentle interplay between humans and nature, with lovely, detailed illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love nature and stories involving animal characters.

• 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 quietly in the fields, and is mistakenly chosen for the bullfights in Madrid when he sits on a bee.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with themes of individuality and peace, presenting a storyline that challenges traditional views of masculinity and aggression.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the values of peace and contentment over aggression, and encourages children to be true to themselves, all through a simple, engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate gentle tales and those learning about embracing their own unique qualities.

• Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Corduroy is a teddy bear who lives in a department store and goes on a nighttime adventure to find a missing button, believing this will help him find a home.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces themes of longing and friendship, with a narrative that encourages empathy and understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that teaches the values of persistence and hope, wrapped in a tale of adventure and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with emotional depth and charming characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're introducing your 3-year-old to the world of reading, you're embarking on an exciting journey. At this age, reading should be all about fun and bonding. Here are some simple exercises that can help nurture a love for reading in your little one:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through a book and discussing the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to spark curiosity and imagination.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Reading books with rhymes or creating your own rhyming sentences.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and helps in recognizing sound patterns.
  • Tips: Emphasize the rhyming words and pause to let your child fill in the rhyme.

• Story Retell
  • What it is: Asking your child to retell the story in their own words after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Use prompts like "What happened next?" to guide the retelling.

• Letter Hunt
  • What it is: Searching for specific letters or words on a page during reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with letter recognition and familiarity with print.
  • Tips: Start with the first letter of your child’s name or other familiar words.

• Interactive Reading
  • What it is: Involve actions or mimic sounds that relate to the story.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a multi-sensory experience and keeps the child engaged.
  • Tips: Clap, hop, or make funny noises together when you come across action words or sounds.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you're not just reading books; you're making memories and building foundational skills that will support your child's reading journey. Have fun, be patient, and watch your little one grow into a budding reader!