10+ Best First Reading Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect first reading books for 4-year-olds? Picking the right books can spark a lifelong love of reading, and we've got you covered with a delightful selection tailored just for your little ones. Whether you're looking for whimsical tales or engaging adventures, our lists of first reading books for 4-year-olds are designed to captivate and educate. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to enchant and inspire your preschooler!

Fun First Reading Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated 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 introduces concepts of counting, days of the week, food, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a simple and 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, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book, asking each other what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it easy for children to participate in the reading, enhancing their pre-reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhythmic Book
  • Synopsis: In this lively alphabet rhyme, all 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: It’s a fun and rhythmic story that helps children learn the alphabet in a memorable and playful way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy upbeat, rhythmic stories.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Join a family as they venture through swishy swashy grass, a splashy river, and thick oozy mud in search of a bear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages physical activity and imagination through its repetitive and catchy phrases, making it a delightful read-aloud experience.
  • Perfect for: Energetic youngsters who enjoy acting out stories and going on imaginary adventures.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, a young rabbit goes through a bedtime ritual of saying goodnight to everything in the room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing, rhythmic text and gentle illustrations make it an ideal bedtime story, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy calming bedtime stories to help them prepare for sleep.

Educational First Reading Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows his friend trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with various dining partners.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading fluency, rhyming skills, trying new things, persistence
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging book that uses simple words and rhymes to help early readers develop their phonics and comprehension skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful, repetitive texts.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Circular Tale
  • Synopsis: A boy gives a cookie to a mouse, setting off a chain of events where the mouse keeps asking for more things, leading back to another cookie.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, sequencing, predicting outcomes
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the concept of cause and effect in a humorous and relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with humorous twists and learning about consequences.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploring the natural world, emotional growth
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love exploring the outdoors and experiencing the joys of different seasons.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much love they have for one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, expressive language, family bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the tender bond between parent and child, encouraging children to express their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children and parents who enjoy sharing heartwarming stories at bedtime or any quiet reading time.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he gets into trouble in Mr. McGregor's garden.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding consequences, problem-solving, adventure
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important lessons about curiosity and the consequences of one's actions through engaging storytelling and charming illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and tales of adventure and mischief.

Challenging First Reading Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: A young protagonist explores the highs and lows of life in a fantastical and colorful journey.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book presents complex life concepts and vocabulary that challenge young readers to think about their future and the obstacles they might face.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages resilience, self-confidence, and a positive outlook on life’s journey.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and thinkers who are ready to explore big ideas about their future.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the power of imagination to outwit a series of predators in the woods, including the mythical Gruffalo.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces elements of strategic thinking and problem-solving, as the mouse must outsmart larger animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a captivating tale that celebrates cleverness and quick thinking.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with clever heroes and a bit of suspense.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch and her cat face a problem when they lose items from her broom, but they also make new friends who help them.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and rhyming patterns provide a more complex reading experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes themes of friendship, sharing, and teamwork in an engaging, rhythmic way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical adventures and stories about friendship.

• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Imagination
  • Synopsis: A rabbit shows the reader that a box will always be more than just a box in the eyes of someone with imagination.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages abstract thinking and creativity, asking readers to envision something beyond the ordinary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and individuality through simple yet profound storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who love to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Environmental
  • Synopsis: The Lorax speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler in a tale of environmental responsibility.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes like conservation and the impact of industrialization in a way that’s accessible to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a powerful and poignant tale that teaches the importance of caring for our environment.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and any child learning about the importance of nature and sustainability.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of books with your 4-year-old, it's a great idea to incorporate some fun and effective exercises to foster a love for reading early on. Here are a few exercises designed to help develop good reading habits in young children:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Look through the pictures of a book before reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction and storytelling skills.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Read books with rhymes or create your own rhyming words.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and memory.
  • Tips: Emphasize the rhyming words and ask your child to find words that rhyme.

• Story Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and makes reading fun.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more engaging play.

• Alphabet Hunt
  • What it is: Find objects around the house that start with each letter of the alphabet.
  • How it helps: Helps with letter recognition and phonetic sounds.
  • Tips: Turn it into a game to see how many items you can find for each letter.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read a short sentence and have your child repeat it back to you.
  • How it helps: Builds memory and understanding of sentence structure.
  • Tips: Keep the sentences short and simple to boost confidence.

• Daily Reading Time
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day for reading together.
  • How it helps: Establishes a routine and prioritizes reading in daily life.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the book to increase their interest.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make learning to read a delightful and educational journey for your little one. Remember, the key is consistency and making the process as enjoyable as possible. Happy reading!