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

Hey there! Are you on the hunt for the perfect Learning to Read Books for 4-Year-Olds? Finding the right books can be a game-changer in sparking a lifelong love of reading for your little one. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to expand your preschooler’s collection, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks of Learning to Read Books for 4-Year-Olds that are sure to captivate and educate!

Fun Learning to Read Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar 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, days of the week, 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, Rhyming Book
  • 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, teaching children about colors and animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text makes it easy for young readers to participate and anticipate what comes next.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just starting to learn about colors and animals.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming 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?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic way to introduce the alphabet to young readers, with bold and cheerful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning their ABCs and enjoy upbeat stories.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows his friend trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations with a variety of dining partners.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and simple rhymes help young readers develop phonemic awareness and early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are reluctant eaters and anyone who enjoys playful, persistent persuasion.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its gentle, rhythmic words and calming pictures make it an ideal bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children who need a soothing story before sleep.

Educational Learning to Read Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet. The zoo sends various animals, but each one is unsuitable for a different reason, until they find the perfect pet.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, problem-solving, understanding of adjectives
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift on every page, which keeps young readers engaged and helps develop their motor skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who love animals and interactive reading.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure Book, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, traveling through various landscapes to hunt for a bear, encountering obstacles along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, prepositions, sensory awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It features a repetitive, catchy text that encourages participation and movement, making it a fun read-aloud experience.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy adventure and exploration.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal Book
  • Synopsis: Peter, a young boy, 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: Observation skills, understanding of seasons, imaginative play
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall, encouraging creativity and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who delight in the wonders of winter and snowy adventures.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Circular Tale, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The story begins with a boy giving a cookie to a mouse, which sets off a chain of events where the mouse needs one thing after another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, predicting outcomes
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates a humorous sequence of events that teaches children about consequences and encourages them to think ahead.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with playful scenarios and those learning about logical sequences.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him, stretching his arms wide and hopping high. But Big Nutbrown Hare can reach farther and hop higher.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, measurement comparison
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that beautifully illustrates the limitless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents to read together, especially as a bedtime story.

Challenging Learning to Read Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie, a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. Through her trials and errors, she learns that failure is a stepping stone to success.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes like perseverance in STEM and the importance of resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires creativity and resilience, encouraging kids to engage in engineering and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any child who enjoys building and tinkering.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To scare them away, he invents a monster called the Gruffalo... only to meet the real Gruffalo later!
  • Why this book is challenging: It features sophisticated rhymes and a clever plot twist that challenges young readers' understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that encourages strategic thinking and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with clever characters and a bit of suspense.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why this book is challenging: It contains more complex vocabulary related to science and promotes critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages inquiry and perseverance in learning, highlighting the importance of asking "why."
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who have a penchant for science and problem solving.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Young Max, dressed in his 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: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and independence through rich, imaginative narrative and illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to explore emotions and creativity, providing a safe space to discuss feelings and personal growth.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy adventures and exploring their imagination.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: Duncan's crayons have had enough! They quit! Each crayon writes him a letter expressing their grievances and demands.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features unique perspectives from each crayon, introducing concepts of negotiation and perspective-taking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous approach to conflict resolution and encourages creative thinking and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Children who love drawing and coloring, and those learning how to resolve conflicts creatively.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 4-year-old develop good reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here are some simple and fun exercises you can do together that not only enhance their reading skills but also make the process enjoyable. Let's dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look at the pictures in a book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: This helps in setting the context and sparking interest in the story.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identifying and creating rhymes from words in the book or from other sources.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness which is crucial for reading development.
  • Tips: Make it a fun game by taking turns to come up with rhyming words.

• Letter Hunt
  • What it is: Spotting and pointing out specific letters on a page.
  • How it helps: Helps with letter recognition, an essential skill for reading.
  • Tips: Start with the letters in your child’s name and then expand to other letters.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Rearranging story elements into their correct sequence.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and the ability to predict what comes next in the story.
  • Tips: Use picture cards from the story for them to arrange in order.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Taking turns to read aloud pages or sentences from a book.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and fluency in reading.
  • Tips: Emphasize the sounds of letters and words as you read to show how they blend together.

• Match the Word
  • What it is: Matching written words to corresponding pictures.
  • How it helps: Strengthens word recognition and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Start with simple words that describe the pictures in the book.

• Fill in the Blank
  • What it is: Leaving out a word in a sentence and asking your child to fill it in.
  • How it helps: Encourages thinking about language and sentence structure.
  • Tips: Use a repetitive sentence pattern to make it easier for them to guess the missing word.

These exercises are not just educational, but they're a great way to bond with your child while nurturing a love for reading. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and fun. Happy reading!