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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect storytime update? Our latest roundup of new books for 3-year-olds is here to refresh your reading routine! From captivating adventures to charming characters, these fresh picks are sure to delight the little listeners in your life. Keep reading to discover our various lists of new books for 3-year-olds that promise to spark imaginations and create countless cozy moments.

Fun New Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This delightful book explores the dreams, acceptance, and unconditional love that parents have for their children.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhyming verses and beautiful illustrations inspire creativity and self-acceptance. It's a heartwarming read that encourages children to dream big and be kind.
  • Perfect for: Parents and young children looking for a bedtime story that celebrates potential and love.

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Jim Panzee, the grumpy monkey, wakes up in a bad mood and has a hard time finding something to smile about despite his friends' efforts to cheer him up.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a funny and charming story that teaches kids it's okay to feel their emotions and that bad days can happen to anyone.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to deal with their emotions and anyone who needs a laugh.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This humorous story revolves around dragons' love for tacos and what happens when they accidentally eat spicy salsa.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines silly scenarios with colorful illustrations to engage young readers and ignite their imaginations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful stories and, of course, taco lovers.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors to illustrate different emotions, helping children understand and articulate how they feel.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great resource for emotional development, helping kids recognize and express their feelings in a healthy way.
  • Perfect for: Young children beginning to explore their emotions and anyone who enjoys creative approaches to learning.

• If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This sweet story imagines how different animals would say goodnight to their babies, with lots of cuddles and kisses.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing rhythm and adorable illustrations make it the perfect bedtime read, helping to establish a calming nighttime routine.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who love animals and bedtime stories that end with a goodnight kiss.

Educational New Books for 3-Year-Olds

• All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell, illustrated by Allison Colpoys
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book celebrates all the different ways children can be smart, from problem solving to being creative.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that intelligence is not just about academics but also about being creative, empathetic, and curious.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and parents who want to encourage a broad understanding of intelligence and creativity.

• My First Book of Planets by Bruce Betts
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Science
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the wonders of our solar system with simple text and vibrant illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic astronomy, vocabulary related to space, understanding of the solar system
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an accessible introduction to space that will captivate young minds and inspire a love of science.
  • Perfect for: Young space enthusiasts and budding astronomers.

• The ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This alphabet book teaches children about kindness through simple acts and concepts, one letter at a time.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, vocabulary, character development
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fun and engaging way to learn about kindness and empathy from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn their alphabet and the importance of being kind.

• One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This suspenseful yet educational counting book follows one hungry fox as it encounters various farm animals.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting skills, animal recognition, basic numeracy
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines excitement and learning, keeping children engaged while they practice counting.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy animals and a bit of suspense in their reading.

• Hello, World! Ocean Life by Jill McDonald
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to ocean life through simple text and bright, colorful illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Marine biology, environmental awareness, vocabulary related to the ocean
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to spark curiosity about marine life and the importance of ocean conservation.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers who are fascinated by the sea and its creatures.

Challenging New Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book explores the hidden world of a pond's ecosystem, detailing the animals and plants that live above and below the water surface.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecological concepts and a wide range of vocabulary related to nature and wildlife.
  • Why we recommend this book: It educates young readers about biodiversity and the importance of ecosystems in an engaging and visually appealing way.
  • Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and budding ecologists.

• Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book tells the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA who played a crucial role in saving Apollo 13.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex mathematical concepts and historical events that require higher-level thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful story of perseverance and intelligence, showcasing the impact of STEM careers.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring mathematicians and young scientists, especially those interested in space and history.

• The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A bear discovers a piano in the forest and becomes a world-famous pianist, but he must decide between his career and his home.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of fame, friendship, and the meaning of success, which are sophisticated concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines a touching narrative with stunning illustrations to deliver a story that resonates with readers of all ages about the value of home and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a love for music and heartfelt stories.

• The Skunk with No Funk by Rebecca Young, illustrated by Leila Rudge
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A skunk loses his smell and tries to find it again, learning a lot about himself and his friends along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses humor and a unique storyline to explore identity and self-acceptance, which are complex emotional themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to teach children about self-discovery and embracing one's unique qualities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny stories with meaningful messages.

• Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book uses peek-through pages to reveal the phases of the moon as it affects various creatures around the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces basic astronomical concepts and the influence of the lunar cycle on the natural world in a sophisticated visual format.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines art and science, providing a visual feast that educates and inspires curiosity about the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Young astronomers and animal lovers, as well as those who appreciate innovative book design.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a curious little 3-year-old at home and you're excited to dive into some new books with them, you're in the right place. It's never too early to start fostering good reading habits. Below are some fun and simple exercises designed specifically for toddlers that will not only make reading time more engaging but also help develop their budding literacy skills. Let's get started!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a book, looking at the pictures and talking about what you see before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances predictive skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to spark curiosity and predictions.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read a book aloud to your child, pointing to words as you say them.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and helps them understand the flow of language.
  • Tips: Change your tone of voice to match different characters or emotions to make it more fun.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Read books with rhyming texts and emphasize the rhyming words.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness, an essential skill for learning to read.
  • Tips: Pause before a rhyming word to let your child guess the word.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading a story, have your child retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and memory skills.
  • Tips: Use prompts like "What happened first?" or "What did the character do next?"

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Pick out key words from the story and find objects around the house that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Strengthens initial sound recognition, which is crucial for early reading.
  • Tips: Keep it playful and use toys or household items for matching.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Dress up as characters from the book, or use puppets to act out scenes.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the story and characters, making reading a multi-sensory experience.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite character and help them find items to create a simple costume.

• Daily Book Choice
  • What it is: Allow your child to pick one book each day to read together.
  • How it helps: Encourages independence and interest in reading.
  • Tips: Have a special shelf where your child can reach their books easily.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, interactive, and habitual part of your child's day. By integrating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of books. So, grab some books, and let's make reading exciting for your little one! Happy reading!