Preschool Books: good books for preschoolers

Hop on Pop (Bright and Early Books)

Dr. Seuss (Board Books)

Genres: Fiction - Children's Picture Books, Humorous Stories; Book Theme: Rhyming Stories

"Hop on Pop (Bright and Early Books)" is a great picture book for beginning readers from Dr. Seuss. The rhymes are simple, silly and include many basic sight words. The illustrations are humorous, playful and show what the rhymes mean. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy this rhyming story too. "Hop on Pop" is one of our favorite picture books.

Great Day for Up! (Bright and Early Books)

Dr. Seuss, Quentin Blake (Hardcover)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Theme: Rhyming Stories

In "Great Day for Up (Bright and Early Books)", Dr. Seuss shows many meanings of "up" using simple rhyming texts. Illustrator Quentin Blake provides colorful visual clues to the word "up" and the rhymes. "Great Day for Up" is a delightful book for preschoolers, kindergarteners and early readers. Even toddlers can enjoy this story.

It's Not Easy Being a Bunny (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books)

Marilyn Sadler (Hardcover)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Theme: Animals

In "It's Not Easy Being a Bunny ", P.J. Funnybunny doesn't want to be a bunny any more, so he tries living with other animals. The texts are simple and easy to read. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and humorous. Preschoolers and beginning readers will enjoy this picture book by Marilyn Sadler.

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Lloyd Moss, Marjorie Priceman (Hardcover)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Themes: Counting and Number, Rhyming Stories

"Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin" by Lloyd Moss is a good picture book to introduce children in preschool and kindergarten to musical instruments of the orchestra, from trombone and French horn to oboe and violin. With poetic rhyming texts and lively illustrations, this Caldecott Honor book also helps children to learn counting and the names of musical groups such as solo, duo and trio.

Big Pumpkin

Erica Silverman, S.D. Schindler (Paperback)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Themes: Witches, Halloween, Pumpkin

"Big Pumpkin" by Erica Silverman is a funny Halloween story that will delight children in preschool, kindergarten and first grade. A witch wants to make pumpkin pie, so she plants a pumpkin seed. The pumpkin grows so big that the witch cannot yank it from the vine. Some traditional Halloween characters come to help, but neither the ghost, nor the vampire, nor the mummy can make it budge. Finally a bat comes up with a good idea. They line up and pull together. Off comes the big pumpkin. The colorful illustrations by S.D. Schindler is a little spooky but not scary. With predictable rhyming texts, the picture book is good for reading aloud. Kids can also see the value of cooperation and teamwork.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Helen Oxenbury, Michael Rosen (Board Books)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Theme: Animals

With rhythmic verses and interesting sound words, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" takes children on an exciting adventure. Helen Oxenbury's illustrations help tell a captivating story. "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" is a good board book for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Room on the Broom

Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Paperback)

Genre: Fiction - Children's Picture Books; Book Themes: Animals, Witches, Halloween, Rhyming Stories

"Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson is a fun picture book to read aloud around Halloween time or any time of the year. A witch and a cat are flying on a broomstick. The wind blows and the witch loses her hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Each time, an animal picks up her lost item and asks if there is room on the broom for him. The generous witch always says yes. The added weight finally snaps the broom in two and the witch encounters a mean dragon. Her animal friends find a clever way to scare the dragon off and the rhyming story ends with the witch and the animals riding happily on a luxurious broom. Axel Scheffler's illustration is bright and lively. "Room on the Broom" appeals to children in preschool, kindergarten and first grade.

Who Hops?

Katie Davis (Board Books)

Genres: Fiction - Children's Picture Books, Humorous Stories; Book Theme: Animals

"Who Hops?" by Katie Davis combines animals and humor. This children's picture book starts with three animals that hop, followed by one animal that obviously doesn't hop. Then children can turn the page and find out "NO THEY DON'T". The same goes for the animals that fly, slither, swim and crawl. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy this humorous board book.