Best Books for 4-Year-Olds: Explore Pre-Reading Skills in 2024

Choosing the best books for 4-year-olds is important for literacy development. Books that focus on phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and narrative skills, as well as those that are interactive, play a critical role in this development.

Best Books for 4-Year-Olds: Nurturing Pre-Reading Skills

At the age of 4, children are at a critical stage in their pre-reading development. It’s essential to choose the books that will help nurture their pre-reading skills. These books play a crucial role in laying the foundation for literacy and language development, making it easier for young readers to transition into independent reading.

By exploring the best books for 4-year-olds, parents and educators can provide engaging and educational materials that support the early stages of literacy.

The best books for 4-year-olds focus on phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and narrative skills, as well as those that are interactive, play a critical role in this development.

And! Be sure to continue to the bottom of this article for tips and suggestions for choosing books on your own.

Here are 20 of the Best Books for 4-Year-Olds that are not only engaging for young children but also beneficial for their pre-reading skills:

1.“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – This repetitive and rhythmic text helps children anticipate and predict the next words, which is a key pre-reading skill.

During lockdown, I spent many hours reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, with my niece. It’s so sweet. T_T

2. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault – The rhythmic, rhyming text helps with phonemic awareness, and the alphabet-centric storyline introduces letter recognition.

“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is repetitive but great for kids to learn. I think it’s one of the best books for 4-year-olds because it will help them with their pre-reading skills.

3. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle – This book offers opportunities to develop vocabulary and understand the days of the week through a simple, engaging story.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is a classic. Every child should have this book.

4. “Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill – An interactive lift-the-flap book that encourages prediction and engagement, key for narrative skills.

“Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill is a lift-the-flap book. Even as an adult I love them! Definitely one of the best books for 4-year-olds. 🙂

5. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown – The poetic and gentle language helps build memory and vocabulary through repetition and rhythm.

“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown is another classic. You should read this in the evening with your child. It’s a sweet book.

6. “Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell – This lift-the-flap book enhances understanding of adjectives and animals while engaging prediction skills.

“Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell – Did I mention I love flap books? Seriously though, this book is great for vocabulary building!

7. “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen – This book uses repetition and sensory words to build narrative skills and phonemic awareness.

“We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen, kept my niece and I busy during Covid. We would walk around the neighborhood looking for bears in windows. We’d scream and try to recite the story backwards. Each time we read it, she would get better. It’s one of my most favorite books – definitely one of the best books for 4-year-olds!

8. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats – A story with simple narrative structure and rich vocabulary that helps with story comprehension and vocabulary development.

“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats is cute. It was not my favorite book but ALL the kids love it. They always wanted to read it, so this is one of the best books for 4-year-olds by 4-year-olds.

9. “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney – This story introduces complex emotional vocabulary and reinforces the concept of measurement and comparison.

“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney, helps kids understand the size of their emotions. This helps a lot when kids are trying to explain how they feel.

10. “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss – Dr. Seuss’s playful use of rhyme and repetition is excellent for phonemic awareness and early reading skills.

“Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss – Funny story. My mom HATES this book. She doesn’t like Dr. Seuss AT ALL. She’s not into rhyming, but I am. It’s so great for literacy!

11. “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff – This circular story teaches prediction and consequences, engaging children in critical thinking.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but I tried to find books that help develop specific types of skills in this list. Each book offers something slightly different for literacy development. “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff is another book that will help push kids to articulate their thoughts, and that’s why it’s on my list of best books for 4-year-olds.

12. “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter – Offers rich vocabulary and detailed narrative structure, important for developing comprehension skills.

“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter is another sweet book. I think these types of books really help you bond in a meaningful way. They’re important for kids and parents to experience together, and that’s why it’s one of the best books for 4-year-olds.

13. “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson – Features rhyming text that is perfect for teaching sound patterns and storytelling.

“Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson is fun. I know not everyone likes witches but my students wanted to read this all October long and when October was over, they still wanted to read it! Ha! Thankfully, I love Halloween all year long!

14. “Corduroy” by Don Freeman – This book offers a clear plot and an opportunity to discuss emotions and resolve, enhancing understanding of story structure.

“Corduroy” by Don Freeman – I imagine most people have read this book, but if you haven’t I don’t want to spoil it for you. It’s got lots of feelings!

15. “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper – Teaches resilience through repetitive, motivational language, aiding memory and phonics.

“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper, is a classic book. There are so many great children’s books but this one isn’t on many lists. Maybe it’s because it’s a bit older, but it’s a great story to help children learn the importance of trying. Easily one of the best books for 4-year-olds!

16. “Curious George” by H.A. Rey – The adventures of George introduce new vocabulary and are great for discussing cause and effect.

I remember my mom reading “Curious George” by H.A. Rey, to me. I have such wonderful memories of this book. I would love for other kids to have these bedtime stories.

17. “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson – This story uses rhyme and rhythm to engage children, while the narrative helps them predict and solve problems.

“The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson, is actually the book I read the most in Japan. Kids memorize the words and then “read” the book. It’s fun, and one of the best books for 4-year-olds (IMO)!

18. “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” by Eric Litwin – Teaches colors and the concept of going with the flow, despite changes, all through repetitive, sing-song text.

“Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” by Eric Litwin, was one of the books we read often in Japan. The kids LOVED it. Many of my students learned to read with this book.

19. “Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans – Features distinctive, rhythmic text and introduces children to a bit of culture and geography.

“Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans, is one of my favorite books. Really. It’s definitely one of the best books for 4-year-olds.

20. “The Family Book” by Todd Parr – Promotes understanding of diverse family structures through simple language and bright illustrations.

“The Family Book” by Todd Parr, is a new book for me but a friend recommended it to me. She reads it to her kindergarten class. I went to the library the other day and thought it was too cute.

Tips to Choosing the Best Books for 4-Year-Olds

One of the things we might not realize is that imagination is a skill. We have to allow kids time to learn how their brain works. We have to foster creativity and all children to embrace their minds. These are some of the things you should look for when choosing the best books for 4-year-olds:

Interactive Storytelling

Engaging storytelling is a powerful tool for captivating young readers and sparking their imagination. By incorporating interactive elements into narratives, children are drawn into the story, making it a more immersive and enjoyable experience.

Engaging narratives not only hold the attention of 4-year-olds but also help them develop critical thinking skills as they follow the plot and characters through participatory storytelling. Look for colorful pictures, quirky stories, and stories that allow you to ask questions about the story.

We aren’t excited about all children’s books, so it is important that we enjoy telling the same story over and over again. It’s also important that we can engage with our children in the story and find things to talk about when reading together.

Consider repetition. Kids need to hear the same story hundreds of times. It’s the same when they’re learning to read. Read the same story over and over again. When looking at books, consider your ability to read the same book repeatedly. 🙂

Visual Learning Experience

I touched on this a little above but in choosing the best books for 4-year-olds, picture books can significantly enhance the visual learning experience for 4-year-olds. Children need time to build a “visual bank” and the more books you provide them, the better. These books often feature vibrant illustrations that complement the storyline, helping young readers understand and connect with the narrative on a deeper level.

The combination of engaging visuals and compelling storytelling creates an enriching reading experience that fosters a love for books and learning in young children.

By integrating interactive storytelling techniques and educational picture books, parents and educators can create an environment that promotes early literacy skills while nurturing a passion for reading in 4-year-olds.

Instilling a Love for Learning

Fostering Curiosity

The best books for 4-year-olds encourage a love for learning by fostering curiosity through engaging and educational content. These books should spark the imagination, encourage questions, and prompt exploration. By introducing young readers to stories that pique their curiosity about the world around them, parents and educators can instill a passion for learning that extends beyond the pages of a book. Through thought-provoking narratives and captivating illustrations, children can develop a natural inquisitiveness that fuels their desire to learn and discover new concepts.

One of the saddest things I’ve learned as students get older, is they often have their curiosity squashed by adults. The adults in their lives don’t have time or desire to encourage and engage their child’s curiosity. It’s heartbreaking. As long as you can, let children wonder. Books are the greatest way to encourage that.

Promoting Literacy

One of the benefits of seeking out the best books for 4-year-olds is that you are highlighting the importance of early literacy for your child(ren). This step is crucial in nurturing a love for learning in 4-year-olds. By immersing children in age-appropriate books, they not only develop essential pre-reading skills but also cultivate an affection for learning.

Early exposure to literacy-rich environments lays the groundwork for strong reading abilities and a lifelong appreciation for knowledge. Moreover, promoting literacy at an early age sets the stage for academic success and fosters a deep-seated passion for learning that will benefit children throughout their lives.

Building Reading Readiness

Early Childhood Development

At the tender age of 4, early childhood development plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds and laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of reading. Literature serves as a gateway to imagination, cognitive development, and emotional understanding.

The best books for 4-year-olds help children embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, honing their language skills and expanding their knowledge of the world around them. The nurturing environment created by literature fosters an early appreciation for storytelling and sets the stage for developing essential pre-reading abilities.

Reading Readiness Skills

The best books for 4-year-olds provide exposure to engaging narratives and educational picture books enhances their vocabulary, comprehension, and cognitive abilities. These foundational skills are essential for future academic success and instill confidence in young readers as they navigate the world of words.

By immersing children in literature at an early age, parents and educators provide them with the tools necessary to unlock a lifelong passion for reading.

The Best Books for 4-year-olds Empower Young Readers

Empowering young readers is a transformative journey that begins with introducing them to the best books for 4-year-olds. By providing access to top-quality literature, parents and educators can ignite a love for reading and learning that will last a lifetime.

Incorporating these recommended books into a child’s daily routine creates an environment where learning becomes an exciting adventure, empowering young readers to explore new worlds through the pages of a book.

I hope you enjoyed this list! If you’d like to read more lists of really great books, you can read Best Books for 7-Year-Olds in 2024 – Top Reading Recommendations, You Should Read These 7 Children’s Books by Authors of Color, and Best Books for 5 Year Olds: Books for Early Readers.

If you need help reading more consider: Top 10 Best Comfy Reading Chairs for Your Cozy Nook, How to Overcome a Reading Slump – 5 Tips From Your Teacher, and Reading to Toddlers Develops Their Brains and Much More!