15 new and classic books for preschoolers

Written by best-selling author Kelly Corrigan, “Hello World!” will teach your preschooler the journeys we take in life are all about the people we meet along the way. With whimsical illustrations by Stacy Ebert, follow a young girl as she sets out into the world and the adventures she has along the way. She learns what’s really important is being a good listener, getting to know people and asking questions—something preschoolers are already quite good at!

In this interactive book by Hervé Tullet, your preschooler will embark on an adventure by following the instructions to see where the yellow dot goes next—starting with the front cover! With each page, the reader will press dots, shake pages, tilt the book and more! As the dots multiply, change direction and grow in size, you never know where you’ll end up next.

In this sweet book, Baby and Mama are going to the market. Follow along on Baby and Mama’s adventure, with stunning visuals by Angela Brooksbank. Watch as Mama’s basket keeps getting bigger and bigger, thanks to Baby! With rhythmic language, this is the kind of book that’s as fun to read as it is to listen to. And with all that yummy food at the market, your preschooler will be ready for a snack after storytime!

In this beautiful and inclusive board book, your preschooler will learn all about what loves means. From Amazon, “Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what’s most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share.”

Weather is so fascinating to young children, which makes “All About Weather” a great choice for the preschool set. Your child will learn all about the four seasons, as well as how and why it rains, how clouds form and what causes a rainbow. From warm and sunny days to chilly winter nights, this educational book is perfect in any temperature.

Richard Scarry books are a classic choice, and his detailed illustrations never get old—there is always something new to discover! Kids that love cars and all modes of transportation will love this book.

One of my children’s favorite preschool books (which they still enjoy reading!) the plight of these crayons is so hilariously described by children’s book author Oliver Jeffers. Each color has some kind of issue, you may never look at a box of crayons the same way again!

Laura Numeroff’s kids books are a huge hit with young children, and you only have to read one to see why. My family’s personal favorite is “If You Give a Pig a Pancake.” Just wait until you see what trouble this pig gets into! Your preschooler will love discovering how this story unfolds.

Another popular series for children, there is just something so soothing about the rhythmic tone of Anna Dewdney’s “Llama Llama” books. And since reading is the topic of choice here, this one seems like a great choice. Llama Llama is learning to read by practicing his letters, looking at word cards, reading stories and going to the library. Just like your preschooler!

In “Little Elliott, Big City” follow along as Little Elliot the elephant makes his way around New York City, hoping to make a friend and enjoy a cupcake. This is such a sweet book about how it feels to be small and lonely, and the wonderful benefits of friendship. The illustrations (also by Mike Curato) are truly stunning.

“Jabari Jumps” is the perfect book about conquering your fears, whatever they may be (and if swimming lessons are on the horizon this summer, this book is even more appropriate). The story also describes a loving relationship between a father and son, as his dad encourages him to jump off the diving board. You can do it, Jabari!

This classic book is on every “must-have preschooler book” list, and for good reason. Your preschooler will learn colors, animals and a rhyming scheme that will enhance their listening skills and brain development the more times you read it .

The concept of sharing is explored in a perfect way for preschoolers in Mo Willems’ “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” Even though Elephant and Piggie are best friends, sharing can still be hard—especially when it’s over ice cream!

Preschoolers have a lot of feelings (we all do)! In this book, the wide range of moods we experience is explored in a kid-friendly way. With bold and bright illustrations, this book is focused on young children who are just beginning to read with a goal of inspiring kids to discuss their feelings.

In this classic read-aloud book perfect for preschoolers, Corduroy sits on a shelf at the department store, waiting patiently for someone to buy him. This sweet story is a classic tale of hope and not judging others based on how they look. Spoiler alert: this precious story has a happy ending.