Finding the best books for 4 year olds can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers. It is important to choose books that are age-appropriate, engaging, and educational. Some factors to consider when selecting books include the child’s interests, reading level, and developmental stage.
It is also helpful to choose books with colorful illustrations, simple text, and relatable characters. With careful consideration and research, parents and caregivers can find the perfect books to foster a love of reading in their little ones.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin and Illustrated by James Dean
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons is a book that incorporates the concept of subtraction and helps children learn to count in a fun and engaging way. Written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, this book is part of a series of over 50 books featuring the popular character Pete the Cat.
The book earned a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor in 2013 and is recommended for children aged 4 and up. With its sing-song style, colorful illustrations, and interactive counting activities, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons is sure to be a hit with young readers.
I LOVE Strawberries! by Shannon Anderson and Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett
The book “I LOVE Strawberries!” by Shannon Anderson and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett is a top-rated children’s book that won the 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Book Awards. The story is presented through a series of handwritten diary entries and regular text that follows a girl’s journey to convince her parents that she is capable of growing her own garden of berries.
The book explores themes of responsibility, passion, and entrepreneurship while providing a step-by-step guide on how to grow one’s own food. The judge of the competition, Sandhya Nankani, founder of The Story Seeds Podcast, praised the book for its engaging story and educational content.
Additionally, the publisher is a nonprofit organization.
There Is a Bird On Your Head! by Mo Willems
Mo Willems’ “There Is a Bird On Your Head!” is a delightful book for early readers. The book won the 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, which is given to the year’s most distinguished book for early readers. The story revolves around two best friends, Elephant and Piggie, and their hilarious adventures.
Willems uses simple language and repeats words to tell stories that are easy for preschoolers to understand. The book is a great way to introduce young children to the joy of reading and help them develop their reading skills. With its charming illustrations and funny storyline, “There Is a Bird On Your Head!” is a must-read for any young child.
The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen and Illustrated by Dan Hanna
The Pout-Pout Fish is a read-aloud picture book that features expressive and shimmery fish. It is an enjoyable book that helps 4-year-olds deal with their big feelings. The book creatively teaches kids about emotions and how to turn ‘dreary-wearies’ into ‘cheery-cheeries.’
Parents have praised the book for its ability to keep their children engaged, with one mom noting that her son loves pointing out all the different sea creatures such as squid, jellyfish, octopus, and clam. The book’s catchphrase, ‘blub, bluub, bluuuuub,’ is a favorite among children, who often insist on saying it with an exaggerated ‘pout-pout’ frown.
While the rhyming and alliteration can be tongue-twisty to read, it adds to the book’s fun and engaging nature.
What Happens to a Hamburger? by Paul Showers and Illustrated by Edward Miller
“What Happens to a Hamburger?” is a book in the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, aimed at teaching children about the journey their food goes through. The book uses simple illustrations to explain the process, beginning with chewing food and breaking it down in the mouth. It then goes on to describe how the body digests the food and changes it into fuel.
The book concludes by explaining how food comes out as poop. This educational read is perfect for any curious 4-year-old who wants to know how things work, especially their own body. It can also be useful for picky eaters and reluctant potty-users, as it emphasizes that these processes are a natural part of life.
Just One Flake by Travis Jonker
Just One Flake is a book that celebrates the uniqueness in all of us. The story follows Liam, a boy who comes up with inventive ways to try and get snow on his tongue, teaching readers a lesson in creativity.
The book made the 2024 best-of list and was praised by judge Jenna Bush Hager, who noted that her youngest son, Hal, laughed out loud while reading it. In the end, Liam gets more snow than he bargained for!
Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer
In “Just Go to Bed” by Mercer Mayer, Little Critter resists his bedtime routine, much to his parents’ dismay. The book humorously portrays the little guy’s procrastination, as he tries to avoid going to bed.
The parents remain calm throughout the ordeal until they finally lose their patience and command him to go to bed. The story ends on a sweet note, with Little Critter tucked in and dozing off while his parents watch from the door. This book is a great addition to the Little Critter series, which is known for its affordability and entertainment value.
The Bad Seed by Jory John and Illustrated by Pete Oswalk
The Bad Seed is a children’s book that teaches young readers what not to do. The story follows a mischievous seed who engages in various naughty behaviors such as being late, not washing hands, and not putting objects back where they belong.
However, after some mishaps, the Bad Seed realizes he wants to be happy and good. This book is part of a series that includes six more titles, including one about a good egg and one about a cool bean.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
“The Day the Crayons Quit” is a humorous children’s book about a young boy named Duncan and his crayons. The crayons are upset and have gone on strike, each for their own reason. Duncan must convince each crayon to come back and work together, teaching a valuable lesson about unity and recognizing worth.
The illustrations are child-like and resemble the drawings that kids make themselves. The book was a hit, receiving more than 23,000 five-star Amazon reviews and was named Goodreads’ Best Picture Book of the Year in 2013. Currently, the book is available for purchase at a discounted price of 48% off.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Hair Love is a heartwarming father-daughter story that celebrates natural hair and self-confidence. The book, which is based on the Academy-Award Winning Short Film “Hair Love,” follows Zuri as she explores the many ways her hair can look.
When her Daddy offers to help her create a new hairstyle, they embark on a journey of trial and error that ultimately leads to a beautiful and unique hairdo. The book’s message about self-love and embracing one’s natural hair is both empowering and inspiring.
I Want to Be Spaghetti! by Kiera Wright-Ruiz and Illustrated by Claudia Lam
The book “I Want to Be Spaghetti!” is a new release that teaches a valuable lesson in self-love. The story follows a package of ramen who wishes to be like spaghetti, but learns from other pasta that they are all perfect just being themselves.
After the ramen is cooked, it realizes that “being yourself is tasty.” This heartwarming tale is sure to inspire readers to embrace their unique qualities and love themselves just the way they are.
Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett
Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett is an interactive children’s book that allows kids to let Nibbles out of his cage by opening up a flap. Once Nibbles is free, he starts eating his way through fairy tales and changing the stories. The book is built with lots of holes in the pages, making it an engaging and interactive experience for young readers.
At the end of the book, Nibbles escapes, leaving a big hole in the back of the book. Children will enjoy the humorous and unpredictable nature of the story, and the book’s unique design encourages them to engage with the text and illustrations.
Parents and children alike will have lots of laughs with this inventive and entertaining book. It’s perfect for children who love to read and explore new stories.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
“We’re Going On A Bear Hunt” is a classic children’s book that is a must-have in any library. The book is especially enjoyable for 4-year-olds who love the anticipation of finding and escaping from the bear.
The story also introduces the concept of sequence as the family swishy-swashies through grass and splash-sploshes through water on their way to a cave, and then goes in reverse order on their way out. The book continues to be popular in Pre-K 4s classes, as confirmed by Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, a mom of three young kids.
Danny and the Dinosaur by Sid Hoff
Danny and the Dinosaur is a classic children’s book that tells a heartwarming story about a young boy named Danny and his unlikely friendship with a dinosaur. The book is aimed at children aged four and above, making it a perfect choice for parents to read to their preschoolers.
The simple yet imaginative storyline is sure to capture the attention of any dinosaur-loving child, and the level-one reading level ensures that the book is accessible to young readers. Overall, Danny and the Dinosaur is a timeless tale of friendship that is sure to delight children for generations to come.
Summary
Finding the best books for 4-year-olds can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to foster a love of reading and learning at a young age. Look for books with engaging illustrations, simple language, and relatable characters.
Some popular choices include “The Cat in the Hat,” “Corduroy,” and “Goodnight Moon.” Don’t forget to incorporate diverse stories and perspectives to broaden your child’s worldview.