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Book Read Alouds for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners
The following is a list of recommended chapter books
and novels to read to your preschooler or kindergartener.
Does your child
love to sit and listen to picture books after picture book? As your
child’s attention span increases, you can move to longer books,
starting with short chapter books and moving to longer novels. Children
usually understand two grade levels above their reading level. By reading
more challenging books to your children, you are exposing them to more
words, which will help increase their vocabulary, getting them ready
to read when they start school.
Don’t expect
to read the entire book in one sitting. Read a chapter or few pages
a night for 10 to 20 minutes.
And remember, even
if you are reading chapter books, don’t stop reading picture books
with your children. There are lots of longer pictures books you can
also enjoy together.
Mr. Popper’s
Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Mr. Popper is a house painter who is always dreaming of faraway places.
His favorite subject is polar exploration and he reads all the new books
and sees all the new movies about the Arctic and the Antarctic. When
he receives a penguin from Admiral Drake in the Antarctic, Mr. Popper’s
life and fortune changes.
JPB A
The Adventures of Peter Cottontail by Thornton Burgess
This classic recounts Peter Rabbit’s adventures in the Green Forest
as he contemplates changing his name to Peter Cottontail, outwits Reddy
Fox and wonders why he won’t see his friends again until spring.
J Fic Burgess
Boo’s Dinosaur by Betsy Byars
When young Boo is followed home by a dinosaur that only she can see,
it causes a bit of trouble for her older brother, Sammy.
J Fic Byars
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Ralph S. Mouse lives in a mouse hole in Room 215 of the Mountain View
Inn. Life becomes downright thrilling when Keith and his family stop
at the inn for a few days, and Keith lets Ralph ride his toy motorcycle.
J Fic Cleary/JPB C
Socks by
Beverly Cleary
Socks, a young tabby cat with four white paws, lives happily with a
young married couple, the Brickers. Socks rules the roost, until a new
baby arrives and receives all the attention. The baby’s arrival
fills Socks with jealousy and terrible anxiety. Little does he know,
as the baby grows, he’ll be joining Socks in all kinds of fun
and mischief.
J Fic Cleary
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of
adventures with six giant insects he meets inside a giant peach.
J Fic Dahl
Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself
until he is separated from the little girl who loves him and travels
across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes,
dreams and histories.
J Fic DiCamillo
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
This story follows the friendship and river bank adventures of Mole,
Rat, Badger and Toad. This classic story has some challenging vocabulary
and would make a better read aloud for a child who has already listened
to a few chapter books.
J Fic Grahame
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins
This is the story of three toys who belong to the Little Girl who sleeps
on the high bed. Together, the toys participate in a series of small
adventures. And together, they must find the Little Girl a birthday
present.
J Fic Jenkins
Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look
Almost 8-year-old Ruby Lu spends time with her baby brother, goes to
Chinese school, performs magic tricks, learns to drive and has adventures
with both old and new friends.
J Fic Look
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, the widow of a pirate, is friends with every child
in town. And all the parents know to go to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for advice
on misbehaving children. Parents consistently ask for her help in curing
their Answer-Backers, Never-Want-To-Go-To-Bedders and Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Takers
and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle always has a cure.
J Fic MacDonald
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Clementine is having a bad week. She’s constantly being told to
pay attention, but in her mind she is paying attention and making clever
observations. Her best friend is her
neighbor Margaret, but more often than not, both girls end up in trouble.
J Fic Pennypacker
Maybelle in the Soup by Katie Speck
Maybelle the cockroach lives in a cozy little home under the refrigerator
of Mr. and Mrs. Peabody. She knows it's best to stay hidden, but Maybelle
just adores food. Just once she'd like to taste something yummy before
it hits the floor. The opportunity arises when the Peabody's invite
Very Important Guests for dinner. She takes a tiny taste which launches
her into the biggest adventure of her life.
J Fic Speck
Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton
Geronimo Stilton runs a newspaper called The Rodent’s Gazette,
but his true passion is writing tales of adventure. In New Mouse City,
the capital of Mouse Island, his books are all bestsellers.
JPB S
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Wilbur the pig is terrified when he discovers that he is destined to
be the farmer’s holiday dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte,
decides to help him.
J Fic White
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives
in New York City with his parents, his older brother George and Snowbell
the cat. Though he’s shy and thoughtful, he is a true lover of
adventure. His greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful
little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to find
her, he ventures away from home for the first time. Will he find his
friend?
J Fic White/JPB W
This
information is available as a brochure in the library Children’s
Department. Funding for the brochure is provided by a Literacy Grant
from the New Jersey State Library with funding from the Institute of
Museum and Library Services through its Grants to States program.
If
you have comments or suggestions, email Samantha
Tai, Children's Outreach Librarian
This
information last updated 03/09
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