Great Books for Preschoolers

A jam session forms, instrument by instrument, and welcomes a child who loves dancing along.

When Aurora came to America, she learned to speak English. But not her spaniel, Nena. As Aurora explains to her friends she meets along the way, her dog just knows Spanish. Nena doesn't know "sit," but she knows "sientate." And she doesn't know "wait," but she know "espera." And a "treat" might not mean anything to Nena, but she sure can sniff out a "postre!"

Finn is in a bad mood, so his grandfather takes him on a walk in the forest, and tells him about all the things that are beneath the surface of plants and animals--and even people.

Daryl does not want to share his favorite dinosaur book, so when it is time to bring it back to the library he uses all his dinosaur skills to get it back until a friendly librarian encourages him to share.

Amira's excited because tomorrow is Eid with special clothes, treats, gifts, and a morning party at her mosque, but then she realizes that she's going to miss class picture day at school, something she was also looking forward to--so she has to figure out a way to be in two places at once.

Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.

Join celebrated artist Julie Flett on a joyful romp with animals. From chasing, chirping birds, to swimming, squirting whales, this book for young readers reminds them how animals play just like them. This picture book, with gorgeous images and sweet simple text, is a marvelous celebration of the interconnectedness of all creatures, and includes some Cree phrases. It is based on the Cree teaching of wahkohtowin, interconnectedness and play, and includes as well the English and Cree names of the animals in the book, all of whom are from 'Turtle Island' (North America).

Early morning wakeups and homemade pancakes, Raucous bus rides and schoolyard games, Family games and bedtime rituals... These are the small moments that shape a child's day. I'm From is an invitation into the vivid world of one small boy, a poetic account of all the people and places and things that shape who he is and define where he is from.

Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, Jolene Gutiérrez's compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. Joined by Angel Chang's beautiful illustrations, young readers will learn that it's OK if some days are too much.

How to Bird is a culturally relevant, lyrical, succinct, and direct procedural text. Images and words on each page invite readers to try a new birding strategy, right then and there. How to Bird is a mentor text for educators teaching procedural writing. Additionally, a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that seeing and hearing birds makes people happier. How to Bird supports readers' social and emotional well-being by introducing birding as a joyful, wonder-filled possibility that is always available.

Mama Shamsi is off to the market, and today, Samira gets to go with her! Samira loves spending time with her grandmother, and she especially loves her chador, which Mama Shamsi wraps around herself every time they leave the house. As the pair get closer and closer to the market, Samira is worried about getting lost in the crowded streets of Tehran, until she has an idea: She can hide under her grandmother's chador. But when Mama Shamsi says no -- if Samira hides under there, the pair of them will look like a strange animal! In imaginary spreads, Samira and Mama Shamsi turn into a donkey, a giraffe, a kangaroo, a turtle -- hiding isn't working at all. But maybe there's some other way for Samira to stay safe with her grandma in the crowded market.

On this airplane...Someone travels solo, two travel as one, three return and four set out. In this simple and moving book, a young family takes a plane to their new home. While onboard, they encounter all the people you meet on a plane: a bookworm, a businessperson, tourists, crying babies and daydreamers...all with their own stories, all heading somewhere special.

Molly's school picture day is coming up, and she wants to have a perfect portrait taken to hang on their wall. Her mom has picked out a nice dress for her, but Molly knows from experience that dresses are trouble. They have tight places and hard-to-reach zippers, and worst of all, no pockets! Luckily, she has the perfect thing to save picture day--her brother's old tuxedo! But Mom doesn't want her to wear a tuxedo in the photo; she thinks Molly looks best in the dress. Can Molly find the courage to follow her heart and get her mom to realize just how awesome she'd look in a tux?

Creatures from Peruvian lore try to scare a child who's so absorbed in her bedtime reading that she comically rebuffs their attempts.

Nathan doesn't say much. He sure has a lot on his mind, though. At school, Nathan quietly observes the ways his peers communicate. Even when they're not talking, they're expressing themselves in all sorts of ways! By witnessing the beauty of communication diversity, Nathan learns and shows his classmates the essential lesson: Not only does everyone have something to say, but seeking to understand one another can be the greatest bridge to friendship and belonging. This illustrated picture book explores and celebrates the many forms of expression--signing, speaking, singing, smiling, among others--and culminates in a story about connection and understanding.

When Epic's family moves to a new neighborhood, he has a hard time making friends and fitting in with his skateboard; but the trick to making new friends is to be yourself!

Animals have adaptations to help them survive. But some of those traits can be hard to spot. Rhyming text and eye-catching photos introduce eight creatures with hidden features.

Take a sloth's-eye view of the world in this beautiful and informative photographic picture book. Young readers will see where sloths live, what they eat, how they hide from predators, and much more. They'll learn about the creatures that interact with and depend on sloths in the interconnected and fragile tropical forest ecosystem.

Because she has been very ill and weak, River cannot join in the dancing at this year's tribal powwow, she can only watch from the sidelines as her sisters and cousins dance the celebration--but as the drum beats she finds the faith to believe that she will recover and dance again.

Also available as an ebook, audio ebook, or readalong.

Some people think hats are fancy things you can buy at a dressy store, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. In this book, acorns and raspberries are snug hats for your fingers, and an empty pudding cup is a good hat for a stuffed bear. Pajama pants make dangly hats, books can be dramatic hats, and bubbles make very fine hats as well (if temporary).

Mirha questions her name after her classmates continually pronounce it wrong on the first day of school so her mother helps her to learn the significance of her name and to be proud of it.

Today, little Jesús has a big job to do. He's helping Papá at work, and he's in charge of the water jug -- which is also a magical clock! When it's empty, Papá explains, the workday is done. But what about all these thirsty animals? Soon, the water is gone, but the day is not over yet. Will Jesús be fired?! Or is the jug not really magical after all.

While her parents attend a community ESL class, Luli connects with other immigrant children by sharing a love of tea. 

Shy Violet attempts to show another girl how she feels on Valentine's Day.