10 Must Have Books for Preschoolers

I love books and so do my kids! I’ve been reading to them since they’ve been a few days old!

The benefits of reading to your children are innumerable. It helps their cognitive development (studies have shown that children who are read to have a higher IQ), it increases the parent child bond – it promotes conversation, it helps them increase their attention span and ofcourse they just learn so much through books!

There are so many books in the market, that many times parents have absolutely no idea which ones to choose. I’ve been in the same boat, I know the feeling well!

So here are a few books that are our favourites and I highly recommend. We’ve read many of them over and over and some of them are now in shatters! As Jacqueline Kennedy wisely put it, ‘There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all’.

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

I was surprised to find that my 2 year old knew the days of the week, when I had never formally taught it to her. I then figured that she just picked it up while this book was read to her! Besides days of the week, this book also teaches numbers (1-5), fruits, healthy eating, and the process of metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly. A must buy!

Cost: Rs 205 (Buy from Amazon)

2. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

This is one of my all time favourites. And it became even more exciting when I found a video on youtube with the author narrating it in song! The kids get transported into another world when this book is read to them. It has a lovely repetition and the kids pick up the lines very quickly and enjoy reading it together. We’ve also acted this story out and done other activities along with it.

Cost: Rs 368 (Buy from Amazon)

3. Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson

This book is a story about a monkey who has lost his mother and a little butterfly takes him to different animals to try and find her. Its teaches concepts like differences between animals, family, etc. The pictures are very colourful and well illustrated.

Cost: Rs 201(Buy from Amazon)

4. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

A classic by Rod Campbell, this book has been a favourite with kids for the past 25 years. It’s a story about a little boy who asks for a pet from the zoo, but none of the animals they send are right for him, until he finally gets a puppy! It’s a lift the flap book and the children enjoy the surprise each page brings.

Cost: Rs 208 (Buy from Amazon)

5. The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson

This book is about a giant who is so happy with his new clothes. But along the way he meets different animals who are in need and he slowly starts giving away different parts of his grand attire to help them. A great book that has lots of rhyming and teaches the value of kindness and selflessness.

Cost: Rs 246 (Buy from Amazon)

6. Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

A book about colours that the author has beautifully illustrated using the different colours in nature. It’s a story about an owl who wakes up one morning and is surprised and excited to see all the different colours that he never saw in the night. It has a rainbow in it too and the last page revises all the colours learnt.

Cost: Rs 305 (Buy from Amazon)

7. It’ Mine by Parragon Books

A lovely story about an elephant who learns that sharing is always better than being selfish. This is part of a set of books that teaches children various morals and values. The situations that they have chosen are very relevant to pre-schoolers. My children picked up many important values from these books. The other books in this series that we have are ‘Excuse Me’ (Value: Being patient and not interrupting while someone is speaking) and ‘Remember the Magic Words’ (Value: Learning to say Please and Thank you), which my kids love as well.

Cost: Rs 150 (Buy from Amazon)

8. God’s Story for Me by Gospel Light

Many parents ask, “What’s a good bible for younger kids?”. I highly recommend this bible for this age group. The stories are written very simply with only a couple of lines on every page and bright colourful pictures. Children find it easy to engage with. It also has a small application at the end.

Cost: Rs 858 (Buy from Amazon)

9. Pig Gets Stuck by Heather Amery

A farm book that tells an adventure of a little pig. My kids always have a laugh at the end when the pig gets stuck and has to be pulled out! It’s a great book that older children can use when they are starting to read.

Cost: Rs 200 (Buy from Amazon)

10. Things to Learn with Bruno by Sterling Publishers

This is a set of 6 stories about a little bear named Bruno. The language is simple and the stories very relevant. The values that are taught in this book are telling the truth, sharing, listening to instructions, not scribbling on walls, putting your toys away and being honest. My kids love these stories to be read to them over and over again!

Cost: Rs 250 (Buy from Amazon)

Disclaimer: These are just books that I’ve come across that I like and I’ve put the amazon link, because that’s where I normally buy my books from. I haven’t been paid to advertise these books! 🙂 (The cost is as of November 2016 on amazon.)