8 of the Best Early Chapter Books
for Preschoolers
by Janssen Bradshaw
Early chapter books are a great way to help your child transition from shorter books to slightly longer ones with more complicated plots.
Early chapter books usually have three to five chapters that are either related stories or part of a connected storyline. These books are generally meant for preschool and kindergarten age children and are a great midpoint between fully illustrated picture books and longer chapter books.
These are eight of my favorites to read with my little girls.
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Bink and Gollie
Available from:Bink and Gollie are a hilarious pair, one very tall and one very short. I think I laughed as much or more at this book than my girls did. Each story is a little bit wacky, with perfect illustrations, and the whole series is great fun. Fans of this duo will also love Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series.
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Woodward and McTwee
Available from:This book about a hippo and a bird has only two chapters, each of which are quite simple and plenty silly. Perfect for a child who has a shorter attention span.
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Fox at School
Available from:I’ve loved the Fox books since I was a child — it’s so hilariously funny to see Fox, who thinks he is pretty much the star of the show, not be all that bright. I’m so happy these books are still around!
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Warren & Dragon Series
Who among us hasn’t wished for a pet dragon at one point or another? Seven-year-old Warren gets his wish with his best friend, a 122-year-old dragon. (Warren’s sister would have you believe that Dragon is a stuffed animal, but that’s nonsense.) The friends’ escapades are sure to entertain in this fun boy-and-his-pet series.
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Bea Garcia Series
Available from:Bea Garcia is a young artist with a whole lot of heart. The series follows her many relatable experiences, from making new friends to competing in a school contest to searching for her runaway dog, Sophie. Kids will appreciate Bea’s doodles and drawings sprinkled throughout the books.
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A Narwhal and Jelly Book Series
Available from:Doubly ideal for early readers transitioning to chapter books, each Narwhal and Jelly book is a graphic novel divided into three delightful stories. Funny, loyal, and adventurous, this underwater duo makes for a joyful read.
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Toys Go Out Series
Available from:This was one of the first early chapter books we read, and it’s still one of our very favorites. It's a series of adventures of toys when their owner is away that’s sure to capture imaginations.
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Peter Rabbit Series
Available from:This is the classic early chapter book series. You’ll probably find dozens of them on your library’s shelves and most children love the adventures of this mischievous rabbit and his animal friends.
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Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020.