Pre-K

Growing Reader

30 of the Best Level 1 Books for Early Readers

by Melissa Taylor

Growing readers want to read the best level 1 books — books with great stories and information that will keep them excited about reading. That’s why we’ve put together a master list of level 1 reading books for children. Here you’ll find excellent, engaging early reader books for your beginning readers.

These level 1 reading books feature short sentences, big type, and supportive picture clues. Often, you’ll see repetition in sentence structure as well as rhyme, both of which help the reader predict and decode new words.

Clara and Clem in Outer Space

by Ethan Long

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Clara and Clem are in for unexpected surprises when their robot made of blocks transports them into space.

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Jungle Animals

by Camilla Gersh

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Learn about fascinating jungle animals from toucans to jaguars in this fact-based book with colorful photographs.

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Go, Dog. Go!

by P.D. Eastman

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It’s a classic for a reason. Big and little dogs, red and green dogs all go to a dog party in this wild and crazy rhyming story.

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Cat Traps

by Molly Coxe

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A cat sets a trap for a snack but continues to get something unexpected instead.

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National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to Butterfly

by Laura Marsh

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Gorgeous photographs and simple text show the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies.

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Ten Apples Up On Top!

by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Roy McKie

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These animals can do all sorts of amazing things while balancing apples on top of their heads in this beginning reader filled with both silly humor and illustrations.

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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

by Dr. Seuss

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Goofy rhyming stories help kids master new (and invented) words with Dr. Seuss’s unusual creatures and their antics.

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Max Finds an Egg

by Wiley Blevins, illustrated by Ben Clanton

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Max imagines the egg he finds is a dinosaur egg and takes very good care of it. What animal will be inside?

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Go to Bed, Blue

by Bonnie Bader, illustrated by Michael Robertson

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After a day of play, a robot named Blue needs some help to get settled into bed.

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At the Beach

by Alexa Andrews, illustrated by Candice Keimig

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Simple sentences describe the wonders of the ocean and beach.

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Vroom, Zoom, Bud

by Patricia Lakin, illustrated by Cale Atkinson

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It’s race car Bud’s big race but he gets distracted by a mud puddle and must decide whether to keep racing or play in the puddle.

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Garden Day!

by Candice Ransom, illustrated by Erika Meza

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A brother and sister plant peas in their backyard and (with the help of their parents!) build a scarecrow to protect them in this early reader perfect for springtime.

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Penguin Problems

by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith

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Young readers will have a hoot over the gripes of a particularly sassy penguin. For starters, why does everyone have to wear the same outfit?

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Big Red Lollipop

by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

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Rubina can’t wait for her friend’s birthday party — until, that is, her mother insists that she take her little sister, Sana. Will the two be able to get along, even when Sana swipes Rubina’s party favor?

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Shh! We Have a Plan

by Chris Haughton

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Chris Haughton’s vibrant illustrations bring to life this rib-tickling story about a group of friends whose hijinks keep going awry. Keep an eye out for Haughton’s upcoming seaside story, Don’t Worry, Little Crab.

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Berenstain Bears: We Like Kites

by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain

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You can never go wrong with the Berenstain Bears, particularly when a joyful afternoon of kite-flying is involved.

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Soccer Time!

by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Bob McMahon

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Learning to read independently and how to score a goal at the same time? That’s what you call a win-win.

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Bake, Mice, Bake!

by Eric Seltzer, illustrated by Natascha Rosenberg

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Some talented mice whip up delicious baked goods at the Cakes and More bakery. Fair warning: this one might give your reader the munchies.

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It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny

by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen

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P.J. Funnybunny is on a mission to be anything other than a bunny. But bears, birds, possums, and skunks don’t seem to suit. Is it possible that being a bunny is perfect for P.J. after all?

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We Are Twins

by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Pascal Campion

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Twins are exactly the same, right? Wrong! This rhyming reader spotlights two sisters who love both their similarities and their differences.

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Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors

by J. E. Morris

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Nervous about getting a shot at the doctor’s office, Maud imagines she’s a fish swimming serenely in the doctor’s aquarium. She gets so wrapped up in daydreaming that she doesn’t even notice that the scary part’s over.

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Little Critter: The Original Classics

by Mercer Mayer

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This hardcover edition features all of the Little Critter classics. Its heft will make your beginning reader feel like a pro, and its heart will make them a Little Critter fan for life.

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I Love My Grandma!

by Frances Gilbert, illustrated by Sue Dicicco

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Perfect for taking to grandma’s house, this sweet read celebrates family lineage, as a little girl realizes that her grandma had a grandma, too!

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A Piglet Named Mercy

by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris van Dusen

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The prequel to Kate DiCamillo’s beloved Mercy Watson series is ideal for new readers. Whether they’ve grown up listening to older siblings read about Mercy’s escapades or they’re new to Deckawoo Drive, they’ll love every minute of this origin story.

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Can I Be Your Dog?

by Troy Cummings

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Arfy the mutt sends heartfelt (and hilarious) letters to everyone on Butternut Street, angling for a forever home. Who could say no to that cute face?

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Llama Llama Loves to Read

by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan

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Little Llama’s love for reading is contagious. Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan perfectly capture the exhilaration over that first time we start to recognize words.

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Frozen Worlds

by Caryn Jenner

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Snowbirds and fans of Frozen are certain to revisit this entertaining and educational read, all about arctic environments and the animals (and people!) who live in them.

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National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony

by Kitson Jazynka

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Celebrate the remarkable life of women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony with this National Geographic co-reader, which brings parents and children to the page together.

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Where’s Baby?

by Anne Hunter

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Papa Fox searches the forest for Baby Fox in this clever and beautifully illustrated picture book that teaches prepositions.

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Jump!

by David McPhail

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Watercolor artwork and a group of animal and human friends make this one a reader favorite. The I Like to Read Series features books spanning from Levels A to G, guiding your beginning reader to new heights.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2020.