18 Must-Have Books for 4-Year-Olds
by Jennifer Clare
We’re in luck. My four-year-old has no shortage of sources for new books to add to her shelf: She’s got hand-me-downs from relatives, an active library at her preschool, a mom who works in publishing (that’s me!), and generous grandparents who are obsessive readers themselves. But no matter how many shiny, new titles she inherits, these are the books she loves (and I love) to read over and over again.
-
Don't Think of Tigers
Buy from:I absolutely adore this hilarious interactive book, and both of my girls can't get enough of it. The narrator/illustrator of the story claims he is not good at drawing tigers and implores the reader to think of anything else for him to draw. Well, knowing little kids, you know they are going to think of tigers. It's a delightful story that delivers a playful message about the value of practice and creativity.
Buy from: -
Repeat After Me
Buy from:We first borrowed this one from the library and ultimately ended up giving it a permanent place on our bookshelf because we loved it so much. It's full of the most beautiful, empowering affirmations for kids to repeat out loud. And the messages really sink in, helping kids to feel loved and valued with each read.
Buy from: -
Corduroy
Buy from:This sweet tale makes for an excellent lesson on friendship and the comfort of home. There’s also something very exciting about watching a bear roaming around an empty shopping mall in the wee hours of night.
Buy from: -
The Book with No Pictures
Buy from:There’s a reason why this title tops so many Funniest Children’s Book lists — it’s flat-out hilarious. No matter how many times we read this thing, my kid is LOL’ing.
Buy from: -
How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings
Buy from:Anyone who's ever spent time around a four-year-old knows that they can have some very big feelings. This book, with its super helpful tips, has been instrumental in teaching my daughter how to calm herself down when those feelings become too overwhelming.
Buy from: -
How to Babysit a Grandpa and How to Babysit a Grandma
Buy from:If your four-year-old spends any time with the grandparents, these books are a must. They’re each written in the form of an instructional manual for kids who are looking after their grandpa or grandma. I love the way they flip the babysitting duties from child to adult, and they always get my daughter cracking up.
Buy from: -
Sparky!
Buy from:This story is all about a girl trying to make the best of her very lazy pet sloth. Sparky! is amusing and offers up beautiful illustrations. At its core, this book is all about accepting individuals for who they are. (Also, who doesn’t love a sloth?)
Buy from: -
Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?
Buy from:Richard Scarry is a favorite in our house and this particular title really delivers. Be prepared though — these books are a treasure trove of information and will likely stir up a lot of questions. My daughter can spend hours with this one and we discover something new each time we read it.
Buy from: -
Dandelion Magic
Buy from:Part story, part game, this interactive adventure invites kids to blow, roar, and giggle their way through a magical pirate quest sparked by a very special dandelion.
Buy from: -
The Book That Almost Rhymed
Buy from:Siblings will recognize this hilarious battle of ideas as a brother's carefully crafted rhyming story is gleefully hijacked by his little sister's wonderfully wild imagination. My four-year-old is just starting to recognize words that rhyme so this one is extra fun for her.
Buy from: -
No One Likes a Fart
Buy from:Yes, four-year-olds universally love potty humor, and for a parent, that can get old really fast, but I appreciate this book for its sweet and silly story about a smelly fart in search of friendship.
Buy from: -
The Day the Crayons Quit
Buy from:This hilarious story kicks off when Duncan opens his box of crayons, only to find that the crayons have gone on strike! Duncan will have to figure out a way to make his crayons happy again so they can all go back to making art together. Highlighted by Oliver Jeffers’s trademark illustrations, expect to read this one on repeat.
Buy from: -
The Rabbit Listened
Buy from:Another one that scores big points in emotional literacy, this sweet picture book finds Taylor on a difficult day. All of her animal friends have ideas for how Taylor should respond to her sadness, but the rabbit just listens, which is often the best gift we can give to our friends.
Buy from: -
Uni the Unicorn
Buy from:Despite what she’s been told, Uni the unicorn still believes that little girls exist, and she dreams of what friendship might be like with one. Will she find a human friend of her very own?
Buy from: -
The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung
Buy from:Inspired by the nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built," this rollicking cumulative tale follows a farm maiden, a piñata, and an ever-growing cast of characters in a story that begs to be read aloud. My girls also love the clever way the story incorporates Spanish words.
Buy from: -
How Rocket Learned to Read
Buy from:Like many 4-year-olds, Rocket is on a journey of learning how to read. Luckily, he’s got a wonderful teacher in a wise and tiny yellow bird. This joyful bestseller will get your little one reading, too.
Buy from: -
Grumpy Monkey
Buy from:We all wake up on the wrong side of the bed sometimes, and Jim Panzee is having one of those days. But the more his friends try to shake the doldrums out of Jim, the grumpier he gets. An important (and amusing) reminder that it’s important to feel our feelings.
Buy from: -
Just Help!
Buy from:In such a divided world, I think it's especially important to raise kids who are kind. From sharing a smile to lending a hand, this uplifting picture book shows kids that small acts of kindness can make a big difference every day.
Buy from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2026.