Ages 4–5

Four-year-olds are exuberant explorers of their world. They are beginning to distinguish fantasy from reality, and they are working out relationships within families and friends.

They love words, so read a lot of poetry, and books with rhythmic language, repetition, and chants like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and The Cat in the Hat.

Sheila Rae, The Brave
By Kevin Henkes

Mama Don’t Allow
By Thacher Hurd

Frog and Toad Together
By Arnold Lobel

Froggy Gets Dressed
By Jonathan London

Red Riding Hood
By James Marshall

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
By Michael Rosen

The Cat In The Hat
By Dr. Seuss

Sylvester and The Magic Pebble
By William Steig

Talking Like The Rain: A First Book Of Poems
By X.J. Kennedy

The Mitten
By Alvin Tresselt