At All About Speech & Language, we know that reading isn’t just about enjoying stories – it’s about helping children develop essential skills for life. Books are one of the most powerful tools to support your child’s growth, and we’ve handpicked 10 of our favorites that every preschooler should have on their bookshelf. These books help develop skills like problem-solving, empathy, vocabulary, and more, all in fun and engaging ways.
Tip: Pair these books with activities from our Preschool Readiness Program (https://aasltherapy.com/product/preschool-readiness-program/) for a well-rounded learning experience! Our program includes over 20+ videos, downloadable activities, and expert tips from speech and occupational therapists, designed to help prepare your little one for school success.
1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Reason we love it: Helps children learn colors and builds early vocabulary. Introduces color names in a fun and repetitive way. Encourages children to anticipate the next animal, promoting prediction skills.
2. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Reason we love it: Teaches problem-solving and emotional regulation. Pete doesn’t let small mishaps ruin his day, helping kids learn how to stay calm and adapt.
3. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Reason we love it: Enhances location awareness and spatial concepts. Great for teaching spatial vocabulary like “under,” “behind,” and “next to.” The interactive flaps make it engaging for little ones to explore while learning.
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Reason we love it: Perfect for introducing sequencing and counting skills. Children follow the sequence of the caterpillar’s transformation while also learning numbers. Reinforces the concept of first, next, and last.
5. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Reason we love it: Teaches friendship and empathy. Shows the importance of helping others and teamwork. The rhyme scheme keeps children engaged while learning valuable social skills.
6. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
Reason we love it: Encourages creative thinking and problem-solving. The little mouse tries various strategies to protect his strawberry from the bear. Helps children think through different solutions to a problem in a playful, engaging way.
7. Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
Reason we love it: Builds early vocabulary through rhyming and repetition. Simple yet engaging text introduces new words with fun visuals. The playful guessing element keeps children engaged while learning key words in context.
8. The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems
Reason we love it: Helps with hygiene skills and emotional regulation. Perfect for teaching about the importance of cleanliness in a fun, relatable way. Children can relate to the pigeon’s reluctance to bathe, learning how to regulate those emotions.
9. Bear Counts by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Reason we love it: Teaches numbers and counting skills. Engages children in counting objects with a friendly bear, making numbers fun. Reinforces early math skills through bright illustrations.
10. Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
Reason we love it: Great for teaching empathy and emotional regulation. Llama learns how to share and manage his feelings when things don’t go his way. Promotes discussions about feelings and how to navigate social situations.
By adding these books to your preschooler’s collection, you’ll create memorable storytime moments while fostering critical language, emotional, and problem-solving skills. And don’t forget to check out our Preschool Readiness Program (https://aasltherapy.com/product/preschool-readiness-program/), where our expert team offers additional resources and activities to help prepare your child for school success!
Happy reading!
Tags: Autism, down syndrome, handwriting, occupational therapist, occupational therapy, Social Skills, special needs, speech impediment, speech therapy