With the turn of a page in a book, children can journey under the sea, wander into the woods or blast off into outer space. Books can be a source of entertainment, but also education – as kids can learn about history or prepare for a milestone.
Reading boasts big benefits, too.
“Reading is essential to just about everything in life. It is a fundamental skill that unlocks learning and provides children with the means to build knowledge, enjoyment, independence and self-confidence. Reading is an exercise for the mind and is important to develop language and comprehension skills,” says JoAnne Elkin, an early literacy consultant with the Macomb Intermediate School District. “Reading ensures that children are exposed to vocabulary and encounter new words, phrases and writing styles. Reading requires children to process information in a way that television can’t. It’s critical to start at a young age and teach children the value and joy of reading so they grow to practice it – the best way to get better at reading is just to do it!”
Whether you’re looking for books to read to your preschooler, or searching for selections for early readers, browse the list below – courtesy of the MISD.
Social emotional development books
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
- Elmer by David Mckee
- Everybody Feels by Kirsten M. Johnson
- I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
Series books
- Berenstain Bears by Stan, Jan and Mike Berenstain
- Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories
- Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
- Curious George by H.A. Rey
- If Your Give … by Laura Numeroff
- Little Critter by Mercer Mayer
- Pete the Cat by James Dean
Caldecott award-winning books
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
- My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks
- A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry
- Finders Keepers by Will Lipkind
- Once a Mouse… by Marcia Brown
Books about going to school
- Ryan and Ruby Go to Kindergarten by Alexander McNeece and Wendy Betway
- Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
- Kindergarten Rocks by Katie Davis
- When Kangaroo Goes to School by Sonia Levitin
- Off to Kindergarten by Tony Johnston
- I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
- First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
- How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
Alphabet books
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
- Dr. Seuss’ ABC by Dr. Seuss
- The Alphabet Book by P.D. Eastman
- Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
- Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming
- A Was Once An Apple Pie by Suse MacDonald
- Eric Carle’s ABC by Eric Carle
- Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Multicultural books
- What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss
- Do You Know What I’ll Do? by Charlotte Zolotow
- Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? by Bernelda Wheeler
- Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney
- My Granny Went to Market by Stella Blackstone
- One Afternoon by Yumi Heo
- Margaret and Margarita/ Margarita y Margaret by Lynn Reiser
- Celebrating Families by Rosmarie Hausherr
Music and arts books
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
- Ballerina! by Peter Sis
- Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
- Elephants Can Paint Too by Katya Arnold
- Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
- Play Mozart, Play! by Peter Sis
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Counting and numbers books
- Over in the Meadow by Jill McDonald
- Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
- 26 Letters and 99 Cents by Tana Hoban
- Ten Wishing Stars: A Countdown to Bedtime Book by Treesha Runnells
- Chicka Chicka 1-2-3 by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
- Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
- Let’s Count by Tana Hoban
- Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz
For more information on the Macomb Intermediate School District, visit misd.net.
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
