Parents and grandparents can use the list of best books for kindergarten kids to buy Christmas presents and holiday gifts for young children aged 4 to 7 years old.
Adults can foster a love of reading and books in young children by giving them high quality children’s literature as Christmas or birthday gifts. Children’s books provide numerous hours of enjoyment for both the recipient and the giver. By choosing to give books as gifts parents are showing kids that reading is fun and exciting.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Kindergarten children will easily identify with the main character in Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day [Simon & Schuster, 1972]. Alexander’s terrible day starts with waking up with gum in his hair and doesn’t get any better from there. This children’s story can get a smile out of any kid who may be having a bad day.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Bear Snores On [McElderry Books, 2002] is Karma Wilson’s first book featuring the beloved Bear character. In the story Mouse, Hare, Badger, Mole, Wren, and Raven seek shelter from the winter cold in Bear’s den. No matter what they do “Bear snores on” until finally he wakes up and joins the party. Bear Snores On is a winter themed favorite of many kindergarteners.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Bill Martin Jr.’s picture story book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? [Holt, 1992] is written in repetitive text that invites early readers to join in and read along with the story. The book begins with Brown Bear and features a new animal in a different color on each page. The text is enhanced by the illustrations of Eric Carle that capture the attention of young kids and help them to predict what the animal on that page will see.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault [Simon & Schuster, 1989] is the story of what happens when the letters of the alphabet try to climb a coconut tree. The text is simple and repetitive and can be used to help kids learn to identify upper and lower case letters and understand ABC order.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss [Random House, 1960] is one of the best children’s book to give to a kindergarten aged children. The engaging story is full of repetitive, decodable text that kids can quickly learn to read for themselves. Green Eggs and Ham is full of silly plot events that will have kids asking to read the book again and again.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie [HarperCollins, 1985] is a fun read for young kids. The silly story begins with a little boy giving a mouse a cookie. The mouse asks for a glass of milk and the adventures continue from there. Kids like the wacky situations and can’t wait to find out what the mouse will do next.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes [Greenwillow Books, 1996] is the story of a mouse named Lilly who idolizes her teacher Mr. Slinger until one day he takes away her beloved purse when she is being disruptive during class. Instead of apologizing Lilly gets mad and puts a mean drawing into Mr. Slinger’s bag.
When she gets her purse back and discovers a kind note from Mr. Slinger inside she feels remorseful and sets out to make things right again. Kindergarten kids can identify with Lilly’s impulsive misdeed and enjoy reading about how to correct a mistake.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are [HarperCollins, 1998] is an exciting journey into the world of a young boy’s imagination. When Max puts on a wolf costume and gets into trouble his mother sends him to his room without supper. Once there Max sails to the land of the Wild Things and romps around with the monsters. When Max gets homesick he returns to his bedroom and finds a warm dinner waiting for him. Kids and adults will enjoy this unique and creative story.
Primary school age children, especially kindergarteners, love a good story. Parents and other adults can encourage reading and writing by purchasing children’s books for their kids as holiday presents.