Better Beginnings Books for 4s & 5s!

Books on this list have been selected by the Better Beginnings team of children's literature specialists.

Updated November 8, 2024
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The gruffalo
Donaldson, Julia.
Paper Book
This rhythmic read-aloud par excellence follows a clever mouse on a walk through the deep dark wood, where he encounters several hungry inhabitants who want to make him their main course. Lacking size or strength as defenses, quick-witted Mouse instead taps the powers of his imagination to create...
Too many pears!
French, Jackie.
Paper Book
Pamela the cow loves pears, and will do just about anything to get them. But will anyone else ever get to eat a pear again? Certainly not until Pamela has had her fill . . . and chooses something else to eat!
Not that pet!
Prasadam-Halls, Smriti
Paper Book
Some are too scary, some are too smelly, some are too wiggly, and some are too giggly. Can Mabel find the perfect pet for her family? Not noisy or scary or covered in spikes. She'd choose something friendly that EVERYONE likes. Mabel's family is...
No! Never! : a cautionary tale
Hathorn, Libby; Hathorn-Jarman, Lisa; Pearce, Mel
Paper Book
There was a child, The sweetest ever, Until she learned these words: 'NO! NEVER!' Georgie is a sweet little girl who always makes her parents happy... until she discovers one powerful phrase: No! Never! It suddenly becomes her answer to...
Oh no, George!
Haughton, Chris.
Paper Book
Bold, hilarious artwork captures the innocent charm of affable George, a dog who is trying to be good -- with disastrous results. George is a dog with all the best intentions. And his owner, Harry, has all the best hopes that George will be a well-behaved dog when he leaves him...
Three
King, Stephen Michael
Paper Book
A heartwarming story about how perfect it is to be you! One, two, three . . .One, two, three . . .Every day was a skip and a hop for Three. He was happy to walk from here to there, wherever his nose led, or wherever his legs took him . . . all the way to new friends.Three is a homeless three...
Pete the cat. I love my white shoes
Litwin, Eric
Paper Book
Don't miss the first and bestselling book in the beloved Pete the Cat series! Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other...
Duck!
McKinlay, Megan
Paper Book
In this funny nod to Chicken Little, a quiet afternoon on the farm might be the scene of a barnyard disaster waiting to happen. When Duck runs around the farm shouting "DUCK!" to the other animals, they grow exasperated as they haughtily explain to Duck which animal is which....
Facts vs. opinions vs. robots
Rex, Michael
Paper Book
A hilarious, timely conversation about the differences between facts and opinions, by the creator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight Goon Do you know the difference between a fact and an opinion? It can be a hard thing to understand. Some things are facts...
Wombat stew
Vaughan, Marcia K.
Paper Book
A dingo intent on making wombat stew receives cooking suggestions from the other animals, unaware that they are protecting their fellow creature.
The art of words
Vescio, Robert
Paper Book
Words are everywhere! Come on this lively adventure to learn more about how they can be shortened, extended, and even switched around. Meet ugly words, colourful words, and words that just need a friend. The Art of Words is a unique, fun and interactive story about the magic of...
Wise before five
Walden, Libby
Paper Book
Wise Before Five is a celebratory guide to everything a child has learnt by the time they reach five years old. Covering topics from the alphabet and numbers to daily routine, mindfulness and road safety, this book sets out to build confidence and give five-year-olds the power to realise that...

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