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!
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 of a three-legged dog who follows his nose all over the city, out to the country, and into the arms of a new friend. One, two, three... One, two, three... Every day was a skip And a hop For 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.

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