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
Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler's brilliant, characterful illustrations come together in this perfect read aloud--a perfect gift for any special occasion! A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox,...
Stellarphant
Foley, James
Paper Book
Stella wants to be an astronaut ... but Stella is an elephant. Every time she applies to Space Command, they come up with a new reason she can't join. But where there's a will, there's a way and Stella is determined to reach for the stars.
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...
Oh no, george!: 10th anniversary edition
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.
A Is for Australian Animals
Lessac, Frane
Paper Book
There are so many amazing animals to be found in Australia -- and many of them are found nowhere else in the world. Discover thirty-eight of the weird and wonderful creatures of Down Under -- from the iconic kangaroo to the puzzling echidna; from the tiny crusader bug to the...
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, Meg
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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