My youngest daughter is learning to read, and I’ve lately spent my time at the library browsing the picture books for those that will peak her interest and also give her a chance to practice her sight words. So far, I’ve found dozens of wonderful books, but three of them have stood out to me.
These have been such fun reads that my older daughter has joined us. Books like these make bedtime and learning to read a joy for both parents and children.
What are some of your favorite picture books for this age group? I’ll share more as I continue to find them.
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 
Emily, thanks for the recommendations. Are you excited by the Beatrix Potter manuscript which was uncovered? My kids loved her books. Happy reading, Keith
WHAT?!?!? I didn’t hear about it. That sounds cool.
Here is article about it. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2016/01/26/rediscovered-beatrix-potter-story-delight-new-generation-kids/79348750/
I used to love going to the library and choosing piles of picture books for my kids. Some were hits and some were not, but it didn’t matter because they were all free and we had piles of them! I do miss the picture book days…
Which ones stood out? Off the top of my head I’m thinking of Phoebe Gilman’s books – have you read any of hers? Also, my youngest loved one called “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes.
We have never run into the ones shown in your post, but now I want to read them (whether or not I have a child to read them with). 🙂
I totally enjoyed these, and I would’ve enjoyed them without my child next to me! I need to become acquainted with Gilman’s books.
Jillian Jiggs is cute, but my favourites are Something From Nothing (so good), The Balloon Tree (beautiful pictures), Grandma and the Pirates (fun), and The Blue Hippopotamus (one of those kids books that the adults like better than the kids like it).
I just read a darling one that I’ll be reviewing in a few weeks called Snow by Uri Shulevitz. This is odd that I didn’t get an email notification that you posted your blog. I thought I was subscribed to your blog by email. Maybe not, since I don’t see a way to sign up that way on your page.
Weird. That has happened a few times to others. I’ll check out Snow!
My mum is a primary school teacher, and she said that ‘The Day the Crayons quit’ is great, if you’ve never seen that one!
I haven’t! I’ll look for it the next time we visit the library. Thanks.
A super adorable book series is “Mr. Putter and Tabby” by Cynthia Rylant. They may be a little hard for a first reader, but they’re great for about mid-elementary age.
Ooh, I’d love to check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Floris picture books are gorgeous hardback books ideal for that age group. My mother bought them for me as a child, and I still have my Floris collection for someday if/when I have children (although that won’t be happening any time soon!) I’ve also bought Floris books for my nieces as they are such lovely books.
Here’s a few links to some of my nieces’ favourites and some of my childhood favourites:
A Year Around the Great Oak
Children of the Forest
The Sun Egg
I have never heard of these! Why are they called Floris? I will definitely look into these either online or in my library. Thanks so much for making me aware of them.
It’s the name of the publisher — they’re an independent publishers based in Edinburgh: http://www.florisbooks.co.uk/index.php
Most of my Floris books are by Elsa Beskow, who is apparently known as the “Beatrix Potter of Sweden”: http://www.florisbooks.co.uk/authors/elsa-beskow.php
Ah, I see. How neat. Thanks for making me aware of these gems!
Thank you for the recommendations Emily. I’ll be getting them for my li’l sister to go through 🙂
I hope you both enjoy them!