52 Children’s Books for 3 Year Olds

Looking for children’s books for 3 year olds? This comprehensive list includes 52 books to read with your child, perfect for the whole year!

Books for 3 Year Olds

Your 3 year old likely enjoys reading—no surprise there. In fact, a kindergartener’s interest in reading a book outside of school is 100%. But by fourth grade, that interest drops to 54%. That’s almost half. What changes in fourth grade?

Parents stopped reading to their kids.

At some point, your child won’t “need” you to read to her. When she can read every word in a book, you might assume that the next logical step is to leave reading to her. Almost like it’s potty training—once she masters it, she’ll no longer need your help.

But that’s not the case with reading aloud. The more you read to her, especially at a young age, the longer her interest in reading can hold. She can associate reading with something special and positive.

So here’s a challenge I’d like to extend to you: Read aloud to your child. Even when she gets to the age where she can read every word in the book, keep reading to her. Read a bedtime story every night, or cuddle with a picture book. She’ll love the bonding experience of sitting next to you and hearing your voice.

Children’s books for 3 year olds

Around 3 years old, my kids entered that neat stage of reading where they’re able to comprehend storylines. They move from simple baby books to those with more complex words and clear stories to remember.

I’ve compiled several books 3-year-olds would love to read. It’s surprisingly tricky to find books that fit the preschooler age. You want the books to be hard enough to challenge your child, but not too difficult that she loses interest.

These books fit those criteria. Many are classics, while others I hadn’t heard of until I found them at the library. And they’re also books little kids love and enjoy. Check out what fellow mom Lexi had to say about the list:

“Hi, Nina! I loved this list. My child is heading into 3 and loves reading. This was super helpful because it gives me an idea as to what he might like! Thank you!” -Lexi

And why 52? I like preparing for the year with 52 books I recommend, one for each week. Think of it as your weekly guide to fantastic books your 3 year old would love to read. So, take a look at the best books perfect for three-year-olds:

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

(Check out more children’s books by Julia Donaldson)

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The Dot by Peter H Reynolds

The Dot by Peter H Reynolds

Bunnies on the Go by Rick Walton

Bunnies on the Go by Rick Walton

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

Cityblock by Christopher Franceschelli

Cityblock by Christopher Franceschelli

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Down by the Bay by Raffi

Down by the Bay by Raffi

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins

There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein

I’m My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein

"Let's Get a Pup!" said Kate by Bob Graham

“Let’s Get a Pup!” said Kate by Bob Graham

Little Big Girl by Claire Keane

Little Big Girl by Claire Keane

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Monsters Go Night-Night by Aaron Zenz

Monsters Go Night-Night by Aaron Zenz

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Night Animals by Gianna Marino

No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont

No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont

Sleepy the Goodnight Buddy

Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Rock-a-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman

Rock-a-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

"Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!" by Patricia Thomas

“Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” by Patricia Thomas

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray

Superhero Instruction Manual by Kristy Dempsey

Superhero Instruction Manual by Kristy Dempsey

Tree by Britta Teckentrup

Tree by Britta Teckentrup

That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell

Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy by Don Freeman

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

Read these next:

Source: The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Free resource: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and grab the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:

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2 Comments

  1. Hi Nina! I loved this list. My child is heading into 3 and loves reading. This was super helpful because it gives me an idea as to what he might like! Thank you!

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      I’m so glad the list came in handy, Lexi! Encouraging an early love for reading is a must! xo, Nina