Recommended Reading for English Learners
Age 4-7
These books are recommended for reading aloud to children. They are also suitable for early readers. Many of these books contain repetition and rhyme.
- A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hobermann
A rhyming book about homes for all sorts of creatures and things. - Alligator Pie (poems) by Dennis Lee
Silly rhymes for all ages. - Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish
A series of picture books about a housekeeper who take everything literally. Fun for learning English expressions. - Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthall
A funny story about a role reversal. - Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (non-fiction) by Steve Jenkins
World records of the animal kingdom. Introduces superlatives. - Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak
Rhyming poetry about the months of the year. - Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Cows type letters to their farmer on a typewriter. Lots of repetition. Good for introducing persuasive writing. - Corduroy by Don Freeman
The story of a bear and a girl who are destined to be best friends forever. - Don’t Let the Pigeon series by Mo Willems
A humorous simplistic series about a pigeon who tells the reader how he wants to do and have things. - Dr. Seuss (series of books such as Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Sox, Hop on Pop, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)
Rhyming books by a master storyteller. Great for phonics programs. Easy for early readers. - If You Give a Mouse (series) by Laura Numeroff
A series about a charming mouse. Can be used to introduces the "if" clause. - Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman
A fun story about a messy child who drives her mom crazy. Fun for reading out loud and practising expressive reading. Lots of repetition. - Punctuation Takes a Vacation by Robin Pulver
A fun story for introducing basic punctuation. - Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What are the patterns? by Jane Brocket
Vivid images for teaching about patterns. - The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
A classic moral tale about recognizing beauty that's on the inside. - Where the Sidewalk Ends (poems) by Shel Silverstein
A collection of silly poems and drawings. - Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
A classic story about a group of friends. - Yo! Yes by Chris Raschka
A simple tale of a new friendship between two boys who have many differences. Told in 34 words.