It's perfectly fine and normal for kids to have different reading levels and interests—and it's important for the adults in their life to grow the love of reading by honoring their reading choices.
However, if you're looking for help in identifying a book that is a perfect fit for your child, feel free to ask an MCPL staff member or try the 5 Finger Rule: open the book to a full page of text. Read the page to yourself. Every time you come across a word you don’t know, hold up a finger. If you hold up five fingers before the end of the page, you should find another book. If you hold up four fingers or less, the book is right for you!
Take a look at some of our favorite books that typically work for ages 3–6.
Compiled by:
Kathleen
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Hed)
Told from the perspective of both the girl, Nia, and her pet turtle, Alfie, and describes what happens when he disappears on the eve of her seventh birthday to find her a special present. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile picture book - Ej Wol)
Soft illustrations and rhyming text remind us that all we need to be happy is the little hings - and celebrates the beauty of sharing with others when one has more than enough. Recommended for ages 3--6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Ati)
B is for Baby. B is for Brother. B is for going to see Baba! One morning after breakfast, Baby's big brother is getting ready to take the basket of bananas all the way to Baba's bungalow in the next village. He'll have to go along the bumpy road, past the baobab trees, birds, and butterflies, and all the way over the bridge. But what he doesn't realize is that his very cute, very curious baby sibling has stowed away on his bicycle. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Lin)
Reimagine the cycles of the moon as a mother bakes a Big Moon Cake and, despite Mama's request to wait, Little Star begins nibbling at it every night. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Bates)
By the door there is an umbrella so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath – regardless of who they are. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Early Readers - J-ER Lo)
Five tales of the adventures of two lovable best friends. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Hor)
Goat is tired of eating grass. Goat spends Saturday wandering the farmyard in pursuit of some new fare. What will she eat next? Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Tho)
A little girl discovers all the bright colors in her Hispanic American neighborhood. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile picture book - Ej Pet)
An affectionate group of sea creatures learn to ask permission to hug their prickly pufferfish friend. Recommended for ages 3--6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Kan)
Two cuddly, fuzzy creatures go to an amusement park and discover that being frightened may not be as scary as one thinks. Recommended for ages 3--6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Cornwall)
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board! Discover a moment between a patient father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Wil)
A trip to the laundromat leads to a momentous occasion when Trixie (too young to speak words) realizes that something important is missing and struggles to explain the problem to her father. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile picture book - Ej Hou)
Follow two children in their interactive journey through trees, over sand dunes, across a river, on top of clouds, and inside a dark cave on their way to the playground. Recommended for ages 3--6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Cyr)
This rhyming story celebrates the importance of planting different trees (and introduces the concept of orders of magnitude) and presents diverse ecosystems. Recommended for ages 3--6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Lon)
Through illustrations and simple text, birds demonstrate the meanings of the words up, tall, and high. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book - Ej Kni)
Usha and Aarti, and their cousin Gloria, all see different things when they look at the stars.
(Juvenile Early Readers - J-ER Kel)
Walt is not the tallest or the curliest or the pointiest or even the crunchiest. A confounded blade of grass searches for his 'est' in this hilarious story about growing up. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej She)
When Reuben the bear brings doughnuts to his forest friends, they discover that his pants are wet and he angrily accuses them of the dirty deed. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 591.479 Lun)
A young, playful nonfiction picture book explores the connections between an animal, how it moves, and its tracks. Recommended for ages 3-6.