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 your librarians 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 5 fingers before the end of the page, you should find another book. If you hold up 4 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.
Staff Picks: Ages 3-6
Compiled by:
Ginny H.
(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 Martinez-Neal)
When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents. 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 Sny)
Four hilarious stories, two inventive brothers, one irresistible book! Join Charlie and Mouse as they talk to lumps, take the neighborhood to a party, sell some rocks, and invent the bedtime banana. 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 Early Readers - J-ER Mil)
Series: Adventures of Otto; 6
Since landing on Earth, Otto has made many friends, but what Otto wants most is to visit his family. Will Otto’s spaceship take him up, up, up, so he can go, go, go? Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Bro)
In rhyming text, when the whole family and guests show up for the big dinner at Grandma's house, it becomes clear that the house is much too small to hold them all. 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)
*This item also available on Cloud Library and Hoopla. A little girl discovers all the bright colors in her Hispanic American neighborhood. 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 Early Readers - J-ER Mi)
Series: An I Can Read Book
Little Bear's adventures include a trip to the moon and a birthday party. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Early Readers - J-ER Bel)
Rabbit is excited about the sleepover he has carefully planned for his friend Robot, but Robot has some different ideas about how things should go. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(Juvenile Picture Books Nonfiction - Ej 595.78 Mar)
Illustrations and rhyming text follow ten caterpillars as one wriggles up a flower stem, another sails across a garden pool, and one reaches an apple leaf, where something amazing happens. 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 Age)
A knight who feels secure on his side of the wall that divides his book discovers that his side is not as safe as he thought, and the other side is not as threatening. Recommended for ages 3-6.
(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.