Dive into the best books for 5-year-olds! These wonderful stories not only captivate young readers but also encourage imagination, problem-solving, and early literacy skills.
Aligning with the Complete 5 Year Curriculum, these books focus on the weekly themes and learning goals while inspiring creativity and independent thinking. The activities in the Lesson Plans bring the stories to life, offering plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and fun.
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Hermie: A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado tells the story of Hermie, a caterpillar who feels ordinary and overlooked compared to others. As Hermie struggles with his insecurities, he learns that God has a special plan for everyone, even the seemingly "common." This heartwarming story teaches children about self-worth, trust in God, and the idea that each person is unique and important in their own way.
Stone Soup by Heather Forest is a retelling of the classic folk tale where hungry soldiers arrive in a village and convince the suspicious townspeople to contribute small amounts of food to make a delicious soup. Through cooperation and sharing, the villagers learn the value of community and generosity. This timeless story highlights themes of collaboration, resourcefulness, and the power of working together.
Losing teeth is a big milestone for preschool and elementary-aged children. Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate is a charming story about Little Rabbit, who is excited and a bit nervous because he has a loose tooth. As he worries about the tooth coming out, his family and friends offer their support, each in their own way. This gentle story helps children understand the process of losing a tooth, and it emphasizes the importance of family and reassurance during new experiences.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett is a whimsical story set in the town of Chewandswallow, where food falls from the sky like weather. The townspeople experience a variety of unusual weather patterns, including spaghetti storms and hamburgers raining down, leading to fun and chaotic situations. This imaginative tale is a playful exploration of creativity and problem-solving, with a lighthearted approach to the importance of managing resources.
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson tells the story of a boy who has a new neighbor he considers his "enemy." When his dad suggests making "enemy pie," the boy believes it’s a secret recipe for getting rid of enemies. However, as the boy spends time with his "enemy," he learns that they have more in common than he thought, and what he thought was a recipe for trouble turns into a recipe for friendship. This story teaches lessons about kindness, overcoming prejudice, and the power of friendship.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! by Lucille Colandro is a playful, seasonal twist on the classic cumulative rhyme. In this story, the old lady swallows a series of autumn-themed items—like leaves, a pumpkin, and even a scarecrow—that come together to form a surprise at the end. This humorous and rhythmic book is perfect for young children, making them giggle as they follow along with the old lady’s silly fall adventure.
In Snowmen at Night by Carolyn Buehner, readers are taken on a whimsical journey into the nighttime activities of snowmen as they come to life when the sun goes down. As children sleep, the snowmen embark on various adventures, from building their own creations to exploring the winter landscape. One of our favorite picture books, the story is filled with playful illustrations that capture the magic of snowmen enjoying the night, ultimately culminating in the delightful mystery of what happens when morning arrives.
A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn shares the story of Chester Raccoon, who is having a hard time adjusting to the arrival of a new baby brother. Chester feels worried and unsure about the changes in his family. His mother reassures him by giving him a "pocket full of kisses" so that he can carry her love with him wherever he goes. This comforting story helps children understand the feelings that come with big changes in the family, such as the arrival of a new sibling.
The ABCJesusLovesMe 5 Year Curriculum is designed to foster academic, Bible, and developmental growth in a play-based format. Ideal for a transitional kindergarten program or as a supplement for kindergarten learning, this Curriculum offers easy-to-follow Lesson Plans and engaging activities that build the confidence and skills a child needs for success!
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is the classic story of Mike Mulligan, a hardworking steam shovel operator, and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne. When new, more modern machines take over the work of steam shovels, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves without jobs. Undeterred, they take on one last challenge to dig a basement for a new town hall. As the story unfolds, Mike and Mary Anne prove their worth and demonstrate that hard work, ingenuity, and friendship can overcome obstacles.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud teaches children the importance of kindness and empathy. The story introduces the concept of "bucket filling," where each person carries an invisible bucket that gets filled with positive actions and words. When we are kind to others, we fill their bucket, and when we are unkind, we dip from their bucket. This simple, yet powerful message encourages children to be kind, respectful, and considerate toward others, helping them understand the impact their actions have on those around them. This book needs to be read in every home and classroom.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina is a classic children's book about a peddler who sells caps. He takes a nap under a tree, and when he wakes up, he discovers that all his caps are gone. He soon realizes that a group of mischievous monkeys has stolen them and is wearing them on their heads. The peddler tries various strategies to get his caps back, eventually outsmarting the monkeys.
Another one of my favorite childhood books, Corduroy by Don Freeman is a beloved story about a teddy bear named Corduroy who lives in a department store. He is missing a button on his overalls, which makes him feel imperfect and unworthy of being bought. Corduroy embarks on an adventure through the store to find his button. Though unsuccessful, the next day Corduroy is bought, and his button is fixed, showing him the love and care he longed for.
Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems is a humorous story featuring the beloved characters Elephant and Piggie. In this book, Gerald the Elephant is asked to wait for a surprise, but he struggles with the patience required. His friend, Piggie, tries to reassure him that the wait will be worth it, but Gerald becomes increasingly frustrated. Through witty dialogue and expressive illustrations, the book teaches children about the challenges of waiting and the joy that comes when the wait is over. Spend time focusing on the pictures and do a picture walk through the story to fully appreciate the humor and emotions conveyed through the artwork.
No Matter What by Debi Gliori is a heartwarming story about the unconditional love between a parent and child. The book features a little fox named Small, who is feeling uncertain and worried about whether they will still be loved if they misbehave or make mistakes. Their parent, Large, reassures them with comforting words, expressing that no matter what happens, their love will always remain.
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is a classic children's book that follows a young boy named Harold who uses his purple crayon to draw his own adventures. With just a simple crayon, Harold creates imaginative landscapes and encounters, from a moonlit adventure to sailing across a sea. This charming story not only sparks creativity and imagination but also emphasizes the power of drawing and storytelling in a child's world.
Discover a variety of holiday activities that keep Jesus at the heart of your celebrations! From crafts to family traditions, these ideas will help you create meaningful moments for your family or classroom that focus on the true reason for the season.
God Gave Us Prayer by Lisa Tawn Bergren helps children understand the concept of prayer and how they can talk to God. Little Bear learns from his family that prayer is a way to communicate with God, whether to say thank you, ask for help, or share feelings. This gentle, faith-based book encourages children to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer.
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper is a classic tale about a small but determined engine tasked with pulling a long train over a steep mountain after bigger engines refuse to help. With the mantra “I think I can, I think I can,” the little engine perseveres and succeeds. This timeless story teaches children the values of optimism and hard work, inspiring them to overcome challenges. This one of my favorite preschool books.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo is a delightful story about a lovable, plump pig named Mercy Watson. Mercy lives with her kind owners, Mr. and Mrs. Watson, and has a knack for getting into trouble. It’s the first book in the Mercy Watson series, full of lighthearted adventures. Even into their teens and adulthood, my kids talk about the adventures of Mercy Watson.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is a whimsical and fun tale about dragons who absolutely love tacos. However, things take a chaotic turn when they accidentally eat spicy salsa, which dragons can't handle!
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey tells the story of little Sal and her mother as they pick blueberries on a hillside. Meanwhile, a bear cub and its mother are also gathering berries nearby. This charming tale gently intertwines the two adventures, highlighting nature and the sweet innocence of childhood, while offering plenty of opportunities to emphasize the color blue and letter "B" with words like "Blueberries" and "Bear."
What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins is an engaging, interactive book that introduces children to the unique ways animals use their body parts. Through beautiful illustrations and simple, informative text, young readers learn how different animals use their tails, noses, ears, and more to survive in the wild. It’s a fun, nonfiction read, perfect for sparking curiosity about the animal kingdom.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett retells the classic fable about two mice who swap homes to experience each other's way of life. The town mouse visits the country, and the country mouse explores the town, but both discover that their own homes are where they truly belong.
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer is a heartwarming story about a father and son who go on a camping trip together. Little Critter is excited to spend quality time with his dad, but despite his best efforts to help, things don't always go as planned. Through these mishaps, the story highlights the bond between father and child, emphasizing the joy of spending time together, even when things don't go perfectly.
Dodsworth In New York by Tim Egan follows Dodsworth, a mild-mannered traveler, and his mischievous duck as they explore New York City. While Dodsworth wants a relaxing trip, the duck's antics lead to an unexpected adventure through the city's famous landmarks. This humorous story combines exploration and friendship, offering a playful glimpse of New York through the eyes of two unlikely companions. We enjoyed many of Dodsworth's travels around the world.
For late preschool or elementary-aged kiddos, The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt tells the story of three trees that dream of their future. Each tree has a vision for what it wants to become: one as a mighty ship, another as a beautiful treasure chest, and the last as a tall mountain. However, their dreams take unexpected turns as they fulfill God's purpose in ways they never imagined, ultimately illustrating themes of hope, faith, and the significance of each tree's journey.
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney introduces young readers to the concept of maps and geography through the eyes of a little girl who explores her place in the world. She starts with her room, then her house, town, country, and eventually the whole globe, showing children how they fit into the bigger picture. It's a great resource for teaching kids about their surroundings and where they live in relation to the world.
Doctor De Soto by William Steig is a clever story about a kind and intelligent mouse dentist, Doctor De Soto, who treats animals of all sizes—except those that are dangerous to mice, like foxes. When a sly fox with a toothache comes in for treatment, Doctor De Soto faces a dilemma.
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The following books are listed in the Complete 5 Year Curriculum as optional additions.
The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village by Francis Chan is an engaging parable about a village that struggles to work their big red tractor, believing it is difficult and slow. However, when a hidden instruction manual is found, they discover the tractor can do much more than they imagined. This story teaches children about the importance of the Bible, following the Holy Spirit, and obedience.
What Am I Feeling? by Josh and Christi Straub is a wonderful book that helps children recognize, name, and manage their emotions. Through the story, the characters learn to ask God for help and remember that “a feeling is just a feeling — it doesn’t control you.” The book also includes an adorable poster illustrating nine different emotions, making it a great tool to help children identify what they’re feeling.
Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw is a heartwarming story about two pen pals, Elliot from America and Kailash from India, who discover that their worlds are both similar and different. Through letters and drawings, they share their daily lives, realizing that while their cultures and surroundings may differ, they have much in common. The book beautifully illustrates the themes of diversity, friendship, and understanding across cultures.
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle is an interactive, engaging book where animals demonstrate various movements, such as a giraffe bending its neck or a monkey wiggling its hips, encouraging young readers to follow along.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle follows the journey of a small caterpillar as he eats his way through a variety of foods over a week's time. Starting with one apple and gradually increasing his intake, the caterpillar's appetite grows until he transforms into a beautiful butterfly. This classic story contains repetitive text, a focus on counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
Busy, Busy World by Richard Scarry takes readers on a global journey, introducing them to characters and adventures from different countries around the world. Each short story showcases fun and educational scenarios, often involving Scarry's iconic animal characters, teaching children about various cultures and professions in an engaging, lighthearted way. This classic book emphasizes the diversity of people and places while remaining playful and imaginative.
Little Red Riding Hood is a classic fairy tale about a young girl who sets off through the forest to visit her grandmother. Along the way, she encounters a sly wolf who tricks her and arrives at her grandmother's house first. In the story, Red Riding Hood learns the importance of being cautious and listening to the advice of her elders. The tale is often told with various interpretations, but it generally teaches lessons about safety, trust, and the consequences of not being careful.
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox celebrates the diversity and shared humanity of children around the world. The book emphasizes that, no matter where we come from or what we look like, we all have feelings, dreams, and experiences that connect us. Through beautiful illustrations and simple, rhythmic text, this book encourages understanding, empathy, and appreciation for people from all walks of life.
The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell is a southwestern twist on the classic Three Little Pigs tale. In this version, three javelinas (wild pigs) set out to build homes in the desert to protect themselves from the Big Bad Coyote. Each javelina builds a different kind of home, and the coyote tries to blow them down. The story combines humor, rhyming text, and vibrant illustrations to teach lessons about resourcefulness, perseverance, and the importance of working together.
Going to the Doctor by Anne Civardi is a comforting story for young children who may feel anxious about visiting the doctor. The book follows a young child as they prepare for and go through a doctor's appointment, addressing common concerns and explaining the process in a simple, reassuring way.
