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Reading

Three young children lying on a colorful classroom mat, reading a picture book together. The children are focused on the open book, with shelves and toys softly blurred in the background.

150+ Book Recommendations for Kids: Book Lists for Preschool–2nd Grade

Discover engaging book picks for preschoolers through second graders, including summer reads, back-to-school favorites, and silly rhyming stories kids will love.

Table of Contents–Jump to Each Section

Best Rhyming Books for Young Readers

Book Recommendations for Kindergarteners

Book Recommendations for First Graders

Book Recommendations for Second Graders

More Book Lists for Kids

More Reading Activities for Kids

Cartoon ABC Mouse character reading a red book while walking

This collection of book recommendations for preschoolers through second graders is designed to support young readers all year long, from relaxing summer reading to books that help children feel confident and excited as they head back to school. We’ve highlighted a few favorites below and included links to our full list of recommendations.

You’ll find a mix of engaging stories, skill-building favorites, and rhyming books that add extra fun and a touch of silliness to reading practice, helping children stay motivated while developing early literacy skills. Whether you’re reading together at home or building a classroom library, these carefully chosen book lists make it easy to find stories kids love.

Best Rhyming Books for Young Readers

Rhyming books add extra fun to reading while helping children recognize word patterns and stay engaged while reading. Check out our full rhyming books for toddlers through second graders with the button below, and then try these rhyming activities after reading!

Illustrated book cover showing a sleeping cow curled up on a farm at night, with a barn, flowers, and a dark blue nighttime sky.

Night Night Farm by Roger Priddy

Illustrated book cover showing a smiling blue rabbit surrounded by colorful flowers, bugs, and playful lettering.

The Rhyming Rabbit by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Lydia Monks

Illustrated book cover of a child sitting at a table with bowls of food, preparing a meal with adults and a dog nearby.

Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

Illustrated book cover of a witch flying on a broomstick at night with a cat and other animals, set against a moonlit sky.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Illustrated book cover featuring a giraffe joyfully dancing under a starry night sky with other animals watching.

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees

Illustrated book cover showing a large sleeping bear in a cozy cave while woodland animals gather quietly around him.

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

See the Full Rhyming Book List Here

Book Recommendations for Kindergarteners

This kindergarten book list is filled with fun, kid-approved stories chosen to match the interests and abilities of young readers. Perfect for bedtime or read alouds and nurturing beginning reading skills, these selections include picture books, silly stories, tales of adventure, and more. Add in a few of our free printable kindergarten reading worksheets to keep building literacy skills.

Illustrated book cover showing a child walking with a small, fuzzy creature peeking out of his pocket on a bright green background.

There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! by Dr. Seuss

Illustrated book cover showing a large brown bear walking, painted in a textured, collage style.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

Illustrated book cover featuring a banana with arms and legs dancing against a white background.

The Nonsense Show by Eric Carle

Illustrated book cover showing people painting large letters on a red wall under a blue sky.

The Alphabet Book by P.D. Eastman

Illustrated book cover styled like a newspaper front page, showing a wolf telling his side of the Three Little Pigs story.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Illustrated book cover showing a diverse group of children and adults standing together, smiling and holding hands.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

See the Full List of Kindergarten Books Here

Book Recommendations for First Graders

Our list of 30 must-read books for first graders features funny stories, heartwarming tales, and engaging early readers. Pair them with our engaging reading activities for first graders and our free printable first grade reading worksheets.

Illustrated book cover showing children playing jump rope in a lively city neighborhood.

The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrated book cover showing colorful crayons with faces holding letters and standing together.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Illustrated book cover showing a small mouse standing on a forest path while the Gruffalo peeks from behind a tree.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Illustrated book cover showing a worm sitting at a desk, writing in a notebook with a pencil.

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin

Illustrated book cover showing children and animals interacting in a neighborhood scene, drawn in a soft watercolor style.

The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky

Illustrated book cover showing a child standing beside a small golden egg, representing an idea.

What Do You Do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada

A fun little tree reading nook where a young girl is reading to herself.
See the Full List of First Grade Books Here

Book Recommendations for Second Graders

Second graders are often reading more on their own and are eager to dive into books with deeper storylines and just the right amount of challenge. From laugh-out-loud adventures to meaningful stories, this list offers plenty of choices to match a wide range of interests. In between books, try a few of our free printable reading worksheets for second graders or our reading comprehension worksheets.

Illustrated book cover showing a large yellow question mark curled into a tail shape on a blue background.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins

Illustrated book cover showing a young girl smiling and raising her arms at a school election rally.

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated book cover showing a young detective in a trench coat and hat standing on a staircase.

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Illustrated book cover showing a girl holding a pig while farm animals gather around.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Illustrated book cover showing Ramona running with arms outstretched, chasing other children.

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary

Illustrated book cover split into two styles, showing a princess on one side and a tough motorcycle rider on the other.

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O’Malley

See the Full List of Second Grade Books Here

More Book Recommendations for Kids

Young child lying on a blanket outdoors, reading an open book.
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Summer Reading List for Kids

This summer book list for kids features stories inspired by sunny days, outdoor adventures, time in nature, and seasonal fun. Perfect for reading at home or packing along for family trips, these books help capture the spirit of summer while keeping young readers excited about reading.

Teacher reading a book aloud to a small group of children in a classroom.
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Back-to-School Books for Kids

A new school year often comes with big feelings, from excitement to uncertainty. These back-to-school books help children feel more prepared and confident by gently addressing common worries and highlighting the fun parts of school. Through reassuring stories and relatable characters, this collection helps kids look forward to their first day and feel ready for a fresh start.

More Hands-on Reading Activities for Kids

Recommended for: Kids of all ages

⭐ Free Printable Reading Logs, Challenges, and Charts

Free printable reading logs for summer and all year long from ABCmouse.com.

Add fun, motivation, and positive reinforcement to reading with our printable collection of reading logs, charts, and challenges. Kids will find monthly reading trackers and so much more, all designed to encourage regular reading!

⭐ Preschool Reading Worksheets

Free printable reading worksheets for preschoolers by ABCmouse.com.

These free printable worksheets are a great solution. Our preschool reading worksheets include letter tracing worksheets, ABC coloring pages, line tracing worksheets, and so much more. You can print each worksheet as many times as you’d like and pair them with other learning activities you’re doing at home or that your child is working on at school.

⭐ ABCmouse Beginning Readers & Fables

Two children smiling and petting a small puppy outdoors, with the ABCmouse logo displayed below them.

Free Read Alouds with Videos

The ABCmouse YouTube channel features fables and early readers for young children to enjoy. Children can enjoy a collection of five different stories.

Go to Fables & Readers

Looking for More Printable Activities?

See All ABCmouse Coloring Pages
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