The Best Preschool Books for Circle Time

We simply can’t wait to share our favorite preschool books! Whether you need a book that’s sweet, silly, funny, or a perfect circle time book, we’ve got you covered!

These fantastic circle time books are written by some of of the best authors:

• Mo Willems
• Anna Dewdney
• David Shannon
• Kevin Henkes
• Eric Carle
• Donald Crews
• Lois Ehlert
• Rosemary Wells
• Jan Brett
• Leo Lionni

We chose these top ten favorite authors because their books are ones that children want to read time and time again! They have an amazing way of stimulating children’s imagination and learning, and children can’t help but be mesmerized by the rhythm, illustrations, and captivating storylines.

Favorite Authors for Preschool Circle Time

These authors’ books are not only entertaining but also educational, promoting literacy, language development, social-emotional learning, and creativity during preschool circle time activities. They provide opportunities for interactive reading, discussions, and exploration of themes that are meaningful to young children.

We love infusing high-quality literature into our preschool classroom and take any chance we can to stop and read a story! Check out our printable book list filled with great book ideas for your preschool year.

Read Aloud Preschool Books by Mo Willems

The Pigeon books are an absolute must-have for preschool! Mo Willems is known for his engaging characters, humorous storytelling, and interactive style. The pigeon’s antics are entertaining, and children will enjoy interacting with the story by responding to the pigeon’s pleas.

Plus, kids adore his Elephant & Piggie series. His use of simple text, plus his distinctive style of using speech bubbles and expressive, minimalist illustrations keeps children engaged and focused on the characters’ emotions and actions. The characters’ emotions are so relatable, making it easy for children to connect with them and understand their feelings throughout the story.

You will have no problem keeping kids engaged during circle time with Willems’ books!

Here are our favorite 10 Mo Willems Books:

Don’t miss drawing the pigeon along with Mo Willems himself!

Preschool Books by Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney’s books are not only engaging and entertaining but also provide valuable lessons about emotions, relationships, and problem-solving. By integrating these activities into a preschool book study, educators can create a fun and enriching learning experience that encourages literacy development, creativity, and social-emotional skills in young children. Each book offers a unique opportunity for children to connect with characters, explore themes, and foster a love of reading from an early age.

Check out our favorite Anna Dewdney Books:

Preschool Books by David Shannon

David Shannon is renowned for his “No, David” book! His books are absolutely perfect for circle time, and I love to throw in the child’s name instead of David’s to see who is paying attention. His stories often feature colorful illustrations and relatable themes. Shannon’s books explore themes of behavior, imagination, and friendship in a meaningful and enjoyable way while promoting social-emotional development. His most well-known series includes his character David, who often finds himself making poor choices. He learns that even on his worst days, he is loved and loveable.

Circle time is such a special and ideal way of connecting in preschool and we hope that these favorite authors bring your children together in ways that only books can. Check out our best loved circle time books and best felt board stories for even more circle time inspiration.

Preschool Books by Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is known for his charming illustrations plus his exploration of topics of self-acceptance, friendship, family relationships, and dealing with emotions, making them ideal stories for preschool circle time. A preschool favorite is “Kitten’s First Full Moon.” Kids love to watch that sweet little kitten search for that bowl of milk in the sky!

Watch the author read it below!

Kevin Henkes has written lots of books, here are some favorites in our classroom collection:

Preschool Books by Eric Carle

We are all familiar with the classic read aloud book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” from our own time spent in the classroom as children. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” was the only book from kindergarten that I remember, so it certainly has timeless magic to it!

Plus, studying Eric Carle’s books during circle time in preschool is a wonderful way to engage young children in colorful, imaginative stories that often incorporate themes of nature, animals, and creativity. His distinctive collage-based illustrations and rhythmic writing style captivate children’s attention and spark their curiosity.

We highly suggest these fantastic Eric Carle books to use in your preschool circle time:

Preschool Books by Donald Crews

Donald Crews is known for his bold, colorful illustrations that delight young children. His books often feature simple shapes and vivid colors, which are visually appealing and easy for preschoolers to recognize and understand. Many of Crews’ books explore basic concepts that are important for preschoolers, such as colors, shapes, numbers, transportation, and everyday experiences like going on a train (Freight Train) or taking a bus (School Bus).

We love using Crews’ books for a transportation theme or incorporating bold color and shapes into our circle time. Plus, my preschoolers love seeing the oversized vehicles and beg to re-read his books!

Preschool Books by Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert’s books are a wonderful addition to preschool circle time because they combine educational value with artistic creativity and engagement. They foster a love of reading, exploration of nature, and appreciation for art in young children. Preschoolers are drawn to the bright colors and love exploring food, animals, and seasons!

We love these Lois Ehlert books! Our class favorites are Eating the Alphabet and Leaf Man.

Preschool Books by Rosemary Wells

Rosemary Wells’ books often feature endearing characters that preschoolers can easily relate to. Characters like Max and Ruby, McDuff the dog, or Yoko the kitten navigate everyday challenges and experiences that resonate with young children.

Preschool Books by Jan Brett

Jan Brett is known for her intricate and beautifully detailed illustrations that capture the imagination of young children. Her illustrations often include borders with additional details that enrich the storytelling experience and encourage children to explore each page. Some of Brett’s books feature interactive elements such as hidden surprises under flaps, cut-out windows that reveal scenes, or activities that complement the story. These interactive features engage children and make reading sessions more interactive.

Plus, Brett’s books cover a wide range of themes that appeal to preschoolers, including animals, seasons, holidays, folktales, and adventures.

Preschool favorites include The Hat and the Mitten and the Gingerbread Baby. Check out her other amazing books below!

Preschool Books by Leo Lionni

Lionni’s writing style is straightforward and accessible for young children. His stories often include repetitive phrases or patterns that make them engaging for preschoolers to listen to and participate in during read-aloud sessions.

The illustrations in these books often feature collage techniques or watercolor paintings that appeal to young children’s visual senses. Plus, these stories frequently celebrate creativity and imagination. Characters like Frederick and Swimmy inspire preschoolers to think creatively and appreciate the unique talents and contributions of others.

Preschool Books by Eric Litwin

Wiggle worms are always welcome during Litwin story time! Eric Litwin is in the acclaimed author behind Pete the Cat. His books often incorporate music, rhythm, and repetitive phrases that are catchy and fun for preschoolers to participate in. This interactive element encourages children to clap, dance, or sing along during read-aloud sessions, making circle time engaging and enjoyable.

His memorable characters like Pete the Cat and the Nut Family embark on adventures that preschoolers can easily relate to. These characters often face everyday challenges or learn important lessons, which provide opportunities for discussions about emotions, problem-solving, and social interactions. Plus, his stories often spotlight positive messages about perseverance, creativity, and embracing individuality.

Check out Litwin’s musical style in his live telling of Bedtime at the Nut House!

Preschool Books by Audrey and Don Wood

I remember falling in love with Audrey and Don Wood’s books often because their imaginative and whimsical storylines capture my preschooler’s imaginations — and mine! The first story I read by this married author team was “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear.” I was so enchanted with the storyline and the illustrations that I immediately made a visual retelling set so that my preschoolers could retell this fantastic story!

Their stories include fantastical elements, animals, and adventures that preschoolers find enchanting. With the use of rhythmic language and repetition, they create memorable characters that young children love.

Listen along with Audrey & Don Wood as they read “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear.”

We have put together so many incredible book lists for young children! We just know that some of these book ideas are a great addition to your circle time learning.