Best Kindergarten Books

Books are a favorite gift for children of all ages. Five year olds are extra special because this is usually the age they enter kindergarten. Kindergarten is such an important year for the five year old and reading is at the heart of it. Books are a wonderful gift for five year olds. Kindergarteners are fostering a love of reading that will take them through their lives. This is a top ten list of books as gift ideas for the five year old or kindergartener on your shopping list.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff, Illustrated by Felicia Bond - These three books are all hits for any five year old! I may even suggest you purchase all three books for your kindergartener. These are adorable stories of the meanderings of a little mouse, moose and pig (depending on the book). They are fun books to teach about cause and effect. The pictures make it easy for your early reader to follow along and learn to read along. Before you know it, the five year old will be reading you these stories!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - This book teaches numbers, the days of the week, and the miracle of metamorphosis. The little caterpillar proceeds through the week eating more and more. The story is simple for the five year old to read. The illustrations are fun and endearing. The book also features holes in the book to make it look like the caterpillar has eaten all of the food.

Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister - This book teaches an important lesson about sharing. The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean with his shining, shimmering scales. He has no friends because he is vain and proud. He learns to share his beautiful scales and learns what friendship really means. Any five year old will love this great story with marvelous illustrations.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - This classic book which is a must-have for every five year old. The fun story of the little boy named Max starts when he is sent to his room without supper because he talked back to his mother. He sails off to a far-away land where the wild monsters live. It is in this imagination land where Max learns to be fearless and becomes the leader of the wild things. Together they roar their terrible roars, gnash their terrible teeth, and the rumpus begins. This is a book to pass down from generation to generation.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss -This book teaches rhyming and repetition. The sight words in this book are fantastic for five year olds who are learning to read. The illustrations are simple and to the point, drawing the reader to the words with perfect visual cues to help them along the way! Then of course, there is the actual storyline behind the whole word madness. Cute, adorable little Sam-I-Am is trying to convince his larger friend to try the green eggs and ham and he hounds him until his friend gives in and tries it. Of course we all know the ending - he likes them! This is by far one of Dr. Seuss' best books and will always be on my list of favorites!

The Polar Expressby Chris Van Allsburg - This classic Christmas book is a perfect gift for a five year old. It's a magical story of a little boy who is taken away on The Polar Express train to see Santa Claus where he receives the gift of the magical bell that can only be heard by those who BELIEVE in Santa. The illustrations are superb. This book will be a favorite for years to come for any child.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin - This silly, fun book is a story of Farmer Brown and his mischievous cows who type him messages with requests. When Farmer Brown doesn't accommodate the cows go on strike. The cows seek out the help of the other animals on the farm and eventually Farmer Brown is forced to make a deal. The illustrations in this book only add to the fun in this wonderfully written book. Five year olds will love to read about these rebellious cows and their antics!

No David! By David Shannon - This book is a fun tale of David who is always getting into mischief and being told, "NO!"David's antics are sure to be a hit with any five year old, it is guaranteed to bring lots of giggles to story time. Kids can relate because they've all been there at one time or another. The illustrations are fun and perfect for the story. The endearing message from David's mother, "Yes, I love you!" brings this story to a close reminding children and parents that even though kids misbehave they will always be loved!

Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer - This collection of books will become fast favorites for any five year old! All By Myself is a fun story of Little Critter learning to do things all by himself. This story fosters independence; a crucial skill for kindergarteners. Another favorite is What a Bad Dream where Little Critter stars in his own bad dream. My kids get the giggles at all the antics of Little Critter. These are all great books to encourage early reading for five year olds!

Curious George by Margaret and H.E. Rey - Curious George is a classic story of a mischievous little mokey who left the jungle to go live with the man in the yellow hat. Five year olds around the world have fallen in love with Curious George! There is a wide array of Curious George books ranging in price. If you're looking to get something really special, consider getting The Complete Adventures of Curious George!

I hope you find a special book on this list for the five year old you are shopping for. These are favorite books in our household and I bet you'll think the same thing.