Grades
PreK - 2
The Best Read-Aloud Picture Books for Grades PreK-2
Engage your students and improve their literacy and reading comprehension skills with these read-aloud picture books.
Class read-alouds are an essential activity for young learners. Hearing a book out loud allows students to develop key literacy skills, such as listening, comprehension, and vocabulary, which provides the foundation for future reading and learning success. Reading picture books with rich illustrations also allows students to develop their visual literacy (the ability to decode, interpret, and communicate via visual means).
Choosing the right picture book can make all the difference in an engaging class read-aloud. Picture books that enable you to play with rhythm and pace, add funny voices or gestures, and allow for pauses to build suspense or have students complete quick reading responses are key to keeping your class captivated.
The picture books on this list are ideal for class read-alouds, whether they’re happening in-person or via virtual learning. Discover the best read-aloud picture books for your class below!
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In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room?
The silly, funny, fantastic story of a boy who didn't wash his hands and the crazy consequences that ensue as he spreads a bit of grossness around.
A silly read-aloud story with funny rhymes and hilarious illustrations.
With over a million copies sold, this humorous story is a favorite of many children.
This simply (but delightfully) illustrated story puts kids in the driver's seat, letting them decide the difference between right and wrong.
This follow-up to It's Okay to Be Different embraces life's happy accidents, the mistakes, and mess-ups that can lead to self discovery.
This book tackles the problem of handling disappointment in a clever and straightforward way.
The award-winning team behind Those Darn Squirrels! has created an unforgettable, laugh-until-salsa-comes-out-of-your-nose tale of new friends and the perfect snack.
There's no better antidote to a gloomy day than checking out the stacks in this upbeat read-aloud based on a song.
A cumulative sing-song-along read-aloud introduces preschoolers to an endearingly three-legged “cranky, stinky, dinky, lanky, honky-tonky, winky wonky” donkey.
A girl in a red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in class. Her kindness spreads, until her whole community experiences the magical shift that happens when people understand what it means to be kind, and act on their best impulses!
This inclusive picture book rejoices in the specialness of each person's beauty and ability.
Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book.
No, David! remains a perennial household favorite, delighting children, parents, and teachers alike.
Pete can't wait to visit Grandma, especially because he gets to take a train ride to see her!
Accompanied by charming illustrations, this sweet story serves up a helpful lesson in the unexpected rewards of meeting a challenge head on.
In this first book of the hilarious series, Buzz enters his winged buddy in the Amazing Pet Competition. The judges scoff until they see all the extraordinary tricks the little fly can do.
With a relatable character and a symbol that is easy to understand, this book puts readers on the path toward responding constructively to others' feelings and their own.
Young readers will chuckle and empathize with Little Critter as he struggles to remember what he is supposed to do.
If you could have any animal's hair, or ears, whose would you choose? Outrageous and ridiculous illustrations accompany photographs and informative text in this terrific introduction to animal traits.
