37 Best Books for Kindergarteners: By Reading Levels, Classic Favorites

The best kindergarten books, whether for reading aloud or independently, can span a wide variety of genres, from fictional stories to fascinating factual reads. Encouraging students to explore different genres helps broaden their reading interests and abilities.

By using a reading framework like the Lexile score, you can select books that match your students’ reading levels, fostering confidence and a love for reading. 

We’ve curated a list of best kindergarten books to read, each offering unique stories and valuable lessons in courage, determination, and leadership.

Related Reading: Kindergarten Reading Level: A Parent’s Toolkit for Success

12 Best Books for Kindergarteners by Reading Levels

If you want to help your kindergartener become a strong and confident reader, it’s essential to find resources that grow with their developing skills. Here’s a curated list of best kindergarten books to read online that are tailored to a child’s evolving reading abilities:

1. Read-Aloud Books

These kindergarten read alouds are ideal for having an interactive reading out loud session, making them perfect for young learners. They help kindergarteners improve their listening skills, expand their vocabulary, and boost early literacy. Whether used by parents or teachers, these interactive sessions make reading both fun and educational, fostering a love for books from the start.

2. Leveled Readers

Leveled readers are designed to align with the reading abilities of children at different stages. Each level introduces specific phonetic patterns, sentence structures, and vocabulary. As children’s reading skills improve, they can gradually progress to more complex books, ensuring steady growth and confidence in their reading journey.books, ensuring steady growth and confidence in their reading journey.

3. Decodable Books

Decodable books focus on phonics and are ideal for beginner readers. They enable kindergarteners to practice decoding words, helping them learn to sound out letters and words independently. This approach builds reading confidence and fosters early literacy skills.

4. Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories are a wonderful way to wind down the day. These calming and comforting tales are perfect for reading together before sleep, offering a soothing routine that promotes relaxation and bonding between parents and children. These stories often feature inspirational characters and gentle life lessons.

Each of these online storybooks comes with options like “Read to Me” or “Read by Myself,” allowing your child to choose between independent reading or listening along. You can also monitor your child’s progress as they explore these stories on their own. Here is how your tracking dashboard looks:

Both parents and teachers can assign these books to children, track their reading progress, and adapt the reading material to meet the growing needs of young readers. By signing up, you can access all these features and more, ensuring that your child has the best tools to become a proficient reader. 

Related Reading: Free Online Classic Storybooks for Kids

 25 Best Books for Kindergarten Kids: From Classics to Contemporary

Reading can bring immense joy to young readers as they explore new worlds and discover new ways of thinking. You can introduce a wide range of books that can be relevant to their experiences and give them a sense of direction in their reading journeys. The books to read to kindergarten students are the ones that they can remember for years.

1. Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems

Category – Humor, Fiction

This storybook for kindergarten children revolves around the dynamics of Gerald and Piggie, and their approach to asking for things. While one is patient, the other is demanding, making their friendship unique and full of twists and turns.

Takeaways – The simplicity of waiting rather than throwing a tantrum

Buy on: Amazon

2. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Category – Fiction

This engaging tale of the mouse talks about what happens if you take a mouse to school. It teaches cause and effect while exploring everything that waits for the boy and the mouse at school. It is one of the best books to read in kindergarten to instill equal parts confidence and empathy.

Takeaways – Courage and kindness go a long way

Buy on: Amazon

3. Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg

Category: Picture book, Fiction

This delightful book captures the excitement and jitters that come with starting kindergarten. Through playful rhymes and lively illustrations, it takes young readers on a journey through a series of relatable experiences, from the first day to making new friends. It’s one of the popular kindergarten books that perfectly sets the stage for what to expect in the new school year.

Takeaway: The book reassures children that their fears are normal and that kindergarten is an exciting adventure.

Buy on: Amazon

Related Reading: Popular Nonfiction Books for Kids to Read & Cherish

4. I Am Enough by Grace Byers

Category – Fiction

It is a great book to read in kindergarten and practice reading aloud in class, as it empowers young women around the world to strengthen their self-esteem. “Like the trees, I’m here to grow. Like the mountains, here to stand”. 

Takeaways – Kindness and self-esteem will take you everywhere

Buy on: Amazon

5. The Maggie B by Irene Haas

Category – Classic

One of the best books for kindergarten readers, The Maggie B is a tale of a young girl who goes on a magical adventure. It focuses on the power of courage and adventure-seeking when you face the unknown.

Takeaways – Leadership in times of adventure is essential.

Buy on: Amazon

6. May I Bring a Friend? By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Category –  Classics
This classic kindergartener book revolves around a child who is invited by royalty to tea. It is a visual masterpiece in its design and has lessons that children can use for years. You can start by exploring the underlying themes within the book.

Takeaways – Humility, compassion, and kindness are traits all kids should imbibe

Buy on: Amazon

7. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Category – Classics

This classic kindergarten book follows Max, a young boy whose imaginative journey to an island of wild creatures helps him process his emotions. While the story explores the role of anger, it also beautifully illustrates how imagination can be a powerful tool for children to navigate their feelings and ultimately find comfort in returning home. It’s one of the best books for kindergarten readers, blending adventure with emotional growth.

Takeaways – The role of anger in the lives of young kids

Buy on: Amazon

Related Reading: Best Children's Books to Stimulate Kids' Imagination

8. Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka

Category – Picture book

The book focuses on how easy it is to make friendships that can last a lifetime. Cultural differences can be overcome through friendship, showcasing the power of understanding, compassion, and kindness.

Takeaways – Similarities and differences between cultures are explored in a simple way

Buy on: Amazon

9. Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley

Category – Picture book

This book for kindergarten readers explores how each child can do something special in their field of interest and become better at it. It talks about how school can be a place of magical adventures, where each child can find something unique to focus on.

Takeaways – It focuses on how struggles can be overcome to achieve success

Buy on: Amazon

10. David Goes to School by David Shannon

Category – Fiction

Young David causes havoc in this tale, disobeying instructions, being noisy, and writing on desks. David then realizes the importance of being a part of a community and starts to change his behavior to fit in with everyone else. 

Takeaways – David’s transformation can be an example for all kids

Buy on: Amazon

11. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen

Category – Picture book

The storybook for kindergarten children describes the journeys of dinosaurs as they enter their first year of school. It reflects many of the emotions that kids feel when they start school and leaves children with a sense of courage, hope, and perseverance.

Takeaways – The book’s humorous take on everyday school activities can help kids adjust to school

Buy on: Amazon

12. Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

Category – Classic

Captain Swashby’s journey to opening up and being friends with his new neighbors is a relatable theme that all kids can enjoy reading. The roles of friendship, family, and compassion are explored in this classic tale.

Takeaways – By focusing on compassion, the tale connects generations with a common theme

Buy on: Amazon

13. Out the Door by Christy Hale

Category – Classic, Picture book

Out the Door focuses on a child’s journey from their home to school. It helps kids become more independent, courageous, and resilient as they traverse busy streets, crowded places, and confusing intersections.

Takeaways – The book’s empowerment theme resonates with young readers

Buy on: Amazon 

14. T. Rexes Can’t Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski

Category – Funny

The book revolves around the challenges that different animals face when doing everyday things. It shows strength, perseverance, and grit when animals continue trying things they are not good at. It’s a light and casual read that will have children hooked, and kindergarten books to read can be for fun and pastime, too.

Takeaways – Kids should always try their best and focus on improving their skills

Buy on: Amazon

Related Reading: Funny Children's Books to Read With Your Kids

15. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

Category – Picture book

One of the best books for kindergarten students – Thank you, Omu! focuses on how generosity is reciprocated multiple times. The gifts given by the lady were impactful to her community, leading the community to give her gifts in return.

Takeaways – The gift of giving is a key theme underlying the narrative

Buy on: Amazon

16. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

Category – Fiction, Picture book

This New York Times bestseller talks about how everyone is welcome in school and how everyone can explore their interests equally. It goes into more detail on how large-scale communities are built through diverse ideas, cultures, and backgrounds.

Takeaways – Diversity is a key theme in the book, which is a great lesson for kids

Buy on: Amazon

17. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Category – Fiction

Wemberly always worries about getting hurt, falling ill, and other hypothetical situations. You can unpack the demerits of constantly worrying and how the world can be a joyful place to meet new people and do new things.

Takeaways – The role of fear and courage are expressed in this book

Buy on: Amazon

18. Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

Category – Classic, Picture book

The book Kindergarten Rocks! is a timeless classic that covers the ground on how kids may feel when starting kindergarten. The feelings of anxiousness, fear of the unknown, and social nervousness are described through illustrations and rich narratives.

Takeaways – The book focuses on early anxiousness when starting kindergarten.

Buy on: Amazon

19. The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist

Category – Picture book

This feel-good adventure of fish and sharks takes students through the deeply engaging journey of young adults and how they face multiple challenges as they grow older. The shark follows the little fish everywhere and eventually gives up, with the fish living happily ever after.

Takeaways – This book focuses on the value of trying to find a way

Buy on: Amazon

20. What Does It Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio

Category – Picture book

The book captures what it takes to be kind and how to transform an entire community through kindness. The impact of kindness and how it can spread to other people is also a key theme explored in the book.

Takeaways – The value of kindness and how it can evolve thought is a critical theme

Buy on: Amazon

21. I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty

Category – Picture book

The immersive and illustrative book features a young frog who wants to change who he is because he doesn’t like himself any longer. The book focuses on the dynamics of nature, self-acceptance, and appreciation for differences in people. If you are looking for fun kindergarten books to read, this is a good one.

Takeaways – A fun adventure narrative that empowers kids to be themselves

Buy on: Amazon

22. What Color Is Night? by Grant Snider

Category – Picture book

If you’re looking for metaphor-rich and adventurous kindergarten books to read, this book takes readers on a journey into the night. The vivid descriptions of how the world changes at night captivate even the youngest readers, making this a must-read for students.

Takeaways – The night evolves into darkness, with a bright cloud always around the corner

Buy on: Amazon

23. Locomotive by Brian Floca

Category – Historical Fiction, Picture book

This richly illustrated book takes young readers on a historical journey across the United States via locomotive, offering detailed insights into the world of 19th-century rail travel. While its historical context and descriptive passages may be challenging, it serves as an excellent teacher-led read-aloud, making it one of the classic kindergarten books that can introduce children to early American history with guidance.

Takeaways – The advancement of technology and culture is a key area of exploration in the book.

Buy on: Amazon

24. Bach to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger

Category – Historical Fiction, Picture book

An interesting tale of how Bach could have invented some of the most brilliant pieces of music, the book extracts from the composer’s journey and simplifies it for younger audiences. You can read this book aloud and introduce concepts such as confidence, perseverance, hard work, etc.

Takeaways – The challenges that a young Bach faces can be inspirational for younger generations.

Buy on: Amazon

25. Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford Goes to Kindergarten by Norman Bridwell

Category: Classic, Fiction

In this beloved tale, Clifford helps his owner Emily Elizabeth navigate her first day of kindergarten. The story highlights the bond between pets and their owners while also addressing common anxieties that children may have about starting school. As one of the kindergarten reading books that blends familiar characters with new experiences, it’s both comforting and engaging for young readers.

Takeaway: The story teaches children that familiar comforts, like a favorite toy or a beloved pet, can help them face new challenges.

Buy on: Amazon

Explore more online educational resources and printable worksheets for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

Related Reading: How to Teach Reading to Kids: Best Strategies for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if a book is right for my kindergarten students?

A key factor in knowing if a set of kindergarten books to read is suitable for your students, apart from reading levels, is to gauge engagement. If your class is drifting away or showing a lack of concentration, it is ideal to try another book.

What is the reading level of a 5-year-old kindergartner?

Level-A reading and basic Lexile-Band reading are generally considered the appropriate categories of leveled reading books for kindergarten students. At this level, illustrations are present regularly to help the reader figure out where the story is heading. Sentences in level books are usually repetitive. Using only one or two-syllable words, making them the best books to read for kindergarten.

What genre of books is ideal for kindergarten kids?

There is no single genre that is right for kids. However, it is essential to diversify when it comes to reading. Historical novels, comedic books, classic tales, and picture books should be used yearly. You can also get them kindergarten books to read online so they can access multiple genres.