For Other Professionals
Books as Gifts
2004 Holiday Buying Guide
Books for 4-5 Year Olds
Your presence is always the best present! The books below are great to share with preschoolers and kindergartners. Ten of the books are ones that emergent readers may enjoy reading on their own. The other eight books, with their engaging stories and playful language, are especially recommended for sharing with a parent or other caring adult.
Books to read with you
Join acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers in a heartwarming celebration of African-American childhood. Sharing favorites from his collection of long-forgotten, turn-of-the-century photographs, and punctuating them with his own moving poetry, Mr. Myers has created a beautiful album that reminds us that "the child in each of us is our most precious part."
When Ruby sends out invitations to a party, Max sends out his own which are delivered to Grandma. Children are encouraged to participate by lifting the flaps in this sturdy, colorful book. They'll try to figure out the meaning of Max’s messages and may even be inspired to write their own letters in this latest Max and Ruby jaunt.
The ducks and goose start the animals' frenzied flight when they see a mostly hidden animal and exclaim, "A coyote's on the loose!" Colorful, comic illustrations culminate in a house in a rain storm where the "coyote" turns out to be a small white rabbit.
When Lilly continues to show off her much-loved purple plastic purse and its contents in class, Mr. Slinger — an astute and stylish teacher — puts it away for the day. Lilly's anger toward her once favorite teacher comes out in a mean letter for which she ultimately repents.
An author's note from Ruth Stiles Gannett, now 85 years old, provides background for this modern classic. In honor of its 60th anniversary, the fantastic tale of the boy who sets out to find his father is a bit larger with colorful endpages but otherwise unchanged.
Ramona loves kindergarten and her wonderful teacher, Miss Binney. But even the best teacher and the most enthusiastic kindergartner can have a rough day or so. This leads to laughs for readers as they empathize with Ramona, who can be rather a pest and perhaps the first-ever kindergarten dropout.
A father and his four children share an adventure through fields, over rivers and more. They go — and hastily return with a lumbering bear chasing them! Language lilts and repeats as the adventure unfolds, enhanced by clever illustrations.
Max's imaginative adventure begins the night he wears his wolf suit and makes some mischief. When he is sent to his room to cool off, he travels to the land of the Wild Things, where he is crowned king. This beloved Caldecott-winning classic is also available in Spanish.
Go on a reading adventure with Reading Rockets' Where the Wild Things Are family literacy bag, available in English and Spanish!
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