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Books as Gifts
2009 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 kindergarteners. There are 22 books that emergent readers may enjoy reading on their own or, with their engaging stories and playful language, are recommended for sharing with a parent or other caring adult.
Browse through the recommended books below or download the guide as a one-page handout you can easily take to the library or store.
- Download the 2009 guide for 4-5 year olds >
(332K PDF)
As a young boy inventories himself from feet to head, he and his cat celebrate his body, its uses, and his world. Bright collages capture the joy of the celebration that complements the recognizable, slightly egocentric young voice. An endnote describes the creation of the illustrations and suggests a project for children.
Even though there's a special day called Children's Day/Book Day, children and books can be celebrated everyday and in any place as is demonstrated in this vibrant book. Energetic illustrations show a wide range of children and animals playing, reading, and just plain having fun with each other and with books.
A feast for the eye as well as the ear, this collection is just right for sharing. The poetry and rhymes include work by known poets as well as by children. Different sections are sure to appeal to different interests and tastes but all are imaginative. A note for adults helps demystify sharing poetry with children.
A bath made Farley, a hairy (and very pleasing) pooch, hungry and so before his owner could slip his collar back on, Farley is off following delicious smells. Although Farley becomes disoriented, he finds his way home and even helps a lost child along the way. Comic strip fans will recognize the characters, though this tale stands alone.
In spite of a grumpy dad who literally turns into a grizzly bear — as seen in the very amusing illustrations — the grizzly dad and his son enjoy an outing together. By the time the mom and other child return home at the end of the day, dad has returned to himself. The literal transformation is not only child-like, but the notion will be broadly appreciated!
A lonely child says he hates winter until he meets an angular, spiky kind of spiky fellow that covers his house with frost and ice. Together they enjoy the snowy day but Jack Frost asks his playmate to "never mention anything warm in front of me." Limited colors and a simple text show an unusual friendship and a wintertime adventure.
The narrator begins his neighborhood trek with an infectious rhyme, saying that some days "you just gotta wokka." In fact, he is so infectious that others join him to say and show how they wokka-wokka, too. Lively illustrations and playful nonsense rhymes make this a joyful walk down any street.
Beauty is a small kitten who becomes a large gorilla's best friend as they happily share their lives together (reminiscent of Koko's Kitten). When "King Kong" is mistreated, the gorilla smashes the television. The keepers come to remove Beauty, but Beauty signs that she broke the TV, not her friend. Realism and fantasy combine in this smart, expressive book.
The little mouse struggles to get dressed to go out to the barn with efforts that children will readily recognize just as they will appreciate the humor in mother mouse's reminder that mice don’t wear clothing! Simple illustrations in graphic novel-like format for the very young make a pleasing package.
Miranda's day at the beach with her mother is filled with the normal activities, from building castles in the sand to placing a crab in it. The child is disappointed when the day comes to an end but is reassured by her mother that more special days will follow. The joy of sharing a day at the beach is a pleasure all year long.
How many kinds of lights will you see as you and your mother go out on a warm evening? Rich illustration and sparse text allow readers to explore lights all around them ranging from streetlight to starlight in this handsome, cozy book.
As an Inuit mother and her child paddle home in their boat, they notice other animal mothers and their children preparing for sleep. Attractive, stylized illustrations evoke the Arctic setting as mothers and their young prepare to rest.
Otis, a small tractor, becomes despondent when he is replaced by a larger, more modern tractor. Even his friend, a once lonely calf, can't stir Otis — that is, until the calf becomes stuck in a pond of mud and only small, brave Otis can save her. A limited palette and onomatopoeic language create an old-fashioned feeling and completely satisfying book.
Polo's adventure begins as his others do: leaving home for an imaginative journey. Here, the small dog sails away in his boat but gets frozen in ice. He gets help from a new friend whose fiery breath allows them to sail off together. Words are not needed in this enjoyable tale.
Shape by shape, a friendly and colorful creature is built with simply shaped overlays of die-cuts (such as squares or triangles) while the reader is asked if they recognize it. The entire beast unfolds at the end to reveal a large dinosaur with pointy teeth in a grinning mouth — and with a big heart.
A long-eared hound is the king’s official taster whose job is to make sure that nothing will harm the young royal. Even after dog and his cook search worldwide for new, tasty recipes, the king refuses to eat. Intervention by royal parents is required when secret candy eating is revealed, resolving all issues. Humor abounds in this satisfying saga.
The well-known fable about how the smallest creature — a mouse — saves the majestic lion is a tale of kindness returned. Here it is effectively recast as a wordless story in a new setting. Stunning illustrations are expressive and emotive, evoking Africa's Serengeti while retaining the tale's power.
The cumulative tale of a child's lost mitten — but found to become home to a host of animals — is told in straightforward language and intricate, bordered illustrations. Now 20 years old, Brett's interpretation of a Ukrainian folktale will be enjoyed anew.
From A to Z, the 26 lowercase letters rowdily get ready for bed. Told in verse and illustrated with slightly eccentric but appealing mixed-media illustrations the letters bounce and cavort until the uppercase "parent" letters put their kids to bed.
A boy and his dog foil the ravenous intentions of a super hungry T-Rex that shows up unexpectedly in the backyard. After taming the creature, mom provides a huge plate of pasta to make a "super full dinosaur" who happily leaves, but only after after a very large, satisfying burp. Child-like illustrations add appeal in this very silly, engaging tale.
A loud "plop!" sounds while a bunch of bunnies are eating. Off they run, frightening other animals into running away as well, including a big brave bear. Only the smallest and brightest young rabbit (who notices the apples dropping into water) enjoys a repast alone. Rhythmic language and retro illustrations make this cumulative tale fresh.
A group of firefighters respond to an apartment building and save its residents — including a small cat. The rhythm and rhyme along with brightly hued illustrations in a larger format make this ever-appealing subject satisfying and accessible.
A hungry owl sits on a branch to listen for something he might catch for dinner, like a plump little mouse. The predictable pattern, onomatopoeic words, and realistic, highly detailed illustrations combine to make a satisfying story for all except for the still-hungry owl.
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