3 delightful picture books perfect for preschoolers
grown-ups, i think you’ll love these too ❤️
Lately, my favorite customer request has been helping people find books for three-year-olds. It’s such a fun challenge. They’re shopping for a real reader now. Many three-year-olds have graduated from board books and are diving into the world of picture books. They’ve got strong opinions, growing independence, and expanding attention spans... but pick a wordy book and you’ll lose them fast.
So, to keep things short (see what I did there?), here are three picture books that I think are just right for the preschool crowd.
How Many Dinosaurs Is Too Many? by Lou Peacock and Nicola Slater
Here’s what I love about this one: bold, colorful illustrations (Slater also illustrated The Leaf Thief), playful rhyming text with just a line or two per page, and a story that’s pure fun with only the tiniest whisper of a message.
In this book, a child gets one dinosaur… then another… and then another. Before long, they’ve got ten and, honestly, that might be too many. The lively illustrations show the chaos that follows, with dino antics sure to get a giggle from your preschooler.
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan
I’ve already gushed about Awan’s 2025 release, but don’t sleep on this gem from 2024. It’s earned awards and love from the American Library Association, and for good reason.
This fast-paced, cheerful story follows a toad who loves helping fellow motorists in need. Young vehicle fans will be thrilled, while grown-ups like me can appreciate the clever little character vignettes tucked into each scene. Awan’s signature humor and snappy rhythm make this one a joy to read aloud.
Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse by Jane Godwin and Blanca Gomez
Let’s throw it back to 2019 with this total charmer. (Isn’t it funny how six years makes a book feel “vintage” in kidlit?)
If you crossed Dr. Seuss with Richard Scarry and sprinkled in some truly lovely illustrations, you’d get this delightful read-aloud. We follow a little mouse as she explores a colorful world.
The rhythm is smooth and engaging, perfect for reading aloud, and there’s plenty to dig into if you want to add a little learning to the fun. Spot the mouse and her suitcase on each page, then flip to the endpapers to match her travel patches with scenes from the book. It’s interactive, clever, and endlessly rereadable. When I think about the books I’ve loved reading with my own kids, this one is always on the list.
Three-year-olds are at such a magical reading stage. They’re curious, chatty, and just starting to fall in love with stories. The right picture book can be the spark that lights up their imagination and gives you a moment of quiet joy. Whether it’s dinosaurs running wild, a helpful toad on the road, or a globetrotting mouse, these books hit that sweet spot: short enough to hold their attention, rich enough to keep them coming back.
Looking for more preschool-friendly recommendations? I’ve got plenty, just ask😉
Until next time! Happy Reading!
As always, each book is linked, so you can read more about the book if you are so inclined. If a book was not linked, the book most likely is out of print, so I highly encourage you to check for the book at your local library. All the books mentioned today can be found here. I receive a small percentage if a book is purchased through a link, and bookshop.org supports independent bookstores, so your purchase is doing double the good! Of course, the other options are to check for these books at your local library or your favorite independent bookstore. Thank you, as always, for supporting the work I do here.