10+ Best Read Alouds for Kindergarten
The best read alouds for kindergarten make storytime fun while helping kids develop early literacy skills. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or grandparent, these kindergarten read aloud books will keep kids engaged and excited about reading.
Reading aloud to kindergartners is such a special experience. Not only do kids love the stories, but it’s one of the best ways to build vocabulary, spark imagination, and create a lifelong love of reading.
The best part? Kindergarteners are at such a fun age—they laugh at silly stories, notice details in pictures, and start to make connections to the world around them.
If you’re looking for the best read-alouds for kindergarten, this list is a great starting point.
Find more great recommendations on our Amazon storefront here.
Why Read Alouds Are So Important in Kindergarten
Read-alouds are more than just storytime. They’re a chance to connect, teach, and set the foundation for literacy. Research shows that kids who are read to develop stronger language skills and do better in school.
Beyond the academics, it’s a cozy way to spend time together and helps kids see reading as something enjoyable, not a chore.
I worked hard over the years to help my kids learn to love reading. Some took to reading very easily, and a few kids needed a bit more convincing, but I’ve personally seen them benefit so much from a deep love of reading. That love of reading started young and continued to grow over the years, so these Kindergarten read-alouds can be a key part of helping spark a love of reading in reluctant readers.
Best Read Alouds for Kindergarten
1. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
This hilarious story about crayons who go on strike is a favorite with kids and adults alike. Kindergarteners love the silly voices and creative problem-solving.
This book takes a familiar object, crayons, and gives each one a personality and a voice. Kids love hearing the crayons’ complaints, like the overworked blue or the neglected pink, and it often sparks creative conversations about fairness, feelings, and imagination.
2. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Mo Willems’ pigeon books are perfect for this age group. They invite kids to participate in the story (usually by loudly saying “NO!”), which keeps them engaged from start to finish.
The interactive style of this book makes it a kindergarten must-read. The pigeon pleads, begs, and bargains his way through the pages, and kids can’t help but join in. It is a great way to build confidence in storytelling and participation.
3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
This rhythmic, rhyming alphabet book is a classic for a reason. Kids quickly start chanting along with the catchy words, making it a fun way to reinforce letters.
With its playful rhythm and rhyme, this alphabet adventure has a musical quality that captures kids’ attention. The bold, colorful illustrations make it visually exciting, and the repetition helps reinforce letter recognition in a fun, non-drill way.
4. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
This cause-and-effect story is silly, circular, and endlessly entertaining. It’s also a great tool for teaching sequencing and prediction.
This classic is both silly and smart, taking kids through a circular chain of events that always leads back to the beginning. It is perfect for helping young children understand sequencing, cause and effect, and predicting what comes next.
5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Simple text, repetition, and bright illustrations make this one perfect for emerging readers to join in on the reading.
This repetitive text is comforting and engaging for young listeners, and the patterned storytelling encourages them to anticipate and chime in. The colorful animal illustrations also make it easy for kindergartners to stay focused and engaged.
6. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
A classic that sparks imagination and conversation. Kindergarteners love following Max on his adventure with the wild things—and it’s a great springboard for talking about feelings.
This story takes kids on an imaginative journey while still being short and manageable for little listeners. It also provides an opportunity to talk about emotions like anger, frustration, and belonging in a way that resonates with young children.
7. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Funny, quirky, and a little bit ridiculous—this book about dragons who love tacos (but can’t handle spicy salsa) will have your kids giggling.
The combination of silly dragons and tacos is a guaranteed laugh, but this book also builds anticipation and surprise as kids discover what happens when dragons accidentally eat spicy salsa. It is a great pick for read alouds that need extra energy.
8. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
This silly story about a dinosaur starting school is both funny and a gentle reminder about kindness and empathy.
Kindergarteners starting school can relate to Penelope the dinosaur’s struggle to fit in. This book blends humor with an important message about empathy and making friends, making it both entertaining and meaningful.
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A timeless favorite that combines counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly. Interactive and colorful.
With its repetitive structure and engaging illustrations, this story is both fun and educational. Kids get to practice counting, days of the week, and see the magic of transformation as the caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
10. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat is all about staying cool no matter what happens. The repetitive, sing-song text makes this one fun for group read alouds.
This story’s catchy, repetitive text and sing-song rhythm encourage kids to read or sing along. Pete’s laid back attitude about life’s little messes also teaches a valuable lesson about resilience and staying positive.
Tips for Making Read Alouds Extra Engaging
- Use different voices for the characters.
- Pause and ask questions as you read (“What do you think will happen next?”).
- Encourage kids to join in on repeating phrases.
- Don’t be afraid to get a little silly—it makes storytime memorable.
Choosing the best read alouds for kindergarten can make a big difference in how your child sees books. These stories are tried-and-true favorites that bring joy, laughter, and learning to any reading session. Whether you’re reading at home or in the classroom, the most important thing is simply spending time together with a good book.
Pin these Best Read Alouds for Kindergarten for Later
