Picture Books that Promote Early Literacy

These picture books offer various ways to support early literacy development in young children.  While any type of reading is great for Early Literacy, the following suggestions offer books with great introductory words, repetition and fabulous illustrations that lend themselves specifically to early literacy.

Read Below to Find Out More About These Titles

Bark George by Jules Feiffer - George the puppy's mother is in for a big surprise when she takes him to the veterinarian to find out why he does not bark.

​Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin - Children learn about animals and colors as they see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them.

Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells - Max makes an earthworm cake for Grandma's birthday and helps Ruby with her angel surprise cake. At the store, the grocer can't read all of the shopping list, until Max solves the problem by drawing a picture.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina - A large format picture book in which a band of mischievous monkeys steals every one of a peddler's caps while he takes a nap under a tree.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin - An alphabet rhyme/chant that relates what happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems- The irrepressible pigeon has delighted preschoolers for over a decade. Now, his app only adds to the fun. Children will delight in all aspects of pigeon’s antics. 

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly -Kids can turn the pages of this die-cut book and watch the Big Green Monster grow. Then, when they's ready to show him who's in charge, they turn the remaining pages and make him disappear!

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - As a little bunny says goodnight to many familiar objects, the illustrations are progressively darker.

Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler - Baby and his family make some jazzy music.

​Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn - Every Tuesday Lola and her mother visit their local library to return and check out books, attend story readings, and share a special treat.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss - Celebrate nature with Dr. Seuss and the Lorax in this classic picture book about protecting the environment!

Maybe a Bear Ate It by Robie Harris - At bedtime, a young boy who cannot find his favorite book imagines the various creatures that might have taken it from him.

​Owl Moon by Jane Yolen - On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl.

​Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin and James Dean-Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig - Pete is cheered up on a rainy day when his father pretends to turn him into a pizza.

​Press Here by Herve Tullet- Children who are invited to press the dots on the pages will delight in seeing what happens when they turn the page. Cause and effect are demonstrated with vivid color, action and humor.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown - A little rabbit who wants to run away tells his mother how he will escape, but she is always right behind him.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keets - The adventures of a little boy in the city on a snowy day.

A Splendid Friend Indeed by Suzanne Bloom - When a studious polar bear meets an inquisitive goose, they learn to be friends.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the caterpillar ate on successive days.

​​Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.