short story books for kindergarten

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The Best Books for Kindergarten

It’s so important to find great books for kindergarteners. Pre-schoolers and kindergarteners are still very open to exploring new interests, and it’s easier to raise a reader when you start young. The best books for kindergarten (especially class readalouds) are picture books — hands down! But if you have an advanced reader who is already getting into chapter books, the options on this list of first grade books and second grade chapter books will come in handy.

For this list, I’ve included some of my favorite picture books ever! Many of these picks tackle the kindergarten experience and first-day-of-school jitters , but most of them cover various other topics like growth mindset, self-love, gratitude and so much more.

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20 Funny & Delightful Kindergarten Readaloud Books

Here are 20 great books for kindergarten

Laugh-Out-Loud Funny

If you’re looking for something to make your readers crack up, try these kindergarten picture books:

Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book

Published: October 17, 2023

What happens when a group of animal friends gather for storytime, but one’s too tall to fit? The others try to help, resulting in chaos, laughs, and a surprisingly effective solution. With speech bubbles, this picture book is one step behind graphic novels and perfect for young readers developing a love for the format. I dare you not to be tickled by this interactive new release.

I Want 100 Dogs

A girl requests 100 dogs from her parents, but after more negotiation and discussion about what goes into caring for a pet, they whittle the request down to one dog — or was it all a smart bargain by the girl? This playful picture book makes math fun for the pet-obsessed reader and will put a smile on readers’ faces.

Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu

Published: January 2, 2024

Ra Pu Zel is not your average Chinese princess. She likes cooking, doesn’t eat in dainty bites, and doesn’t care much for the princess her parents wanted her to mingle with. One day, she gets fed up with all the constant scolding and escapes to a tower. The royal family begs and begs, but she won’t come down. Until a surprising, stinky encounter. This is absolutely delightful to read, and the illustrations are just gorgeous! Hand to kids who can’t get enough of princess stories and fairy tales for a great tale of being yourself even when it isn’t what others expect. 

One Chicken Nugget

Published: March 7, 2023

Here’s another math picture book that is wickedly funny and will appeal to kindergarten readers as much as it will to older kids. Frank can’t get enough chicken nuggets, so the nugget stand owner, Celeste, starts a contest to double the nuggets day after day for anyone who can finish all of it. Watch out for an ending worthy of kids who love all things farts and burps.

Published: June 13, 2023

This is a fantastic first-day-of-school book about a kindergarten class who’s convinced that their teacher is a sandwich. But is he? I love the suspense and glee in this story and I think it’s a lovely kindergarten readaloud pick.

Growth Mindset & SEL

Teaching kids how to try and try or practice patience is so important, and these sweet picture books help with this:

Bella’s Recipe for Success

Published: July 13, 2021

B ella’s Recipe for Success  is about a girl who can’t seem to figure out what she’s good at. Her brother plays piano excellently and her sister is a brilliant gymnast, but Bella can’t do either of those things well. She decides, though, that she’s going to bake, but it turns out baking isn’t that easy and her first recipe is a bust. But just before she gives up, her abuela steps in to teach her and Bella learns that learning new things — and becoming good at them — takes time and effort. Bella’s Recipe for Success  is a poignant growth-mindset picture book for kids facing new challenges. 

When You Have to Wait

Published: January 9, 2024

Whether it’s standing in long pool lines while you melt in the sun or waiting until you’re grown enough to ride the big girl bike, waiting isn’t fun—especially if all you’re doing is watching the clock. But soon, our girl realizes that she doesn’t have to wait idly and that good things can happen WHILE we wait. I love how gentle and relatable the language in this book is and how it manages to highlight the joys of waiting without being too on the nose. And the illustrations are so sweet!

The Good Egg

Published: February 12, 2019

This is a sweet picture book about an egg who’s always trying to be good and perfect. Eventually, he starts to crack under the pressure.

Together We Ride

Published: April 26, 2022

I loved this cute picture book about a girl whose father is teaching her to ride a bike. After a slip, she learns that she can get back up and enjoy the ride. This rhythmic picture book has super sparse text and manages to be adorable and moving without saying too much. Great  growth mindset book !

Weird, But Good

If your kindergarteners love a good weird picture book, don’t miss these options:

Pretty Ugly

Published: February 27, 2024

Anna Van Ogre is always making weird and scary faces and her family keeps warning her that one day one day one of those faces will stick… and one day it happens! This book is sure to generate lots of chatter, and squeals of “eww” as your kids discover what Anna’s scary face is and how she finds her “inner beauty.” If you have many sensitive readers, you might want to skip this one as a class read-aloud as it is a teeny bit horror-esque.

Teeny Weeny Unicorn

Published: February 6, 2024

I loved this sweet story of a teeny weeny unicorn who realizes that size is relative, and we’re all just the right size. It’s intriguing, beautifully illustrated, and just didactic enough to get the message across.

Pepper and Me

Published: January 16, 2024

Definitely an unconventional picture book that will thrill the right kind of reader — all about a girl and her bruise and the warm friendship they develop. Any kid who’s ever had a boo-boo will be intrigued by this.

Creativity & Inspirational

Published: March 28, 2023

Most of the time, people say “no” or “you can’t” because they dream too small. Young Mary has been told that there are many things she can’t do. Like stay up past bedtime, or be an astronaut or become president. But what she really wants is to sing, and she isn’t about to let anyone tell her she can’t do it! This is a fun and inspiring picture book based on the singer’s life. The writing in this is also great — Blige is a strong storyteller!

Published: May 31, 2022

This sparse picture book about the creative process is perfect for little makers and the catchy rhyme will make it a memorable read.

Last Stop on Market Street

Published: January 8, 2015

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This was one of the first picture books I read and fell in love with.

Thank you Omu

Published: October 2, 2018

Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu’s delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Mora’s signature art brings this community, gratitude-centered story to life.

Thank You, Day

Published: September 5, 2023

A child bursting with gratitude shares her thanks for the earth, the sun, and other natural provisions that make life more delightful. I love the language in this book and the simple, casual ways, the narrator thanks her surroundings, “Psst! Sunflowers!… I see you–taller every day!” The illustrations are charming and colorful. Great for older kids ages 4 and up.

Other Recommended Kindergarten Books

Solitary Animals

Published: March 8, 2022

Are you an introvert? Then you’ll love this new picture book about solitary animals in the wild. We learn that some animals are more social and move in packs, while others prefer a more solitary life. The dazzling imagery and animal trivia in this picture book make it a breathtaking read.

The Queen of Kindergarten

Published: May 24, 2022

MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom’s special tiara on her head, she knows she’s going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn’t just for show—it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness, and impressive soccer skills, too! Like  The King of Kindergarten , this is the perfect book to reinforce back-to-school excitement and build confidence in the newest students.

The King of Kindergarten

Published: July 2, 2019

The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head–like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten ! Starting kindergarten is a big milestone–and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day.

Published March 12, 2024

An impossibly charming picture book that personifies #BlackBoyJoy. This picture book depicts a group of boys who do a lot together, including caring, leading, crying, and glowing. Such an ode to Black boys and all that they are.

There they are: 20 of the best books for kindergarten! Which of these books have you read and loved? Which ones did I miss?

More Kindergarten Book Lists

• Great books for 1st graders
• The best chapter books for 1st graders
• My favorite picture books for older kids

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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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Reader Interactions

What do you think leave a comment cancel reply.

May 11, 2023 at 2:18 pm

I would add That’s Not my Name by Anoosha Syed and All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. I’m not sure I’d recommend The Bad Seed. It’s come under some criticism for having a racist message by contributing to the black = bad trope.

May 12, 2023 at 2:37 am

Thanks for sharing — I’ll check those two out! 🙂

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Filling the shelves of your classroom library with engaging, imaginative books is an ideal way to encourage students to challenge themselves and read all year long.

Featuring beloved characters like Clifford and Pete the Cat , plus award-winning authors like Kevin Henkes and Cynthia Lord , this distinctive mix of fiction and nonfiction titles will capture the hearts and minds of kindergarteners from the moment they turn the first page.

These beloved classics make a great addition as you build and grow your classroom library as well as your students' love of reading. 

Shop popular titles to fill your shelves below! You can find all books and activities at  The Teacher Store .

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25 Best Kindergarten Books to Read in Class: Teacher’s Guide

1. Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems

2. if you take a mouse to school by laura joffe numeroff, 3. firebird by misty copeland, 4. i am enough by grace byers, 5. the maggie b by irene haas, 6. may i bring a friend by beatrice schenk de regniers, 7. where the wild things are by maurice sendak, 8. yo yes by chris raschka, 9. cleversticks by bernard ashley, 10. david goes to school by david shannon.

The best kindergarten books to read aloud and by oneself can range widely from fictional tales to books with interesting facts. While students may have preferences in terms of what genre they love, you can encourage them to expand their reading horizons by introducing them to a diverse range of books.

To start with, you can reference a reading framework to measure your student’s reading level , such as the Lexile score, and add books from those levels to your class library or reading list. Books that meet your students’ reading level can help foster a love for reading as they gain confidence in their reading ability. 

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite books that are perfect for kindergarten readers. You can open a chapter from any of these books and let your kindergarteners immerse themselves in these new worlds. While many of these have unique stories, they are all designed to teach students valuable lessons such as courage, determination, hard work, and leadership.

Here are kindergarten reading games to educate and engage your kids!

The 25 Best Kindergarten Books To Rea d

Reading can bring immense joy to young readers as they explore new worlds and discover new ways of thinking. You can introduce a wide range of books that can be relevant to their experiences and give them a sense of direction in their reading journeys. The books to read to kindergarten students are the ones that they can remember for years.

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This storybook for kindergarten children revolves around the dynamics of Gerald and Piggie, and their approach to asking for things. While one is patient, the other is demanding, making their friendship unique and full of twists and turns.

Category – Humor, Fiction

Takeaways – The simplicity of waiting rather than throwing a tantrum

Special Note – You can role play as the characters and speak aloud sentences for maximum engagement.

This engaging tale of the mouse talks about what happens if you take a mouse to school. It teaches cause and effect while exploring everything that waits for the boy and the mouse at school. It is one of the best books to read in kindergarten to instill equal parts confidence and empathy.

Category – Fiction

Takeaways – Courage and kindness go a long way

Special Note – This book is perfect for kids that may feel anxious on their first day of school

Misty Copeland, the distinguished ballet performer for the American Ballet Theater, takes young readers on a journey to reaching the stars. She describes a blueprint for young girls to strengthen their faith in themselves while becoming as fearless as the Firebird.

Takeaways – The rewards of hard work shine through

Special Note – The book can be used as a guide on achieving long-term goals for kids

It is a great book to read in kindergarten and practice reading aloud in class , as it empowers young women around the world to strengthen their self-esteem. “Like the trees, I’m here to grow. Like the mountains, here to stand”. 

Takeaways – Kindness and self-esteem will take you everywhere

Special Note – The book is excellent for young girls to explore their inner gifts

One of the best books for kindergarten readers, The Maggie B is a tale of a young girl who goes on a magical adventure. It focuses on the power of courage and adventure-seeking when you face the unknown.

Category – Classic

Takeaways – Leadership in times of adventure is essential.

Special Note – You can use the illustrations in the book as a guide to the text.

This classic kindergartener book revolves around a child who is invited by royalty to tea. It is a visual masterpiece in its design and has lessons that children can use for years. You can start by exploring the underlying themes within the book.

Category –  Classics

Takeaways – Humility, compassion, and kindness are traits all kids should imbibe

Special Note – You can sing aloud the rhyming sentences in the class

Another classic tale for kindergarten children, the book focuses on how anger can impact our own sense of wellness and affects those around us. Max wears a wolf suit and causes chaos within his home and his surroundings, eventually going outwards to seek the wild.

Category – Picture book, Classics

Takeaways – The role of anger in the lives of young kids

Special Note – You can focus on teaching the importance of empathy and compassion 

The book focuses on how easy it is to make friendships that can last a lifetime. Cultural differences can be overcome through friendship, showcasing the power of understanding, compassion, and kindness.

Category – Picture book

Takeaways – Similarities and differences between cultures are explored in a simple way

Special Note – You can role-play the characters in the book for maximum impact 

This book for kindergarten readers explores how each child can do something special in their field of interest and become better at it. It talks about how school can be a place of magical adventures, where each child can find something unique to focus on.

Takeaways – It focuses on how struggles can be overcome to achieve success

Special Note – Groups can be given different tasks to help them grow

Young David causes havoc in this tale, disobeying instructions, being noisy, and writing on desks. David then realizes the importance of being a part of a community and starts to change his behavior to fit in with everyone else. 

Takeaways – David’s transformation can be an example for all kids

Special Note – You can introduce this book when kids are being unruly and rude in class

11. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen

The storybook for kindergarten children describes the journeys of dinosaurs as they enter their first year of school. It reflects many of the emotions that kids feel when they start school and leaves children with a sense of courage, hope, and perseverance.

Takeaways – The book’s humorous take on everyday school activities can help kids adjust to school

Special Note – You can read aloud certain sections with dinosaur sounds

12. Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

Captain Swashby’s journey to opening up and being friends with his new neighbors is a relatable theme that all kids can enjoy reading. The roles of friendship, family, and compassion are explored in this classic tale.

Takeaways – By focusing on compassion, the tale connects generations with a common theme

Special Note – The book is great for exploring phonics, sight words, etc.

13. Out the Door by Christy Hale

Out the Door focuses on a child’s journey from their home to school. It helps kids become more independent, courageous, and resilient as they traverse busy streets, crowded places, and confusing intersections.

Category – Classic, Picture book

Takeaways – The book’s empowerment theme resonates with young readers

Special Note – You can be descriptive about the visuals in the book when exploring themes  

14. T. Rexes Can’t Tie Their Shoes by Anna Lazowski

The book revolves around the challenges that different animals face when doing everyday things. It shows strength, perseverance, and grit when animals continue trying things they are not good at. It’s a light and casual read that will have children hooked, and kindergarten books to read can be for fun and pastime, too. 

Category – Funny

Takeaways – Kids should always try their best and focus on improving their skills

Special Note – You can emphasize how different characters in the book refuse to give up

15. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

One of the best books for kindergarten students – Thank you, Omu! focuses on how generosity is reciprocated multiple times. The gifts given by the lady were impactful to her community, leading the community to give her gifts in return.

Takeaways – The gift of giving is a key theme underlying the narrative

Special Note – You can talk about similar themes in kids’ everyday lives and how giving feels good

16. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

This New York Times bestseller talks about how everyone is welcome in school and how everyone can explore their interests equally. It goes into more detail on how large-scale communities are built through diverse ideas, cultures, and backgrounds.

Category – Fiction, Picture book

Takeaways – Diversity is a key theme in the book, which is a great lesson for kids

Special Note – You can give real-life examples of how diversity benefits different jobs, industries, countries, etc.

17. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly always worries about getting hurt, falling ill, and other hypothetical situations. You can unpack the demerits of constantly worrying and how the world can be a joyful place to meet new people and do new things.

Takeaways – The role of fear and courage are expressed in this book

Special Note – You can alleviate the fear of school by reading snippets from this book

18. Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

The book Kindergarten Rocks! is a timeless classic that covers the ground on how kids may feel when starting kindergarten. The feelings of anxiousness, fear of the unknown, and social nervousness are described through illustrations and rich narratives.

Takeaways – The book focuses on early anxiousness when starting kindergarten.

Special Note – You can make your students feel at ease with this one.

19. The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist

This feel-good adventure of fish and sharks takes students through the deeply engaging journey of young adults and how they face multiple challenges as they grow older. The shark follows the little fish everywhere and eventually gives up, with the fish living happily ever after.

Takeaways – This book focuses on the value of trying to find a way

Special Note – Kids can learn about how helping each other out is important for all animals

20. What Does It Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio

The book captures what it takes to be kind and how to transform an entire community through kindness. The impact of kindness and how it can spread to other people is also a key theme explored in the book.

Takeaways – The value of kindness and how it can evolve thought is a critical theme

Special Note – You can leverage the book to introduce empathy as a concept in class

21. I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty

The immersive and illustrative book features a young frog who wants to change who he is because he doesn’t like himself any longer. The book focuses on the dynamics of nature, self-acceptance, and appreciation for differences in people.

Takeaways – A fun adventure narrative that empowers kids to be themselves

Special Note – You can use toys and props when reading along

22. What Color Is Night? by Grant Snider

If you’re looking for metaphor-rich and adventurous kindergarten books to read, this book takes readers on a journey into the night. The vivid descriptions of how the world changes at night captivate even the youngest readers, making this a must-read for students.

Takeaways – The night evolves into darkness, with a bright cloud always around the corner

Special Note – You can use this book as a reference guide to art class as well

23. Locomotive by Brian Floca

The book takes children on an adventure across the country through the fascinating means of transportation at the time – trains! Many of the intricacies of locomotives are explored through a fictional tale that captures the attention immediately.

Category – Historical Fiction, Picture book

Takeaways – The advancement of technology and culture is a key area of exploration in the book.

Special Note – This is a great book for kindergarten students when introducing American history.

24. Bach to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger

An interesting tale of how Bach could have invented some of the most brilliant pieces of music, the book extracts from the composer’s journey and simplifies it for younger audiences. You can read this book aloud and introduce concepts such as confidence, perseverance, hard work, etc.

Takeaways – The challenges that a young Bach faces can be inspirational for younger generations.

Special Note – You can introduce this book as a precursor to the evolution of music worldwide.

25. A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David A. Adler

Harriet Tubman’s inspiring journey is captured visually through the book, sharing accounts of her heroic deeds in a manner that is readable by younger children. Her courage, determination, and grit are expressed throughout the passages, serving as a great example for kids. 

Category – History

Takeaways – The book focuses on her journey and highlights her courage when facing challenges.

Special Note – The book can serve as a guide on building inner strength among younger children.

Explore more online educational resources and printable worksheets for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i know if a book is right for my kindergarten students.

A key factor in knowing if a book is suitable for your students, apart from reading levels , is to gauge engagement. If your class is drifting away or showing a lack of concentration, it is ideal to try another book.

What is the reading level of a 5-year-old kindergartner?

Level-A reading and basic Lexile-Band reading are generally considered the appropriate categories of leveled reading books for kindergarten students. At this level, illustrations are present regularly to help the reader figure out where the story is heading. Sentences in level books are usually repetitive. Using only one or two-syllable words, making them the best books to read for kindergarten.

What genre of books is ideal for kindergarten kids?

There is no single genre that is right for kids. However, it is essential to diversify when it comes to reading. Historical novels, comedic books, classic tales, and picture books should be used yearly. You can also get them kindergarten books to read online so they can access multiple genres.

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Kindergarten Stories and Reading Worksheets

Stories with reading comprehension exercises.

Each reading worksheet in this section has a story followed by questions . Questions for kindergarten students are focused on recalling information directly from the text . Encourage your kids to read carefully and try to answer the questions from memory.

Are We There Yet?     Fiction, 90 words

Missing Boat     Fiction, 70 words

Playing with Friends       Fiction, 38 words

A Birthday Party       Fiction, 41 words

Baseball       Fiction, 38 words

Winter Fun       Fiction, 50 words

Big Feet     Fiction, 70 words

Soccer Game       Fiction, 53 words

Making Pizza       Fiction, 46 words

My Pets       Fiction, 53 words

The Ocean       Fiction, 50 words

My Friends       Fiction, 74 words

Cheeky Chipmunk     Fiction, 90 words

The Bookshelf       Fiction, 70 words

The Classroom       Fiction, 52 words

Playground       Fiction, 54 words

Sally's Pet     Fiction,  90 words

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Morning Work

• Teaching Tips

The 50 Best Read Aloud Chapter Books for Kindergarten

Is it normal to read chapter books in kindergarten? While picture books are just fine for kindergarten, I highly recommend using some chapter books in kindergarten during read aloud time as well.

Why, you might be asking?

Here the thing-

Chapter books are wonderful for young listeners too because they really help kids with their reading comprehension and listening skills. 

They are forced to picture the events from the story in their imagination instead of having pictures to clearly guide them. This highly improves a child’s comprehension skills. (Speaking of comprehension-read until the end to grab a FREE story retell comprehension cube!)

Let’s dive in to the 50 best read aloud chapter books for kindergarten. 

How Do I Choose a Good Read Aloud Book for Young Children?

Choosing a good book for a read aloud is super important because you want to make sure it engages students and captures their attention. Books that have a drawing every few pages are nice but not absolutely necessary. This can definitely help keep kids engaged during this time. I look for books that have powerful or funny characters, are silly and will make students laugh or teach a lesson or moral.

Find Appropriate Chapter Books for 5 and 6 Year Olds

At age 5 and 6, children still tend to have a fairly short attention span. If you get them to focus on a task for 30-45 minutes, that’s pretty great! My biggest recommendation at this age would be to read chapter books with fairly short chapters. I loved reading 1-2 chapters of a book during a short 10-15 minute block throughout our school day.

Kindergarten can be exhausting! This is a great time for student’s busy brains to decompress as they are taken away on a magical adventure through the power of words.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: 14 Cheap Ways to Get Books for Your Classroom

Best Read-Aloud Chapter Books for Kindergarten

Early chapter books are a great idea to use for read aloud time even in kindergarten. Let’s look at this HUGE list of 50 great chapter books to read to your kindergarten class!

{Affiliate Disclosure: The books below are all Amazon affiliate links which means that I make a small commission if you purchase the product that I recommended. You do not pay any more for the product through an affiliate link. Thank you for supporting this blog for kindergarten teachers!}

1.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by: Roald Dahl

Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. Charlie is in for the ride of his life!

2.  The Magic Tree House Series-Tonight on the TItanic by: Mary Pope Osborne

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie away to the decks of that ill-fated ship, the Titanic. There, they must help two children find their way to a lifeboat, all while they are in danger of becoming victims of that tragic night themselves.

3.  Charlotte’s Web by: E.B White

The pig named Wilbur and the wise spider named Charlotte warm the hearts of readers everywhere.

4.  The Mouse and the Motorcycle by: Beverly Cleary

When the ever-curious Ralph spots Keith’s red toy motorcycle, he vows to ride it. So when Keith leaves the bike unattended in his room one day, Ralph makes his move. But with all this freedom (and speed!) come a lot of obstacles.

5.  Stuart Little by: E. B White

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he’s shy and thoughtful, he’s also a true lover of adventure.

6.  Anne of Green Gables by: L.M. Montgomery 

In Anne of Green Gables, the book introduces us to the Cuthberts of Prince Edward Island. When Marilla and Matthew intend to adopt a boy to help them on their farm, they receive an unexpected surprise—a fiery-haired, imaginative girl named Anne.

7.  Peter Pan by: Tania Zamorsky

Fly “second to the right and straight on till morning” with Peter. Wendy, John, and Michael Darling as they meet Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys and the menacing Captain Hook.

8.  Wayside School is Falling Down by: Louis Sachar

Miss Mush is dishing out her famous Mushroom Surprise in the Wayside School cafeteria. Ron says it tastes like hot dogs and grape jelly. Clean your plate and you’ll turn green in time for class picture day. Wear your craziest outfit and you’ll fit right in between Maurecia in her striped bikini and Calvin, who’s wearing his birthday tattoo. Say cheese!

9.  Mercy Watson to the Rescue by: Kate DiCamillo

The Mercy Watson Series is a beloved series to read in kindergarten. This is just one story out of a bunch! 

To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she’s a porcine wonder. And to the portly and good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons’ bed. BOOM! CRACK! As the bed and its occupants slowly sink through the floor, Mercy escapes in a flash…

10.  Boxcar Children by: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Four young orphans discover an abandoned boxcar and move in, embarking on a life of self-reliance and hard work — but they also enter a world of freedom and adventure. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are afraid of the grandfather they’ve never met, and to escape his custody they set out on their own, working odd jobs to make money for necessities.

11.  Junie B. Jones Series by: Barbara Park

Meet the World’s Funniest First Grader—Junie B. Jones! Your students will fall in love with her immediately!

12.  Jack Jones-Train to Nowhere by: Zander Bingham

When middle-grader Jack Jones, his sister Emma, and best buddy Albert find themselves aboard a runaway train, the three adventurers must work together to stop it—before it’s too late!

13.  The Little House Series by: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Meet the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie, who all live in a cozy log cabin in the big woods of Wisconsin in the 1870s. Though many of their neighbors are wolves and panthers and bears, the woods feel like home, thanks to Ma’s homemade cheese and butter and the joyful sounds of Pa’s fiddle.

14.  Pippi Longstocking by: Astrid Lindgren

Tommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another!

15.  Mr. Popper’s Penguins by: Richard Atwater

A classic of American humor, the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins.

16.  Fancy Nancy-Secret Admirer by: Jane O’Connor

Love is in the air!  Nancy and Bree decide to play matchmaker, but nothing works out as planned. Will love conquer all in the end?

17.  Flat Stanley by: Jeff Brown

Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary boy. At least he was, until the night his bulletin board fell off the wall and flattened him. At only half an inch thick, Stanley can slide under doors, mail himself across the country in an envelope, and fly like a kite!

18.  Our Friend Hedgehog by: Lauren Castillo

After a big storm blows his stuffed dog Muddy away, Hedgehog must search far and wide for his beloved friend. Along the way, he discovers new friends who help him on his journey.

19. The Magician’s Elephant by: Kate DiCamillo

When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!)

20. Matilda by: Roald Dahl

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress.

When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

21. The Indian in the Cupboard by: Lynne Reid Banks

It’s Omri’s birthday, but all he gets from his best friend, Patrick, is a little plastic Indian toy. Trying to hide his disappointment, Omri puts the Indian in a metal cupboard and locks the door with a mysterious skeleton key that once belonged to his great-grandmother.

Little does Omri know that by turning the key, he will transform his ordinary plastic Indian into a real live man from an altogether different time and place! Omri and the tiny warrior called Little Bear could hardly be more different, yet soon the two forge a very special friendship.

22. Freckle Juice by: Judy Blume

More than anything in the world, Andrew Marcus wants freckles. His classmate Nicky has freckles—they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. But when Andrew asks Nicky where he got them, Nicky just says he was born with them. Some help  he  is! That’s when Sharon offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe—for fifty cents, she promises, Andrew can look just like Nicky. His freckleless days are over! He rushes home to whip up the concoction. Grape juice, vinegar, mustard…

23. The Trumpet of the Swan by: E.B. White

Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can’t trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can’t even make a sound. And since he can’t trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena’s affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

24. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by: Kate DiCamillo

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. . . .

25. Nancy Clancy by: Jane O’Connor

In this first in a series of delightful chapter books, Fancy Nancy takes on the role of detective. When one of Nancy’s classmate’s most treasured possessions disappear from school, it’s up to detective Nancy to solve the mystery and save the day.

26. Fantastic Mr. Fox by: Roald Dahl

Someone’s been stealing from the three meanest farmers around, and they know the identity of the thief—it’s Fantastic Mr. Fox! Working alone they could never catch him; but now fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded.

What they don’t know is that they’re not dealing with just any fox—Mr. Fox would rather die than surrender. Only the most fantastic plan can save him now.

27. The Wizard of Oz by: L. Frank Baum

The classic story of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion that every kid should know!

28. My Naughty Little Sister by: Dorothy Edwards

The narrator states that her naughty little sister is stubborn and greedy and full of mischief. She tries to cut off the cat’s tail and eats all the trifle at Harry’s party! How much bother can one little sister be?!

29. Megabat by: Anne Humphrey

A sweet and hilarious chapter book about a boy and a bat, two unlikely friends who bond over loneliness, jellyrolls and Darth Vader.

30. Dragon Masters by: Tracey West

This series has easy-to-read text, high-interest content and fast-paced plots and illustrations on every page. In book #6, the Dragon Masters have to save the prime Dragon Stone — or they will lose their connections to their dragons forever! The Dragon Masters travel to the Land of Pyramids in search of the secret Pyramid of the Seven Dragons. There are several puzzles they’ll need to solve in order to reach the hidden stone. Will the Dragon Masters find the prime Dragon Stone in time?

31. The Secret Garden by: Frances Hodgson Burnett

When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle’s great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.

The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary’s only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, Mary discovers a way in—and becomes determined to bring the garden back to life.

32. Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess by: Shannon Hale

The Princess in Black and her friends are enjoying a day of sun and sea on Princess Sneezewort’s royal boat when a real, live mermaid princess emerges from the waves!  Eeeeeee!

33. Zoey and Sassafras by: Asia Citro

Zoey and Sassafras, the trusty cat, can only solve problems by using science in this book! Each story features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science.

34. Amelia Bedelia by: Peggy Parish

Amelia Bedelia books are so silly and loved by kids everywhere!

35. Ivy and Bean by: Annie Barrows

Meet Ivy & Bean. Bean has lots of friends, loves stomping in puddles and hates being bored. Ivy has just moved in next door. Ivy seems nice, wears dresses and sparkly headbands—which makes Bean think she’s too boring to be friends with.

But after Ivy comes to Bean’s rescue, they become the best of friends and begin a series of silly, sneaky, imaginative, sometimes naughty, and always hilarious adventures.

36. Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness by: Ben Clanton

The two best friends come across an enthusiastic school of fish one morning. Unfortunately, Mr. Blowfish, their teacher, has come down with a cold, and class will have to be cancelled . . . until Professor Knowell (Narwhal) and Super Teacher (Jelly) volunteer to help out! 

37. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by: Betsy MacDonald

The perfect combination of Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle is a hilarious story with lots of problem-solving skills. It’s perfect for adding discussion with your students throughout the book.

38. The Littles by: John Peterson

This book is an oldie but a goodie, and students still love it today! The Littles are a family of very small people who live inside a wall! When the family who owns the house goes on vacation, a real adventure begins when cats and mice take over. The two littlest Littles must try to save the day so they can get back to their normal lives. 

39.  The Princess and the Dragon by: A.M. Luzzader

When Princesses Olivia and Juniper agree to help Queen Jennifer with some important royal business, they are assigned to deliver a package to Stony Mountain, the home of the dragon of Wildflower Kingdom! Can the princesses carry out this scary job? Will they turn back? Or will they discover that dragons aren’t so scary after all?

40.  Nate the Great by: Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Nate the Great has a new case! His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he can solve the mystery.

41.  The Nocturnals-The Mysterious Abductions by: Tracey Hecht

This is a fun-filled little adventure series about three unlikely animals who solve unpredictable mysteries with friendship, teamwork and humor.

42.  The Princess and the Castle-A Fairy Tale Chapter Book Series by: A.M. Luzzader

This series is by the same author as “The Princess and the Dragon” series. Princess Olivia has always been fascinated by magic wands, so she’s very excited when her mother, Queen Jennifer, lets her use the Magic Wand of Summerland to tidy up the castle. But trouble starts when the queen leaves, and Olivia and Juniper fight over the wand. Will the sisters come to their senses before the queen returns? 

43.  The Never Girls Collection by: Kiki Thorpe

In a blink of an eye, four best friends all get their biggest wish—they’re whisked off to Never Land, home to Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. 

44.  Beezus and Ramona  by: Beverly Cleary

Having a little sister like four-year-old Ramona isn’t always easy for Beezus Quimby. With a wild imagination, disregard for order and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be…especially when Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus’s birthday party.

45.  Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by: Beverly Cleary

Ramona likes that she’s old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape.

46.  Henry and Beezus by: Beverly Cleary

Henry Huggins would do anything to get the bike of his dreams. But every idea he has keeps falling flat. Selling bubble gum on the playground gets him in trouble with his teacher. There’s the paper route, but Henry’s dog Ribsy nearly ruins that with his nose for mischief. Even pesky little Ramona Quimby manages to get in the way of Henry’s chance at a bike. But it’s with the help of his best friend Beezus that there may be a way.

47.  Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by: Louis Sachar

Your favorite teachers and students are here from “The Wayside Series.” Everyone is scrambling to prepare for the all-important Ultimate Test, but meanwhile, there is a mysterious Cloud of Doom looming above them…

48.  Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by: Kate DiCamillo

Mr. and Mrs. Watson’s porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a “You are such a good sport, darling” to get the portly pig out of the driver’s seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons’ motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat!

49.  Patrick Picklebottom: The Case of the Brazillian Vase by: Mr. Jay

Patrick Picklebottom has a knack for critical thinking. So it’s not too surprising that he and his best friend, Claire, keep coming across everyday mysteries. In school, at the local ice cream shop, during a history fair – even in his own house – Patrick constantly comes across new cases to crack. 

50.  The Lucky Baseball Bat by: Matt Christopher

When Marvin moves to a new neighborhood, he wants nothing more than to make a good impression on his new teammates. After all, Marvin loves baseball more than anything, and all he wants is to prove he’s worth his spot on the team. And with his lucky baseball bat in hand, what could go wrong?

Best Read Aloud Picture Books for Kindergarten

Picture books will always have a special place in my heart as well in kindergarten! I have tons of posts with read aloud ideas that you can check out below:

First Day of Kindergarten Read Alouds

27 Back to School Read Alouds

Apple Themed Read Alouds

The Best Pumpkin Read Alouds for Kindergarten

Leaf Read Alouds for Kindergarten

MLK Jr. Day Read Alouds

14 Valentine’s Day Read Alouds

Spring Read Alouds

Earth Day Read Alouds for Kindergarten

100th Day Read Alouds for Kindergarten

Favorite Chapter Books for Early Readers

Hopefully you enjoyed this list of 50 best read aloud chapter books for 5 year olds. A great book can take readers of any age on a journey full of magic and fun adventures, with or without pictures! Classic chapter books can be the perfect read-aloud series from fifth grade all the way down to kindergarten. Give them a chance in your class and you and your students might just fall in love!

Grab this FREE story retell cube to help students work on their comprehension skills!

What are your favorite chapter books to read aloud, you might also like....

The Best Student Teacher Gifts

Sight Word Sentence Books for Kindergarten (Try a FREE one!)

Top Social Emotional (SEL) Books for Kindergarten

Helpful Links

Learn more about, free planning guide.

Retell Literacy Center: 20 Famous Story Retelling Ideas and Printables

My  literacy centers  are a core part of our kindergarten schedule. They are active literacy centers that keep us on our toes and working so that I can work with small groups.

Today, let me share my kindergarten retell literacy center directions, expectations and a list of the 20 stories that make up this year-long center in our classroom.

Most of the stories that I place into the retell literacy center are pretty famous (or at least well known within the world of kindergarten teachers) but there may be one or two new stories for you! It’s all about how I’ve added found and hand-made items (many for super cheap or free) to bring these stories alive.

I’m going to be honest with you – this literacy center is the one I enjoy “spying” on the most while I’m reading with my guided reading groups.

I strain from halfway across the room to hear the book language my kinders are using and to listen to the biggest billy goat gruff say, “Well come along! I’ve got two hard horns and four hard hooves. See what you can do!” {wink}

Students retell the story by using their own recall or by attempting to read well-loved books.

The best props

What materials does it take? Anything you can find!

I’ve made lots of my “props,” but many of them came from scanning pictures in a book, finding freebies in the FREE box at garage sales, and the Dollar Tree.

Any left over beanie babies? You may just have a few characters you need for Polar Bear, Polar Bear…

Click any picture to read more about the book, get printables and instructions on how to make it yourself!

How to makeit successful

How do my kinders know these books so well that they can retell them independently? I understand that to avoid frustration with kinders – they must know what to do and be very familiar with it before they can and will do it independently.

It’s not boring to them, they love it when its familiar and they know how to do it on their own. {It’s the same reason they can watch the same movie over and over and over.}

We read the book until they are familiar with it and can almost repeat it word for word. {Ser.ious.ly.}

The first time is always just for read aloud pleasure, then the work begins dissecting the book.

Each literacy center in my classroom has a poster which dictates what their activity options are. In this particular retell center – it is simple… they only get one option.

I like to offer choice wherever I can in centers – so in this instance, choice comes into play with what book(s) they choose.

Retell Literacy Center Directions and Standards Poster

While this center does meet CC standards, I often see lots of cooperative learning and social skill building going on here too… which is a bonus!

They’d rather retell with more kinders than less to share the parts. It’s pretty great.

How to set up this literacy center

Read aloud and rehearse.

Having laid that out, I want you to know that we will generally read the story aloud at least four times before ever releasing it into this center. We retell it as a class on the last reading (giving them a chance to see the retell prop materials in action).

Keep the set up simple

• Choose a bucket/bin they can put all of the pieces into – including the book and props. I really like using Dollar Store bins for this center but did use book baskets as well over the years.
• Use a velcro label on the front is perfect to switch out the materials and a picture of the book so everything gets returned to the right bucket.
• Grab a couple of blankets to create a floor mat, stage or cozy retelling space.
• Have a copy of the book that is just for this center (if you can). It will get lots of love and need replacing in a few years, but the price in value is golden.

Keep it fresh all year long

To keep it fresh all year long, I simply change out the books as we learn more and then throw in some favorite older ones. We normally have 4-5 out at the center during the school year. Here is a list of the famous 20 books in our classroom.

Famous kindergarten books to retell

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Fresh Fall Leaves
• Big Pumpkin
• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
• The Little Red Hen
• The Very Quiet Cricket
• Red Riding Hood
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Hansel and Gretel
• The Gingerbread Man
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff
• The Fat Cat
• Cookie’s Week
• The Doorbell Rang
• The Three Little Pigs

It makes me laugh at the end of the year when I put in one or two of the first books we ever did and they’re like, “I don’t really remember the words to this one.”

All it takes is me saying, “Have you tried reading the words to see if you can do it on your own?” They beam because by this point they aren’t just “remembering” the words like they were at the beginning of the year – they are reading !

Retell literacy center standards

This literacy center is all about developing a love of books by playing out the parts, recalling text, and every part of a story. Know those  Common Core standards  that are all about the parts of a story?

• K.RL.1 – With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
• K.RL.2 – With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
• K.RL.3 – With prompting and support, identify characters, setting and major events in a story.

Well, this center is fondly known to me as the center where  books come alive , I see my students recreating the book’s setting, becoming the characters {oh, and they won’t leave out a single one} and living out the major events and key details.

With a few props and a lot of imagination, this center is always a favorite!

I hope with this collection of resources, you too can have a fantastic year-long literacy center and enjoy “spying” on your kinders as they are learning in their own retell-imagination bubble.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly!

More literacy centers

• How to Create Smart Literacy Centers that Last All Year
• Detective Literacy Center – read and write the room
• Kindergarten Literacy Centers {Details, Workboard, Routine}
• Library Literacy Center – it’s so easy!

Leslie is the teacher behind KindergartenWorks . She believes in teaching kinders how to be pretty incredible along with teaching them to read, write and think for themselves. She enjoys drinking hot tea, making mud pies with her four kids and sharing what she's learned with teachers.

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52 Comments

What a wonderful idea. I love this

I LOVE this post. Thanks for the resources.

Could you please explain the directions given to the students regarding their work in the retelling center. Are they working together to produce a group retelling? If so, how do they decide on rolls, jobs etc? (I could see some problems here because everyone will want to work with the”fun” prop! I know you have a solution for that problem!) Or, are they working individually on their own retelling ? Who is the audience? Do the children takes turns in that role?

Hi Eileen, The directions are pretty basic. I don’t dictate how they have to retell and if they have to do it as a group. We model performing for an audience (the rest of the class) when we do it together before releasing it into the center. Normally they are very good about choosing on their own what they’d like to do. It’s part of the cooperative learning process as they talk about what stories they want to retell, which parts they want to play and how they set it all up. If everyone wants a turn with a certain prop, then they could potentially retell it a few times taking turns. I actually didn’t have that problem more than a handful of times over 10 years. I encouraged them to talk out a solution. They can perform for each other, but most often in my small groups of 3 I saw 1 be the narrator/reader and the other 2 take turns using the objects to tell the story. Then they’d get another story and repeat but often switching up the roles. I hope that can help! – Leslie

I noticed in your descriptiuon you mentioned what time of year you read each book. Would you mind listing them in order from beginning of the year to end of the year? Thanks!

I’ll have to consider that as a post idea – thanks!

You are a great and beautiful person, Leslie! Thank you for sharing these to us. May you and your be blessed bountiful. You are giving enormous help to a lot of parents and teachers 😀

If you want to take this a step further, have your children draw a picture or take pics of the retelling each part and make a simple class book. Add a class list with a space for comments next to each name, bind, and let the children take turns taking it home to share and re read to their families. I just did this with Mary Wore Her Red Dress.

Clever Priscilla! I can definitely see tying more literacy into every story! We love to retell most of these through some typed of shared or interactive writing piece which allows me to bring in the conventions of writing too. Thanks for sharing your tips! – Leslie

Hey there! I love your “There was an old lady…” story props. Would you by any chance have the Simms Taback version available to download? Thanks! 🙂

Hi Jessika, Thanks for asking – I have digitized only 3 of the animals so far. I’ll keep working on them! Check back as I’ll make them available when they’re complete. – Leslie

I LOVE this post Leslie!!! I was looking up literacy activities for little ones and your post popped up to my surprise 🙂 Will be using this post for our future Baby Book Club meetups <3 xoxo Mor

Thanks Mor! Glad to hear about your new permanent position 😉 Awesome stuff! -Leslie

Leslie, I posted some free printables also to go with books, the last one I made was “Cookie Week” please stop by and take a look my blog is http://owensfamily-gwyn.blogspot.com . I love using books and making props. Gwyn

Thanks Gwyn for letting me know – I can add a link to your printable for my readers! I’d also invite you to share any of your free printable ideas on TeachJunkie.com! – Leslie

All of your retell posts are getting me enthused to add another work station option for my kinder kiddos! Thanks for all the sharing!!!!!

Carried Away in…K!

Thanks Kim!

Where did you find the printouts for the very hungry caterpillar (the ones with holes in the fruit) and the old lady with the hole in her stomach? Those are wonderful!

I made the old lady ones from looking at the book – they are just drawn with marker. I can’t find the exact printables that I have pictured, but these are good ones!

http://www.kizclub.com/storypatterns/caterpillar.pdf

Great ideas for retelling! I love that your ideas are so simple to implement. Thanks!

I love your blog and the resources you have and supply! Great job!

i also have just discovered sheets of magnetic paper you can print right onto….all kinds of possiblities

Clever Kimberly! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to keep my eyes out. Where did you happen to find it!?

Thanks so much for these great ideas and awesome links!

do you know of the web site http://www.kizclub.com ? it has all kinds of books that you can print out the “flannel board” pieces for. I print them right onto “milk filters” the kind that you buy from farm supply stores for milking machines and cut to fit your printer….

Check out this link. http://makinglearningfun.com/themepages/BookPrintables.htm There are GOBS of things. There are goodies for over 85 children’s book.

Love your ideas! Thank you for sharing!

Wow! Thank you so much for this awesome post and all of the ideas at the bottom!!

I love this idea for a center!!! I usually just put the flannel board story pieces with the flannel board. Your ideas will be something that they will enjoy!

I have always loved this center in your classroom. I’m going to have to print some of these to do a retell center this year. I am not nearly as good at finding these props. I love this blog post, too!

Thanks for the great literacy ideas!! Your blog is wonderful! 🙂

What excitement you all have to share in your voices! Thanks for sharing your feedback! Jennie, most items that are literacy center materials have been updated to have the common core standards (like on the posters). Thanks for asking!

I tried to touch base with stayandplay mama – hopefully her amazing items will be back up soon!

Fantastic post. You have inspired me to create this center for next year. I, too, and having trouble getting to the Stay and Play mama website. I’ve been there many times in the past, but today it says I need to be invited. Any ideas, anyone?

I LOVE this post…i need to “re-think” and “re-do” this center for my kinders next year. One thing…for some reason i can not open the links on the “Stay and Play Mama” blogspot…am I doing something wrong? As always, your things are awesome! One other quick question…have you changed all of your wonderful things to match “Common Core” standards. I have purchased a lot of your things before the common core was put in place…no big deal either way…just a question! Thanks again for everything you do! Jennie in Southern Indiana

Love Love Love this. Our retell center is so boaring compared to this. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful! Love these ideas! Thanks!

OMG!!! This is AWESOME!!! It’s GREAT to have all of the resources right here in one spot!!! You rock!=) Thanks so much for doing this! Little Warriors

Love the literacy ideas! I think I will borrow some. Great job!

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I am new to blogging and can not believe all the goodness I’ve been missing. I don’t know how I’m going to catch up or take in all these great ideas. I found you through the birthday giveaway. I definitely am looking forward to checking out all your great ideas!! Thanks Ashley

I love, love, love that you shared these retelling props! I think it’s such a great idea for kinders and even first graders! Playground Duty

I think your blog is GREAT!! Thanks for participating in the birthday giveaway!!

What happens in kindergarten… lasts a lifetime

This is such a great way to develop language along with retell. Thanks for sharing with us. I can’t wait to see all the links. I purchased many things from Lakeshore but also made a few pieces of my own. I love to just scan pictures from the book, laminate and add felt on the back.

Great post with a multitude of resources. You continue to inspire.

First Grade Factory

Love your blog! New follower:) Found you with Ms. Kindergarten’s bday giveaway:)

4th Grade Frolics

Thanks for participating in Ms. Kindergarten’s birthday giveaway! I love your blog!

Oh my GOODNESS, thank you for sharing this! We always use the book to retell the story, and limited props, but I ADORE your creativity in making homemade props for all of these treasured books! I will be adding this center! AND I’m featuring your post on my blog! Thanks so so MUCH!

http://www.wildaboutkindergarten.blogspot.com

Love your ideas! I have a station for re-tell…but had never thought about doing Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with magnet letters…duh!? Where have I been? lol Thanks for sharing!! Jennifer First Grade Blue SKies

I LOVE that you shared this!! I am in a school where the principal moved from middle school to elementary. He doesn’t get kinders at all and I had to fight to get retelling and dramatic play back in my classroom. I love all your ideas of props… one that I wanted to add was letting the children create their own props. I have an end of the day free choice time where one of the choices is “creation station”. The kids have several choices of things to make and one is “something that is missing from retelling”. In years past I’ve had kids create “froggy” feet or Author’s glasses. It’s fun to see what they feel is missing or needed in the center!

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NEW! 2024-2025 PLANNING CALENDAR

Classic Stories – Big Book for Early Grades and Kindergarten CKF

This book is designed for the US preschool / pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) syllabus and has teachers guides and activity workbooks available with it, I’ll upload these soon, in the mean time you can find them here: https://www.coreknowledge.org/?s=classic+tales

The activities have lots of fun learning activities including matching images, board games, and recipes, with a few reading comprehension activities, aimed at young children, however some, for example, recipes and games can fit many ages.

This collection of stories has many favourites and can be enjoyable for learning English or for reading as bedtime stories.

Sample Page from Classic Stories

Contents from Classic Stories Collection

The Lion and the Mouse 1 The City Mouse and the Country Mouse 9 Goldilocks and the Three Bears 19 The Gingerbread Man 31 The Shoemaker and the Elves 45 The Little Red Hen 57 Thumbelina 67 How Turtle Cracked His Shell 85 Why Flies Buzz 95 The Three Little Pigs 111

Reading Comprehension Questions

The Lion and the Mouse Reading Comprehension

1. Who woke the lion by running across his paw? 3. What did the lion decide to do when the mouse said he would be his friend? 2. How did the lion feel about being awakened? 4. How did the mouse later help the lion?

Why Flies Buzz Reading Comprehension

1. Why did the man and woman go into the jungle? 3. What happened to the bushfowl’s nest? 2. What made the hippopotamus angry? 4. The lion decided that all the problems occurred because of one animal. Which animal?

Three Little Pigs Reading Comprehension 1. Who huffed and puffed and blew down the little pigs’ houses? 3. How did the wolf get into the brick house? 2. Which house was the only house the wolf could not blow down? 4. Where did the wolf end up in this story?

See more of our stories collections ebooks below

See more of our classic children’s stories ebooks below.

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Interesting! These books are amazing and always have a moral. My younger sister loves them. I used to read these storybooks when I was a kid now I am working with online class help and making assignments to fulfill my university expenses.

Brilliant! My daughter loves these stories. Many are short versions of stories she knows very well already but the short versions are great for a quick bedtime story which you can finish in about 10 minutes; think, The three little pigs without every “Huff” and “Puff”.

I LOVED IT SUPERB

i did kind of like this book but some of the pages are blank so i kind of cannot read the whole story but sure i did get an idea of the above stories

Hi, sometimes it just takes some time to load, some pages do show blank until the book is fully loaded, to solve the problem it can be easier to download rather than readonline

I loved this book because the stories are interesting and have a moral !

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A Huff and a Puff

Largo feels underappreciated. If he goes away, will anybody even notice he's even been gone? A story about feelings and belonging.

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An enormous turnip is stuck in the ground! It will take the whole village to get it out!

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Free Stories for Kids

Showing 21 - 30 of 50 Free Children's Books

021: DO YOU WONDER ABOUT RAIN, SNOW, SLEET AND HAIL?

Categories:  Age 4-7  /  Age 8-12

“What’s to wonder about water?”, you might ask. Professor Ture will tell you why.  Filled with compelling illustrations, this free children’s book takes a dive  into a whirlpool of knowledge about the ubiquitous water that we often take for granted.

022: I FOUND A FROG

Something magical was happening in the fish bowl  and he wasn’t  quite ready for what lay in store.  Read this captivating free illustrated book for kids that encourages them to explore and be awed by the many wonders of nature. 

023: A DOG ON A LOG

Categories:  Age 0-3  /  Age 4-7

Is there ever an ordinary day at the beach? Read what happens when a flea, a dog and a hog meet on a warm sunny day by the sea.  This Free Children’s Book is great read for children aged 3 to 8. 

024: ARE WE THERE YET?

Looking for a Free Bedtime story books? Jim and Jen are going to the zoo and the drive never seems to end. EVER! They just made a song for the road and the tune is growing on mom and dad.Let’s tap our feet and sing along..

025: DRAGONS

Dragons come in many shapes and sizes and speak different tongues. Some are mean, some are kind, some have legs while some don’t. No matter what they all have one thing in common..they grab eyes wherever they go.  Join our free children’s book giveaway to read more about these wonderful creatures.

026: THE HIKE

Mandy and grandpa went on a hike . But it was more than that. Together they explored the woods, learnt to be at peace with nature and talked their hearts out about things that mattered. It was a special bond between them and you’ve got to read this great free illustrated children’s book to experience it. Happy Exploring!!

027: PIRATES COVE

Sandy chances upon an old treasure map and as the events roll out one after another, he becomes richer both by pennies and by thoughts. Here’s a treasure hunt to embark upon  in this free children’s storybook. Sail Away Captain! The seven seas are yours.

028: THE WAY OF THE WOODS

Shh!  Did you hear that? The jungle’s saying a story and you cannot afford to miss it. A colorful narrative set in the woods..camouflaged as a free children’s dog story. Happy Reading!

029: JIMMY'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Jimmy’s starting school and he doesn’t know what’s in store. One step at a time, slowly but surely, he made it to the school bus. And off he went! Just like that. The illustrations in the free bed time book for children evoke sweet memories of that very special first day at school.

030: BULLY BILL

He thought he was the Lord of the Farm. He thought he was Boss. But his vanity was short lived and soon he learnt a lesson he’ll never forget. Follow this funny and thoughtful story of a certain farm we chanced upon in this free bedtime storybook.

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Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

20 Picture Books to Teach Sequencing & Beginning, Middle, and End

This post may contain affiliate links.

It’s important to teach sequencing to kids. Use picture books as mentor texts to teach sequence, including beginning, middle, and end. I taught sequencing starting as young as kindergarten and continued up through the primary grades. But remember, that you’re introducing story sequence as you read aloud to children and practice following directions. (First, put your shoes on. Second, put your coat on.)

Sequencing is part of the Common Core Reading Standards — and it’s an important life skill and literacy skill.

Understanding a story’s sequence helps kids when they need to retell the events in the story. It also helps kids predict what happens next because they understand the structure of a story or plot. Finally, it helps children follow directions!

I specifically love using wordless picture books to teach sequence, but there are many wonderful picture books that also can model story sequence or beginning, middle, and end. Here are some of my favorites you can use as mentor texts to teach this specific text structure.

**If you’re looking for HOW-TO / PROCEDURAL TEXTS , go to the How-To Mentor Text Book List .

But first, let’s start with a few possible activities to help you teach this concept… These are the books I’ve used in my classroom as well as new releases that I’ve read to my own children.

Ideas for Teaching Sequencing to Kids

Skip the Beginning, Middle, or End 

Take any book with a clear beginning, middle, and end, but don’t read one of the three parts. I love using Pancake Breakfast by Tomie dePaola and skip the ending.

Start by reading the story aloud to your students. As you start the story, you’ll want to talk about how it begins. Chart the beginning in a large graphic organizer or on a whiteboard. Then continue reading and stop after the middle. Ask your students what happens in the middle. You might prompt with, “ After the beginning event happens, what happens?”  

Next, recall together what happens in the middle. (She’s missing an ingredient. When she leaves to get it, the dog and cat make a mess of the batter.) Then, STOP. Don’t read the ending. Brainstorm with your kids what would make for a good ending. Would she come back and eat cereal? Make pancakes again? Ask them to write or draw (if they are pre-writers) what they think the ending should be.

In the next few days, you can use the same story or new stories and formulate what makes for a good beginning, a good middle, and a good ending. Use this to analyze the stories you read (did you like the ending?) and even more importantly, to help your students become better writers. If they know that the ending gives a sense of closure and the beginning gets readers interested as well as provides the setting and characters, you now have a rubric.

Human Sequential Timeline

Split up the story into clear sections that you’ll have them reconfigure back into order. You can do this with small groups or large groups. Have groups take each section, read it, and write a summary sentence about it. Each group shares with the entire class what their part was. When they finish, ask the groups to decide the sequence of events — and arrange their sentences accordingly. If you want to do this in small groups, have each member get a section and the small group rearranges the story in sequential order.

Use Graphic Organizers / Thinking Maps

There are some fantastic visual organizers that will support your kids in thinking sequentially.  As always, model using these organizers one at a time before you do a guided practice or ask your students to work independently. Pick one organizer to use. Gain mastery with that one before asking kids to move on to another one.

Story Sequence Map (Beginning, Middle, End)

Story Sequence Map (First, Next, Then, Last)

Story Sequence (Time Increments such as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, …)

Use Your Organizers and Maps to Retell

When you synthesize the main events, it makes it much easier for children to retell what happened in the story. Use the above graphic organizers to support your children in retelling what happened.

Mentor Texts to Teach Sequencing and Beginning, Middle, and End

Sequencing with wordless picture books.

Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso A little girl catches a vibrant orange fish. She takes it to her house where she creates a lake system with a hose, a swimming pool, glasses, vases, and pitchers. Then, the little girl returns the orange fish to the lake after a sweet good-bye.

Sequencing with Narrative Picture Books

Leave Me Alone by Vera Brosgol This grandmother just wants to be LEFT ALONE so she can finish knitting her grandchildren sweaters for the winter. In peace and quiet. But even in the woods, she’s not left alone. Finally, she finally finds a quiet, dark place to finish her knitting. And then she returns to gift her family with her loving work. A clear beginning, middle, and end.

The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez Remember the story of The Little Red Hen ? The Little Red Fort is the same set-up but with a girl-powered engineering twist. And it’s SO awesome — both the clever story and the fantastic illustrations!! Ruby asks her brothers to help her build something. They dismiss her idea. She isn’t daunted– she learns and does it herself. She invites them to help with all the steps in the process — making plans, gathering supplies, cutting the boards, hammering the nails — but the others always decline. The illustrations show the boys playing outside, playing in the pool, playing on screen time. Of course, when Ruby is all done, the boys want to play in her fort but she says no. To apologize, the boys contribute to the fort — flowers, paint, and a mailbox — then they all have a fort-warming party.

The Wolf, The Duck, and The Mouse by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen Do you know why the wolf howls at the moon? You’ll find out in this story! After a wolf eats him, a little mouse is quite surprised to meet a friendly duck inside the wolf’s belly. A duck who lives there and offers him soup. Now, the duck explains, there is no need to be afraid of getting eaten by the wolf. Together the two trick the wolf to give them exactly what they want to eat. Then, they save the wolf’s life so they can keep living in the comfort (and safety) of his belly. Your kids are going to love this silly story that somehow makes so much sense!

Sequencing with a Nonfiction Picture Book

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Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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Thank you so much for this list! What a huge help!

I’m so glad, Mary! Thanks for the comment!

Thank you so much!! Your lessons are explained so well, you’re a lifesaver for a beginning teacher!!!

You’re so welcome, Richele! I wish you well in your teaching journey!