Choosing great books for fours and fives

Books for four and five year olds should appeal to children who are just starting to read for themselves, as well as being suitable to read aloud.
The stories should be more involved and interesting, although engaging pictures are still very important - they capture a child's imagination. Many stories for this age group have happy endings.
This is important if they're being read at bedtime, as a child should go to sleep feeling relaxed and reassured.

Fours and fives like...

Featured books for Fours and Fives

Look for stories that have the 3 Rs - rhythm, rhyme and repetition - because they're great fun to read aloud. 

Words and pictures together tell a story.  These Australian picture books are perfect examples - each has its own distinctive style of illustration.

Stories with rhyming words encourage early readers to join in and feel as if they're reading along.

Many stories for this age group have a definite beginning, gentle action which builds to a climax and a satisfying ending.

Books for this age group often use more complex language. 

Vocabulary can also be more developed for this age group; but children will still enjoy listening to the sound of a word before they know its meaning.

Traditional stories and rhymes are re-invented and re-visited in Isabella's Garden, Clancy and Millie and The Very Fine House and There Was An Old Sailor.
Yummy

Favourites

This is a great age to introduce traditional stories and simple folk and fairy tales. 

Families and friends

Fours and Fives are learning about people and relationships.

Use a variety of books and stories introduce them to many kinds of families.

Feelings

Fours and fives feel things intensely and are beginning to think about and understand the feelings of others.

 

Finding out

Fours and fives are curious about the world, how it works and their place in it. 

Find books with information that will answer their questions and encourage more! 

 

First day

Fours and fives are excited about starting school and it helps if they can read about how others cope on their first day.

Books like these can also help to reassure children who are nervous.

 

Funny stories

Fours and fives love jokes and playing with words and ideas – the sillier the better!

Find books that use words and language creatively to encourage creative thinking and a joy of reading.

Most of these books will be available at your public library.

I always knew reading to my kids was important, but this has opened my eyes to how important and how much.
Parent
 

I tell stories in Vietnamese and read to my children in English.  I only started reading English after receiving Better Beginnings. 
Parent
 

One mother reads with her four year old every afternoon after school now.  She said without these books, they would not have any to read. 
Teacher, Remote Community School
 

I always knew reading to my kids was important, but this has opened my eyes to how important and how much.
Parent

I think it’s been a wonderful initiative.  I feel sure it’s going to benefit both the children and parents and develop links with the library.
Teacher
 

 

It’s wonderful to have support across the community emphasising the importance of reading and language development. 
Community Health Nurse
 

…I never thought of reading to the children.  Better Beginnings has really boosted my confidence.
Parent

Better Beginnings gave me confidence. I know reading is an everyday tool and teaching my children will help them be more successful in life.
Parent