Children have the easiest time relating to books that take them on fun adventures while teaching simple lessons. When a child starts reading for the first time, it’s important to find books that keep them engaged. Illustrated books provide the best context for those who are just learning to read by fully immersing them in the story. Here are five books we recommend for first-time readers:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The classic children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle follows the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through a week’s worth of food before becoming a butterfly. With colorful illustrations, pop-ups and holes, this book can hold any new reader’s attention. From this book, children can learn about days of the week and life cycles of different creatures. This creature-driven book is often cited as one of the best children’s books of all time. Since being published in 1969, this book has sold more than 40 million copies and inspired generations of children.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
“I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam I Am.” Like many of Dr. Seuss’s works, Green Eggs and Ham charms audiences of all ages while teaching children a lesson. The unnamed main character resists Sam I Am’s attempts to get him to try a new dish, green eggs and ham. The story rhymes throughout, which can help new readers sound out the words and adds to its sense of humor. Like the rhyming narrative, the illustrations are bright-colored, whimsical and surreal. At the end of the book, the main character tries the food he refused to eat and enjoys it, just like many young picky eaters.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Children with adventurous spirits can see themselves in Where the Wild Things Are. A young boy named Max wreaks havoc around the house while dressed in a wolf costume, and his mother sends him to bed without dinner. When he enters his bedroom, it’s mysteriously turned into a jungle environment. Max sails to an island inhabited by beasts. After intimidating them and becoming their king, he runs around with them causing ruckus. He starts feeling lonely and makes his way back to his real-life room, where a hot dinner awaits him. With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming lesson, children and parents alike enjoy this story.
Verdi by Janell Cannon
In the book Verdi, a young yellow python doesn’t want to grow up. Verdi enjoys being yellow with black stripes, slithering quickly across the rainforest floor and jumping across the sky. All the green snakes seem lazy and boring, and Verdi doesn’t want to be like them. When he sees the first sign of green on his body, he tries to get rid of it, but he eventually turns green and realizes that he can still be himself. The illustrations in this book not only help tell Verdi’s story but also give a glimpse into rainforest environments with other animals that live there. Even children who fear snakes can relate to Verdi’s struggle of finding who they are.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Corduroy tells the story of a small teddy bear who lives on a department store shelf. Corduroy spends his days sitting around waiting for a child’s friendship. A little girl named Lisa wants to buy him, but her mother doesn’t want to spend the money. She points out that the bear is missing a button. Once the store closes, Corduroy goes on an adventure to find his missing button. Lisa returns to the store with the money from her piggy bank, buys Corduroy, and sews a button on him after bringing him home. It turns out that both Lisa and Corduroy were looking for a friend. This story provides many life lessons, like saving money and not judging by appearances.
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