Kate Puckett: Forty Favorite Stories to Read Out Loud to Kids

The books listed here are mostly meant for preschoolers, and are listed in no particular order.

1. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
A testament to the power of the written word. Make sure to also check out Giggle, Giggle Quack, Duck for President, and Dooby, Dooby, Moo.

2. Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
I like books with songs in them, like this one. I like the other books about Strega Nona, too, especially Strega Nona's Magic Lessons. If you can get the Dom Delouise recording of this book, it's well worth it.

3. The Singing Chick by Victoria Stenmark
A story we have on tape, and listen to over and over again. Get the recording if you can, since it also includes a song.

4. Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
The first Froggy book I learned of, introducing me to this amusing character. I also enjoy the rest of the Froggy books, especially Froggy's First Kiss

5. Wolf by Becky Bloom
A tale that shows the civilizing power of learning to read.

6. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
A neat twist on an old classic. Shows the damaging power of escalation.

7. Los tres pequeños jabalíes / The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell
A southwestern version of the classic tale, and one in which the smart pig is female.

8. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
The old story from a new point of view. Can we trust everything we're told?

9. Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard
Another book that encourages children to take another perspective. Don't miss Miss Nelson is Back and Miss Nelson has a Field Day as well.

10. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
A favorite to read and also act out, especially the wild rumpus!

11. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
I feel just like Alexander some days, especially the part about the shoes.

12. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Stories to Go!) by William Steig
A favorite of mine from my childhood, and now I enjoy sharing it with the children in my class.

13. Doctor De Soto (A Sunburst Book) by William Steig
A clever mouse and his wife outwit an ailing fox.

14. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
A book that celebrates enjoying who you are, including your name.

15. Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson
A parallel Cinderella story, in which Cinder Edna picks the man she's most compatible with, who turns out not to be a prince.

16. Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole
A newfangled fairytale where the heroine isn't sure she wants to get married.

17. Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
Get your sillly accents out for this one, as Skippyjon imagines himself the hero of the day.

18. The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
A book that children can help you read, as the Ladybug repeats, "Hey, you! Wanna fight?" and all the other creatures reply in turn, "If you insist!"

19. Angel Child, Dragon Child (Reading Rainbow) by Michele Maria Surat
A story of getting to know new places and people and making new friends.

20. Paul and Sebastian (Children's Books from Around the World) by Rene Escudie
One of my favorites for addressing prejudices of any sort.

21. Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale (Stories to Go!) by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Another fractured fairytale with a delightful alternative ending and a recipe!

22. Frederick by Leo Lionni
A story that encourages recognizing each person's unique gifts and talents.

23. Swimmy (Knopf Children's Paperbacks) by Leo Lionni
Swimmy, a small black fish, encourages teamwork to protect the whole school.

24. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
One of my favorite stories as a child, about a bull who does not want to fight.

25. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
I'm mostly not fond of books by celebrities, but this one is a wonderful story for adopted, and not adopted, children.

26. When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth by Jamie Lee Curtis
Another enchanting Jamie Lee Curtis story that seems to capture a young child's idea of her past.

27. Gilberto and the Wind (Picture Puffin) by Marie Hall Ets
This story encourages me to slow down and think about how children view nature.

28. The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
What will the children do when the cookies are all divided evenly and the doorbell rings again?

29. Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
A story many children might identify with, of a child who doesn't like her new sibling at first, but later thinks he's okay.

30. Now Everybody Really Hates Me by Jane Read Martin
Who hasn't had a day when they feel like everyone is out to get them?

31. Beware of the Bears! by Alan MacDonald
What happens when the bears follow Goldilocks to her house?

32. Officer buckle & gloria (Caldecott Medal Book) by Peggy Rathmann
Remember, always stick with your buddy!

33. Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathman
The wonderful illustrations in this book tell most of the story of animals feeling at home at the zoo.

34. 10 Minutes to Bedtime by Peggy Rathman
Look carefully at the pictures in this mostly wordless book for all sorts of discoveries. Most fun when you are also familiar with Officer Buckle and Gloria and Goodnight Gorilla.

35. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books) by Mem Fox
A story about the intergenerational relationship between a child and seniors at an old folks home.

36. Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman
Another intergenerational story, with a dramatic flair.

37. Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
My favorite counting book, with clever mice getting themselves out of a tight spot. I also like Mouse Paint, my favorite color mixing book.

38. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
A classic that never seems to lose its appeal, especially for young boys who love equipment.

39. How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
Introduced to me by one of my preschoolers, when I was helping coach a soccer team named the "Pirates"! Best if you have a good pirate accent.

40. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
I like this story because it helps kids to understand why fitting in isn't all it's cracked up to be. I also like that children and adults alike can learn more about a kind of bat they may not be familiar with.