Today, we continue our series on Classic books for every age group of elementary school kids. We put our heads together to discuss the books we remember having read to us and those we read to our children when they were five years old. Those we cherish and that we have special memories from reading.
This is our hit list of classics for the Kindergarten child.
1. Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
This is a great early reader book and one that young children relate to strongly. The adventures of these two amphibians and the themes of friendship and growing up resonates well with six-year-olds that are also learning about what it means to be a good friend as they enter kindergarten.
2. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Continuing the theme of friendship, the fun stories in this first Paddington book entertain while emphasizing gentleness, kindness, tolerance and resilience. The gentle and fun-loving bear will become a quick favorite to read.
3. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Living alone in her house, Villa Villekulla, with her monkey and horse, this young lady gets up to all kinds of mischief that will have your kids laugh out loud. The very naughty Pippi keeps the entire town on their toes and makes reading a real pleasure for imaginative young minds.
4. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
This American Classic truly stands the test of time. Many of us remember reading about Dorothy and her dog Toto caught in a cyclone and dropped in a magical land where they make friends with the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, and fight the Wicked Witch of the East. It’s time to blow the dust off the covers and share this magical story with your kids.
5. The Wind in the Willos by Kenneth Grahame
The charming experiences of Rat, Mole, Toad and Badger in pastoral England remind us a bit of Arnold Lobel’s characters in Frog and Toad. Your kids will be drawn into the emotions and and adventures of a society filled with motor cars, the imposing Toad Hall and quintessential English life.
6. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saing-Exupery
I have to admit that my first introduction to this book was not that pleasant. In third grade French our teacher had us analyze this book in the minutest detail – all in French, of course. Since then, I have read it in English and this classic makes for a great addition to your 6-year-olds collection. We follow the adventures of a nameless little prince from the asteroid B-612 as he encounters people and animals on earth.
7. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Made popular again by the 2012 Hollywood release, it’s worth your time to find this classic book to read with your kindergartner. There are many modern versions of this book, but my daughter and I read the original version and really enjoyed it. Alice follows a talking rabbit down a rabbit hole, follows him and the rest of the story turns into one big adventure.
8. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The story of a little boy and a tree that loved him, and gave and gave and gave. Kids love Silverstein poems and illustrations funny and moving. This story will certainly spark a conversation of the gift of giving.
9. Stuart Little by E. B. White
Stuart is no ordinary mouse as he lives in New York with his human parents and older brother George, and Snowbell, the cat. This novel is about one small mouse on one big adventure to rescue his best friend, a bird named Margalo.
10. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant by David McKee
This story is suitable for early exploration of the themes and issues of diversity and acceptance, as Elmer discovers as he tries to change his colors to blend in with other elephants. It’s a charming read and one that delivers an important message.
