Chapter Book Read-Alouds for Preschoolers

Pippi the Parrot

Now that you’re a preschooler, you may be interested in listening to longer books – like books with chapters! I love chapter books and I just finished a wonderful title that any preschooler will love: Twig, by Elizabeth Orton Jones.

Twig is a classic that has it all: fairies, elves, magic, and a couple of the main characters just happen to be birds, so it’s definitely my kind of story! Twig is a little girl who longs for a fairy to inhabit the little tomato can home she creates for such a little person, and her world is TRANSFORMED when Mrs. Sparrow introduces her to, not a fairy (that comes later), but an Elf instead! Shortly before meeting Twig, Elf borrows a magic book from their public library (good little Elf) and uses it to put a spell on Twig that…..well….you’ll have to read it to find out just what happens to Twig, but I know you’ll love her little adventure.

More Preschool Chapter Book Read Alouds:

Twig and the titles below have basic concepts and storylines for young listeners with long attention spans.

Milly Molly Mandy, by Joyce Lankester Brisley

J Brisley
Milly Molly Mandy is a little girl with “short hair, short legs, and a very long name.” She is resourceful and thoughtful and the book captures with accuracy the dilemmas and challenges of a child's world.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary

J Cleary

Tiny Ralph S. Mouse lives in a mouse hole in Room 215 of the Mountain View Inn. Life becomes downright thrilling when Keith and his family stop at the inn for a few days, and Keith lets Ralph ride his toy motorcycle.

Dragon of Doom, by Bruce Coville

J Coville

Life in the village of Pigbone is boring until an aspiring magician and his talking toad come to town and ask Edward to help them slay the Dragon of Doom. 1st in the Moongobble and Me series, and a nice introduction to the fantasy genre.

The Countess’s Calamity, by Sally Gardner

J Gardner

Five dolls, abandoned in a park, are rescued by Mr. and Mrs. Mouse who provide a home for them and protect them through various adventures, despite the horrible behavior of the doll called the Countess.

Busybody Nora, by Johanna Hurwitz

J Hurwitz
Relates the adventures of an inquisitive little girl who lives in a large apartment building in New York with her parents and little brother Teddy.

The Toys Go Out, by Emily Jenkins

E Jenkins

Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys. Toy Story fans my especially enjoy this book.

Dinosaurs Before Dark, by Mary Pope Osborne

J Osborne

First in the Magic Tree House series: Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister, Annie find a magic tree house, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.

The Littles, by John Peterson

J Peterson

The adventures of a tiny family who live within the walls of the Bigg's house. Great precursor to the more in-depth, The Borrowers.