engaging exciting books for 4 to 5 year olds

8 Extremely Engaging Books for 4 to 5 year olds

Most Engaging Books for 4 to 5 year olds

I have adored reading to my 5-year old twins since they were born.  Many books have flowed into our home.  English books, German books, Picture Books… During the last year, my children have become more intrigued by the books and no day goes by without them “begging” for me to read to them.  Here are 8 extremely engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds. These books have totally engaged my twins and me and stolen our hearts.

engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

“Did Nanette get the baguette?!”


Nanette’s Baguette

This is an absolutely adorable book about a little frog girl on her first assignment to get the baguette.  She gets caught up in all sorts of distractions with her friends – Suzette, Georgette, and Brett with his clarinet.  And let us not forget Mr. Barnett with his pet, Antoinette.

Eventually, Nanette manages to get the baguette, can she resist eating the baguette?  Oh no!  The baguette is warm, the baguette tastes wonderful…

My kids and I cannot get enough out of this great book, with wonderful rhymes and an entertaining story.  Follow along on Nanette’s quest for the baguette.


engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

The friendliest little blue truck in town!


The Little Blue Truck

The sweet and rhythmic story starts out with the little blue truck meandering through the countryside.  He greets everyone along the way… until the big dump truck rudely interrupts him.  This hugely important dump truck had insulted all of the animals along his path.

“Honk, Honk!  Coming through!  I’ve got important things to do!”  That is until he gets his big important dump truck tires  stuck in a muddy bog.  All the animals ignored his cries for all.

Who comes to the rescue? The little blue truck.  But he ends up getting stuck himself.

It was only with the support of his kind friends that he and the dump truck were rescued.

This is an adorable story about being polite and true friendship.


Engaging Books for 4 to 5 year olds

Kindness in the largest form


The Spiffiest Giant in Town

This is a lovely story about selflessness and caring for others.  Our version of this book is called the Smartest Giant in Town.  In the US, the title is the Smartest Giant in Town.

The Smartest Giant is tired of his tattered old clothes. So, he goes to the tailor and he buys himself the smartest clothes.  On his way home, he runs into all sorts of situations, where he helps various animals.  Step by step, he slowly loses his clothes as he sacrifices himself to save others.

Once again, a lovely story about selflessness and kindness.


engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

Persistence and cleverness pays off for the little witch


The Clever Little Witch

We have this book in German and it is a hit.  It is part of a series.  Lisbett is a little witch in training.  She discovered a suitcase on her doorstep.  Now, she has to figure out how to open it and goes on an adventure to discover to open the case.  A great story loved by all.


engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

Opposites attract with incredible kindness and ingenuity


The Snail and the Whale

This is a lovely story about an adventurous snail who takes a trip around the world on the back of a big, kind, friendly whale. The whale get beached and the snail must figure out how he can save his friend.  Read the story to find out who comes to the rescue.  A lovely read!


engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

An amazing journey around the world with memorable characters


Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy World

What an incredible adventure around the world.  Richard Scarry does an amazing job, in which he captures the imagination of children big and small.  From Pierre the Paris Policeman to Noah the Boa Constrictor on a flight to Rio for Carnival to Shalom from Israel.  Great illustrations fill the pages and the stories are amusing, short and sweet.  It is a great book and most stories are 2 to 4 pages long.  That means each child can pick a stories for bedtime.  This is a bedtime staple.  We highly recommend this book.


engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds

Compilation of the best of Richard Scarry


Richard Scarry’s Best Storybook Ever

This is a compilation of Richard Scarry’s best stories from multiple books.  We bought this after the Busy Busy World book.  It is a fun summary of all our favourite stories.


Engaging Books for 4 to 5 year olds – A Blast from the Past

Literally the best going to bed book for us


The Going to Bed Book

I must admit.  We recycled this book from an earlier age.  We have read this book since the twins were 2. Unexpected silly twists and graphics fill the pages.,  This book is such a staple, that it became our family good night story.  A wonderful going to bed book!


What are your recommendations for engaging books for 4 to 5 year olds?