Whether you're looking for the perfect first grade read alouds to kick off the school year, searching for captivating chapter books to engage your students, or simply seeking stories with beautiful illustrations, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we've compiled a list of 50 fantastic picture books that are sure to delight your first graders.
From classic tales to modern favorites, these selections are guaranteed to spark imaginations, foster a love for reading, and create cherished memories in your classroom. Get ready to dive into stories that will not only captivate your students' minds but also ignite their love for reading.
These books aren't just pages with words – they are windows to new worlds and exciting adventures. So, let's dive in and explore the magic that these picture books bring to our classrooms and our kids' imaginations!
Books For The First Week of School
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg – A humorous story about the nervousness of starting a new school year. This is one of my favorite books to use for the first day of school. After reading this story we discuss our feeling about coming to school, make jitter juice and write about our day. It's the best way to start back to school!
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn – A comforting picture book about a little raccoon's first day at school away from home.
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes – Wemberly's anxieties about her first day will resonate with young readers.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi – A story of a young girl's journey to embrace her unique name in a new school. This is a great book to read when kids are learning all of their new friends names.
David Goes To School by David Shannon – Through lively illustrations and simple text, the book follows the adventures of David as he navigates a school day filled with funny mishaps and lessons about good behavior. Kids will giggle at David's antics while learning important lessons about following rules and making amends. We use this book when we are writing out classroom rules.
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex – A fresh perspective on the first day of school, told from the school building's point of view. Perfect book for the beginning of the year.
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Chapter Books To Read Aloud To First Graders
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – The heartwarming story of friendship between a young girl, a pig, and a spider. This is a great story of friendship that students will love.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – A whimsical adventure through Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory. Your 1st graders will love this classic book.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry – Follow Gooney Bird's captivating tales as she lights up her classroom with her imagination.
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish – The funny mishaps of a literal-minded housekeeper will have first graders giggling.
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel – Join the delightful adventures of these two best friends who are always there for each other.
Books With Lovely Illustrations
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – Beautifully illustrated tale of a boy's enchanting winter adventures. This is a great read-aloud for the month of January.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – A classic with captivating illustrations that bring the wild things to life. This is definitely one to add to your classroom library.
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann – Engaging illustrations complement the humorous tale of safety officer Officer Buckle and his dog Gloria. Six year olds love the humor in this funny book!
The Mitten by Jan Brett – Beautifully illustrated book about a little boy who loses his mitten in the snow and the adventures that happen as one by one the woodland animals make it their home.
Stranger In The Woods by Carl R. Sams – In this beautiful book with real photographs, the animals awaken to find a special surprise…a stranger in the woods.
Swimmy by Leo Lionni – brave little Swimmy, the fish, helps his friends overcome their fear of the ocean.
CLICK HERE FOR A YEAR OF READ ALOUD ACTIVITIESBooks From Favorite Children's Authors
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems – The hilarious antics of the pigeon are sure to captivate young audiences as he attempts to talk the reader into letting him drive the bus.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig – A tale of magic and learning important life lessons from a beloved author.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman – Encourages self-confidence and imagination through the story of a young girl named Grace.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch – A modern fairy tale that celebrates the strength and wit of its young protagonist.
Favorite Holiday First Grade Read Alouds
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss – A heartwarming tale of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg – A magical journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express. This beautiful book will capture your students attention as they dream of journeying to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing – A charming story that captures the excitement of the holiday season.
The Easter Bunny's Assistant by Jan Thomas – The Easter Bunny is looking for a new assistant and Skunk seems to be the perfect fit…until he starts to drive the Easter Bunny crazy with his excitement. This book is laugh out loud funny!
Snowmen At Work by Caralyn Buehner – Exactly what do snowmen do when we're all sleeping? Why they go to work of course!
Books Celebrating Different Cultures
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña – A heartwarming tale of a boy and his grandmother exploring their vibrant city.
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams – A touching story of family, community, and determination.
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe – An African folktale with stunning illustrations that celebrate inner beauty.
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf – A timeless classic that promotes individuality and embracing one's true self.
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say – An introspective exploration of a young boy's connection to two different cultures.
CLICK HERE FOR A YEAR OF READ ALOUD ACTIVITIESOther Favorite First Grade Read Alouds
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt – A clever and humorous story about a box of crayons expressing their feelings to their owner. Your entire class will love this funny book and it's perfect to use when teaching letter writing to kids.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin – A delightful tale of farm animals using their newfound typing skills to negotiate working conditions with their boss Farmer Brown.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin – Join Pete the Cat on his colorful adventure as he steps in various substances in his brand new shoes.
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney – A sweet story of bedtime worries and the comfort of a mother's love.
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon – A heartwarming tale of friendship and acceptance between a bat and a bird. This is one of the best books to read if you're learning about owls.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff – A whimsical story that explores the chain reaction of events after a mouse gets a cookie.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – A classic repetitive book that introduces colors and animals to young readers.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst – Follow Alexander as he navigates a day filled with mishaps and challenges.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper – A timeless tale of determination and self-belief that resonates with young children.
Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson – A fun book about friendship that's perfect for Halloween.
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus – A reassuring story about a young tiger who learns to embrace his own pace.
Curious George by H.A. Rey – Follow the mischievous monkey George on his exciting escapades.
Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor – Join Nancy as she adds flair and fancy to everything she does.
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae – A delightful rhyming story about a giraffe finding his own unique dance moves.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka – A humorous twist on the classic fairy tale, told from the wolf's perspective.
The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems – Join the pigeon as it tries to avoid taking a bath in this hilarious story.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon – A whimsical tale of self-acceptance and being true to oneself.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister – A visually stunning story about sharing and friendship, featuring a glittering fish.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle – A tactile book that introduces young readers to a spider spinning her web.
With these 50 heartwarming picture books, you're equipped with a diverse selection of stories that cater to the interests and developmental needs of your first graders. These books provide a great way to introduce young children to the world of literature, foster a love for reading, and create memorable moments in your classroom.
Whether you're looking for the perfect read-aloud for the first day of school, seeking chapter books that captivate young minds, or simply want to explore stories with gorgeous illustrations, this list has something for everyone. Happy reading, and here's to an incredible school year filled with fantastic stories and endless possibilities!
Ready to get your year started with the perfect read aloud? Click below for a year of read-aloud activities you're sure to love!
CLICK HERE FOR A YEAR OF READ ALOUD ACTIVITIESLooking for more read aloud and picture book suggestions? Take a look at these posts:
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