Book List: My Classroom Favorites!

Hi All!

I have compiled a list of some of my most favorite, go-to, always-have-on-the-ready read aloud books for my kindergarten classroom. These books represent a wide-range of teaching opportunities, but at their core, these are some of the stories that my students have consistently loved. I hope your students enjoy them as much as mine do!

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“Spoon”, Amy Rosenthal

While Spoon compares themselves to all the cool things their friends can do, Knife, Fork and Chopsticks pine after all the special jobs that Spoon has. Touching on ideas of self esteem, identity, and comparing ourselves to others, this story is a go-to in my classroom to talk about the gifts each individual student brings to the group.

“Giraffes Can’t Dance”, Giles Andreae

Gerald the Giraffe is crippled by fear at the annual Jungle Dance, but with a bit of encouragement from an unlikely friend, he becomes the star of the show! I use this book to talk about being afraid, nervous and self-conscious, and how to address those feelings in order to embrace our true selves. And with a rhyming cadence and unusual vocabulary words, this text is a great one to read again and again.

“Count the Monkeys”, Mac Barnett

Without fail, this is one of the most laughter-inducing books we’ve ever read in class. Alligators, rhinos, wolves, grandmas, and bagpipes make counting the monkeys much trickier than anticipated. Good luck getting through this story without your class dissolving into a giggle-fit.

“Gaston”, Kelly DiPucchio

In this truly beautiful story about being accepted and loved for you who truly are, Gaston the bulldog struggles to be like his dainty Poodle siblings. But when he meets Antoinette and finds a family that looks more like him, both broods quickly see that appearances do not tell the whole story of who a person is. Whether we are talking about gender, identity, acceptance or family, this book is the compassionate answer to many children’s questions about being themselves.

"No David" series, David Shannon

There’s a David in every class. In every family. In every one of us. Which is why this book, and Shannon’s whole series about David, appeals to so many. We can laugh as David tears off down the street in his birthday suit, but we can also study David’s feelings as he is both chastised and comforted. With simple text and elaborate pictures, this is a great book to discuss behavior, expectations, and feelings.

“Pete the Cat” series, James Dean

Pete the Cat is the coolest cat around, and every story shares both a moral and a catch sing-a-long. From his white shoes, his groovy buttons, and his magic sunglasses, Pete teaches students about having a positive attitude in the face of any trouble. As a staple of any Pre-K or kindergarten classroom, Pete stories are also great for teaching counting and colors, as well as inspiring art projects.

“Elephant and Piggie” series, Mo Willems

Mo Willems is a gift to every early reader (and to the adults who teach them). Encapsulated in hilarious and often poignant dialog, Piggie and Gerald are the quintessential friendship that spans differences in gender, personality, and even species. And because these are dialog-based books, they can be the perfect texts to teach partner reading, reader’s theater, and other reading structures that bring books to life.

“Pigeon” series, Mo Willems

Did I mention my absolute adoration of Mo? Well, my affinity for his stories include his character, Pigeon, as well. Whether he wants to drive a bus, eat a hot dog, or get a cookie, Pigeon is an unruly goofball that both students and teachers can laugh with. Make sure to include these texts when you are considering direct drawing activities- Mr. Willems himself has videos to teach people how to draw his iconic characters!

“The Snatchabook”, Helen Docherty

In this rhyming story, brave Eliza Brown works to solve the case of the missing books. But as often is, our culprit is not the fearsome thief we make think. This is a beautifully lyrical book with sweet messages about righting wrongs and loving literature.

“Not a Box”, “Not a Stick” series, Antoinette Portis

Among the near constant tendency to entertain children with screens and toys, these books remind us all that the best entertainment we could ever have is our own imagination. A simple box serves as a rocket ship, and a stick as a paintbrush. I love to use this story to inspire students to use classroom materials in new and creative ways.

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