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Best Books for 3 Year Old Boys & Girls

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If you’ve been looking for an age appropriate book for a 3 year old, you’re in the right place as we’ve researched and created a list of some of the best options.

Ensuring that your toddler has the right kind of books at 3 years old is crucial to helping them develop their reading skills. Our review includes a selection of books that include popular characters, magical stories, factual books, and more.

Our List of the Best Books for Three Years Old

The list below includes the main details of each book, as well as the pros and cons to ensure that you have the best overall picture about which one to choose for your child. For further details about 3 years old books, you can check out the buyers guide that’s available at the end.

1

The Hat Box By Jon Klassen

Summary

Readers have been loving how this book is full of surprises along the way as it’s sure to keep your little one engaged for longer. It follows the story of a bear trying to find his missing hat that has been stolen by a fish.

Pros
  • Fantastic box design
  • Print included that can be framed
  • Fun illustrations
Cons
  • Kids have been loving this series of books!
2

Spider Man Electronic Reading Set

Summary

Little Kids who love Spider Man could have a lot of fun with this book set as it includes a total of 8 books. Therefore, your child has plenty to read and keep themselves occupied for a while.

We were impressed with how interactive the reading features are as there are buttons available on the pages that your child can press to listen to the story being told. They’ve even included exciting sound effects.

[Related: Great Board Games for 3 Year Olds]

Pros
  • Develops auditory learning senses
  • Awesome illustrations
Cons
  • Sound quality could be improved
3

Dr. Seuss Book Collection For Beginners

Summary

There are five books included in this set which is great for being able to read different stories to your child. It includes The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Socks, and more.

We liked how the stories in these books are adventurous as it can encourage your little one to think more creatively.

Pros
  • Excitingillustrations
  • Great transition from beginner baby books
Cons
  • Some notice pages are missing
4

Level A Guided Reading Books

Summary

If you were looking for books that make it easier for your toddler to start reading at level A, this guided book series could be a great choice. There’s a variety of 25 stories to keep your child engaged with reading for a while.

Parents have been liking how the books are filled with tips on how they can improve their child’s reading abilities.

Pros
  • Colorful illustrations
  • Great nursery rhymes included
Cons
  • Some would prefer if the stories were a little shorter
5

Not Quite Narwhal

Summary

This book revolves around the story of a unicorn born in the ocean with a family of narwhals who later realizes that he isn’t one of them. He has a tough time swimming and gets swept away to the surface by a strong current.

The unicorn then discovers other unicorns and the character goes through revelations that are entertaining for kids to read through.

Pros
  • Superb drawings
  • Magical story can inspire creative thinking
Cons
  • Some hoped the story would be longer
6

ABC’s Learning Book

Summary

Kids can have fun reading through this book and learning more about the letters of the alphabet at the same tie. We were impressed with how the illustrations are super bright and make the reading experience more exciting for your child.

Pros
  • Inspirational story
  • Encourages creative thinking
Cons
  • Book quality could be more durable
7

Princess Themed Book Set

Summary

With a total of 8 books available, your child can have a blast keeping themselves entertained for a while. The books cover stories that include popular Princesses, like Rapunzel, Belle, Ariel, and more.

Buttons have been implemented to this book that kids can press and listen to the stories being read to them. It’s a great feature that makes reading more exciting.

Pros
  • Fantastic illustrations throughout
  • Develops auditory learning senses
Cons
  • Not as durable as some were hoping
8

Once There Was A Boy Box Set

Summary

This book set comes with a range of 3 stories that will keep your toddler occupied with reading for a while. The stories follow a boy who goes on various adventures that go into space and all the way back home.

Pros
  • Exciting illustrations
  • Excellent slipcase cover
Cons
  • Some of the font can be difficult to read
9

National Geographic Educational Book

Summary

Kids who are interested in learning about different facts could have a lot of fun reading through this big book of facts. It covers a wide range of topics from cars, nature, food, and more.

Pros
  • Great photos included
  • Easy to read
Cons
  • Binding of the book is a little cheap

Book Guides By Age

Books for 1 Year Olds
Books for 2 Year Olds
Books for 3 Year Olds
Books for 4 Year Olds
Books for 5 Year Olds
Books for 6 Year Olds
Books for 7 Year Olds

Book Guides by Grade

2nd Grade Books

Buyers Guide to Choosing Age Appropriate Books for 3 Year Olds

After reading through our review of the best books for 3 year old boys and girls, you’ll be able to have a better idea about which one to pick for your child. If you were looking for some additional information, take a look through our buyers guide below to learn more.

Should My 3 Year Old Be Reading Yet?

On average, children start being able to read for themselves at around 5 years old. However, you can introduce your little one to book earlier than this to help them become more familiar and confident with words.

Some 3 year olds can develop their reading skills earlier than others. Therefore, it’s a good idea to expose your little one to books that have been made for their age so that they don’t feel overwhelmed.

That’s why some of the books in our review come with a feature where kids can listen to the stories being read to them. They can still try and follow the words on the page while having an additional learning aid.

What Makes a Good 3 Yr Old Book?

Some of the main elements that make for a good book for your 3 year old girl or boy includes an easy to read format, images, and fun stories.

When your little one is able to have fun reading due to the stories being exciting and the images standing out, they’ll feel encouraged to continue reading more often. Books that are simple to read are best as these books are meant as ways to introduce your child to reading.

Books that have an creative elements are also highly recommended for toddlers. When the stories are magical and adventurous, your little one’s creative thinking skills are able to flourish while they’re reading.

How Can Parents Help Three Year Olds Learn To Read?

Taking the time to read to your child every day is one of the best things you can do to help them learn to read. By making it a habit, you’re able to help your child become more familiar with words and build up their confidence in being able to read for themselves.

Asking your child questions throughout story time is a great way to enhance their comprehension skills. It’s a positive sign if they also begin to ask questions about the story themselves.
Making reading time fun rather than feeling like a chore is also key. A lot of this will come down to the types of books that you choose. Be sure that they include fun images or interactive features, such as sound effects, to keep your little one engaged.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our review on what the top books for 3 year old kids are and what they have to offer. Finding the right book can be a powerful way to encourage your little one to have fun while improving their reading skills.

Hopefully, the information found in our review and buyers guide has proven to be useful when it comes to helping you make a final decision on the book that you think is best for your toddler.

About Sheryl Jackson

Sheryl is a wife, mother and grandmother who has 3 adult children, many grandchildren and a large family with many nieces and nephews. Over the decades Sheryl has purchased countless toys and gifts for her children, grandchildren, foster children, nieces and nephews. Sheryl has an M.A. in communications and creative writing and loves using her experience as a parent and grandparent to share her picks of the best toys and gift ideas for children, teenagers and young adults.

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