Originally posted at Learn Read Play
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When it comes to reading with preschoolers, you want to find books that are simple, engaging, and interactive.  These are my top 5 recommendations that do just that!

1.  Big Books - These books have thick, fold-out pages that are perfect for showing items BIGGER than life.  In Big Book of Big Animals, see a scuba diver (average-sized adult male) next to a blue whale (the largest creature!).  Your preschoolers will LOVE seeing size comparisons of things they can relate to.  This series includes the big book of: Animals, Big Machines, Body, Bugs, Dinosaurs, Rockets and Spacecraft, Sea Creatures, Stars and Planets, Tractors, Trains, and Trucks.
2. Shine-a-Light - These nonfiction picture books have hidden pictures that will be revealed by holding the page up to a light or using a flashlight.  These books will wow your preschoolers and they will love guessing what hidden pictures will be revealed next!  This series includes: On the Construction Site, Plane, Space Station, Train; Secrets of Animal Camouflage, Apple Tree, the Human Body, Rain Forest, Seashore, Vegetable Garden, and Winter.
3.  Look Inside - These books have flaps inside of flaps and allow your child take a peek inside the world around them!  This series includes: Airport, Castle, Food, How Computers Work, Jungle, Mummies & Pyramids, Our World, Space, Trains, and Your Body (our personal favorite!).
4.  Children's Encyclopedia - This book is a stand-alone, but jam-packed with almost every topic except for math!  It's generally recommended for 7+, but is a great introduction to many topics for preschoolers.  I love having this one with preschool, so I can answer one of MANY questions that are bound to come up.
5.  Beginners - These books are the PERFECT introduction to nonfiction for a preschooler.  They have both illustrations and photographs with a short-level of text.  Your child can learn about animals, space, and so much more with this best-selling series!

Throughout the Learn Read Play curriculum, you'll find lots of recommendations for books in these series and MUCH more.  Start with this list though and add to your family library as you go!  You can find the full list of recommended books by clicking here.