What was the last book you read that was so good you couldn’t put it down? If you’re anything like me, you stayed up until the wee hours just to finish the next chapter—and then walked around like a zombie the next day. You just couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. It’s no different for kids. Getting kids engrossed in an amazing story is a sure-fire way to get them excited about reading. But there’s one difference…

For most kids 4-7, their listening comprehension is often much higher than their reading comprehension. They can understand a higher level book when it’s read aloud that they wouldn’t be able to read on their own. This discrepancy can prevent some kids from being exposed to higher level books, with more interesting plots, at an early age. The more your child can become engrossed in a fantastic story—that you can have a conversation about—the better.

1. Because of Winn-Dixie
   by Kate DiCamillo
2. Beezus and Ramona
   by Beverly Cleary
3. Cricket in Times Square
   by Garth Williams
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
   by Jeff Kinney
5. Frindle
   by Andrew Clements
6. Frozen
   Disney
7. Go, Dog. Go!
   by P.D. Eastman
8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
   by J.K. Rowling
9. Holes
   by Louis Sachar
10. Horton Hatches the Egg
    by Dr. Seuss
11. Horton Hears a Who
    by Dr. Seuss
12. James and the Giant Peach
    by Roald Dahl
13. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
    by C.S. Lewis
14. Little House on the Prairie series
    by Laura Ingalls Wilder
15. The Lorax
    by Dr. Seuss
16. The Magic Tree House series
    by Mary Pope Osborne
17. Mercy Watson series
    by Kate DiCamillo
18. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
    by Beverly Cleary
19. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
    by Richard Atwater, Florence Atwater
20. Oggie Cooder
    by Sarah Weeks
21. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
    by Dr. Seuss
22. The One and Only Ivan
    by Katherine Applegate
23. Peter Pan
    Disney
24. The Secrets of Droon series
    by Tony Abbott
25. Stuart Little
    by E.B. White
26. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
    by Judy Blume
27. The Trumpet of the Swan
    by E.B. White
28. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
    by L. Frank Baum
29. Wonder
    by R.J. Palacio
30. Matilda
    by Roald Dahl