My kids love when it’s time to do more hunting for a Letter of the Week book list. I scour the Internet for as many books as I can find that might be the right fit – and then I reserve a giant stack at the library. But from a stack of thirty books I might choose only ten. That’s because I only include our favorites!
Books to teach Letter A – another Measured Mom book list!
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Are You an Ant? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries
I seriously love this book. Like the others in the Backyard Books series, it takes such a creative approach to teaching nonfiction to kids in preschool through grade three – in language that makes sense to them. The authors talk directly to the reader – as if he were an ant. “Go out and hunt for food. Seeds are nice. So are bugs and wood lice. Springtails are delicious, but hard to catch because they jump…Actually, you’re not a very good hunter. Look for bugs that have been stepped on. They’re easy.” Informative, funny+ great illustrations = a big win!
There’s an Alligator under My Bed, by Mercer Mayer
My kids often request this silly story about a boy whose parents don’t believe he has an alligator under his bed. He solves the problem himself by creating a trail of food which leads the alligator out of the house. I think that, for most children, this book will help allay nighttime fears… but if you have a particularly fearful child you may not want to give him or her any new ideas!
The Icky Sticky Anteater, by Dawn Bentley
It’s tough to be an anteater when you don’t like ants. In this rhyming tale an anteater tries to do as his friends do, but learns that it’s best to be himself.
Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator, by Mo Willems
Here’s a fabulous book by the author of the popular Pigeon books (as well as the Elephant and Piggie series). Willems has created another simple and funny book that both kids and adults will enjoy reading over and over. This is a collection of stories about Amanda and her stuffed alligator – like the day the alligator finds a price tag on his tale and is devastated to learn he was only seven cents!
An Anteater Named Arthur, by Bernard Waber
I can’t believe it took me this long to discover this vintage book! Published almost fifty years ago, it’s still a great story. Nope, it’s not related to the popular Arthur books and TV series created by Marc Brown. Instead, it’s a book told by a mother anteater about her son Arthur, who is sometimes (“not all the time, mind you”) a problem. Like the time he refuses to eat his red ants – because he only likes brown ones. I can’t do justice to this book in a review. I hope you’ll go find it for yourself!
Apple Farmer Annie, by Monica Wellington
There are so many children’s books out there about apples, but not many as simple and sweet as this one. This is perfect for young preschoolers to learn how apples make it from the tree to their kitchen.
Baby Alligator, by Ginjer L. Clarke
This book – and others in the All Aboard Reading series – are great for older preschoolers who love to learn about the world. If you have a child who’s always asking questions, you know just what I mean. Your preschooler will learn many interesting facts about alligators – like the fact that that they can have up to 6,000 teeth in a lifetime and grow as long as a pick-up truck!
Zack’s Alligator, by Shirley Mozelle
This is a book we own, and I’ve read it more times than I can count. Zack gets an alligator key chain in the mail from his uncle. When he waters it, it turns into a spunky, full grown alligator named Bridget. My kids love to hear about Zack’s and Bridget’s adventures… again and again and again.
Apples, Apples, Apples, by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
We love the cut paper illustrations in this book about a rabbit family who visits an apple orchard. Kids will learn about the parts of an apple, how an apple tree grows, and how to make applesauce. There are even apple sayings (“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”) and an apple song at the end of the book.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, by Marjorie Freeman
Read this book with a globe next to you! Making an apple pie is easy – unless the market is closed, and you have to travel the world to find the ingredients! Go to Italy for the wheat, Sri Lanka for cinnamon, Jamaica for salt – and many more exciting destinations. Such a creative and fun story!
Hey, Little Ant, by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
My kids really love this book about a giant boy who is about to squish a tiny ant. It’s sure to inspire conversation about whether or not we should make a game out of smashing bugs.
Ten Apples Up on Top, by Theo. LeSeig
Did you know Theo. LeSieg was a pen name for Dr. Seuss? This is a favorite book about a lion, tiger, and dog who compete to see who can balance the most apples on top of their heads. It’s also a great beginning reader book for kids who are learning sight words. Dr. Seuss did an amazing job telling engaging stories with basic words. “And now, see here. Eight! Eight on top! Eight apples up! Not one will drop.” Don’t miss it!
The Apple Pie Tree, by Zoe Hall
Colorful collage art takes you through the seasons of an apple tree in the backyard — from a brown and bare winter to a ripe red fall… and a delicious apple pie you grew yourself.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst
This classic book (published over 40 years ago- I can hardly believe it!) was one of my very favorites growing up. I could totally relate to all the things that ruined Alexander’s day – not the least of which would be having lima beans for supper. Interestingly, the book doesn’t resolve itself except for his mom to tell him that “Some days are like that.” But reading this with your child could begin a wonderful dialogue about how to handle everyday challenges.
The Lady with the Alligator Purse, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
We love singing books, so my boys are big fans of the silly song about a baby named Tiny Tim who tries to eat a bathtub. Miss Lucy calls the doctor, the nurse… and the lady with the alligator purse!
For many more resources for letter A, click on the image below!
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What a thorough list! The best way to learn is through fun and engagement. These look like winners.
Thanks for checking them out, Gayle!
Great book list! The best way to learn how to read is by reading books!
My kiddos love the silly poem Alligator Pie. Just plain ol’ silly fun.
AGREED! Listening to book is the single most important factor in helping our kids become readers!
Great list! We like Apple Farmer Annie and will have to check out the others! Pinned it!
That’s a fun one – my top recommendation from the list is Amanda and Her Alligator! Silly fun that made us laugh every time.
Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together.
I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
Thank you for these resources. My son has Expressive Language Disorder at 2.5 and I am trying help him as much as possible. I know he knows things, he just can’t say it. 🙂
You’re very welcome, Jessica! I know it’s hard when your child can’t communicate as you’d like him to. I remember that our oldest didn’t talk until she was 2 1/2. As it turned out, there was no actual disorder… we never did figure out why she waited so long! You might be interested in this blog, which is written by a speech therapist: http://www.playingwithwords365.com/
My 4 year old missed the cut off to be able to start kindergarten next year. She has been begging me to let her go to school for the past 2 years. She’s ready, but I can’t change her birthday. So instead, we are taking school to the kitchen table. She learned the letter A today. And I had to MAKE her put up her work so she could go to bed. Tomorrow we are going to the library to do our letter hunt. Then coming home to do our A is for Art project. She loves learning and when we make it fun, it doesn’t feel too much like work. Thanks so much for this list. We will definitely look for these tomorrow!
How wonderful! She’ll be very ready for kindergarten and will be excited about school with all the fun learning you’re doing at home. Thanks for sharing, Nicole!
It’s amazing. Is it apt for two and half years ? Want to buy this Letter of the week book. Pls help
Hello! I’m sorry for the delay in responding to you. These are just books you can read to your child, and certainly 2 1/2 year olds would enjoy most of them! You can purchase them online (using the brown links in the post) or get them from your library.
These lists are great! You have saved me so much work!! It would be nice though if you offered a printable list to take to the library. Thanks again, your resources are wonderful!
I’m so glad you can use these, Jennifer! I loved putting them together. Newsletter subscribers get a printable abbreviated list, and those who purchase my Letter of the Week curriculum get a complete printable list in the Appendix.
HI Anna
Thank you so much for this amazing resource .
You’re welcome, Janice!
Anna, thank you soooo much for all this information! And for all the free printables!!! I do have a question for you, I speak both Spanish and English, and I would like my 3 year old to learn Spanish. Should I enforce both languages during ABC activities?
Hi Ana! I don’t have experience with ESL, but here are some bloggers you can contact. It’s a great question!
Becky at http://kidworldcitizen.org/
Rachel at http://amotherfarfromhome.com/
Vanessa at http://www.pre-kpages.com/
Mary Anne at http://www.mamasmiles.com/
Good afternoon, I am a librarian at an elementary school. One of my teachers is a faithful follower of you and your website. I want to support her and the other teachers in my building. We have over 1260 students from pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade. I would love to get an entire list of all the books that you recommend on your website. Is there a place to find that or can I get a copy?
Thank you for your help,
Mrs. Hodyniak
Hi Diane! That sounds like it would be very useful to have :), but it isn’t something that I have created at this point. I can see it as a future project, but I don’t expect to create it anytime soon.
Hi, I’m Sachiko from Japan. I teach English in Elementary School. I loved your wonderful homepage, especially the book lists for kids and teachers. I like reading books in English. Also, thank you for the free printable.
You’re very welcome, Sachiko, and thank you for introducing yourself!
Hi Anna,
Apples, Apples, Apples is a great book are it looks artistically crafted. Adults will love it too (I’m a little guilty here). You can try and include The Day The Crayons Quit too. 😉 We definitely love that book.
Thanks for the ideas!