Today I’m sharing a quick list of letter U books.
Have you ever tried to find books for letter U?
It isn’t easy.
While we like to only include the best of children’s literature in our letter of the week book lists, I had to relax my standards a little bit for the letter U list. Kind of like with letter X.
Up Above & Down Below, by Sue Redding
If you get one book from this list, make it this one. Each page takes you through the up above and down below of a different setting – from the street to the stage. The pictures are amazing and fun – so many things to spot!
Unlovable, by Dan Yaccarino
This is a story about a little dog whose fellow pets make fun of him for his size and appearance. After hearing the parrot squawk “Unlovable!” a few too many times, poor Alfred believes it. So when he meets a neighbor dog through a hole in the fence, he lies and says he’s a golden retriever. The two dogs have fun playing alongside each other… until the day Rex digs under the fence to find out that his new friend isn’t a golden retriever after all.
The surprise ending is great!
Umbrella, by Taro Yashima
This is a classic book about a little girl who gets an umbrella and rain boots for her third birthday. I wasn’t sure how my boys would react to this one with its old style illustrations, but they enjoyed it.
Underground, by Denise Fleming
This book is very simple with just a few words per page. Your child might enjoy finding the underground creatures on each page. At the end of the book you’ll find a couple pages helping you identify each animal. For me the book was just okay. I like the concept, but the pulp paper collage style style isn’t my favorite. It was hard to identify some of the things in the pictures. But the illustrator has won a Caldecott award, so what do I know? 😉
Underwear! by Mary Elise Monsell
This is just silly and hardly a piece of great children’s literature – but how could I leave underwear off a letter U book list? Zachary Zebra and Orfo the Orangutan visit the World’s Greatest Grassland Underwear Fair every year. But they can’t convince gloomy Bismark the Buffalo that underwear could cheer him up. Until the day they dare him to say “underwear” without laughing. Preschool humor. 😉
The Underwater Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta
We have not made it through the entire book in one sitting, because it’s quite long for preschoolers. But the book has some fun facts about ocean animals with a little humor thrown in. Your child might enjoy it.
Looking for more letter U activities?
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Robin
I know it’s hard to find books about things that start with the letter “U.” What about a version of The Ugly Duckling? Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers is a great one about a penguin, who is close friends with a little boy, deciding that he wants to fly and that he wants to do it on his own. There’s also the newly-published book Uh-oh! by Shutta Crum. Un-brella by Scott E. Franson is worth looking at, too. There are a few others I recently ordered from the library; I’ll let you know if any of those are list-worthy titles.
Anna Geiger
Fabulous suggestions, Robin – thanks so much! I’m finally putting these letter U books on hold at the library and look forward to putting them on my list if my boys enjoy them. Thanks again!
karen keller
Todd Parr is one of my favorite children’s authors and he has a delightful book for the letter U, My Underwear Book.
toddparr.com
Jenny
A Great Day for Up!
Inside, Outside, Upside Down
Anna Geiger
I’m not sure how I missed those, Jenny – thanks for the recommendations!
Debbie
Do you have a suggestion for The Ugly Duckling that is a shorter version for preschoolers?
Anna G
Ah, that would have been a good title for this list! I know the book by Jerry Pinkney, but it’s a little long. Sorry that I can’t think of another one!