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The 15 Best Picture Books for Elementary Students – Brighten Any Day!

ByBig Ideas Educator March 10, 2021November 22, 2022

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These are the 15 best picture books for elementary students, and we own all of them on our own shelves at home. I hope you find some new inspiration!

I’d like to mention that several of these were discoveries made by receiving the Amazon Book Box. It’s a really outstanding book subscription. You won’t get books you already have because they choose awesome new releases. We LOVE Amazon book box!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from your clicks. Check out my full disclosure here.

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1 The Best Picture Books for Elementary Students

2 FREE PRINTABLE!18 Reward Coupons for Awesome Kids

The Best Picture Books for Elementary Students

best picture books for elementary students -Harriet Gets Carried Away - Favorite Picture Books

Harriet Gets Carried Away

This is a wonderful, daydreamy book about a little girl in costume getting carried off by penguins. Will she make it home by the time her birthday party begins? Side note: Harriet has two daddies, so it can open the door for conversation about different kinds of families. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

Find it on Amazon

cars and trucks - best picture books for elementary students

Cars and Trucks and Things that Go

If you’ve got a little kid obsessed with ALL vehicles, this is the book for you! It’s so random and silly, and the plot gets lost. But there’s so much to look at! This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders. It’s not great for a read aloud with a large audience, because you need the picture cues to really follow along. I also wouldn’t use it to teach plot! It’s a classic, nevertheless.

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Best picture books for elementary students - President Taft is Stuck in the Bath - Favorite Picture Books

President Taft is Stuck in the Bath

This ridiculous book is our all time favorite. I love to read it out loud and the kids think it’s hysterical. My third graders were obsessed with it, too! I think the sense of humor in the book lends itself really well to upper elementary, although younger kids with a quick wit could handle it.

Find it on Amazon

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Got an early, advanced reader? Check out this post: Your 4 Year Old Can Read: Now What?!

The Best Nest - Favorite Picture Books

The Best Nest

I’m kind of a sucker for any PD Eastman book, but this one is a wonderful book about contentment and true love. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

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Tilly and Tank - Favorite Picture Books

Tilly and Tank

This is a book about peace. Persistent kindness wins the day! This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

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Sophie's Squash - Best Picture Books

Sophie’s Squash

Sophie’s Squash is SO DANG CUTE. This little girl buys a squash at the farmer’s market, and then much to her parents’ dismay, just can’t eat it. It becomes her pet, and things go as you’d expect. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

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Ready for more? Check out this post: Our All Time Favorite Chapter Books for 2nd Grade Girls.

She Persisted - Favorite Picture Books for Girls

She Persisted

This one is pretty advanced, but it’s a GREAT conversation starter if you have little girls. These women are all heroes in our home! The book is listed as Pre-K – 2, but I disagree with that assessment. I don’t know many 1st and 2nd grade girls who would be ready for the way the information is presented and the super high vocabulary. I like this book better for 3rd-5th graders.

Find it on Amazon

Knuffle Bunny - Favorite Chapter Books

Knuffle Bunny

You can’t have a round up of your favorite children’s books and leave off Mo Willems – specifically Knuffle Bunny, our favorite one. Knuffle Bunny, the protagonists’ beloved stuffy, gets left at the laundromat down the street. It’s a hard day, but a happy ending. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders because of the content, but I’ve had 4th and 5th graders get a kick of out Mo Willems. It’s a cute story for any age.

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Mother Bruce - Favorite Picture Books

Mother Bruce

This book is storytelling genius. Bruce and the goslings are just so lovable and the problems he encounters trying to parent them will make any mother laugh out loud. My kids love it, too! The book is just fine for kids as young as pre-K, but your average 5th grader will find it hilarious, too. The humor is a bit sophisticated for younger kids.

Find it on Amazon

Check this out! Our favorite educational toys and games are here.

I'd Know You Anywhere My Love

I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love

If I’m ever in the mood for a snuggle, I go for Nancy Tillman. The illustrations are gorgeous and the words are sweet. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders. The imagery and illustrations are especially spectacular.

Find it on Amazon

Bilal Cooks Daal - Favorite Picture Books

Bilal Cooks Daal

I adore this little multicultural gem. Bilal’s whole neighborhood of friends are eager to try his family’s favorite recipe for daal, but now he’s afraid people won’t like it. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

Find it on Amazon

Chrysanthemum Picture Books

Chrysanthemum

This is a classic little book about bullying. Chrysanthemum hates being teased for her name, until her teacher saves the day! This book is best for Pre-K – 3rd graders.

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Scholastic has a post about the best picture books for elementary students, too. Check it out if you need even more ideas!

Click Clack Moo - Cows that Type

Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type

This book is just plain silly, and so fun! The author has several others but Click Clack Moo is a must-have! This book is best for Pre-K – 3rd graders.

Find it on Amazon

Elmer - Favorite Picture Books

Elmer

Ahhh! Another classic! Elmer the patchwork elephant is the life of the party, but he just wants to be a nice shade of grey like everyone else. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

Find it on Amazon

Butterfly, Butterfly

Butterfly, Butterfly

This is the most elegant pop-up picture book I’ve ever seen. My son is obsessed with the pop up butterfly at the end. It’s a truly beautiful book. This book is best for Pre-K – 2nd graders.

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I plan to update this regularly as Turkey Burger discovers new books. I hope your kiddo enjoys them, too!

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As a mom to three kids under 8, an instructional coach, and a former classroom teacher, I know a thing or two about how public schools REALLY work and the challenges we face in the United States.
I work hard to produce evidence-based information about school for both teachers and parents, and to produce and share resources that can help at home and in the classroom.

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