Book recommendations for a 4 year old who can read independently

[mamalife1990]

So recently I gave my 8 year old daughter a summer reading box. I bought 50 books lol (I didn't realise there was 50 books)

And now my son wants his own summer reading box. I usually struggle to find books that he can read independently at the library, so I'm struggling to think of what books to buy.

I'm looking for very basic illustrated chapter books that are short and an early reader can read. But I also want him to be challenged a bit by some of the books. My daughter is 8 years old so it's been a few years since she was his age and I forget what books she was reading when she was 4 😭

Usbourne have really lovely chapter books.

https://usborne.com/media/usborne/usbahtad/Beginners_Our_World.pdf

https://usborne.com/gb/the-perfect-pet-9781409530633

Mr.men my children used to love them and the Hairy Mclary series

How about letting him loose a bit in Waterstones or similar, so that he can choose? There are just so many wonderful books out there, and he will be the best judge of what he likes reading.

The only issue with that is that a lot of books are above his reading level. A lot of the books he picks up he can't read yet

Frog And Toad books by Arnold Lobel are perfect for early readers.

Dick King Smith! Lots of good options.

Also some of the easier Roald Dahl’s - my 5yo has just read The Magic Finger independently.

Thank you for the suggestions. I just did a quick Google search and those books would be great for my son to read

Wow, those are perfect for his reading level! Thank you

They were my children's preferred first books, they are fantastic.

When you get to 6 or so, try Flat Stanley.

Happy Families series by Allan Ahlberg.
Ladybird books (they're different levels so you'd need to check) - secondhand old ones have better illustrations.

Does that matter? He's 4. It's great that he can read some books independently but if he chooses something he likes the look of and can't read it yet, you read it to him. He'll be able to read it independently one day.

There are so many amazing picture books out there, introducing a whole range of vocabulary. Don't limit him to simple texts he will be able to read himself. A mix is vital. At 4, the best way to encourage reading for pleasure is still to actually read to him rather than focusing on books he can actually read. That will come in time, but it's not a race. Absolutely focus on reading for pleasure at this age.

Edited to add, if he's already reading I don't doubt you do read daily to him and your house is full of picture books already. I was simply responding to the idea that you don't want him choosing the books as he'll pick ones he can read yet. I'm just saying that doesn't matter. I totally understand you wanting to get some books he can read for himself, but if you're looking to get a large amount of books I don't think it matters at all if he can't read all of them independently. Personal choice is the most important thing here. I also wanted to point out the huge value of picture books still at this age. Many parents abandon them once their child starts to read independently, in favour of chapter books, but educationally there's still just as much value in picture books. The vocabulary can be more challenging than simple books aimed at new independent readers, for starters.

My kids both really liked the early reader fact books - on sharks or diggers or Star Wars or whatever he’s into.

For a four year old's box, I'd do a mixture of books he can read himself and books to look at together.

What about some fun, interactive books like the Nick Sharrat You Choose Books or the Axel Scheffler Flip Flap poem books? Ketchup on your Cornflakes is GREAT too. My kids all loved those at that kind of age, and would spend hours poring over them. You can read them together and then can look at them independently too.

There's a really beautiful book called The Return too where you make up and retell your own verison of the story.

It's so gorgeous that you're doing this for your children!!

Successes in our house have been the Claude series by Alex T Smith and Gordon the Goose. Both very silly and very funny!

I adored Richard Scarry books at that age. Cars and Trucks and Things That Go was my favourite. Or how about the original Mr Men books which are fantastic for learning new vocabulary.