31 of the Best Level 1 Books for Early Readers
by Melissa Taylor
Growing readers want to read the best level 1 books — books with great stories and information that will keep them excited about reading. That’s why we’ve put together a master list of level 1 reading books for children. Here you’ll find excellent, engaging early reader books for your beginning readers.
These level 1 reading books feature short sentences, big type, and supportive picture clues. Often, you’ll see repetition in sentence structure as well as rhyme, both of which help the reader predict and decode new words.
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Clara and Clem in Outer Space
Buy from:Clara and Clem are in for unexpected surprises when their robot made of blocks transports them into space.
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Sam and the Firefly
Buy from:Anyone who fell in love with Are You My Mother? and Go, Dog. Go! needs to get their hands on this lesser-known classic from P.D. Eastman. Kids will giggle through this story about an owl and a firefly zooming through the air, writing words against the night sky, and unintentionally creating chaos for everyone on the ground.
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Jungle Animals
Buy from:Learn about fascinating jungle animals from toucans to jaguars in this fact-based book with colorful photographs.
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Go, Dog. Go!
Buy from:It’s a classic for a reason. Big and little dogs, red and green dogs all go to a dog party in this wild and crazy rhyming story.
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The Rock from the Sky
Buy from:Beginning readers love the simple text, quirky illustrations, and dry humor of Jon Klassen’s books. In this story, a couple of animals debate the merits of standing in a particular spot. At the same time, they have the nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right. This extra-long picture book pairs well with Jon Klassen’s Hat Box.
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Ten Apples Up On Top!
Buy from:These animals can do all sorts of amazing things while balancing apples on top of their heads in this beginning reader filled with both silly humor and illustrations.
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Otis's Busy Day
Buy from:Spend a day on the farm with your child’s favorite little tractor! Kids who enjoyed the Otis picture book series or the animated television show will appreciate seeing the tractor’s friendly face and familiar farm animals in this story.
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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Buy from:Goofy rhyming stories help kids master new (and invented) words with Dr. Seuss’s unusual creatures and their antics.
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Max Finds an Egg
Buy from:Max imagines the egg he finds is a dinosaur egg and takes very good care of it. What animal will be inside?
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Driving School (Elbow Grease)
Buy from:Young readers who can’t get enough of the adorable monster truck named Elbow Grease will happily crack open this book. In this early reader story, Elbow Grease and his brothers head to driving school, where they learn to obey the rules and stay safe.
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Garden Day!
Buy from:A brother and sister plant peas in their backyard and (with the help of their parents!) build a scarecrow to protect them in this early reader perfect for springtime.
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I Love Being Me!
Buy from:Learning to read has never felt so good. Vibrant colors and joyful affirmations fill this leveled reader book from the creator of Happy Hair and Cool Cuts. The uplifting text will boost your child’s confidence in reading and themselves. Keep your eyes peeled for I Am Born to Be Awesome! coming out in January 2023.
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Penguin Problems
Buy from:Young readers will have a hoot over the gripes of a particularly sassy penguin. For starters, why does everyone have to wear the same outfit?
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Big Red Lollipop
Buy from:Rubina can’t wait for her friend’s birthday party — until, that is, her mother insists that she take her little sister, Sana. Will the two be able to get along, even when Sana swipes Rubina’s party favor?
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Big Snowman, Little Snowman (Disney Frozen)
Buy from:One of the easiest ways to encourage new readers is to give them a book featuring their favorite movie characters. Young children will love learning concepts and practicing their budding reading skills with the cast of Disney’s Frozen.
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Shh! We Have a Plan
Buy from:Chris Haughton’s vibrant illustrations bring to life this rib-tickling story about a group of friends whose hijinks keep going awry. Keep an eye out for Haughton’s upcoming seaside story, Don’t Worry, Little Crab.
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Soccer Time!
Buy from:Learning to read independently and how to score a goal at the same time? That’s what you call a win-win.
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The Moon's Time to Shine (StoryBots)
Buy from:Learn about the moon with the help of your favorite StoryBots characters! From its orbit to its light, readers will discover many exciting, out-of-this-world facts about the moon.
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Bake, Mice, Bake!
Buy from:Some talented mice whip up delicious baked goods at the Cakes and More bakery. Fair warning: this one might give your reader the munchies.
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It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny
Buy from:P.J. Funnybunny is on a mission to be anything other than a bunny. But bears, birds, possums, and skunks don’t seem to suit. Is it possible that being a bunny is perfect for P.J. after all?
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Big Shark, Little Shark
Buy from:Two hungry sharks go hunting for a snack in this Level 1 book about opposites. Rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and expressive characters make this story a favorite of beginning readers everywhere.
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Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors
Buy from:Nervous about getting a shot at the doctor’s office, Maud imagines she’s a fish swimming serenely in the doctor’s aquarium. She gets so wrapped up in daydreaming that she doesn’t even notice that the scary part’s over.
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Little Critter: The Original Classics
Buy from:This hardcover edition features all of the Little Critter classics. Its heft will make your beginning reader feel like a pro, and its heart will make them a Little Critter fan for life.
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I Will Race You Through This Book!
Buy from:From the creator of A Pig, a Fox, and a Box comes a funny, interactive reading adventure your child will want to experience again and again. Book-It Bunny loves running, and she wants to race you to the end of the book. But keep your eye on her because she’ll do whatever it takes to win.
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I Love My Grandma!
Buy from:Perfect for taking to grandma’s house, this sweet read celebrates family lineage, as a little girl realizes that her grandma had a grandma, too!
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A Piglet Named Mercy
Buy from:The prequel to Kate DiCamillo’s beloved Mercy Watson series is ideal for new readers. Whether they’ve grown up listening to older siblings read about Mercy’s escapades or they’re new to Deckawoo Drive, they’ll love every minute of this origin story.
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Can I Be Your Dog?
Buy from:Arfy the mutt sends heartfelt (and hilarious) letters to everyone on Butternut Street, angling for a forever home. Who could say no to that cute face?
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Tyrannosaurus Rex (StoryBots)
Buy from:If your child loves watching StoryBots on YouTube, they’ll enjoy this beginning reader book featuring the show’s colorful characters. From its body size to its diet, readers will learn about the king of the dinosaurs—tyrannosaurus rex!
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Llama Llama Loves to Read
Buy from:Little Llama’s love for reading is contagious. Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan perfectly capture the exhilaration over that first time we start to recognize words.
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2022.